UW-River Falls Triumphs in Statewide Energy…

Higher Education Kit Challenge

Committed to Energy Efficiency

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UW-River Falls) proudly announces its first-place victory in the competitive Higher Education Kit Challenge, sponsored by Focus on Energy. The Higher Education Kit Challenge brought together ten other higher education institutions from across the state to assess their commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Participating schools were given the opportunity to request free energy-efficient care packages containing LEDs, showerheads, power strips, and more. Each energy-saving pack ordered earned points for the school, with UW-River Falls receiving the most points.

Key Highlights of UW-River Falls' Success

Championing Conservation

UW-River Falls students and staff ordered more than 140 kits. As a result, the University students reduced their energy use by 7,420 kWh. This equates to powering one home for an entire year. Their outstanding efforts set a benchmark for sustainable practices in higher education.

Campus Sustainability

UW-River Falls engages community members in collaborative programming and efforts to educate our community on ways to work together to take action. It is also a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), where employees and students can network with fellow educational institutions to access sustainability resources. UWRF is also recognized as a Bee Campus and a Fair-Trade designated university.

Student Engagement

UW-River Falls actively involves students in its sustainability initiatives. It is renowned for participating in several organizations focused on creating a better world, including Environmental Sustainability Club, Resource Management Club, UWRF Green Team, Bee Club, and the Horticulture Society.

Dr. Maria Gallo, Chancellor of UW-River Falls, expressed immense pride in the University's achievement, stating, "Winning the Higher Education Kit Challenge is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our faculty, staff, and students to environmental stewardship and energy conservation. It reaffirms our ongoing goals of reducing our carbon footprint, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring a greener future for all."

Other notable educational institutions that participated in the challenge include:

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
University of Wisconsin-Stout
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Marquette University
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
University of Wisconsin-Superior

The Higher Education Kit Challenge

Congratulations to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls!

Check out how the other participating schools ranked!

Final rankings and more information