Celebrating Marianne Martin鈥檚 Lasting Impact on 缅北禁地
After more than 25 years of extraordinary service to 缅北禁地, Marianne Martin is retiring at the end of this month. As Associate Director of the Environmental Center, Marianne has been a driving force behind many of the university鈥檚 most innovative and influential sustainability efforts. Her legacy spans decades, programs, and people鈥攁nd reflects the kind of leadership the Environmental Center has fostered over its 55-year history.听
Marianne began her journey at 缅北禁地 as a student where she was active with Wilderness Study Group. After helping start a non-profit after graduating, she joined the Environmental Center staff in 1998 and has dedicated her professional career to building a more just, sustainable campus. Under her leadership, the Center鈥檚 staff and budget quadrupled. She played a key role in developing institutional sustainability plans and initiatives that set 缅北禁地 apart nationally such as; Sustainable CU Grants, EcoReps in the residence halls, One Million Acts of Green, green purchasing programs, sustainable food, and campus pollinator gardens, and the Green Office certification program. She also launched programs that engage students directly in sustainability careers and changemaking, including the Campus Sustainability Roundtable, Teach for Sustainability internship, and sustainability action teams. 听She鈥檚 been a collaborator on partnerships such as Ralphie鈥檚 Green Stampede, FLOWS, relocating the campus recycling center and the Williams Village greenhouse.听听
For over a decade, Marianne led the charge to bring the national Bioneers conference to 缅北禁地 as well as the Annual Campus Sustainability Summits. These events connected students and community with a powerful mix of environmental justice, cutting edge scientific solutions, and sustainable leaders from across sectors. She built community coalitions, coordinated logistics, and inspired innovation across campus, year after year. Her work was recognized in 2014 with the 鈥淲omen Who Make a Difference鈥 award, and most recently, she received the 缅北禁地 Campus Sustainability Legacy Achievement Award for her enduring impact.听
Beyond programs and plans, Marianne鈥檚 greatest legacy may be her mentorship. Hundreds of students and staff have grown under her guidance to become sustainability leaders in their own communities. She鈥檚 known for cultivating a culture of collaboration, care, and purpose that will continue to shape the Environmental Center for years to come.听
As Marianne retires, we extend our deepest gratitude. Thank you, Marianne, for your unwavering commitment, your vision, and your heart. You鈥檝e made 缅北禁地 a better place and your legacy will continue to inspire change for generations.听
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