The Marshall University Green Trail, a project by the sustainability department, will soon be complete on campus.

James Baldwin, interim sustainability manager, said the Green Trail will be a path throughout campus with stations that highlight sustainability initiatives in different locations all over campus, including things like gardens, greenhouses and purposefully green areas.

Baldwin said the sustainability department will likely complete the project over spring break so it is finished when students return to campus. According to Baldwin, the sustainability department has been working on the project for a long time and members are eager to get it completed.

Baldwin said there have been many people involved in the process of making and finalizing the Green Trail, including students and faculty.

According to Baldwin, the “Green Stations” on the trail will look similar to the Ash Tree Stump outside the Science Building, with informational plaques about each station. The plaque about the Ash Tree removal will be included as part of the Green Trail.

The Green Trail will function to help make students more aware of the green initiatives being taken all around campus and serve as a reminder of being environmentally conscious. Baldwin said it is difficult for the sustainability department to make significant changes on a college campus because some students do not pay attention to the efforts being made.

“No matter how much we do, there’s always trash in the recycling containers,” Baldwin said. “People don’t stop and read.”

On the “Green Trail” page on Marshall’s website, students can see a list of each featured stop, including rain gardens, recycling bins and the greenhouse. These sites already exist on campus, but Baldwin said the purpose of the trail is to provide information about the sites and a walkable path.

The trail will be an ongoing project and sustainability will add stations as they expand environmentally friendly efforts on campus.

Marshall’s spring break starts March 21 and lasts through March 25. Classes will resume March 28 and students can look forward to walking through the Green Trail when they return.

Lydia Waybright can be contacted at [email protected].