FSU College of Law Green Office Spotlight- Norma’s Plants
The FSU College of Law Office of Development and Alumni Affairs first became a certified Green Office this past December after approaching FSU Sustainable Campus about how they could improve sustainability in their office. New initiatives, such as office plants, have united the staff in creating a more environmentally viable office.
The Green Office Liaison for the College of Law Development and Alumni Affairs, Norma Humphries, works to live a low impact lifestyle, even at work. One way she accomplishes this is through using indoor office plants for better air quality and outdoor plants to attract beneficial insects.
"For the outdoor plants I asked if I could take care of them because they were not thriving, Humphries said. “I wanted a plant that would have a green vine throughout the year and also flower, so I chose Jasmine.”
"I like plants, they help clean the air, and make you happy,” Erin Parrish, a coworker said about the addition of the plants in the office. “My favorite plant that I have is the African Violet because it was given to me by someone who is no longer with us.”
A nature-fanatic at heart, Humphries has always loved plants and has her own vegetable garden at home. She has even helped out at community gardens like South City Community Garden. Ultimately, she dreams of starting her own business selling her home-grown produce.
"I want to help build a community around sustainable living,” Humphries said. “We only have one earth. But the earth will regenerate, we as humans will lose out if we do not care for the earth.”
Since implementing more sustainable practices in the College of Law Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, Humphries has noticed a change in her co-workers and their attitudes towards sustainability.
"They ask about things we can do in the office, and they care about it. Especially recycling,” Humphries said. “They encourage other people in the law office to act more sustainably as well.”
Humphries’s colleague commented on the change she has experienced on a personal level. “I tend to say to myself ‘what would Norma think about this? Her passion for sustainability motivates us as well.”
As the office continues to grow towards increased sustainability, Humphries is looking for new ways to inspire her peers, such as implementing composting in the office.
"I want people to just remember to try,” Humphries said. “Even one person working in a tiny community can make a difference”
Some common ways Green Office advises offices to be more sustainable include turning off lights when not in use, establishing recycling procedures, or using electronic files to reduce paper waste. Offices can also get innovation points for any additional sustainable action that is not listed.
After incorporating sustainable practices in areas of energy conservation, waste reduction, reuse, transportation, recycling, and purchasing, the office will be given one of three designations--Green, Garnet, and Gold. Gold is the highest designation an office can receive. Green Office certification lasts for two years allowing the office the opportunity to re-evaluate sustainability efforts and work towards a higher certification status.
Making your office more sustainable is an important goal. While it may seem daunting, your office can become more sustainable by implementing incremental changes. All these small steps then compound into a bigger effort that you can be proud of.
Interested offices should appoint a Green Office Liaison to work with Sustainable Campus Program Coordinator Jamie Valentine. Together, they will develop a timeline and action plan for implementing more sustainable practices.