I have seen the future and it is green. When Cleveland State University built their LEED certified recreation center, the plans for the green roof was dropped out. Whether is was cost, lack of interest, logistics, or a little bit of all, the plan to include a green roof was dropped. It seemed the dream for a lovely outdoor space on the roof of this new building was gone. Enter Erin Huber and LeeAnn Westfall. Two Environmental Science students who shared a common love of the planet, they teamed up to revive this lost idea of a green roof in the city.
I don’t want to talk too much about the garden, as I am hoping to get one or both of them to write a guest blog post for me. What I will talk about is that the future of our city and our planet rests with future leaders like these two strong dynamic women. When told that this was just not going to happen, they didn’t give up. They started with a small spaghetti dinner to try and raise funds for the project. I think this was the eye opener to how hard this was going to be to make happen. Still, with a lot of time, effort and hard work, they persevered. Their efforts were rewarded with an opening party and dedication ceremony last week. They were recognized by proud family members, friends, university staff and students, and even members of city council. These two lovely ladies posses strength and determination that is little seen in individuals twice their age. LeeAnn mentioned that there are few CEOs who wear Birkenstocks, but that she planned to be one of the first. I have no doubt that she will achieve this aim. She also stated that Erin would change the world, and I believe she is right.
I first met these two charming and dynamic women at the sustainability summit last year. Their love of the environment and their passion for making things better was evident when we spoke. I thought to myself, “these ladies will have an impact.” I am pleased to say that I was right. Less than a year later, they proudly showed off their newly dedicated Huber-Westfall Garden. But things haven’t stopped there for these two. Erin has joined forces with other determined folks to bring a farmer’s market to the downtown area of Cleveland. Healthy fresh alternatives are now available to students and the general public every week, thanks to this great market. LeeAnn has started her own consulting company, bringing green roof consulting to NE Ohio. With the rise of the sustainability movement and increased interest in green roofs, I am sure that she will be a huge success.
Many people look at the state of the world today and become disenchanted or disheartened. It is easy to see how. Some thirty or more years ago, environmentalists were determined to change the world for the better. They were going to stop war, promote peace, use less energy, make the planet greener. Fast forward to today and we are in a worse state than we were then. It can sometimes feel like we are mice shouting at lions, when we face the world of big business and progress. When I look at the passion and the determination of the rising stars of tomorrow, like Erin and LeeAnn, however, I see hope for the planet. These are the business people of the future. They understand how we need to marry the business of repairing the environment with the business of making a profit and being successful. If you have a chance, next time you are near the CSU campus, go up and see the rooftop garden. And if you ever get the chance to meet these lovely ladies, shake their hand and you can say, “I knew them when…”
The garden overlooks the CSU water tower wind turbine.
A lovely place to relax on campus
Proud family of a future leader
Congratulation for the success story and the best for the future.