Grant addresses environmental protection

Amanda Foster, Drury MIRROR Issue date: 11/19/08

Last week, Drury's SIFE team accepted a $20,000 grant from Community of the Ozarks to help fund its Ozarks Carbon Exchange Fund (OCEF) project.

SIFE, otherwise known as Students In Free Enterprise, is an organization dedicated to developing community projects regarding market economics, skills for success, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business ethics.

The purpose of the OCEF project is to address the issue of environmental protection by offsetting carbon emissions and providing energy efficient options for our community. However, the project is targeted towards low income households.

Through this project, local businesses and individuals will set up a program to invest in local energy efficient efforts, including light bulb exchanges, insulation upgrades, and weatherization techniques to create more energy efficient buildings in our community.

While the project will help the community in strides to become more energy efficient, Josh Jones, director of SIFE, feels this is also a good way for students to be involved.

"The most meaningful experience is when we are directly involved in positive change, either on campus or in the community. Get involved," Jones said.

According to Jones, 75% of the grant money will be used directly towards funding carbon offsetting projects, mostly to purchase the materials needed to begin work with the project.

The other 25% of the grant money will be used to develop local advertising along with a Web site that will provide information about projects for those in the community wishing to participate, learn how to be more energy efficient, or help donate to the cause.

SIFE is actively involved in nearly a dozen other projects this semester alone, including collaborative projects with area high school students to help further their education. Bo Hou, a SIFE member and project leader, works hand-in-hand with high school students to help educate the community.

"SIFE provides opportunities to practice what you learn in class and at the same time do something for society," Hou said.