University of Guelph students are invited to enter a competition to help promote sustainability on campus.

Under the contest run through the Green Gryphon Initiative, students submit ideas for sustainability projects for course credit and prize money, and might see their project adopted at U of G.

“We wanted sustainability to be an opportunity for students to make an impact,” said Brandon Raco, a U of G student and sustainability facilitator.

“We figured that the best way to do this was to tap into our greatest resource: student ideas. We know students hold the big, bold and bright ideas that we need to advance sustainability here at Guelph.”

Students submit ideas as individuals or in a team. Abstracts are due Feb. 11 and project designs are due March 14. Students will pitch their ideas March 31.

Projects will be judged on environmental sustainability, creativity, economic impact and learning value.

The first-place project will win $2,500; second place, $1,500; third place, $500.

Contest details are available online.

The Green Gryphon Initiative uses student fees and matching University contributions to support sustainable and energy-efficient projects around campus. Recent projects include the new bike shelter in Branion Plaza, solar panels on Raithby House, campus lighting retrofits and a new chilled water reservoir.