University of Louisville Eco-Reps

UofL increases landfill diversion rate, finishes 2nd in 2026 Campus Race To Zero Waste Final results have been posted and it is clear that the competition was intense in the 2026 Campus Race to Zero Waste! Building on our top-place finishes in 2022, 2024, and 2026, the University of …

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, talks sustainable youth development with Lynn Rippy, Founder, President & CEO of Blueprint502 - Formerly YouthBuild Louisville. Lynn has worked for 50 years in youth development, helping open the Louisville Office of Youth Development prior to her work with YouthBuild. Listen now at https://soundcloud.com/wfmp-forward-radio/sustainability-now-lynn-rippy
You'll learn about some of the many initiatives and programs that Blueprint502 has underway, including:
1. The Smoketown Community Center - opened June 2025, as a hub for summer learning, connection, and opportunity, with offices and event areas available for rent.
2. Milestones Achieved
- Through SummerWorks in 2025, 2,358 young people registered for services, with 1,271 receiving direct support and 212 placed into sponsored jobs. The SummerWorks platform continues to expand, now connecting 262 private employers with more than 4,700 job opportunities.
- YouthBuild Louisville celebrated 28 graduates who completed the program and moved forward with stronger skills and clearer career pathways.
- Urban Conservation Corps program supported 15 members through successful program completion, while workforce-focused training continued to grow: 30 participants earned certifications through the Brownfields Job Training program, 17 individuals became Certified Apartment Maintenance Technicians, and 139 people received industry-recognized certifications through HazMat training.
3. The Rapid Growth of a Housing Program
- Housing Now Program provides safe, supportive, and empowering environments for young adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Three core components—Transitional Housing, Rapid Rehousing, and Supportive Services.

As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW!

Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org

Emma Beck wins UofL’s Bike Month Challenge 2026 as Team UofL pedals over 5000 miles!

Team UofL racked up tons of fun, fitness, and cleaner air, all on two wheels throughout the Bike Month Challenge, locally co-sponsored by UofL's Sustainability Council, and Get Healthy Now. Together, throughout May 2026, we pedaled a total of 5,086 miles on 345 rides, with 820 miles of bike commuting preventing 527 pounds of carbon pollution!

At the finish line, Emma Beck, a Metadata Librarian in Archives & Special Collections, wore the yellow jersey as the most frequent rider and best transportation cyclist of the month! She won a $50 shopping spree from our local sponsor, Middle of Town Cycling! Emma logged 209 miles over 56 separate bike trips, including 9 days biking to work (4th best)! Just by riding her bike to get places throughout the month, Emma racked up the 8th most miles of anyone on Team UofL. Ride On, Emma!

Kudos also go to Oncology Research Technician, Kamila Bujko, who rode the most miles throughout the month (an incredible 742 miles pedaled over 24 bike rides); Sustainability Director, Justin Mog,who racked up the second most miles (459) just by riding for transportation every day of the month that he was in town (30); and to our top new rider, Alumni Relations Specialist, Amanda James, who boldly rode 17 miles over two rides. Congrats to all!

Read full story: https://uoflsustainable.wordpress.com/2026/06/03/emma-beck-wins-uofls-bike-month-challenge-2026-as-team-uofl-pedals-over-5000-miles/

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, gets his hands dirty with two reps from the Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District: Board Chair, Sarah Beth Sammons, and Environmental Educator, Bethany Pratt. Learn about the vital work being done to protect our natural resources here in Louisville and Mayor Greenberg’s proposal to gut it. Listen now at https://soundcloud.com/wfmp-forward-radio/sustainability-now-sarah-beth

Learn more at https://jeffcd.org and find them on social media

Established in 1944, the Soil & Water Conservation District is a governmental agency that works to protect Jefferson County’s natural resources. This is done through a variety of means; technical assistance, financial assistance, and education. Unfortunately, the budget proposed by Mayor Greenberg for the next fiscal year plans to cut the District’s already tiny budget by over 54%. If Metro Council passes the budget without restoring funding to the Conservation District, its employees will be terminated, its programs will cease, and conservation work will be severely damaged. The Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors is asking for your help to act in defense of conservation by demanding full funding of the Conservation District.

As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW!

Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org

What a spectacular line-up we've assembled for the next "& Science" event, this time focused on: Exploring key intersections of nutrition, health and wellbeing; Identifying drivers of food insecurity in Louisville; Discussing overcoming barriers that promote access to healthy food; and Envisioning a food secure future for all of Louisville. Register now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/food-science-tickets-1988855934639?aff=erelexpmlt