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The Sierra Club, the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, has again listed Allegheny College among the top colleges and universities in the nation for green initiatives, institutions that the Sierra Club calls “America’s coolest schools.” Allegheny ranked No. 50 on this year’s list, rising from No. 67 in 2015 and No. 110 in 2014.

The Sierra Club rankings are based on more than 60 factors, including the presence of a student sustainability group on campus, sustainability-focused courses, faculty research, innovations, use of renewable energy sources, waste reduction and a strategic plan that includes high-level sustainability.

Allegheny is also included in The Princeton Review’s most recent “Guide to 353 Green Colleges” and is ranked among the nation’s top five “Best Colleges Advocating Environmental Science” by EnvironmentalScience.org, a website dedicated to environmental science education and careers.

“We work hard every day to improve our institutional sustainability, not only to reach our climate neutrality goals but also to be a resilient campus and member of the Meadville community,” said Kelly Boulton, Allegheny sustainability coordinator. “Our work ranges from retrofitting our buildings, to negotiating smarter contracts, to adopting responsible policies, and engaging our community in a culture of sustainable behaviors and decisions. We’re honored that those efforts have resulted in continued national recognition.”

Allegheny, which has pledged to become climate neutral by 2020, has a long-standing commitment to promoting sustainability practices and solutions. Its commitment began in 1972 with the establishment of one of the first environmental science departments in the country and accelerated in recent years when the college became a signatory of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2007.

For more information on Allegheny’s sustainability initiatives, visit sites.allegheny.edu/green.