By Caroline Friend (V)
Mr. Peter Delman, former Drawing and Painting and Art Fundamentals teacher, is taking on the new role of Sustainability Coordinator at Pingry this year. As the Sustainability Coordinator, Mr. Delman has many projects planned to give Pingry a “greener” campus this upcoming year.
These “green” projects are inspired by Mr. Delman and the student-led Green Group, which he advises. “There is really a great group of student leaders this year,” Mr. Delman said. The returning leaders for the Green Group are Isabel DeVito (V) and Nick Ladino (VI), and the new leaders include Josie Cummings (VI), Caroline Petrow-Cohen (VI), Natalie Ladino (IV), and Isabella Acosta (IV).
One of Mr. Delman’s areas of focus is developing Pingry’s green campus design with Pingry graduate Scott Loikits, Principal/Design Director of Greenburg Farrow. Mr Loikits was a lead architect on the new Whitney Museum and the renovation of the Museum of Modern Art, and other major global projects. Loikits has been creating drawings and other plans for several upcoming projects, including a marsh walk and a tree canopy walk to be used in studying the wildlife around campus in science classes and for everyday access. In addition, there are plans to install an industrial- strength composter to process food from the cafeteria and possibly grass cuttings as well. The resulting compost will then be used as fertilizer for the soil on Pingry grounds.
One project that connects sustainability to academics is the outdoor classroom. According to Mr. Delman, timber-frame builder Greg Katz has proposed that “we upgrade significantly the outdoor classroom that we have now.” The outdoor classroom is currently located in the woods behind the cafeteria. Mr. Katz will “work with classes like Architecture and Art and Nature” on the project.
Mr. Delman is also working with Ms. Olivia Tandon, a new science teacher in the Upper School, to develop a farm program. Mr. Delman said, “Right now we really want to get students who will be part of our farm team.” The farm program currently includes seven chickens and a rooster, and future plans for the farm include planting fruit trees and bringing in pigs and goats.
There are also plans to install a deer fence around certain areas of the campus. Mr. Delman hopes that the deer fence will keep the deer out and allow other wildlife to to thrive. DeVito (V) added, “This will be used as a living laboratory for certain classes.” The deer fence is expected to be installed by October 15.
What is most important, Mr. Delman said, is that we “integrate all these programs into the curriculum.” He added that he hopes to “work with the Middle School and Lower School more, as well as with the wider community.”