Lake Land College is continuing its push toward sustainability with the help of a state energy grant.
The college recently received funding through the Illinois Green Energy Network, or IGEN, which supports community colleges in implementing energy-saving projects. Using the grant, Lake Land purchased a new Stihl electric lawn mower from locally owned Graber Building Supply.

College officials say the mower will help grounds crews maintain the campus more efficiently while reducing energy use and emissions.

Lake Land began investing in sustainability efforts in 2006 with geothermal wells and has since become a national leader in energy-efficient practices. The college says those efforts save local taxpayers roughly $500,000 annually by reducing reliance on outside electricity sources.

In addition to the grant-funded mower, the Lake Land College Foundation recently received a donation from Stihl and Graber Building Supply that includes battery-powered landscaping equipment such as leaf blowers, trimmers and batteries.

College officials say the new equipment will help maintain a modern campus while supporting long-term sustainability goals.

More information about Lake Land College's sustainability initiatives is available on the college's website.