The University of Wisconsin-Madison opened a new residence hall for fall 2013, named Aldo Leopold Hall, which focuses on educating students about conservation and sustainable living habits.
The facility, which was temporarily called New 32 Hall, is located next to Kronshage Residence Hall on the west end of campus. It was named in July after former UW-Madison professor Aldo Leopold, who is often considered the father of the wildlife management and conservation movement.
Director of Marketing for University Housing Brendon Dybdahl said the the working greenhouse on the rooftop is one of the most unique features of the new building.
“As far as we know … this is the only residence hall in the country that has a working greenhouse in it, so we’re pretty proud of it,” Dybdahl said.
The building also has solar panels to heat water, metered rooms that allow residents to track how much energy they are using and a workshop in the lower level for events.
The building itself was also constructed with environmentally conscious materials, according to Dybdahl.
Leopold Hall houses the Greenhouse Learning Community, which is designed for students who want to think, work and live in more sustainable ways, according to its website.
Lauren Mckay, a biology major and freshman said though Leopold Hall was not her first choice of residence halls, living in the new dorm has already started changing her attitude toward being environmentally conscious.
“I think I’ll actually start paying attention a little more to some of the stuff I do,” McKay said.
