A new UTM organization is in the works on campus.

Second Nature is an environmental awareness group that is expected to make an appearance on campus by next semester. About 10 students and a faculty adviser currently comprise the group.

Second Nature is a national organization that focuses on the education of students, faculty and staff of the benefits of recycling. The group is geared more toward college and university settings. Their goal is to try to get people in the mindset of recycling and being more conservative with their resources.

The group of students began talking before about forming an organization, but weren’t able to make it happen. This year, the students and adviser have the paperwork in order and are well on their way to becoming an organization by next semester.

Dr. Stan Dunagan, assistant professor of Geology, will be the group’s adviser. He graduated from UTM in 1993.

“There have been environmental groups at UTM off and on ever since I was here as a student,” Dunagan said.

The group will focus on educating the UTM community of the benefits of recycling. There are not only environmental benefits, but also economic benefits. Dennis Kosta, UTM’s custodial manager, is trying to get UTM to install flush-free toilets in the men’s bathrooms across campus. This would save UTM a lot of money in the long run, he said, and is just one way to conserve.

Blue bins also can be found all over campus. These bins exist so people can recycle old papers. So when you get finished reading The Pacer every week, for example, you can put your paper in the recycling bin and know that you are doing something good for the environment.

Second Nature is looking to host speakers on the environment, sustainability and conservation. The group also hopes to host a dumpster dive next semester.

Anyone can be a member of Second Nature. You don’t have to be a full-time student or major in any particular subject. As long as you are interested in the environment and want to help find ways to take care of it, you are welcome.

For more information on the national group Second Nature, go to www.secondnature.org. For information on local meetings, call Dunagan at 881-7437.