FSW Collier Campus Becomes First Blue Zones-Recognized College in Florida

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 – NAPLES, FLA – The Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) Collier Campus will become the first Blue Zones Project-recognized college in Florida, and only the second in the nation, during a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, on the rooftop garden, Building N, 7505 Grand Lely Drive, Naples. The ribbon cutting is free and open to the public.
The Blue Zones Project is a community-wide, well-being improvement initiative to help make healthy choices easier for everyone in southwest Florida. It was inspired by the global Blue Zones Project, which began when National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner researched locations throughout the world where people were living active lives into their hundreds with less rates of chronic diseases.
“FSW Collier Campus already has a history of using environmentally friendly practices, with our four newest buildings, campus-wide recycling efforts and our annual GreenFest Expo,” said Gail Murphy, director, FSW Collier Campus. “These initiatives are about making healthy choices for our planet. Participating in the Blue Zones Project is a natural extension of that with the added focus of good health for people.”
In order to become a Blue Zones Project-recognized college, at least 25 percent of students must pledge to enroll in the Blue Zones Project and do their best to incorporate the Blue Zones’ Power 9 principles into their lives.
The FSW Collier Campus is also taking an active role in the Blue Zones Project by providing healthier food options at student events and making fruits and vegetables more prominent in its cafeteria. It has also installed three refillable water bottle stations around the campus.
“We are thrilled that the FSW Collier Campus is the first Blue Zones Project-recognized college in Florida,” said Trang Burney, coordinator, FSW Collier Campus Student Engagement. “By signing the Blue Zones Project pledge, our students have told us they want to lead healthier lives, and we want to be sure we are providing them with the options to do so.”
For more information about FSW Collier’s Blue Zone ribbon cutting event, contact Burney at (239) 732-3706 or [email protected].
 
For more information about the southwest Florida Blue Zones Project, visit https://southwestflorida.bluezonesproject.com/.