Ecological Sustainability
“To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
The World Commission on Environment and Development
1987
Our Sustainable Future - CSU, Chico
What have we accomplished so far?
At CSU, Chico we have been working diligently to implement our 6th Strategic Priority:
Believing that each generation owes something to those who follow, we will create environmentally literate citizens who embrace sustainability as a way of living. We will be wise stewards of scarce resources and, in seeking to develop the whole person, be aware that our individual and collective actions have economic, social, and environmental consequences locally, regionally, and globally.
What all have we done?
- Adopted the Talliores Declaration in 2002 and began implementation.
- Created The Institute for Sustainable Development, to integrate all environmental efforts across campus and increase the capacity to do research related to our bioregion.
- Signed as a charter campus the American and University Presidents Climate Commitment.
- Completed a sustainability assessment in 2005.
- Two LEED certified buildings are under construction to be used to teach about sustainable building practices: Student Services Center (LEED Gold Certification) , and the Wildcat Recreation Center (LEED Silver Certification).
- Solar array of 365 kW to increase "green" energy.
- Developed new programs in engineering focused on renewal energy, sustainable construction (pervious concrete) and biofuels (biodiesel project).
- Participants in the American Democracy Project (AASCU, Carnegie Foundation, and New York Times) with a focus on Stewardship of Public Lands.
- Free bus transit for faculty, staff, and students.
- The campus is an arboretum.
- A system of preserves, Butte Creek Ecological Preserve, including 4,000 acres of diverse canyon and ridge habitats close to campus, the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve used as an outdoor laboratory.
- A Sustainability House (see April 14, 2006 news release).
- Organic Dairy, the first university dairy west of the Mississippi.
(See April 5, 2007 news release). - Organic Farm.
- Organic Food Conference.
- New Environmental Film Festival, Ch*Eco Film Fest
- The Annual "This Way to Sustainability Conference" each year in November hosts over 1,100 participants.
- Restoration of the riparian corridor that runs through campus.
Associated Students organizations and positions committed to sustainability:
- Environmental Affairs Council
- Environmental Action and Resource Center
- Community Legal Information Center (CLIC) with a focus on environmental justice
- Community Action Volunteers in Education which sponsors service-learning opportunities with an environmental focus.
- Sustainability coordinator to work with students, campus and community groups to implement and support sustainability programs.
- Recycling coordinator
- The Alliance to Save Energy's Green Campus Program
- Sustainability fund which was established by a $10 fee for each student, each year, to support sustainability programs and activities.
University-wide positions committed to sustainability (campus collaboration):
- Rawlins Professor of Enviornmental Literacy
- Director of Environmental Programs collaborates with both state and federal agencies to obtain environmental grants and contracts.
- Sustainability coordinator to work with students, campus and community groups to implement and support sustainability programs.
- Director of Civic Engagement with a determined focus on community-service–learning.
- Director of the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve and the Butte Creek Ecological Preserve
Academic programs:
- Minor in Environmental Studies (plans underway for a Major in Sustainability).
- Major in Environmental Sciences
- Approximately 150 courses defined as "green" or sustainable.
- Environmental Research and Creativity Grants.
- Professional Science Masters in Sustainability and Environmental Sciences.
Community participation:
- Mayor's Climate Task Force
- Butte County General Plan Task Force
- Citizen's Advisory Committee for Habitat Conservation Plan
- On the Creek Lecture Series initiated to deepen conversations about the natural world with 8 nationally-known speakers.
As we continue to grow and expand with our sustainability mission and goals, we will continue to update this web site so please continue to visit this site.