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?
- Check out the 2011 CSU, Chico Sustainability Report
- See 2008 Leading the Way to a Sustainable Future report
- 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.
- Four LEED certified buildings recently constructed to be used to teach about sustainable building practices: Student Services Center (LEED Gold Certification) , and the Wildcat Recreation Center (LEED Gold Certification (click here to see how we achieved a Gold Certification Rating), the Gateway Science Museum (LEED Gold Certification), and Sutter Hall (LEED Gold Certification).
- Solar array of 365 kW to increase "green" energy.
- Developed new programs in engineering focused on renewable 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 Food Conference.
- Hosted an Environmental Film Festival Greendance Film Festival 2010
- The Annual "This Way to Sustainability Conference" each year in November hosts over 1,400 participants.
- Restoration of the riparian corridor that runs through campus.
- On September 22, 2009 The Institute for Sustainable Development partnered with Zipcar to launch the car sharing program. Chico is the second CSU campus to partner with Zipcar, San Francisco State being the first (see full story).
- In March 2011 The Institute for Sustainable Development partnered with Zimride to launch a social network for ridesharing.
- Established the Campus Conservation Committee in 2000 by order of Executive Memorandum to review the University's existing waste management procedures and to make recommendations on further ways to reduce waste on campus.
Associated Students organizations, projects, 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.
- Sustainable Consultations of Office Practices (SCOOP) a student group working with offices on campus to assess current office practices and make recommendations for improvements.
- Engineering Students Design and Build Human Powered Vehicle
- Mechanical Engineering Students Work Sustainable "Magic," Turn Rice Into Oil
- Chico State Associated Students Pledge Zero Waste
- Associated Students Expand Compost Area at CSU, Chico
- Farm to School: Organic Vegetable Garden Supports Community
- The Chico Carbon Challenge will use meters provided by Dot UI and software provided by SAP to monitor real-time energy use.
- Developed the Center for Ecosystems Research to enhance competitive research of ecosystems and their biological, physical and chemical components.
University-wide positions and projects committed to sustainability (campus collaboration):
- RawlinsEndowed Professor of Enviornmental Literacy An endowment has been established to create a position for a faculty member whose responsibility will be to prepare all students of all majors, across the campus, for dealing with a world environment which is being continually diminished by loss of species, disappearance of habitats, and degradation of air, water, and soil.
- 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
- Chico Carbon Challenge: Students Test Energy-Reduction Strategies
Academic programs:
- Minor in Environmental Studies (plans underway for a Major in Sustainability).
- Minor in Managing for Sustainability
- Major in Environmental Sciences
- A multitude of courses defined as "green" or sustainable.
- Environmental Research and Creativity Grants.
- Professional Science Masters in Sustainability and Environmental Sciences.
Community participation:
- City of Chico Sustainability Task Force
- Butte County General Plan Task Force
- Citizen's Advisory Committee for Habitat Conservation Plan
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.