Sustainability
Anna Maria College Campus Climate Commitment
With the installation of its tenth president, Dr. Jack P. Calareso, Anna Maria College began to formalize its commitment to be good stewards of the environment. Concerned with environmental issues since its inception, AMC has always worked to maintain the integrity of the 192-acre site in Paxton that it calls home. In addition to protecting wildlife habitats, wetlands and trees on its property, AMC hosts an environmental science program that educates and prepares individuals to become leaders in this field.
With a desire to remain on the fore front of the 'green' movement in our country, AMC has been exploring new and different ways for the College to address environmental sustainability over the long-term. In 2004, students in the environmental studies program issued a report focusing on paper recycling and, in 2007, Dr. Calareso signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment. As part of this commitment, AMC pledges to assist in creating a climate/carbon neutral environment, meet LEED standards or the equivalent in all new construction and renovation, and advocate for environmentally appropriate behaviors on campus and in the community.
President's Advisory Council on Environmental Sustainability (PACES)
AMC formed the President's Advisory Council on Environmental Sustainability (PACES), which is comprised of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Under the guidance of Dr. Jack Calareso, President, PACES meets throughout the year to study and recommend programs for the College to implement as part of its Campus Climate Commitment.
The work of PACES is conducted through several committees including carbon footprint reduction, curriculum, campus life and community relations.
Click here to read the Climate Action Plan put together by PACES.
Campus Climate Commitment Programs
Light Bulb Exchange
The Light Bulb Exchange program at AMC was launched on August 22, 2008 when the class of 2012 moved-in on campus for the first time. Traditional light bulbs were exchanged for the more environmentally friendly florescent bulbs helping to reduce AMC's reliance on the power grid. This program continues on campus.
Carbon Neutral Heating System
Continuing in its commitment to protect the environment and vying to become the first college in Massachusetts to provide heat for students exclusively with wood pellets, Anna Maria College has partnered with International WoodFuels to install and operate a state-of-the-art wood pellet central heating system on campus. The introduction of WoodFuels' new Green Energy System, which is one of the first metered pellet boilers in the United States, will reduce the school's carbon emissions by more than 900 tons annually, as well as displace nearly 85,000 gallons of #2 heating fuel that the College burns each year. These reductions will help AMC fulfill its obligation to the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
The decision to move forward with the installation of the wood pellet heating system was made after studying a wide array of green programs that the College has utilized successfully. With the help and careful consideration of the AMC's Board of Director's, Director of Buildings and Grounds, and PACES, President Calareso made the determination that the WoodFuels thermal heating system was not only the best option to replace an aging fossil fuels system, but that "it was the right thing to do." The new wood pellet heating system should be functional by the first quarter of 2012.
Other AMC Carbon Neutral Activities
Future Initiatives
AMC is exploring using solar power more extensively on campus. The College has been using solar power on a limited basis for a little over three years. Currently, it is used for the scoreboard on the athletic field and a three mile stretch of a new sewer line. Most recently, the Emgent Group is assisting AMC in capturing the latest funding for solar power through Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC).
Click here to learn more about our Environmental Studies degree.
Anna Maria College Campus Climate Commitment
With the installation of its tenth president, Dr. Jack P. Calareso, Anna Maria College began to formalize its commitment to be good stewards of the environment. Concerned with environmental issues since its inception, AMC has always worked to maintain the integrity of the 192-acre site in Paxton that it calls home. In addition to protecting wildlife habitats, wetlands and trees on its property, AMC hosts an environmental science program that educates and prepares individuals to become leaders in this field.
With a desire to remain on the fore front of the 'green' movement in our country, AMC has been exploring new and different ways for the College to address environmental sustainability over the long-term. In 2004, students in the environmental studies program issued a report focusing on paper recycling and, in 2007, Dr. Calareso signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment. As part of this commitment, AMC pledges to assist in creating a climate/carbon neutral environment, meet LEED standards or the equivalent in all new construction and renovation, and advocate for environmentally appropriate behaviors on campus and in the community.
President's Advisory Council on Environmental Sustainability (PACES)
AMC formed the President's Advisory Council on Environmental Sustainability (PACES), which is comprised of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Under the guidance of Dr. Jack Calareso, President, PACES meets throughout the year to study and recommend programs for the College to implement as part of its Campus Climate Commitment.The work of PACES is conducted through several committees including carbon footprint reduction, curriculum, campus life and community relations.
Click here to read the Climate Action Plan put together by PACES.
Campus Climate Commitment Programs
Light Bulb Exchange
The Light Bulb Exchange program at AMC was launched on August 22, 2008 when the class of 2012 moved-in on campus for the first time. Traditional light bulbs were exchanged for the more environmentally friendly florescent bulbs helping to reduce AMC's reliance on the power grid. This program continues on campus.Carbon Neutral Heating System
Continuing in its commitment to protect the environment and vying to become the first college in Massachusetts to provide heat for students exclusively with wood pellets, Anna Maria College has partnered with International WoodFuels to install and operate a state-of-the-art wood pellet central heating system on campus. The introduction of WoodFuels' new Green Energy System, which is one of the first metered pellet boilers in the United States, will reduce the school's carbon emissions by more than 900 tons annually, as well as displace nearly 85,000 gallons of #2 heating fuel that the College burns each year. These reductions will help AMC fulfill its obligation to the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
The decision to move forward with the installation of the wood pellet heating system was made after studying a wide array of green programs that the College has utilized successfully. With the help and careful consideration of the AMC's Board of Director's, Director of Buildings and Grounds, and PACES, President Calareso made the determination that the WoodFuels thermal heating system was not only the best option to replace an aging fossil fuels system, but that "it was the right thing to do." The new wood pellet heating system should be functional by the first quarter of 2012.
Other AMC Carbon Neutral Activities
- Purchasing only Energy Star approved appliances
- Installing solar powered score boards and timers at outdoor athletic facilities
- Campus Single Stream Recycling Program
- Trayless dining hall which reduces food waste and water for cleaning of trays
- IT's disposal program
Future Initiatives
AMC is exploring using solar power more extensively on campus. The College has been using solar power on a limited basis for a little over three years. Currently, it is used for the scoreboard on the athletic field and a three mile stretch of a new sewer line. Most recently, the Emgent Group is assisting AMC in capturing the latest funding for solar power through Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC).
Click here to learn more about our Environmental Studies degree.
