Sustainability

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Sustainability

Anna Maria College Campus Climate Commitment

Overview
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 recently 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, and Cheryl Sleboda, CFO, 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.

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.

The Share-a-Ride Program

The Share-a-Ride program involves an electronic data base where students, faculty and staff can find individuals to car pool. Click here to sign up for Share-a-Ride.

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, which the Dr. Calareso signed on behalf of AMC in 2007.

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.”

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 currently implementing a wind study to determine whether the installation of a wind turbine would be a viable option for reducing the College’s energy costs. These efforts are being praised by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), which has been promoting the use of alternative energy resources.

Click here to learn more about our Environmental Science degree.