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ACUPCC Releases 2012 Annual Report

By on May 31, 2013 in American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, Sustainability in Higher Education

by Beth Gray

2012 Annual ReportLast year, the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and Second Nature released a report, “Celebrating Five Years of Climate Leadership,” documenting the success of the initiative in its first five years.  The ACUPCC and Second Nature used that publication as a way to highlight success stories and highlight best practices.  American Public University System (APUS) was included in that report in the section devoted to “Opportunity.”  APUS’ online platform allows the school to educate a tremendous volume of students from all around the world (we have students studying in all 50 states and more than 100 countries) leaving great opportunities for promoting sustainability education. … Read the rest

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APUS Celebrates Earth Day and Wellness

By on April 26, 2013 in American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Earth Day, Sustainability in Higher Education

In the last five or six years, the prevalence of workplace wellness programs and sustainability initiatives has increased tremendously.  A 2012 RAND report sponsored by the US Department of Labor and the US Department of Health and Human Services notes that “92 percent of employers with 200 or more employees reported offering [health and wellness programs] in 2009.”  A 2011 KPMG report notes that “sustainability has moved up the corporate agenda over the past three years.”  According to the report, “sixty-two percent of companies surveyed have a strategy for corporate sustainability, up from just over half in February 2008…”  The American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) now has nearly 700 signatories (including APUS), indicating the increasing environmental consciousness within the educational community. … Read the rest

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College Campuses Celebrate Earth Day

By on April 26, 2013 in American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Earth Day, Sustainability in Higher Education

By Kelly Wenner

As we celebrate Earth Day 2013 this week, it is only natural (no pun intended!) to showcase how college campuses are participating in the festivities. Here are some highlights from campus celebrations around the nation:

• At Baylor University in Waco, TX, students use the Earth Day holiday to promote how spirituality impacts activities such as organic farming and recycling;
• Bellevue College in Washington State offers a farmer’s market and a fashion show using garments made from only second-hand materials;
• Elmhurst College in Illinois offers its “Recycling Extravaganza” where students can donate electronics, clothing and appliances to local non-profit organizations;
• A Sustainability Carnival is held at Fordham University in New York City.  … Read the rest

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Voices of Sustainability at APUS: Green Living in Everyday Life

By on April 25, 2013 in American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Earth Day, Environmental Protection, Sustainability General, Sustainability in Higher Education

APUS Sustainability Committee member and German native, Gabi Gimbel, shares practical information to help us be more sustainable in our everyday lives in the podcast below.  From composting to recycling and beyond, Gabi lives sustainably everyday!  There is great information here – check it out!

Green Living in Everyday Life by APUS

… Read the rest

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Images of Sustainability at APUS – Porous Pavers

By on April 23, 2013 in American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Earth Day, parking, Sustainability in Higher Education

porous paver1At American Public University System (APUS), environmental consciousness can be seen across our campus buildings.  From recycling bins in every building to green cleaning products and from solar power to parking lots, our dedication to sustainable practices is evident.  Because most of our campus buildings are historic and most were previously used as private residences, there was a general lack of parking available.  Asphalt parking lots are not very environmentally friendly particularly because of the process required to refine it to a usable state. … Read the rest

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Images of Sustainability at APUS – Solar Array

By on April 22, 2013 in APUS Sustainability Efforts, Earth Day, Green Building, Renewable Energy, Sustainability in Higher Education

In celebration of Earth Day, this week we will share a series of images representative of tangible sustainability efforts at American Public University System.  Happy Earth Day…everyday!

 

Solar ArrayThe American Public University System (APUS) solar array is the largest solar array in West Virginia.  The array contains 1,660 solar panels and doubles as a covered parking lot for staff.  Situated next to the university’s Finance Center (a 105,000 square-foot structure built to LEED Gold standards and currently in the certification process), the array provides approximately 50% of the total energy needed for that building. … Read the rest

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National Climate Assessment

By on April 8, 2013 in American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, Environmental Protection, Sustainability in Higher Education

by Ryan Harding

Years ago, I sat across the table from a good family friend, a (doctoral-level) professional meteorologist and researcher. Talks about weather are usually what we reserve for new acquaintances, and coworkers with whom we have trouble finding common intellectual ground. It is the sort of indifferent congenial nattering in which you unwittingly thrust yourself as you, and the person standing opposite you, search, frantically, through your mental rolodex for a topic of discussion with greater staying power than one whose sole purpose is to–like a news anchor ‘winging it’ to fill empty airtime–serve as short-lasting alternative to apocalyptic awkward silence.… Read the rest

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APUS is a Finalist for a Climate Leadership Award

By on April 2, 2013 in American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, APUS Sustainability Efforts, LEED Building, Renewable Energy, Sustainability in Higher Education, Video

Second Nature recently notified American Public University System (APUS) that the school is a finalist for a Climate Leadership Award.  “The annual Second Nature Climate Leadership awards recognize innovative and advanced leadership in education for sustainability, climate mitigation and adaptation and institutionalized sustainability at signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment [ACUPCC].”

Each finalist was asked to create a 1-3 minute video highlighting sustainability efforts at their school.  During the month of April, the public may vote on these videos. … Read the rest

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Meet Me on the Library Lawn

By on March 28, 2013 in Sustainability in Higher Education

by Kelly Wenner

We have all read stories about the soothing qualities of nature. From natural remedies that soothe the senses either by consumption or smell, to the effects that outdoor play has on childhood development, there is evidence that the power of the natural world can be harnessed to improve our quality of life.  Cornell University Library incorporated this idea recently when it decided to install a temporary lawn in the middle of its University Library during finals week. 

An original idea of Gilad Meron, a Cornell Design and Environmental Analysis (DEA) degree recipient, the lawn is now being studied by fellow DEA department graduates and current students to report on the mental health benefits of the installation. … Read the rest

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NWF Campus Ecology Program

By on January 16, 2013 in Sustainability in Higher Education

by Kelly Wenner

Campus sustainability can sometimes feel like an isolated endeavor. However, there are groups that exist such as Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and Second Nature that attempt to bring campuses and their sustainability pursuits together. Another one of these groups I recently found is through the National Wildlife Federation. Their group, named Campus Ecology, was started over twenty years ago and works with colleges and universities to improve their overall green educational programming and onsite sustainability.… Read the rest

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