Communities seeking to broaden and deepen their commitments to sustainability because of growing public demands or state mandates now have an important new resource.
SSU's Department of Environmental Studies and Planning has launched a new Center for Sustainable Communities to encompass the work of its Environmental Technology Center, but with a new focus.
The CSC has been created to support local sustainability efforts, playing to ENSP's curricular, research, and community service strengths - energy management and design, green building, community and environmental planning, environmental conservation and restoration, sustainable landscaping, water quality, environmental education. It also has a long history of working with local governments and community groups.
CSC programs will provide training on sustainability topics for local governments and other organizations, such as local government approaches to reducing green house gas emissions, green building, land use planning and public health.
"The CSC will reflect how communities are rising to the challenges of sustainable development and will take advantage of the unique strengths of ENSP faculty, staff, and students," says interim director Alex Hinds.
"While the spirit is often present, in many cases communities do not have the resources to develop and implement sustainability programs."
A prime example, he says, is the current concern over limiting green house gas emissions and the related interest in adopting and implementing green building strategies.
CSC staff will also work with communities to develop policy documents and implementation programs and expand its program of service learning for Environmental Studies and Planning students, giving them new opportunities to work with local communities
For more information, contact Alex Hinds, Interim Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities, at hindsa@sonoma.edu.
