This past year Heath Moody, Carpentry and Construction Management instructor, began mentoring a group of students who are focused on implementing sustainable-based projects on A-B Tech campuses.

The projects include environmental education, renewable energy systems and energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable landscape design, recycling and more organic and local food options on campus.

The purpose of Students for a Sustainable Campus (SSC) is to educate students, staff and faculty on the importance of sustainability and to be the voice to implement sustainable programs and technologies on campus

"That student organization is growing and has become inclusive to include everyone on campus," said Ken Czarnomski, Construction Management Technology chair. "The organization is pro-active."

"We would love for more people to get involved. Not just students, but faculty and staff," said Grace Harrison, who serves as the organization's honorary acting president. SSC meets at 1:30 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month in Elm 211B.

Megan Pistolese, SSC's resource officer, is pursuing a grant through the National Wildlife Federation for the Clean Green Project to purchase environmentally-friendly cleaners and lawn maintenance materials.

The club has events planned for Earth Week and the Earth Day Festival. The Mobile Environmental Learning Center will be on campus during the week of April 20-24. The center shares environmental information, but is focused on recycling. "We're hoping instructors will take their classes to it and we're going to have volunteers to try and have it open all week," Harrison said.

Upcoming events include the films "FLOW (For the Love of Water)" and "The Story of Stuff" and a booth at the College's Earth Day celebration. A lunch and learn presentation on anti-drought solutions will be April 20. SSC also collaborates with the Global Institute for Sustainability Technologies.

"We are also putting electricity and paper conservation stickers throughout campus and on toilet paper and paper towel dispensers," Harrison said.

The College will celebrate Earth Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 24 with music food, environmental education displays and clean cars on display. The plastic utensils will be corn-based biodegradable, the plates will be recyclable, and the uneaten food will be composted. Faculty and staff members should bring their name badge for faster service in the food line.

The club will also be involved in SGA-sponsored events such as Grow the Campus Green, a day of beautification for the campus April 23. Each building will have a person for volunteers to contact. Individuals wishing to help may contact Michele Hathcock, Director of Recruitment, Student Activities and A-B Tech at the Mall, at Ext. 203.

This article first appeared in A-B Tech’s Tech Talk newsletter April 2009 issue.

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