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The Center for Sustainability
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Description: I am nominating Central Piedmont Community College's Center for Sustainability for this award. In just three years, the center has grown from a one person, grass roots operation to an award winning, regional leader in environmental education with the state’s first degree program for community colleges. |
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Executive Summary:
 The Center for Sustainability, now in its third year, began with small scale Earth Day programs, speakers and creek cleanups. Today, we have the first Sustainability Degree program in NC for community colleges, a cable TV program, an Executive Director, and we host the largest Earth Day Celebration in the region.
Housed under Geomatics & Sustainability, the primary objectives of the Center for Sustainability are as follows:
1. To increase the perspective of environmental sustainability in our curriculum programs across all departments--- alternative energy sources, sound architectural and building practices, environmentally friendly materials, environmental impact studies, sustainable horticulture practices, liberal arts, and business.
2. To increase awareness of the importance of living and working in an ecologically responsible manner through programs such as Educational Seminars, Publications, Classes, Documentaries, Special Events and Speaker Series.
3. To conduct continuing education, training and seminars for the general public on living and working in an environmentally friendly manner. These may include: Organic & native gardening, smart houses, composting, alternative energy & fuels and backyard wildlife habitats.
4. To provide training for professionals in the construction industry, engineering, information technology, waste water treatment, environmental impact compliance courses, and LEED Certification training.
Through CPCC's new programs, along with workforce development and community workshops, the CFS has taken a lead role in preparing Charlotte and Mecklenburg County for a sustainable future. The college added a range of courses for business professionals and the general community that focus on specific sustainability topics from energy management, photovoltaics, landscaping with native plants and green building and remodeling. Much of the school’s sustainability efforts are based on partnerships with public and private groups which strengthen the scope and outcome of projects and events.
In our second year, we won the “Nonprofit Educational Program Award” by the Charlotte Business Journal and the Charlotte Chapter of the US Green Building Council. That same year we were a finalist in the North Carolina Sustainability Award in the “Greater Good” category. This was, in part, achieved by taking a full inventory of all the activities the college had taken. Once all the sustainability related facts and figures were gathered from all areas of the college, there were substantial achievements and programs in place and a story that had never been told before.
This year, we are offering North Carolina’s very first Sustainability Technologies Degree program for community colleges which offers an Associate in Applied Science with four available options of concentration; Alternative Energy, Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Manufacturing, or Green Construction. The degree has been so popular during its inaugural semester registration that the college had to open a whole new class section to meet community demand.
CPCC’s Center for Sustainability is now a major player in the Charlotte community through Obama’s economic stimulus program. We’re offering green technology training to displaced workers through the Jobs Now program along with the North Carolina Employment Security Commission, NC Stars program and the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.
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What specific results have been achieved?
 Specific achievements as a result of the Center for Sustainability’s efforts include:
• Because of our Center for Sustainability and location, we were selected by a non-profit group to host T. Boone Pickens on our campus on October 21st for a free, public event. Mr. Pickens presented the “Pickens Plan” here in his only stop in the Carolinas. CPCC is proud to be recognized as the one of the key locations in the state for environmental programs.
• CPCC has become the go-to place for regional organizations that wish to offer environmental programs. We have partnered with organizations including Catawba River Keepers, the Jesse Helms Center, Charlotte: Clean & Green, Argand Energy Solutions, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Lowes and Charlotte Public Tree Fund. Environmental education in Mecklenburg County has increased due to these and other similar partnership programs.
• The Center for Sustainability has established partnerships with the US Green Building Council to offer LEED Certified Training programs. In addition, we were also recently awarded the designation of “Registered Provider of the NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam” by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, making CPCC one of only four colleges in North Carolina to offer Solar and Photovoltaic training for solar technology, design and installation.
• CPCC has achieved National Wildlife Federation Certification on all six campus locations as Wildlife Habitats. NWF indicates that CPCC may be the first multi-campus college in the country to achieve this special designation.
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In what ways are the efforts of this organization/individual unique and innovative?

• CPCC created the first and only Sustainability Technologies Degree available within North Carolina’s 58 community colleges
• CPCC’s EcoBox is a self-contained (off grid), environmentally sustainable dwelling place, built from a standard shipping container. The mobile container will comfortably accommodate two individuals for extended periods, and include all energy needs and waste disposal without connections to outside systems. The Lifecycle Analysis of the EcoBox seeks to examine the "true" sustainability of the EcoBox's components from a "cradle to grave" perspective, and to direct the design of the EcoBox towards truly sustainable designs globally.
• CFS developed innovative employee workshops for faculty and staff related to energy conservation. “Office Energy Conservation” offers facts and figures regarding the college’s energy use and ways employees can help reduce this expense. Classes include guest speakers.
• Through CPCC’s local cable TV program “Spotlight on Sustainability”, we offer environmental education, news, tips, and interviews with instructors, students and area professionals. Viewers are offered reports on some of the latest environmental innovation, projects and activities taking place in the Charlotte region.
• Our relationship with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation has led to the involvement of the college’s Welding Department in the removal and clean up of iron and steel (junk) parts which were dumped years ago into areas now established as community parks. Students are removing these metals and recycling them into classroom training and projects; some which have been returned to Park and Rec as artwork; now on display in area Nature Centers.
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Click here for video. |  |
How has the broader community been impacted?
• CPCC has become the regional go-to place for green jobs technology training. We are an educational partner in the federal stimulus plan through WIA, ARRA and Jobs Now programs. CPCC is one of the primary regional resources for displaced workers and others seeking immediate “green technology” job skills.
• Through the Center, CPCC participated in a regional wetlands restoration project with American Forests, Mecklenburg County, the Sierra Club, Catawba River Keepers, and UNC-Charlotte. In 2008, 2500 tree seedlings were planted in the Torrence Creek area. This year, our “Creek ReLeaf” organization will expand efforts including the creation of an informative website and the planting of another 3000+ seedlings
• CFS is working with the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department to plan the Little Sugar Creek Greenway which runs through our Central Campus. This portion of the greenway, because of CFS, will feature educational components which will allow for testing and monitoring of the creek that will also support water quality for the community.
• Our new program and degree has been awarded $100,000 by the Merancas Foundation for expansion, including making scholarships available to community students.
• Two upcoming community events reflect the college’s continued outreach focus. On November 5th, CFS will offer the documentary “FRESH” to the public, including a panel discussion. On November 7th, CFS will present “Charlotte’s Future with Electric Transportation” with local and national experts in EV (electric vehicle) technology discussing the potential for the industry in Charlotte.
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