by Brianna Crandall — April 15, 2013—Second Nature is recognizing 20 colleges and universities in April that exemplify the mission of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) , for which Second Nature is the lead supporter, to re-stabilize the earth’s climate through education, research, and community engagement, and to lead by example in their own operations.
Each of the 20 highlighted institutions is a finalist for this year’s Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards. Second Nature, a national nonprofit that works to create a healthy, just, and sustainable society by transforming higher education, will formally recognize a different finalist every business day in April under its “Celebrating Sustainability” series. Information about each school is available on the Second Nature and ACUPCC homepages.
“This group of schools represents a broad cross-section of higher education in America. Their actions to promote sustainability reflect the strength of their diversity, and they share an unyielding commitment to transforming their campuses, their students’ educational experiences, and their communities at large for a healthier, more sustainable tomorrow,” said David Hales, President of Second Nature.
Throughout Earth Month, the 20 institutions will also be vying for the most votes in a public voting competition. Each institution has produced a video that promotes its specific sustainability efforts. In partnership with Planet Forward, the voting competition will run from April 1-30. Viewers are asked to vote on the most innovative and groundbreaking institution in each Carnegie Classification. Videos and voting opportunities are on the Climate Leadership Awards 2013 Web page.
“We chose to highlight these exemplary institutions in conjunction with Earth Month in order to emphasize that any attempt to address climate change must incorporate the kinds of holistic, sustainable practices and solutions that signatory institutions of the ACUPCC are creating,” added Toni Nelson, Second Nature’s Vice President of Programs.
The Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards are given annually to recognize innovative and advanced leadership in education for sustainability, climate mitigation and adaptation, and institutionalized sustainability at signatory campuses of the ACUPCC. Selection of award winners is done independently of the video voting competition.
This year’s finalists are:
- American Public University System (WV)
- Bellevue College (WA)
- Carleton College (MN)
- Chatham University (PA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Glendale Community College (AZ)
- Goddard College (VT)
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY)
- Indiana State University (IN)
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MA)
- Middlebury College (VT)
- Missouri University of Science & Technology (MO)
- Oberlin College (OH)
- Portland State University (OR)
- Pratt Institute of Art & Design (NY)
- Saint Louis Community College at Florissant Valley (MO)
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
- University of Hawaii Kauai Community College (HI)
- University of Massachusetts Medical School (MA)
- Western State Colorado University (CO)
