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Stan CrossEducation Coordinator/ELC Supervisor
WWC CPO 6323
PO Box 9000
Asheville, NC 28815-9000
Phone: 828.771.3782
Email: scross@warren-wilson.edu
Sustainability at WWC
What is sustainability at Warren Wilson?
Sustainability is woven into the fabric of WWC. It is grounded in our rich history of place and purpose, embedded by generations of community members who have modeled our fundamental commitment to connect values to action. The practice of sustainability flows from the College mission, which serves as our compass for responsible citizenship, and from our unique liberal arts model of engaged learning.
How is Warren Wilson Practicing Sustainability?
Climate Commitment - WWC is a founding signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, which commits WWC to achieving climate neutrality- which means 0 net greenhouse gas emissions. Warren Wilson's Climate Action Goal Needs You! In 2009/2010 we plan to reduce our electric use by 5%. We will reduce our transportation footprint and our natural gas use too. How? With you. Look for "5 Things You Can Do" signs to help the College reach it's goal!
Pattern Language - WWC uses Pattern Language as a general planning principle that states a clear problem that may occur repeatedly in the environment, states the range of contexts in which the problem may occur, and gives the guidelines that will solve the problem. Pattern Language is dependent upon community input and continuous review, and maintains the internal physical integrity and character of a community while allowing for growth and change.
Decision Making - WWC's leadership team - the President's Advisory Council - has adopted a sustainable decision making process for its short- and long-term planning. Each significant decision made for the College will weigh the environmental, economic, and social/cultural impacts of the options and seek to pursue the most sustainable choices possible.
EcoDorm and Village Manuals - A building is only as green as those living inside! The pending LEED EB Platinum EcoDorm and LEED Gold certified Village A and B have many green technologies that residents can learn about and utilize including solar hot water systems, radiant floor heat, storm water management features, energy efficient lighting, low-flow water fixtures, and more. These guides help students maximize the buildings' green potential.
Renewable Energy - As a result of student initiation, WWC is currently purchasing renewable energy credits (REC) in the form of wind power to offset 100% of our campus's 4.4 million kWh of annual electricity consumption. This means that for every kWh of electricity we consume (most of which is generated at the coal fired power plant just southwest of us at Lake Julian) a kWh of wind energy is put back on the power grid. WWC is the first college in the Southeast to go 100% REC! For more on REC, go here. WWC also generates 13KW of renewable solarenergy annually from an11KW grid-tied array and from panels on EcoDorm. The EcoDorm system is used to help power the dorm, while the grid-tied array puts solar energy directly onto the local electric grid.
Night-sky friendly streetlights - In 2006, all utility company owned campus streetlights were changed from light pollution emitting styles to full-cutoff styles, meaning the light is concentrated on the ground where it is needed and not into the night sky where it washes out the stars.
Green Building - In addition to EcoDorm and the Villages, WWC built the LEED Gold certified Orr Cottage, and renovated Larsen administrative building and Jensen classroom building. Green technologies in these buildings include geothermal heat pump HVAC systems that reduce energy use for heating and cooling 40-60%.
Recycling Center - This on-campus resource diverts nearly half of the College's waste stream for going o the landfill. The center recycles or reuses many materials. One example is the GREENDRUM in-vessel compost system that composts over 50 tons of pre and post-consumer food waste each year. The compost is used to grow food in the WWC Garden
Food and Forest Production - The WWC Garden and the College Farm provide food to help meet on-campus and community-wide local food needs. The Forestry Crew mills lumber from trees sustainably harvested from the 700 acre WWC forest to provide lumber for College construction needs.
Green Cleaning - All campus cleaning products are GreenSeal certified, which means they are environmentally responsible and help maintain good indoor air quality.
Landscaping - The 60 acre core-campus is maintained using sustainable management techniques such as native species use, permaculture demonstrations, and organic growing methods.
Transportation and Mobile Emissions Reductions - The Asheville City Transit System provides daily bus service from Asheville to Warren Wilson College. Students erected a "Hitching Post" to facilitate carpooling. All campus diesel engines run on 20% biodiesel (B20). All campus lawnmowers were converted to propane fuel to reduce emissions. The Community Bike Shop keeps the campus peddling by providing free repairs and at-cost parts.
Student Involvement - Students lead the charge! Over the years, students have initiated sustainable practices across campus: the vegetarian CowPie Cafe; EcoDorm; Community Bike Shop; Native Grass Crew; Blacksmith Shop; Permaculture; REC purchases; Bio-diesel use; Solar walkway lights; INSULATE! and EcoTeam programs; Compost operation; and so much more... It is easy to identify problems on campus. The challenge is committing to work on solving the problems. College staff and faculty cannot do it alone. Students are essential to the College's long-term sustainability success. Get involved!