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· Putting Passion to Practice
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Environmental Research
· Econ An. of Swain Co Settlement
· Econ An. of WNC non-profits
· Env Research Funding
· Env Research Newsletter
· Horizon 2100
· Mapping Change of Buncombe
· Native Plant Feasibility Study
· Stormwater Analysis
The Environmental Leadership Center
of Warren Wilson College
Campus Box 6323
PO Box 9000
Asheville, NC 28815-9000
828.771.3006
Please refer all questions or comments about this website to Phillip Ray Gibson @
pgibson@warren-wilson.edu
Awards & Recognitions
2008
2007
Sandy Pfeiffer became, in January, the first president of a private college or university in North Carolina to sign a letter of intent for the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
In August, he and Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy signed an agreement stating the intent of the college and city to work toward climate partnership goals.
Blue Ridge Outdoors selected Warren Wilson as the Southeast’s “Greenest College,” one of the “Green Globe Awards” the magazine handed out in its July 2007 issue. The award recognizes the College for “making a positive impact on the health of the planet and its people.”
The Peace and Environment Team of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville awarded, in September, a Certificate of Appreciation to the College for its ongoing environmental efforts.
KIWI magazine’s first “Green College Report,” published in September, cited Warren Wilson among 50 colleges and universities nationwide that have “eco-friendly campuses and programs.”
Sierra magazine, published by the Sierra Club, ranked Warren Wilson No. 3 nationwide – and first in the Southeast – among its “10 Coolest Schools” in the fight against global warming. The feature was the cover story of the magazine’s November/December 2007 issue.
2006
Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency selects WWC to receive the "Standing Ovation" award for its efforts in 2005 to protect and improve air quality in the region and for utilizing the EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool to conduct energy-benchmarking projects across campus.
National Propane Education & Research Council presents WWC the 2006 "Propane Exceptional Energy Fleet Award" in recognition of the College's conversion of several commercial mowers to propane from gasoline.
WWC becomes the first higher education institution in North Carolina to have a Gold Certified Building under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, developed by the US Green Building Council, for its recently dedicated Doug and Darcy Orr Cottage.
Carolina Recycling Association selects Warren Wilson's Orr Cottage to receive the "Green Building Project of the Year Award" at their 16th annual conference in Raleigh. The Green Building Project award annually honors a program that has made a "significant contribution to the advancement of environmentally responsible/sustainable building practices through design or construction of a green project or process."
WWC becomes the first college in region to convert to 100 percent 'green' power by purchasing renewable energy credits, or RECs, from Atlanta-based Sterling Planet to offset all of its electric use.
Buncombe County Soil & Water Conservation District selects WWC Farm as its county-level "Farm Family of the Year."
Warren Wilson College recognized as the 2006 "Outstanding Conservation Farm Family" for the 16 western counties of North Carolina (Area 1). Buncombe County Soil & Water noted that the College serves as a role model for improving water quality and wildlife habitat, in using agricultural best-management practices extensively, reducing/reusing and recycling a large portion of the campus waste stream, and acting as stewards to the environment.
2005
EPA's Energy Star Buildings and the Green Lights Honor Society recognize WWC for its energy-saving practices.
Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District presents WWC the "Cooperator of the Year" Award for its farm stewardship practices.
In the National Wildlife Federation's 2005 Campus Ecology Yearbook, the Orr Cottage was among the projects highlighted on college campuses noted for their focus on conservation and sustainability activities.
Peterson's Guide recognizes WWC's Environmental Studies Program as one of a group of college programs nationwide "leading the way" in environmental education.
2004
Environmental Educators of North Carolina recognizes WWC as the 2004 "Outstanding Environmental Organization in North Carolina" for promoting quality environmental education, thinking more innovatively about environmental solutions, and training leaders who help forge a more sustainable future.
National Organization of Presbyterians for Restoring Creation presents the "Restoring Creation Award" to WWC. Warren Wilson College was the first college to receive this recognition and was cited for its new EcoDorm, for the depth of its environmental programming, and the embodiment of values of sustainability and responsible environmental stewardship."
The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association presents WWC with the "Steward of the Year Award" (in the nonprofit institution category) in honor of the work of the college's farm and garden crews and their sustainable approach to farming and the training of student crew members in sustainable methods.
National Wildlife Federation (NWF) recognizes WWC as a leading school nationwide in five categories of the NWF report, State of the Campus Environment: A National Report Card on Environmental Performance and Sustainability in Higher Education. WWC, the only school in North Carolina to be cited as a leading school for exemplary performance in more than one category, was recognized in these areas: Supporting and Evaluating Faculty on Environmental Studies: Environmental Goal-Setting and Environmental Policies; Doing More with Goals and Written Policies for Environment; Employing Environmental Administrators and Coordinators; and Recycling, Solid Waste and Materials Flow.
National Wildlife Federation 2004 Campus Ecology Yearbook recognizes Warren Wilson College among the 38 "inspiring stories" from colleges nationwide. WWC had more 2002-03 case studies in the yearbook than any other institution.
Outside magazine cites Warren Wilson College as #4 on their list of 40 best colleges in the nation. Of the "Forty Best College Towns" that "turn out smart grads with top-notch academic credentials, a healthy environmental ethos, and an A+ sense of adventure," Warren Wilson, one of two NC colleges named to the list, was the highest ranking of the five colleges in the Southeast included among the 40 nationwide. WWC was referred to as, "one of the most earth-friendly colleges on the planet."
Buncombe County "Together We Read" program honors the Environmental Leadership Center's EcoTeam program for its continuing focus on ecological literacy for third graders in Buncombe County and beyond.
EPA Green Lights Program certifies WWC. WWC is noted as an institution "that has taken specific steps to convert to electricity-saving devices for implementation of campus-wide efficient lighting choices."
2003
National Wildlife Federation: WWC is recognized as being among the top 24 colleges in the nation (of more than 4,200 institutions) with students, faculty and staff working to create a sustainable community.