In My Opinion: Pacific's Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
"The link between hands-on learning and leadership development in environmental education is evident in several Pacific programs. "
Spring 2008 Pacific Review
By Donald V. DeRosa
One of the distinctive aspects of a Pacific education is the development of the whole student for responsible leadership. We think of this leadership as encompassing both career and community, and also by extension the preservation of natural resources. As the steward of 75% of the existing papers of naturalist John Muir, it is fitting for the University to build environmental stewardship into a number of our experiential learning programs and our daily operations.
Muir was a driving force behind the establishment of the national park system, and especially Yosemite National Park, where 100 first-year students and faculty spent two days at the opening of this school year. In addition to learning about Pacific's relationship to Muir, students engaged in discussions about personal and social responsibility, and participated in environmental projects with Yosemite Institute staff.
The link between hands-on learning and leadership development in environmental education is evident in several Pacific programs. The newly established Natural Resources Institute (NRI) is already making a difference in the development of legislation and policy for California water resources issues. The John T. Chambers Technology Center, expected to begin construction later this year, will expand and improve the space for research and educational activities of the NRI and be equipped to investigate alternative energy solutions.
Professor Greg Anderson in the biology department has implemented a partnership with local K-12 schools to provide field experiences for students on the native river habitat that flows through the Stockton campus, study local ecological systems and participate in a habitat restoration project.
Water resources and other environmental issues are the focus for the Environmental Sciences and Civil Engineering programs on the Stockton campus and the Environmental Law program at Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. At Pacific McGeorge, students are developing legislation for a broad inter-agency emergency response plan for the California Delta. They are also working on improved standards to protect levees and estuaries.
Pacific students also want the University to take the lead in demonstrating awareness of and responsiveness to environmental concerns. The new University Center, set to open this fall, is expected to receive a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the US Green Building Council verifying that it is an environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy place to live and work. Environmental Science students conducted an audit of greenhouse gas emissions on Pacific's Stockton campus and made recommendations on how to reduce them. Other initiatives on the Stockton campus include a comprehensive recycling program that diverts approximately 70% of the University's garbage from landfills, installation of efficient, computerized irrigation systems and the use of "green" chemicals in custodial work.
I'm proud of the ways we at Pacific are demonstrating our commitment to the environment and our precious natural resources. Our students and we expect nothing less.
