Vermont Campus Sustainability Network

The conference will be kicked off with a retreat on Sunday, October 25th for the NECSC steering committee at the Bishop Booth Conference Center in Burlington; and on Monday, October 26th attendees can take campus tours at Green Mountain College, Middlebury College, or UVM prior to the main conference events. The day and a half conference will include a Vermont college president's panel, breakout sessions, presentations, and a local food banquet. If you would like more information about participating and/or registering for the conference, please contact Mieko Ozeki, Conference Coordinator, at sustainability@uvm.edu.

Registration for the 6th Annual NECSC will begin in mid-May. Check UVM Office of Sustainability website for the latest updates on this conference.

At the January VCSN gathering, several committees were formed to work on specific projects. One of the committees is working on a project to create a weatherization training workshop for Vermont students. This committee is currently researching other weatherization/efficiency programs within the state, including the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce-Training program at Vermont Technical College and other community-based training programs.

The working idea is to offer regional workshops that combine introductory energy loss principles and a hands-on, applied training that would focus on "strip, caulk & foam" practices. Skills and principles learned in these workshops would be brought back to campuses for practice and implementation. After a gaining a certain level of proficiency and with proper supervision., trained students could apply these skills to their off-campus housing and eventually into the broader community.

The goal of the committee is to complete necessary research and develop a draft proposal by June 2009 with possible workshop dates in Fall 2009.

A Commitment to Sustainability at Landmark College

Last year, Landmark College made a commitment in their strategic plan to incorporate sustainability concepts into the goals and operation of the institution. Not only will they focus on leadership and economic stability, but Landmark will establish programs to raise ecological awareness and to reduce the environmental footprint of the campus. In January 2009, Landmark College embarked on a campus greenhouse gas inventory and solid waste assessment to provide a baseline for future planning. Over the last five months, two Antioch New England University graduate interns have been compiling and analyzing campus data. Jennifer Weymouth is preparing a greenhouse gas inventory with recommendations for Landmark College to reduce emissions and prevent campus pollution through energy and water conservation, efficiency strategies, and educational measures. Louisa Bomba is assessing the campus solid waste stream and will provide recommendations for increasing recycling and minimizing waste.

Landmark College leaders anticipate that these efforts will help the campus move towards sustainability and will also prepare students for "engaged and responsible world citizenship". For more information on Landmark College sustainability efforts, please contact Corrado Paramithiotti, Director of Facilities Planning and Operation at cparamithiotti@landmark.edu.

Events and Announcements

Apply Now: University of Vermont's Institute for Global Sustainability summer courses:
Four Course Sequence in Sustainable Business
Three one week intensive courses in Burlington, VT that are focused on Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Business and Collaborative Management. The fourth course, Ecological Economics, is offered online so that participants can wrap up the sequence from anywhere they desire. http://learn.uvm.edu/igs/sustainable_business

Nutrient Management Sequence
Course developed in partnership with the Plant & Soil Sciences Department, with a four week, on farm intensive summer program in Burlington, VT. Three integrated classes (8 credits total) where students will learn first-hand about science-based nutrient management as an essential aspect of sustainable farming. The focus of this cluster of classes is sustaining soil fertility, composting wastes and reducing farm-source pollution. http://learn.uvm.edu/igs/food_systems/#nutrient

Community Development Specialist
The Capital City of Montpelier (pop. 8,100) is seeking an individual to administer Montpelier's Community Development programs. Under the direct supervision of the Director of Planning & Community Development, this position is largely responsible for administering Montpelier Community Development Agency (CDA) housing programs, various loan programs, and special projects. Applicants will need to demonstrate a minimum of five years experience with state and federal grant administration, community development programs, housing programs, and managing loan applications and disbursements.

A detailed job description and qualifications is available upon request and can be obtained through the Notices page at http://www.montpelier-vt.org. Salary range from $45,000 - $48,000, depending on experience. Mail or e-mail letter and resume to Gwendolyn Hallsmith, Director of Planning & Community Development, City Hall, 39 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602-2950, e-mail: ghallsmith@montpelier-vt.org. The position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed starting May 22nd. Montpelier is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.