Bunker Hill to Host Sustainability Symposium

Bunker Hill Community College will host the first Northeast Regional Collaborative Symposium of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) on Nov. 3-4 in collaboration with Second Nature, a non-profit organization that seeks to create a sustainable society by transforming higher education.

The ACUPCC, a network of more than 700 signatory members, represents the best practices of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate. 

BHCC, a charter signatory to the ACUPCC, will be joined by many participants from colleges and universities located throughout the northeast region. The two-day symposium aims at creating dialogue and collaboration among the ACUPCC signatories who face similar challenges of sustainability. The following topics will be covered at the meeting:

• Preparing and implementing Climate Action Plans
• Regional challenges to sustainability
• Curriculum development initiatives
• Challenges to ACUPCC implementation 

BHCC President Mary L. Fifield signed the ACUPCC in 2007, ushering in a new sustainability-focused era for the College.  Since then, BHCC has opened a LEED-Gold certified Health and Wellness Center, set up the President’s Climate Commitment and Sustainability committee, launched a new Sustainable Mini-grant Program, created an Urban Organic Garden, founded a new student Sustainability Club, and established the cabinet-level position of Director of Sustainability, held by Paul Wolff III.

In June of this year, BHCC was acknowledged nationally at the 5th Annual ACUPCC Summit. At the summit, the College received the prestigious Climate Leadership Award from Second Nature.

For more info, visit: www.bhcc.mass.edu/sustainability.