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Sustainability

Mt. SAC Sustainability LogoAt Mt. San Antonio College we are fully committed to fostering a campus-wide culture of sustainability. To achieve this we implement the three spheres of sustainability: People, Planet and Prosperity into all of our practices and policies. From sustainable buildings on campus to embedding sustainability into curriculum offerings to committing to a carbon neutral future, Mt. SAC is forging a more sustainable future for all.

  • Sustainability is the intersection of people, planet, prosperity which is viable, equitable, and livable.

  • People.
    Delivering adaptable, accessible and connected places for people.

    Planet.
    Conserving and protecting natural ecosystems and resources.

    Prosperity.
    Supporting equitable economic development opportunities.

 

    • Contact Us 

      Eera Babtiwale, LEED AP BD+C®
      ebabtiwale@mtsac.edu

      Special Projects Director, Sustainability
      Facilities Planning & Management
      (she/her/hers)

      Tania Anders,Ph.D.
      tanders1@mtsac.edu

      Professor of Marine Environmental and Geology | Faculty Professional Development Coordinator, Sustainability Coordinator
      Earth Sciences and Astronomy
      (she/her/hers)

      Sophie Gieng
      ngieng@student.mtsac.edu
      Associated Student Environmental Senator

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      • Initiatives

        As signatories of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), Mt. SAC's commitment to sustainability is supported and facilitated by Second Nature and the extended network of signatories. The partnership began in 2014 when Mt. SAC President Scroggins signed a resolution pushing the college towards a path of Carbon Neutrality. The path towards sustainability is not limited to the categories below, as the college's philosophy of eco stewardship is found in its newly-built LEED certified cafeteria to its implementation of water conservation methods on all its facilities, including ball fields and its Wildlife Sanctuary.

      • Climate Action Plan

        By signing on as signatories of the ACUPCC, Mt. SAC committed to the development of a comprehensive Climate Action Plan to lower net greenhouse gas emissions campus-wide. As signatories, the college is required to maintain its plan under the following standards:

        • Complete an annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory and make it publicly available.;
        • Complete a Climate Action Plan and update it at least every 5 years.
        • Complete and submit annual progress reports on Climate Action Plan implementation.
        • Integrate sustainability into the curriculum and make it part of the educational experience.

         

        2018 Climate Action Plan (61MB)

      • Wildlife Sanctuary

        The Mt. San Antonio College Wildlife Sanctuary is a 10-acre protected and cultivated preserve for the trees, shrubs and flowers which once grew in abundance here, and for the birds and other animals who use it as a migratory refuge and breeding ground. 

        Wildlife Sanctuary

      • Second Nature

        As part of Mt. SAC's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, the College reports GHG data to Second Nature, a third party organization that hosts the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments program for higher education institutions.

        Second Nature

      • AASHE Stars

        Mt. SAC is a participant in AASHE (STARS), a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.

        AASHE (Stars)

      • CCEJC

        The Climate Commitment and Environmental Justice Committee advocates, guides and informs the campus community about the Climate Action Plan (CAP), the Carbon Commitment, and the sustainable and equitable implementation of the requirements of the CAP and Carbon Commitment.

        CCEJC

      • UN's Race to Zero

        As a signatory of Second Nature's Climate Commitment program, Mt. SAC is also a committed member of the UN's Race to Zero, a global campaign to rally leadership and action in the education sector.

        United Nations Race to Zero

      • Newsletters

        Sustainability Newsletters

        2023

      • LEED at Mt. SAC

        LEED at Mt. SAC

        Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

        Mt. San Antonio College is proud of being a leader in sustainable building design. Each of our LEED certified or LEED Silver building take into student well being and environmental stewardship. 

      • Sustainability Tour

        Sustainability Tour at Mt. SAC

        Online Sustainability Tour
        Sustainability Map

        Our in-person tours educate students and other participants about water conservation, food waste, drought tolerant landscaping, biodiversity of plants and animals, and energy efficiency. The Sustainability Tour functions as a gateway for students and the public alike to explore educational opportunities and expand their knowledge of environmental topics.

        The tours are interactive and hands-on in many locations. At all locations we allow participants to ask questions and we keep them engaged with thought-provoking and relatable dialogue. Participants are engaged in demonstrating how some things work, such as having people fill water bottles at the water bottle refill stations, as well as illustrating how permeable pavers work vs. traditional cement walkways. Participants also interact with the environment on the tour by getting to touch and feel materials such as the exterior walls of LEED buildings and the composition of drought-tolerant plant soil. All these interactive components enrich the educational aspects of our tours.

      • Demonstration Garden

        Sustainability Garden

        15 raised beds with rotating crops consisting of artichokes, asparagus, blueberries, beans, corn, flowers, herbs, lettuce greens, peas, perennial vegetables, squash, strawberries, and more. 

        Locate Sustainability Garden on Map
      • Habitat Restoration Project

        Habitat Restoration Project

        Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) will preserve and expand existing coastal sage scrub habitat located within an open space area known as West Parcel. The restoration plan for West Parcel was reviewed and approved by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

        Restoration Project

      • Environmental Studies 

        An emphasis in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary course of study that provides students with an integrated and critical understanding of the natural environment and human interactions with it. The coursework is designed to examine the interplay between natural and social systems and the ideological foundations of humanity’s attitudes and behaviors in relation to its ever-changing environment. This program is designed to prepare students to research, analyze, and propose solutions to the myriad environmental challenges facing the world today through a well-rounded curriculum combining classroom, laboratory, and field study instruction.

        Environmental Studies Website 

        Environmental Studies in Catalog

      • Leaf Course

        The Leaf Course is for faculty in ALL disciplines who are passionate about contributing to a healthier and more equitable planet.

        Completion of this course is required for all faculty who wish to receive “Leaf -Course” designation for their course(s) in the Mt. SAC course schedule/catalog.

        The course is approved for up to 16 hrs. PGI/ 6 hrs. PGH (Professional Growth Increment/Hours)

        Contact Tania Anders for more information

        Leaf Course 

      • Greenhouse Gas Emissions

        Mt. SAC reports Greenhouse Gas Emissions annually to Second Nature and AASHE STARS.

        Second Nature

        AASHE (Stars)

      • Mt.SAC Urban Forest

        Mt. SAC Tree Inventory

        Mt. SAC understands the value that urban trees have in terms of our environment and our carbon footprint. The college is committed to protecting our rich and beautiful tree inventory on campus.

        Mt. SAC's Urban Forest Benefits

        Tree Campus USA

        Mt. SAC is a Tree Campus as recognized by ArborDay.org. The College has committed to meeting five overarching standards. They include:

        • Establishment of a campus tree advisory committee
        • Evidence of a campus tree care plan
        • Verification of the plan’s dedicated annual expenditures
        • Observing Arbor Day
        • Creating a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body

        Become a tree campus

      • Sustainability Map

        Sustainability Map Poster

        Dafna Golden dedicated her sabbatical project in dedication to our beloved mentor and friend, Mika Klein. Dafna researched and designed the Sustainability features of Mt. SAC in this lovely Campus Map Poster. This same content went in to develop a whole new Sustainability section of the Online Campus Map. Please explore. 

        Sustainability Poster

        Sustainability Campus Map