Schools

Bellevue College Finalist for National Leadership Award for Green Efforts

Bellevue College is a finalist for the 2013 Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards, awards given by a nonprofit founded by Secretary of State John Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz.

Bellevue College is a finalist for the 2013 Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards, awards given by a nonprofit founded by Secretary of State John Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz.

Second Nature was founded to promote environmental sustainability through higher education. 

Bellevue College’s is one of 20 colleges and universities nationwide to be a finalist for the awards.

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“We’re extremely proud of this recognition for the steps our campus has taken to operate in more sustainable ways,” BC President David L. Rule said in a prepared statement. “We also know that we have lots of room for improvement, and we’re continually working to find ways to make Bellevue College that much more environmentally friendly.”

The awards recognize institutions that best exemplify the mission of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) to re-stabilize the earth’s climate through education, research and community engagement, according to Belelvue College.

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Winners will be selected later this spring by the Second Nature Board of Directors.

Bellevue College will be featured in Second Nature’s “Celebrating Sustainability” series on April 1, a web feature that highlights the award finalists, according to the college.

Last year, Bellevue College received a Governor’s Commute Smart Award and a Diamond Award from Commuter Challenge.

Among the college's green initiatives are: the installation of several electric vehicle charging stations, including a rare DC fast charger; a comprehensive project to upgrade campus lighting, water and HVAC systems to substantially reduce energy consumption, incorporating geothermal heating and solar power; programs to encourage alternate means of transport, including a ride-match website to facilitate carpooling; and the integration of sustainability throughout the instructional curriculum combined with a student-created sustainability fund, according to Bellevue College.

Second Nature is a supporting organization of the ACUPCC, of which BellevueCollege is one of more than 650 signatory institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.

-- Information from Bellevue College

Online

Second Nature: 2013 Finalists for the Climate Leadership Awards


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