FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2015
Contact: Gabriela Boscio, Communications & Education Manager, Second Nature, gboscio@secondnature.org, 617-722-0036; Ali Peterson, Media & Communications Specialist, U.S. Green Building Council, 202-742-3813
Colleges and Universities Named Finalists in Climate Leadership Competition
BOSTON, MA- Second Nature, a national nonprofit that works to proactively build a sustainable and positive global future by working with leadership networks in higher education, today announced the finalists for its sixth annual Climate Leadership Awards. The awards are a national competition among higher education institutions that are signatories of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), a signature program of Second Nature.
This year Second Nature is partnering on the awards with the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Center for Green Schools. Two award winners (one two-year and one four-year institution) will be recognized as part of the 2015 Greenbuild Leadership Awards Program on November 19 in Washington, DC. Greenbuild is the world’s largest green building conference and expo.
“We are impressed every year with the outstanding applications we receive for the Climate Leadership Awards,” said Second Nature’s Education and Partnerships Director, Michele Madia. “The ACUPCC signatories are a committed group of climate leaders, and through Second Nature’s partnership with the Center for Green Schools, their achievements will be broadcast to an even greater audience.”
Second Nature received nearly 50 applications from across the country, with only two spots open for winners. Of those applications, the following colleges and universities were selected as the 2015 finalists:
Two-Year Institutions
Alamo Colleges, TX
Cedar Valley College, TX
Central New Mexico Community College, NM
College of Lake County, IL
SUNY Sullivan, NY
SUNY Jefferson Community College, NY
Western Technical College, WI
Four-Year Institutions
Agnes Scott College, GA
Appalachian State University, NC
California State University, Northridge, CA
Furman University, SC
Huston-Tillotson University, TX
Loyola University Chicago, IL
Southern Oregon University, OR
The George Washington University, DC
University at Buffalo (SUNY), NY
University of California, Merced, CA
University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
More information about the Climate Leadership Awards is available here.
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About Second Nature
Second Nature works to proactively build a sustainable and positive global future through initiating bold commitments, scaling successful actions, and accelerating innovative solutions among leadership networks in higher education. The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) is a signature program of Second Nature. The ACUPCC is a partnership among approximately 700 colleges and universities in every state and the District of Columbia who have committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare students through research and education to solve the challenges of the 21st century. Learn more at: secondnature.org and presidentsclimatecommitment.org.
About The Center for Green Schools
The Center for Green Schools at USGBC is making sure every student has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. From kindergarten to college and beyond, the Center works directly with staff, teachers, faculty, students, administrators, elected officials and communities to drive the transformation of all schools into sustainable places to live and learn, work and play. For more information, visit centerforgreenschools.org or find us on Twitter and Facebook.
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