The Muhlenberg Weekly

Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News

Cara Owens was hired this month as the College's first Sustainability Coordinator. She officially began the job on Sept. 4. Owens received her Master of Science in Environmental Studies with a specialization in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England in Keene, NH. Immediately before accepting her position as Sustainability Coordinator, she worked, and still currently works, as a project manager for a research project being conducted by Dr. Richard Niesenbaum, Professor and Department Chair of Biology. Additionally, Owens teaches a geographic information systems course.

Additional previous experience that Owens has includes project work for non-profit conservation groups, including conducting natural resource inventories, tracking educational programs, and assisting with a bird-banding station. Prior to earning her Master's degree, she worked as a resource coordinator in Colorado.

Owens said, "I am just beginning as the Sustainability Coordinator, but plan to work with students and staff to increase sustainability on campus through a variety of approaches. Some particular areas of concern include energy conservation, reduction of green house gases produced by the College, waste reduction and an increase in recycling, and water conservation. Additionally, I hope to be an educational resource for both students and faculty."

While she believes that that College is already moving towards greater sustainability, particularly through the efforts of the Greening Committee and student groups like EnAct, Owens is excited to be part of furthering these goals to increase conservation and reduce consumption here on campus.

Since Owens was only hired this month, she was unable to participate in the construction of the New Science Building and the application for LEED certification; however, she understands and recognizes the importance of having a certification such as this.

Owens commented, "Earning LEED certification is a big achievement and demonstrates the College's commitment to environmental responsibility and to the health of students. I expect the number of LEED certifications to increase as we all learn more about the need to achieve greater sustainability and to lessen negative impacts on our environment."

When asked what areas of the College she believes could use some work in terms of sustainability Owens replied, "There is always room for improvement! I think a large area of focus will be energy conservation and increasing energy efficiency.

Not only will this reduce the College's contribution to pollution and global warming, but it will also result in cost savings. Beyond that, I want to hear from students about priorities and ideas for becoming more sustainable."

Owens cannot stress enough that the success of the College depends on everyone in the College community. "The more that people are involved, the more of an impact a sustainability movement will have," Owens said.

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