Editorial Columns

Penn State's Long-Range Commitment to the Environment

One of the most attractive aspects of living in Pennsylvania is the state's vast abundance of natural beauty and resources. Within Pennsylvania, there are more than 2.1 million acres of state forestland, a wealth of freshwater from streams and rivers, unique scenic and geologic sites and a state park within 25 miles of nearly every Pennsylvanian. Here in the Centre Region, we are particularly blessed with this valuable natural heritage, and Penn State is committed to doing its part to conserve and care for these precious resources.

Penn State's environmental impact in Centre County and the Spring Creek Watershed is significant. At the University Park campus, more than 40,000 students attend classes on a campus that includes 758 buildings, 16,331 acres, and 31 miles of roadway. These facilities and the large number of people who enjoy them present Penn State with a great environmental responsibility and require that the University have a strong and well-defined vision for the environment.

Penn State has been engaged in local environmental issues for many years and has developed unique solutions to environmental challenges. For example, Penn State has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using a living filter for wastewater plant effluent. Vegetation and the earth's surface work as a filter to properly dispose of wastewater effluent and naturally recharge groundwater. Approximately 2 million to 3 million gallons of water a day are naturally recycled by the living filter. Our faculty and staff, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Centre County leaders, have supported and continue to support regional groundwater conservation and planning. Local stewardship is the most viable way to ensure the health of our water resources.

Penn State has had a very aggressive and award-winning recycling program in place. Recycling of solid waste increased dramatically between 1989 and 1998 -- from 20 tons per year to 3,700 tons per year. Additionally, Penn State's recycling program prevents 32 percent of its solid waste stream from going into landfills. We also are testing some emerging sustainable technologies for new construction projects, such as porous pavement that allows water to perk into the soil rather than contributing to runoff and a heat recovery heat pump at the Visitor Center. Water saving shower heads and toilets are part of all new residence hall construction.

Penn State plans to develop a 400-acre arboretum with a mission to promote the quality of human life by seeking, through scholarship, research and education, collaborative solutions to growing demands on the natural landscape and its resources. The arboretum will be an interdisciplinary "institute for land health" of regional, state and perhaps national significance.

In support of the University's environmental efforts, Penn State's Finance and Business division recently outlined a formal strategy to provide environmental leadership for the University. This Environmental Stewardship Strategy promotes awareness of environmental responsibilities, provides direction for environmentally sustainable behavior, evaluates new technology, and encourages best practices in terms of environmental impact. Specifically, the strategy outlines annual objectives in eight areas, including leadership and communication, purchasing, use of energy and water, solid waste, hazardous material and waste, planning and design, new technology, and regulatory compliance. With guidance from this Environmental Stewardship Strategy, Penn State has joined the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program to minimize energy use. Other strategic initiatives include the design and construction of an environmentally friendly "green" building, exploration of the feasibility of solar energy technology in Centre County, and several plans to reduce the use of hazardous materials. The Environmental Stewardship Strategy strives to provide a comprehensive plan for environmental leadership and a sound foundation for continued achievement in environmental matters.

These administrative efforts support academic activities in the environmental area. In 1997, Penn State identified the environmental sciences as a focus area for interdisciplinary efforts. At that time, an academic Environmental Consortium was established to increase the visibility of environmental education, outreach and research. The consortium addresses current environmental needs and provides opportunities for faculty and students to complete interdisciplinary environmental research. It has identified six thematic areas on which to focus activity: air quality, biodiversity and ecosystems, global change, health and the environment, industrial ecology, and green engineering and water resources. Penn State remains committed to the Environmental Consortium's efforts and plans to add 25 new faculty positions in environmental studies. Across the University, our researchers work daily on ecological issues ranging from water quality and soil pollutants, to land management, the effect of ozone on plants and forest health. They provide individuals, groups, public agencies and local government with information and much-needed assistance to deal with these very significant challenges.

In addition, the University is home to the interdisciplinary Center for Watershed Stewardship, which provides professional training to students who will be able to help local communities develop long-term solutions to water pollution and other natural resource management problems in their communities.

As resources become increasingly limited and energy costs continue to soar, an effective and environmentally sensitive vision is crucial to our University's and the Commonwealth's success. Penn State is committed to its leadership role in environmental stewardship.