As part of a set of initiatives increasing NAU's commitment to sustainability practice and education, two major reorganizations are being completed. The President's office has created a new Office of Sustainability which will implement sustainable energy, water, transportation, purchasing and recycling efforts on campus and develop partnerships that can bring practical application of university research to campus, the state and the nation. The office will work closely with NAU's Center for Sustainable Environments to share technology, research and educational opportunities.
"The nation and the world are grappling with complex ecological issues that will have a profound impact on generations to come," said NAU President John Haeger. "Northern Arizona University is strengthening its role as a regional steward by expanding our efforts on these important issues."
The new Office of Sustainability will be led by Rich Bowen, associate vice president for Economic Development and Sustainability, and director Richard Baron, currently the manager for the Applied Research and Development building, the award-winning "green" building housing many of the university's environmental programs. Program coordinator Heather Farley will move from CSE to support Bowen and Baron.
The second part of these initiatives involves a newly enhanced Center for Sustainable Environments.
The center, known as CSE, is adding to its mission and absorbing the courses, programs and duties of the existing Center for Environmental Sciences and Education, which will reinforce CSE's focus on research, education and outreach. CSE will continue in CESE's former role as the academic umbrella for undergraduate and graduate degree programs in environmental sciences, studies and policy. It will be home for most environmental curricula and coursework, including the recently developed Environmental Studies program and the Grand Canyon Semester. However, sustainability courses in other units, including biology and forestry, will still be offered through those departments.
CSE will be led by interim director Rod Parnell, professor of geology and environmental sciences. He is replacing Gary Nabhan, who has accepted a position at the University of Arizona. A search is underway to replace Dr. Nabhan and hire a permanent director for CSE.
"We are committed to moving forward with CSE's critical efforts," Parnell said. "The creation of the new Office of Sustainability and CSE's expanded mission will be good for our students, our campus and our community. Strengthening partnerships between NAU faculty, staff and students and local and regional groups will provide terrific opportunities for our students as well as valuable outreach to the community and region."
CSE already has developed strong partnerships with Grand Canyon Trust, Diablo Trust, several federal agencies and the Little Colorado National Heritage Area, and those partnerships will continue, Parnell said. He also said the center will continue to work with other community outreach activities such as land and resource management and sustainable/local foods systems.
© 2008 Arizona Board of Regents.
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