Environmental Ambassador Certification Program

Transcription

1 Environmental Ambassador Certification Program The Environmental Ambassador Certification Program will serve as a guide for integrating sustainability into your lifestyle and college career. We define sustainability as living and making choices in such a way that meets the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. As you follow this program, you will receive mentorship on how to meet the certification requirements and will be kept notified on the upcoming events and activities related to sustainability. The actions that will be requested of you are sorted in the following categories: Education Event Participation Community Service Individual action Service project Awards and Incentive Obtain points to climb the ranks of the Environmental Ambassador Certification Program and earn cash awards! There are five ranks; Seed, Sprout, Sapling, Tree, and Elder Environmental Ambassador; and the cash awards to go with them are listed below. You will receive a certificate and a trophy plaque of recognition to signify the completion of the Environmental Ambassador Certification Program. This will serve as a testament on your resume that you are a sustainability-minded individual, a valuable trait in the world of growing green businesses. This program is meant to be a casual experience that can be integrated throughout your college career. We approximate the time of completion is two years of Fall and Spring semesters. Another benefit of pursuing the Environmental Ambassador Certification Program is that it increases the appeal and likelihood of getting an internship with our sustainability-oriented offices on campus. The Sustainability Practices and Research Office (SPARC) and The Energy and Sustainability Office (ESO) offer internship positions for students to get an immersive work experience of implementing sustainable initiatives at Weber State University. The List of Awards 1. Cash award for each Rank achievement a. Seed $25 b. Sprout $50 c. Sapling $75 d. Tree $100 e. Elder $ Environmental Ambassador Certificate of Completion 3. Trophy Plaque of Recognition 4. Increases the appeal of getting a paid or non-pay internship position with ESO or SPARC

2 How to Obtain Points and Climb the Ranks The progress of this program is measured by earning points for accomplishing the tasks listed in the Category Breakdown. The categories are Education, Event Participation, Individual Action, Community Service, and Service Project. To develop a more well-rounded experience, we have the condition to earn points within multiple categories in order to climb the ranks. Seed points Sprout points (must be from 2 categories) Sapling points (must be from 3 categories) Tree points (must be from 4 categories) Elder Environmental Ambassador 60++ points (must have points from all 5 categories) The Category Breakdown: The following lists describe the certain actions that students must do to earn points. Education/Research 1. Attend 3 Environmental Ambassadors meetings 1 point per 3 meetings 15 meetings per semester 10 points available for the year 2. Attend 3 shades of Green classes during Fall Semesters 1 point per 3 classes 15 classes per semester 5 points available per year 3. Listen to 3 sustainability related speakers 1 point per 3 speakers 4. Attend Sustainability related workshop/conference 3 2 points for the full day 5. Submit research poster to the Intermountain Sustainability Summit, Ergo, URC, or another conference 5 points each 6. Submit application for Faculty & Student Sustainability Research Awards 5 points

3 7. Complete a Sustainability Focused or Related Course. Sustainability Focused Courses 4 credit class 8 points 3 credit class 4 points 1 credit class 2 points Sustainability Related Courses 4 credit class 4 points 3 credit class 2 points 1 credit class 1 point 8. Obtain a sustainability related certification (e.g. LEED certification, permaculture certification) Variable points 1-10 To be approved by EA President/Committee 9. Education Innovation Variable points 1-10 To be approved by EA President/Committee Event Participation 1. Attend Environmental Ambassadors sponsored event (e.g. Tree planting, Green the Stadium, Alternative Transit Fair, Waste Fair, Green Move in move out) 1 point per event 2. Attend sustainability related on or off campus event 1 point per event to be approved by EA president 3. Host/Plan a sustainability event or presentation (10 points) Assist with planning/hosting (5 points) 4. Plan and implement a demonstration (e.g. demonstrating how much water is used for a 10 min shower by displaying a number of milk jugs, Plastic bag monster ) 5 points 5. Event Participation Innovation Variable points 1-10 To be approved by EA President/Committee

4 Community Service 1 point per 1 hour of community service Individual Action To officially obtain points, you must give a short presentation to EA club on how he or she did it. You may choose to present on multiple actions during one scheduled meeting. Also, you may be asked to take a commitment photo of your action for the Weber State Sustainability website. Energy o (4 points) Participate in RMP s Blue Sky program o (2) Buy energy efficiency products Programmable thermostat Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED Replace appliances with Energy Star appliances o (1) Conservation habits Turn off lights when not in use Unplug appliances and turn off power strips when not in use Air-dry clothes and dishes Water o (4) Xeriscaping o (2) Smart irrigation meters o (1) Buy low flow water fixtures o (1) Proper medication disposal o (1) Opt to use refillable water bottle Waste o (4) composting o (2) Upcycling or reimaging your waste into functional items/art o (1) Meal planning to reduce food waste o (1) Reusable bags o (1) Using less disposable items (e.g. switch from relying on plasticware and use travel utensils instead) o (1) Buying more durable items o (1) Buying second hand o (1) Donate clothing instead of throwing away o (1) Commit to recycle Food/ Wellness o (4) Growing your own o (2) Buying local o (2) Buying organic o (2) Pledging to be vegetarian or vegan one or more days per week o (1) Eating less meat/meatless Mondays Transportation

5 o (4) Active transportation o (4) Alternatively fueled vehicles o (2) Public transportation o (1) Carpooling o (1) Commit to stop Idling Flex your citizen muscle/ Political Action o (4) Contact/ communicate with your congressman o (4) Vote! Especially local o (4) Attend public hearings/meetings o (2) Host a rally/demonstration/parade o (1) Attend a rally/demonstration/parade o (1) Attend a Walker Center Political event o (1) Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper/magazine Individual Action Innovation o Variable points 1-10 o To be approved by EA President/Committee Service Project (Variable depending on time/effort to implement - max: 20 pts) This will be a task left to the student to plan and implement. It must be a project that can be impactful on a campus wide scale or within the student s local community/neighborhood. A summary of the project and evidence that it was implemented must be submitted to EA pres. through Webersync form. EXAMPLE project ideas: Getting fraternities/sororities to recycle Low flow fixtures in the residence halls Having programs/departments host low or zero waste events Get campus store to buy fair trade items Lead fossil fuel divestment movement Solar panel tables Set up a Textbook for Change ongoing fundraiser Set up a Shoebox ongoing fundraiser Point Progress Tracked through Webersync You will be required to keep track of the tasks you have completed and your progress through our WeberSync forms in the WSU Environmental Ambassadors Portal. Go to WeberSync Search for WSU Environmental Ambassadors Portal Click the Forms tab Look for the forms with the green label Environmental Ambassador Certification Program as indication for the forms you must use. After you have submitted, the Environmental Ambassador President and Committee will review the forms, decide how many points you have earned, and then compile this data into a personal profile excel sheet to keep track of your progress.