School-Wide Environmental Behavior Changes
The emphasis on Environmental Sustainability has been established as a priority by our Board of Trustees, our school’s leadership team, our faculty, our students, and our entire community. This priority is evident in the recently revised language of our mission statement ("Gunston strives to educate ethically and environmentally minded scholars, citizens, and leaders for our globalized society"), is articulated within our philosophy document, and is embedded into our most recent institutional strategic plan, where the school formally established an ongoing environmental strategic planning process, and set the goal to become a regional and national leader in environmental education.
The school's 100-year history is replete with high-quality student environmental learning experiences, but during the last five years, the school has established environmental sustainability as one of the schools primary areas of emphasis. Our recent accomplishments include:
The school's 100-year history is replete with high-quality student environmental learning experiences, but during the last five years, the school has established environmental sustainability as one of the schools primary areas of emphasis. Our recent accomplishments include:
- A revised mission and philosophy statement that places environmental learning at the center of the Gunston experience.
- A board-level leadership focus on environmental strategic planning that prioritizes environmental stewardship as a central school emphasis.
- A school-wide integration of environmental stewardship topics into the curriculum across all disciplines.
- A $5 million facilities renovation of our two primary academic buildings where sustainability and energy-efficiency were a top priority. This Spring, the entire campus road system (nearly a mile of roadway) will be resurfaced with a "rolled millings" surface, replacing the current tar-and-chip surface in order to diminish runoff. The school's two major septic systems have been replaced with state-of-the-art BAT systems. The school is working on a landscaping master plan with a focus on sustainability and student learning.
- The development of ongoing faculty and staff administrative professional development protocols that now make environmental stewardship one of the four areas of primary focus for faculty professional development and orientation experiences. New faculty orientation includes a full-day tour of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to introduce faculty to the Bay region, and each faculty member must pursue an bi-annual environmental professional development experience as part of their ongoing training.
- A major shoreline/dock renovation was completed that provides a first-rate platform for student academic/athletic connections with the Bay watershed.
- A dedicated area on our website focused on the school's commitment to highlighting the school's efforts in environmental stewardship.
- A newly-revised academic schedule that provides our student-led environmental club with significantly enhanced time for meeting and planning.
- A revision of our 20-year old Bay Studies curriculum that provides students with a more structured, intensive, and academically-robust environmental education experience.
- Ongoing connections with the Queen Anne's Public School system and the Corsica River Conservancy that provides these organizations with waterfront access for programs like the Maryland Grows Oysters project.
- A heightened campus focus on paperless communication and recycling. A new daily bulletin includes environmental "tips" generated by students.