Sustainability

As signatories of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), Mt. SAC's commitment to sustainability is supported and facilitated by Second Nature and the extended network of signatories. The partnership began in 2014 when Mt. SAC President Scroggins signed a resolution pushing the college towards a path of Carbon Neutrality. The path towards sustainability is not limited to the categories below, as the college's philosophy of eco stewardship is found in its newly-built LEED certified cafeteria to its implementation of water conservation methods on all its facilities, including ball fields and its Wildlife Sanctuary.

By signing on as signatories of the ACUPCC, Mt. SAC committed to the development of a comprehensive Climate Action Plan to lower net greenhouse gas emissions campus-wide. As signatories, the college is required to maintain its plan under the following standards:

• Complete an annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory and make it publicly available.;
• Complete a Climate Action Plan and update it at least every 5 years.
• Complete and submit annual progress reports on Climate Action Plan implementation.
• Integrate sustainability into the curriculum and make it part of the educational experience.

 

2018 Climate Action Plan (61MB)

The Mt. San Antonio College Wildlife Sanctuary is a 10-acre protected and cultivated preserve for the trees, shrubs and flowers which once grew in abundance here, and for the birds and other animals who use it as a migratory refuge and breeding ground. 

Wildlife Sanctuary

As part of Mt. SAC's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, the College reports GHG data to Second Nature, a third party organization that hosts the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments program for higher education institutions.

Second Nature

Mt. SAC is a participant in AASHE (STARS), a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.

AASHE (Stars)

The Climate Commitment and Environmental Justice Committee advocates, guides and informs the campus community about the Climate Action Plan (CAP), the Carbon Commitment, and the sustainable and equitable implementation of the requirements of the CAP and Carbon Commitment.

CCEJC

As a signatory of Second Nature's Climate Commitment program, Mt. SAC is also a committed member of the UN's Race to Zero, a global campaign to rally leadership and action in the education sector.

United Nations Race to Zero

Sustainability Newsletters

2023

• October
• September

LEED at Mt. SAC

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Mt. San Antonio College is proud of being a leader in sustainable building design. Each of our LEED certified or LEED Silver building take into student well being and environmental stewardship. 

• Administration - LEED Certified
• Athletics Complex East - Certification in Progress
• Business and Computer Technology - Certification in Progress
• Child Development Center - LEED Certified
• Design Technology Center - LEED Silver
• Mountie Café - LEED Silver
• Student Success Center - Certification in Progress

Sustainability Tour at Mt. SAC

Our in-person tours educate students and other participants about water conservation, food waste, drought tolerant landscaping, biodiversity of plants and animals, and energy efficiency. The Sustainability Tour functions as a gateway for students and the public alike to explore educational opportunities and expand their knowledge of environmental topics.

The tours are interactive and hands-on in many locations. At all locations we allow participants to ask questions and we keep them engaged with thought-provoking and relatable dialogue. Participants are engaged in demonstrating how some things work, such as having people fill water bottles at the water bottle refill stations, as well as illustrating how permeable pavers work vs. traditional cement walkways. Participants also interact with the environment on the tour by getting to touch and feel materials such as the exterior walls of LEED buildings and the composition of drought-tolerant plant soil. All these interactive components enrich the educational aspects of our tours.

Sustainability Garden

15 raised beds with rotating crops consisting of artichokes, asparagus, blueberries, beans, corn, flowers, herbs, lettuce greens, peas, perennial vegetables, squash, strawberries, and more. 

Habitat Restoration Project

Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) will preserve and expand existing coastal sage scrub habitat located within an open space area known as West Parcel. The restoration plan for West Parcel was reviewed and approved by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

Restoration Project

An emphasis in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary course of study that provides students with an integrated and critical understanding of the natural environment and human interactions with it. The coursework is designed to examine the interplay between natural and social systems and the ideological foundations of humanity’s attitudes and behaviors in relation to its ever-changing environment. This program is designed to prepare students to research, analyze, and propose solutions to the myriad environmental challenges facing the world today through a well-rounded curriculum combining classroom, laboratory, and field study instruction.

Environmental Studies Website 

Environmental Studies in Catalog

The Leaf Course is for faculty in ALL disciplines who are passionate about contributing to a healthier and more equitable planet.

Completion of this course is required for all faculty who wish to receive “Leaf -Course” designation for their course(s) in the Mt. SAC course schedule/catalog.

The course is approved for up to 16 hrs. PGI/ 6 hrs. PGH (Professional Growth Increment/Hours)

Contact Tania Anders for more information

Leaf Course 

Mt. SAC reports Greenhouse Gas Emissions annually to Second Nature and AASHE STARS.

Second Nature

AASHE (Stars)

Mt. SAC Tree Inventory

Mt. SAC understands the value that urban trees have in terms of our environment and our carbon footprint. The college is committed to protecting our rich and beautiful tree inventory on campus.

Mt. SAC's Urban Forest Benefits

Tree Campus USA

Mt. SAC is a Tree Campus as recognized by ArborDay.org. The College has committed to meeting five overarching standards. They include:

• Establishment of a campus tree advisory committee
• Evidence of a campus tree care plan
• Verification of the plan’s dedicated annual expenditures
• Observing Arbor Day
• Creating a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body

Become a tree campus

Sustainability Map Poster

Dafna Golden dedicated her sabbatical project in dedication to our beloved mentor and friend, Mika Klein. Dafna researched and designed the Sustainability features of Mt. SAC in this lovely Campus Map Poster. This same content went in to develop a whole new Sustainability section of the Online Campus Map. Please explore. 

Sustainability Poster

Sustainability Campus Map

E.A.G.L.E.

Join the Environmental Action Group for a Livable Earth (EAGLE) student club.

Check back next semester for more internship opportunities.

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• Biodiversity for a Livable Planet

• OneUpAction
• The Ecology Center
• USGBC-LA
• TreePeople
• Friends of the LA River
• Surfrider
• Amy's Farm
• Sierra Club
• California Coastal Commission
• Green Apple Day of Service
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

EV Electric Vehicle Charging Spaces

• Staff Lot | B-4
• Staff Lot | 46A
• 730 | Champion Parking Structure
• 890 | Gateway Parking Structure

Water Bottle Filling Stations

Bottle Filling Stations

Recycling 

Waste Reduction using Recycle Bins and Bigbelly Stations

Mt. SAC will be a zero waste campus by 2050.  To achieve this, the college will participate in the Campus Race to Zero Waste competition.

Campus Race to Zero Waste

Ewaste, Universal Waste and Batteries. Please note, only campus generated waste pickup may be requested.

• Battery Disposal and Battery Bucket request: Sayeed Wadud
• Computer related e-waste: submit a helpdesk ticket to have your computers, printers, and monitors picked up.
• Non-Computer E-waste and ink cartridges: Steve Green
• Other Universal Waste (electric lamps, mercury-containing equipment, CRTs, aerosol cans):  Sayeed Wadud