CSC gets high marks on the environment

The study, which was completed in conjunction with Princeton Survey Research Associates, lists CSC as an exemplary program for its activities for sustainability. CSC was the only institution in Nebraska or South Dakota listed in the report, which was released in late August. Only 36 other institutions were on the nationwide list.

Dale Grant, CSC vice president for administration, said CSC is making a concerted effort to be "green," and strives to operate with as small of a footprint on the environment as possible.

"We always try to do the right thing when it comes to the environment," Grant said. "It's important to be good stewards of what has been handed down to us, both environmentally and fiscally."

The college received recognition on the report for having "on-campus clean energy sources and cogeneration."

CSC has received a lot of recognition lately for its wood-fired heating and cooling system on campus which uses refuse from nearby forest operations. The boilers are fueled by refuse from thinning and logging operations in the nearby Pine Ridge National Forest. During the past year, the college has burned chips made from trees that were killed in wildfires.

Grant said the system not only helps the environment with its renewable fuel source, but also saves the college about $365,000 per year. That figure amounts to about 50 percent of its heating budget. The college heats its 21 major buildings and cools eight with the system which was initially completed in 1991.

CSC also is exploring ways to use wind and solar energy. At CSC's request, the Western Administration Power Authority installed two wind monitoring devices - one near campus and one northwest of the community -- to determine the feasibility of implementing a wind generated power system. Grant said only administrative hurdles stand in the way of that venture as the units are reporting ample wind.

In an effort to conserve water, CSC has begun replacing much of its turf grass with wood chip mulch and exchanging non-native plants on campus with more drought resistant native varieties. In addition, "green" construction methods are being used for new building and renovation projects on campus.

Chadron State also has taken its emphasis on the environment to the classroom.

The Stream Team, an academic project at CSC, also has become known for its efforts in sustainability. About a dozen faculty members and more than 30 students from a broad range of learning disciplines began studying the Chadron Creek watershed in early 2007. The group was one of about 40 projects across the nation chosen to attend the Environmental Protection Agency's Sustainable Design Conference in Washington, D.C., in April.

After collecting data and working with government agencies, landowners and other community stakeholders, the group found that water resources along the creek are being threatened by a variety of factors.