1:52pm | A conference that focuses on sustainable energy strategies for California higher education will hold its 2011 event right here in Long Beach, on the campus of CSULB. The California Higher Education Sustainability Conference brings together the University of California, California State University and California Community College systems to discuss sustainability efforts not just in the classroom, but out in the surrounding community.  Full press release below:

California State University, Long Beach Selected to Host 2011
California Higher Education Sustainability Conference July 10-13

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) has been selected to host the 2011 California Higher Education Sustainability Conference to be held on campus July 10-13. Celebrating its 10th year anniversary, the conference is one of the most attended of its kind in California.

The California Higher Education Sustainability Conference is the only sustainability conference in California that brings together all three public higher education segments – University of California, California State University and the California Community Colleges – as well as private colleges and univesities both as organizers and attendees.

“This annual conference provides an ideal venue for higher education professionals to collaborate and learn with their peers,” said Paul Wingco, energy and sustainability manager at CSULB.  “Its best practices approach to deliver and transfer sustainability knowledge among attendees has been a proven method to apply sustainable best practices across the state’s higher education institutions.  The greatest strength of the conference, however, can be found among those who participate, contribute and willingly share their knowledge of sustainable practices with colleagues and campus stakeholders.”

To build on its successful model, the conference will add a new focus that goes beyond campus boundaries and into the surrounding communities and cities for opportunities and partnerships around sustainability efforts.  This added focus is more inclusive and comprehensive, building on the concept of sustainable communities and enhancing town/gown relationships.

With support from partners such as U.S. EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities, the City of Long Beach, Port Tech of Los Angeles, Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach City College, U.S. Green Building Council–Los Angeles, Urban Land Institute–Los Angeles, International Town Gown Association, Alliance to Save Energy, and local businesses and organizations, CSULB aims to become a leader in advancing the principles and goals of California higher education sustainability.

The 2011 Sustainability Conference has three strategic goals:
    •    Demonstrate the value of integrating curriculum, research and operations through highlighting successful case studies of partnerships between faculty, students, and operational staff and presenting research relevant to campus operations and academic mission.
    •    Develop strong partnerships with local community colleges and private institutions.
    •    Engage campuses to partner with their community with this year’s theme focusing on sustainable communities and related town-gown relationships.

Subject areas for the four-day event will include educational tracks in the following categories: curriculum, energy, food systems, green building new construction and operations, green industry, healthcare, institutionalizing sustainability, climate action planning, procurement and business services, research, social justice and equity, student affairs, sustainable communities and town-gown relationships, transportation, waste management and recycling and water.

For more information about the 2011 Sustainability Conference at CSULB, contact Wingco at [email protected] or contact Katie Maynard, event manager, at [email protected].