Baylor University
EN-9: Community Partnerships

Baylor University partners with several local organizations including but not limited to: Keep Waco Beautiful Keep Texas Beautiful City of Waco- Recycling Advisory Committee, Public Improvements District Downtown Committee, and others These partnerships include board and committee memberships that come with indefinite terms, most of which are served by the Assistant Director of Sustainability and Special Projects or another member of the University Sustainability Committee. Several of these entities have also served as members of the university's sustainability committee. The university is always looking to continue and expand our engagement with the community in all issues, including sustainability.

As a part of the Portland State Urban Sustainability Accelerator, Baylor University joined with other members of the Waco cohort, formed by the Waco Chamber of Commerce, to explore more opportunities for sustainable development and areas of collaboration for the city, private partners, and the university. Many of the goals and ideas gleaned from the PSUSA continue to be integrated into the overall university focused sustainability goals with an eye on opportunities for continued future partnerships with the City and other community partners. The Urban Sustainability Accelerator provides a year-long program of expert advice and support for participating cities in implementing an important sustainability project or program. Each city creates an implementation team with leaders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. The implementation teams form a cohort group for mutual learning and support during the year. The year begins and ends with the convening of the city implementation teams during the summer in Portland, Oregon. http://www.pdx.edu/sustainability-accelerator/meet-the-2013-cohort

The University partners with the City of Waco at the Waco Wetlands Project. Located adjacent to the Wetlands, the 6,000 sq. ft. Wetlands Research and Education Center has proven to be a valuable resource to many area schools and universities. The center augments existing and future water-related educational programs at Baylor University, provides professional and technical training and support services, and implements outreach efforts to educate the community and local school children about reservoir systems and related water issues. The Research and Education Center is the site of classes for students of Baylor University's Biology Department. Baylor calls their program CRASR, the Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research. A comprehensive evaluation of Lake Waco will provide Baylor scientists and students with a living lab and the City of Waco with important information for managing its water supply for years to come. As described in the provided website link, this partnership is ongoing and indefinite.