Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.54
Liaison Tom Hartzell
Submission Date Feb. 26, 2020

STARS v2.2

Calvin University
EN-12: Continuing Education

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 5.00 / 5.00 Becky Haney
Associate Professor
Economics
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total number of continuing education courses offered:
274

Number of continuing education courses that are sustainability course offerings:
44

Percentage of continuing education courses that are sustainability course offerings:
16.06

A copy of the institution’s inventory of its continuing education sustainability course offerings and descriptions:
Institution’s inventory of its continuing education sustainability course offerings and descriptions:

1. Preserving Gods Creation - Fall 2018
Session 1: Biodiversity in the Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve. Delight in wonders great and small, intricacies seldom seen, while being armed with knowledge of threats to God’s beautiful Creation. Dr. David Dornbos, professor of biology at Calvin College.
Session 2: Developing and Managing an Urban Nature Preserve. Dr. Randy VanDragt, professor of biology, emeritus, at Calvin College.
Session 3: Restoring health to the land and water of Plaster Creek running through Grand Rapids Plaster Creek Stewards. Dr. David Warners, professor of biology at Calvin College.
Session 4: Where Have All the Flowers Gone? Rediscovering Emma Cole’s 19th-Century Grand Rapids Flora.
Dr. Garrett Crow, visiting scholar, Calvin College Biology department.
Subject: environment

2. Turning Country Yards into Prairies - Spring 2019

Why restoring prairie habitat is so important to today’s urban/rural areas across
West Michigan. A presentation of how a land owner might create natural
habitat using sustainability methods by simply reducing the amount of time
and expense of not mowing large yards excepting the perimeters around a
dwelling; to suspend sowing turf grasses in favor of native grass mixes; to stop
utilizing yard fertilizers contributing to phosphorous build-up in groundwater,
lakes, ponds, and streams; by removing non-native invasive plantings which
crowd out natural prairies, savannahs, waterways, and woodlands; and how to
add functional color for show and beauty while providing for insects, bees, and
butterflies which attract birds and other wildlife. We stand with Aldo Leopold
in teaching a new Land Ethic to urban and rural environs in an era of natural
reclamation, restoration, and improved positive footprints.
Session 1: Rebecca Marquardt: landscape architect and owner of
Revery, a landscape architecture studio that specializes in
regenerative design solutions that honor regional character
and foster habitat for wildlife using primarily native plants.
Session 2: Esther Durnwald: Owner of Michigan Wildflower Farm, a
supplier of Great Lakes Region native seeds and specializing
in native planting services including consulting, site
preparation, installation and management
Session 3: Brian Majka: GEI Consultants, a consulting engineering
and environmental firm. Brian’s 17 years’ experience as
a professional restoration ecologist includes
extensive experience in design and implantation of wetland
construction and prairie planting.
Session 4: Dave Warners: Calvin biology professor; he leads the
Plaster Creek Stewards and started a native landscaping and
habitat establishment initiative, Native Landscapes, which
focuses on promoting native biodiversity within urban areas.


Do the figures reported above cover one, two, or three academic years?:
One

Does the institution have at least one sustainability-focused certificate program through its continuing education or extension department?:
Yes

A brief description of the certificate program(s):

Certification to use the Project Learning Tree curriculum which teaches educators how to teach about sustainability.

Growing Up WILD and Project Learning Tree Early Childhood - February 16, 2019

What is Growing Up WILD? Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education program for 3-7 year olds that builds on children's sense of wonder about nature, and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Growing Up WILD provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about nature, and lifelong social and academic skills. Read more about Growing Up WILD and the curriculum.

What is Project Learning Tree Early Childhood? Project Learning Tree (PLT) Early Childhood is a source of interdisciplinary instructional activities that uses trees and forests as a window on the world. The program is designed for educators working with youth ages 3-6. PLT's curriculum and activities help to increase students' awareness and knowledge of the world around them, as well as their place within it. Students learn to use critical and creative thinking skills, develop informed decisions on environmental issues, and gain confidence to take responsible action on behalf of the environment. Read more about PLT and the curriculum.

When: Saturday, February 16, at 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Bunker Interpretive Center
Facilitator: Jeanette Henderson, Ecosystem Preserve Program Manager
Cost: $10 for college students; $75 for the public (fee includes two curriculum books [a $60 value], certification, instruction, lunch, snacks, and workshop materials)
Bring: Enthusiasm, warm clothes/boots (we will go outside!), exact cash or check made payable to Calvin College
Registration: Pre-registration is required by February 14, as space is limited.

More information found here:
https://calvin.edu/ecosystem-preserve/programs-events/college-programs/


Website URL where information about the institution’s continuing education courses and programs in sustainability is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

BRH 6.10.2019: Certification program re: PLT was added in conversation wtih Jeannette Henderson. [NOTE: for next (FY 2019-2020) year - check this website for additional certification continuing ed courses taught: https://calvin.edu/ecosystem-preserve/programs-events/adult-programs/]

Archived for last report: Data comes from the CALL Academic Guide for Fall 2018, and from the CALL Program Manager (JDW 11.30.18)
Data has been updated to include the course offerings in Spring 2019 (LJS 09.25.19)
Data updated to included courses offered at the BIC for FY 18-19 (LJS 01.17.2020)
Uploaded document is now an inventory of BIC courses with additional information about CALL.


BRH 6.10.2019: Certification program re: PLT was added in conversation wtih Jeannette Henderson. [NOTE: for next (FY 2019-2020) year - check this website for additional certification continuing ed courses taught: https://calvin.edu/ecosystem-preserve/programs-events/adult-programs/]

Archived for last report: Data comes from the CALL Academic Guide for Fall 2018, and from the CALL Program Manager (JDW 11.30.18)
Data has been updated to include the course offerings in Spring 2019 (LJS 09.25.19)
Data updated to included courses offered at the BIC for FY 18-19 (LJS 01.17.2020)
Uploaded document is now an inventory of BIC courses with additional information about CALL.

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.