Green Mountain College
PAE-19: Community Sustainability Partnerships

Green Mountain College recognizes the importance of a strong relationship with the local community and the value that these interactions add to a liberal arts education. Many of these partnerships aim to enhance the social, economic and/or environmental dimensions of sustainability in our region. Partnerships include: The Watershed Alliance The Green Mountain College Watershed Alliance (GMCWA) is made possible through the University of Vermont Extension Program in partnership with the Rubenstein School for the Environment and Natural Resources, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, Poultney-Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District and Green Mountain College. Through the Watershed Alliance Green Mountain students provide watershed education and water quality monitoring for Vermont middle and high school students and teachers, alternative education programs, and youth groups. The primary objective of the GMCWA is to increase awareness and knowledge of watershed issues amongst Vermont youth. Poultney Energy Committee The Poultney Energy Committee is a group of residents, town planners and Green Mountain College students working in collaboration with the Rutland Regional Planning Commission and other energy committees around the state. The Committee assists the Town of Poultney in improving energy efficiency. The Poultney Energy Committee implemented the Vermont Community Energy Mobilization Project, VCEM, was an energy efficiency program facilitated by Efficiency Vermont and the Rutland Regional Planning Commission in conjunction with the Rutland County Energy Challenge. VCEM educated volunteers about energy efficient products and installation. Trained volunteers visited homes in Poultney, performed a free energy assessment, installed CFLs, low-flow shower-heads and other products, and informed homeowners about energy saving incentives to improve efficiency in their homes. VCEM's goal was to conduct 1,000 home energy visits resulting in 10 comprehensive home energy retrofits through the Energy Star Program. Poultney-Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District The PMNRCD works with agricultural producers, landowners, communities, youth and the general public on issues related to water quality and natural resource conservation in the watershed areas of the Poultney and Mettowee Rivers in Vermont. The District Manager works closely with GMC to employ interns from Environmental Studies and Natural Resources Management programs as well as the GMC Watershed Alliance. The PMNRCD hosts an annual Eco-Exposition at Green Mountain College, which is attended by over 500 students from 5th and 6th grades in the Poultney-Mettowee Watershed. School teachers enroll their students in a series of activities in the afternoon, during which they watch or participate in presentations by Green Mountain students, professors, and other local environmental experts. The day concludes with a large presentation for the entire group of local students, and is coordinated by many groups on and off campus, including the biology seminar and biology club. Students participate in workshops on topics such as endangered species, animal tracking, slate, reptiles and amphibians and soils. Vermont Campus Compact Green Mountain College has had a strong partnership with Vermont Campus Compact for years. A number of students have volunteered as Americorps VISTA's or SERVE members at GMC, earning education awards and professional experience while strengthening GMC connections throughout the community. Poultney Earth Fair The Annual Poultney Earth Fair is held on Earth Day at Poultney High School. Planned in partnership between GMC, Poultney schools, and the local community, the themes focus on promoting sustainability. Themes include: “Affordable Green,” “Growing Green Together” and “Old Ways, New Days.” Participants include representatives from organizations such as Central Vermont Public Service, Merck Forest, Northeast Organic Farming Association, Poultney-Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District, Slate Valley Museum, Rutland Area Farm and Food Link, Vermont Fish and Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy. Cerridwen Farm and Community Supported Agriculture Green Mountain College’s Cerridwen Farm runs a CSA that is open to all members of the community. This program supports the local, student-run farm and ensures that a vital part of Vermont’s farming history is maintained. Service Learning Students in every field of study contribute to service-learning efforts each year, in projects ranging from environmental research and restoration, to teaching elementary-school students about outdoor living skills. Examples of projects include: Recycling Sign Installation- Voices of Community Posters for Community Partners- Graphic Communication The Nature Conservancy Clayplain Restoration- Environmental Science Bowls For Hunger- Ceramics Rutland Area Farm and Food Link’s (RAFFL) Locally Grown Guide Mapping Project- GIS Senior Outreach Program of the Poultney Food Shelf "Food Histories" Project- Food, Society, and the Environment