Concordia readies environmental stewardship center

From an article in The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

Concordia University Wisconsin announced Wednesday that it plans to break ground in July for its new Center for Environmental Stewardship.

Construction of the 13,000 square-foot, two-story building is set to begin July 14. The structure will be built in Mequon on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and work is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2010 academic year.

The total cost of the building is expected to be between $3.5 million and $3.75 million and is being funded exclusively through charitable gifts already secured for the project.

Concordia officials said the building demonstrates the university’s commitment to environmental education, freshwater conservation and emphasis on sustainable energy resources. Plans for the center include laboratories, classrooms and a large seminar room that can accommodate 200 people for presentations.

With its lakefront exposure, Concordia officials say the building will be a center for the study of the Great Lakes and other environmental issues. The building will be designed to be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold-level building.

“When completed, the center will offer many educational programs and research in water stewardship and other sustainability education topics for Concordia students as well as visiting area schools and the greater community,” said Bruce Bessert, director of the Concordia Center for Environmental Stewardship program.

Concordia has added new degrees because of the new center, and now offers a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and education with a minor in environmental studies, and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis on environmental education.

Posted in: Renewable energy,Sustainability