| The Center for Environmental Leadership |
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Proposed Elements and Functions Introduction Eastern Long Island is home to a number of nationally prominent environmental conservation efforts. It is one of the Nature Conservancy's "last great places" of biodiversity. Two of its regional estuaries, the Peconic Bays and the Long Island Sound, are part of EPA's national estuary program. Its beaches are considered some of the best in the nation. It's natural beauty draws artists, writers, and an array of international celebrities during the summer months. The communities of the East End continually demonstrate their desire to preserve the natural state of this region. Numerous environmental initiatives protect local biodiversity, groundwater, agricultural lands, and trails. With its proximity to New York City, accelerating commercial and residential development of the East End threatens the area's ecosystem and quality of life. The influx of people and the infrastructure to support them requires ever more innovative conservation efforts on the part of environmentally concerned citizens, researchers, and advocacy groups. Given this situation, the region clearly needs a central resource center where researchers, teachers, students, civic leaders, governmental officials, developers, builders, and community members can work cooperatively on issues of land and water management and issues of regional sustainability. Southampton Graduate Campus of LIU proposes to build a Center for Environmental Leadership to fill this need and facilitate the advancement of environmental stewardship and education for the region's communities. Too often academia is viewed as an ivory tower, divorced from the activities and concerns of the surrounding community. The proposed Center will overcome the traditional dichotomy between "town and gown" by inviting community organizations to share this space with faculty and students. Students will gain easy access to organizational projects for their own research. Community organizations will gain access to student volunteers who can expand the organizations' effectiveness. This model of environmental collaboration is rare in the academic world and the center can pioneer a variety of research strategies that capitalize on this mix of perspectives and resources. The Center will exist to promote natural resource conservation and regional sustainability, therefore the building must embody that philosophy. The center will be constructed with "green" building materials and designed to minimize its disruption to the local environment. The College recognizes that energy based on nonrenewable fossil fuels is unsustainable. Expansion of the College's facilities using standard energy methods would just exacerbate expected future energy and global warming problems. We propose to build the Center for Environmental Leadership in cooperation with the Long Island Power Authority's (LIPA) alternative energy programs so that the building will generate its own power from natural renewable sources (wind and solar, among others). In addition the Center will address its septic waste needs with a Solar Aquatic Waste Treatment Plant. This aboveground "Living Machine" will treat campus wastewater using the natural purification properties of soils, bacteria, and plants. This sewage-treating greenhouse would be the first of its kind on Long Island and will act as a focus for classroom research and community education. The College hopes to construct such a Plant in a modular fashion, allowing the facility to grow and eventually process most of the campus' septic waste treatment. The construction of an academic center where faculty, students, and community organizations collaborate on an ongoing basis is an exciting and pioneering academic endeavor. The center will serve as an example of how buildings and resource use can be sustainable and work in concert with our natural environment. The Center achieves this by using green building principles, generating energy through windmills and solar power, treating waste with minimal environmental impact, and using construction materials that minimize the impact on the environment. GOALS There is a fundamental public need for a resource and learning center in Eastern Suffolk County where students, faculty, community members and researchers can come together to explore and understand the environment and the interactions of humans with that environment. The Center for Environmental Leadership proposes to provide a place for that exploration and interaction to occur. The seven fundamental goals of the CEL are to:
The fulfillment of these goals requires integrating the structure and function of the building with the activities for developing learning and understanding. The Center will stimulate the educational endeavors by demonstrating as a working model how sustainable environments can function. The Center will serve as a resource for many East End environmental and conservation groups. The CEL will serve a wide range of constituents and will provide:
The Center's Features and Functions 1. Exhibit Hall One of the most educational and interesting features of the Center for Environmental Leadership would be a demonstration/exhibit hall area. This section of the building will be dedicated to permanent and changing exhibits where visitors can explore (through hands on learning experiences) environmental building technology (that was used in the actual construction of the facility), other related technological advances, the regional environment, and local conservation efforts. The display spaces in and around the building will provide resources and opportunities to all the potential users of the building. The displays will be open and usable by all members of the community including:
Each semester, students working in one or more classes could be assigned the responsibility of researching, designing and updating the exhibits. This type of project could link interdisciplinary coursework in regional planning, conservation, communications, information systems, graphic arts, and environmental design. Most importantly, the results of the student work would directly serve the interests of the region, thereby linking the campus and local community. A. The Interactive Gallery of Environmental Design: The Center will function as a learning center for sustainable/green architecture and waste treatment. Accordingly, we propose a permanent display area where the technologies used in the building and the S.A.W.T.F. are explained and demonstrated. Students in the appropriate environmental classes would update the displays as class projects to educate the public about the latest innovations in green building. The environmental students could work in conjunction with the graphics arts students in designing professional displays. The hall could lead directly to the S.A.W.T.F. and its associated interpretive area and research laboratory. Contiguous space can house temporary exhibits documenting the environmental work of Southampton students. These exhibits will highlight the projects of Friends World Program students and other students resulting from travel courses, internships, or co-ops. Student research projects pertaining to sustainability, environmentally conscious living, the sewage treatment plant, campus energy audits and other planning or design issues can also be displayed in this gallery. Groups who would utilize this space:
The exhibit space will need:
B. Interpretive Model of Eastern Long Island The Center for Environmental Leadership should include a three-dimensional display of eastern Long Island with regional farm lands, parklands, coastal and marine resources, biodiversity, lakes, ponds, and other natural features, and hiking trail information depicted visually on the model. The model could be designed as an interactive display where visitors could press buttons under specific subheadings and hear about one or more conservation initiatives or ecological regions, which would correspond to an illuminated portion of the display map. The interactive model would be supported with written information about the issues discussed. Involved community agencies and organizations would supply these materials, which could be supplemented by student work projects on specific issues. This feature of the Center for Environmental Leadership makes it a destination for tourists and other visitors to the region. Visitors could stop by to acquire information about trails, boating, fishing, or outdoor recreation in the area. At the same time these visitors would learn about the region's environment and the local conservation efforts. The displays will describe how development has impacted the East End's environment over the past few decades and explore methods to create a more sustainable model of economic development. The problems and solutions of specific towns and hamlets can be highlighted. C. Interpretive Displays and Garden The Center's design will be a significant educational tool even in its most passive aspects. The landscape design of the building should be based on native plantings, providing a permanent passive educational tool for all visitors. These native plantings will provide a living model for the on going native planting and habitat restoration efforts of the Group for the South Fork and the Peconic Baykeeper. These indoor and outdoor gardens/plantings will be outfitted with interpretive signs for increased educational potential. D. Regional Conservation Display The Center's display areas will include space for examining and understanding the region's most pressing environmental conservation concerns. This area's design can include an interactive educational studio where visitors participate directly with models, displays, computer simulations and other related information systems to learn more about, storm-water runoff, habitat fragmentation, sea level rise, wetlands conservation, traffic, farmland conservation, endangered species, community planning, and other relevant topics. This area should also contain a gallery area where changing exhibits would highlight regional conservation efforts, programs, community initiatives, or valuable research data pertaining to the local environment. E. Environmental Resource Collection The center can house an environmental resource collection as a type of environmental annex to the campus library system with appropriate linkages to the college's existing scientific collections. Importantly, however, this resource center would be clearly defined as not just a research facility, but a community clearinghouse for the reams of information that is now held largely in the independent collections of many organizations, agencies, and community groups. This area could also contain some computer facilities for data storage and retrieval. F. Multicultural Programming Ideally, the Center will engage groups representing multicultural interests from on and off-campus. This could include many of our student groups, our Multicultural Task Force, and the Friends World Program. One possible exhibit could demonstrate how the Shinnecock Nation
lived in the local region for centuries in an environmentally sustainable
manner. Understanding that the Shinnecocks lived successfully on
the East End for thousands of years without any modern conveniences
is an important perspective to promote. The College would invite
the Nation to participate in the Center. This area could also link
the College with the Nation, encouraging tourists and visitors to
visit both the Center for Environmental Leadership and the Shinnecock
Cultural Museum. This part of the project will require approval
and participation of the Shinnecock. A. Presentation and Meeting Space/Auditorium This space would provide a meeting area for Southampton Graduate Campus and community groups. An adjacent kitchen could allow for the provision of food. To combat obsolescence, this space should be as flexible and state of the art as possible. Fixed seating is not appropriate. This should be a large space that is contiguous with the Display Area and can be partitioned as needed with mobile walls as found in convention centers and hotels. It would open up onto an outdoor patio. Groups who might utilize this space:
Space needs:
Storage Room Indoor Native Planting Area Native plants could line most of the South wall of the ground floor in a planter. Drip irrigation could be supplied with water from the S.A.W.T.F. Kitchen The Kitchen will facilitate food service at events in the Presentation and Meeting Space. Near the kitchen should be an adjacent alcove with tables and chairs. Additional tables and chairs can come out of storage and be set up in the Presentation and Meeting Space as needed. Fountain or Rock Wall with flowing water This would provide cooling, humidity, and aesthetic focus in the open area between the Exhibit Hall Area and the Presentation and Meeting Space. B. Outdoor Patio Another important feature is a large patio running the length of the south side of the C.E.C. that is designed to encourage use for outdoor classes and social gatherings. Visiting groups could be given presentations on the patio during good weather. The landscaping plan should include native plants with an arbor for shading some areas of the patio for use in the summer. The patio should be accessible directly from the large meeting area and from the Exhibit Hall area. The patio furnishings should be moveable and the design should allow several small groups to use the space or a larger function to operate successfully. When not in use for a specific function the patio should be attractive and comfortable so that students can use the space as a group or individual study area. Some sections could include weather resistant slate boards for writing. C. Conference Rooms The Center for Environmental Leadership should include several conference-style meeting rooms, where civic and environmental organizations, and students could meet, present, and host small conferences, lectures, debates and other organized events. While some meeting space is available at other venues in the town and the region, there are virtually no other local community meeting areas (excepting Quogue Wildlife Refuge) where community members can meet or organize events in such an interesting and educational environmental surrounding. By designing the center for both college and community use, the College's students, faculty, and staff will enjoy enhanced interaction with the East End community. The interaction will increase the opportunity for campus outreach to diverse areas of environmental interest. Likewise, the increased schedule of community events expands the opportunity for student participation in many "real life" environmental issues that might otherwise be foreclosed to students who do not readily leave the campus or research such issues in the local media. Groups who would utilize this space:
D. Club Room The "club room" would provide a meeting and work space for some of the student clubs. It will be advantageous for these clubs to have a home and to be near the Group for the South Fork. We favor a shared common room concept that encourages inclusiveness and cross-fertilization and is more likely to see frequent use. Groups who would utilize this space:
Space needs:
E. Students for Sustainable Living Activism Network Near the "Club Room" there should be a space where the Southampton Graduate Campus student body can host an environmental outreach center. The Network would be both a clearinghouse for information on a wide variety of environmental issues and campaigns as well as a promotional vehicle for attracting potential students to the college's environmental programs. The student activism network could operate a small kiosk or student welcome center which provides information related to issues of student concern (genetic engineering, rainforest management, industrial pollution, human and animal rights, whaling, corporate crimes, recycling, etc.). The information could be gathered and posted by students to their peers (or other interested individuals). This network would provide an effective distribution and direct action center that might interest many current and potential students. Likewise, members of the student body could become valuable resource contacts for community members seeking information on many conservation issues. 3. Solar Aquatic Waste Treatment Facility (S.A.W.T.F.) This facility would be central to the Center's mission. It would be a state-of-the-art, aboveground, biological wastewater treatment system ("Living Machine") enclosed within a greenhouse. A diverse assemblage of plants, snails, fish, algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms would treat campus wastewater at the facility. This system will replicate and accelerate the natural purification processes of ponds and marshes, eliminate our contamination of groundwater, and recycle non-potable graywater for use throughout the building. The facility will have a scale and design similar to those employed at the Darrow School and Oberlin College. The facility will have a loading bay, allowing for transfer of materials to and from the outside. The greenhouse will connect to the S.A.W.T.F. / Environmental Science Research Wet Laboratory. Initially, the S.A.W.T.F. will treat the Center's waste. However, it will be built in a modular fashion, enabling the College to expand it and meet the waste disposal needs of other parts of the campus. There should also be an area of the CEL overlooking the S.A.W.T.F., which would allow groups to see it and get an overall understanding of how it functions. 4. LABORATORIES Not only will the S.A.W.T.F. treat the campus wastewater in a more environmentally friendly fashion, but it will also function as a learning center and natural laboratory. Students faculty, and staff involved in monitoring, servicing, and researching various aspects of the facility will utilize a wet laboratory where elements of the Living Machine can be studied and experiments can be conducted. Groups who would utilize this space:
Space needs:
B. Environmental Science, Education, and Management Classroom and Lab A flexible classroom and dry laboratory space adjacent to the S.A.W.T.F./Environmental Science Research Laboratory for holding environmental science, environmental studies, and environmental management classes and projects. We envision growth in environmental education offerings that train Southampton College students to act as environmental/outdoor educators for k-12. These classroom and student teaching activities can be centered in this classroom/laboratory. Groups who would utilize this space: Space needs: C. Storage/Lab Preparation Room A room between the S.A.W.T.F./Environmental Science Research Laboratory and the Earth Science Classroom/Laboratory for storing supplies and equipment for the two laboratories. This lockable room would house balances, sampling gear, rock collections, sediment sieve trays, Ro-Tap sieve machine, plant media, tools, and all other geology and environmental science gear. D. GIS Computer and Map Lab This space would be set up to produce and analyze maps and other remote sensing data for environmental analysis. This type of work is important for our students and East End community groups (like the Group for the South Fork). Groups who would utilize this space:
Space needs:
E. Computer Lab "Smart" Classroom A classroom with seating for up to 50 people that is wired for personal computer use and distance learning (video transmission/reception). 5. OFFICES A. C.E.C. Administrative Staff Offices This is where on-site administration of Southampton Graduate Campus' interests
in the C.E.C. would take place. This office area should be a flexible
space with a photocopy machine, telephones, and desks that can be
used.
B. Reception Desk Area A reception desk should be located in the display area and adjacent to the C.E.C. administrative staff offices. This receptionist would be the primary greeter to all visitors to the C.E.C. and provide administrative support to the S.A.W.T.F. and Learning Center/Recycling/Greenprint Coordinators. C. Faculty Offices Center for Environmental Leadership will house offices for environmental
studies and science faculty, and for other faculty involved in the
CEL projects. D. Offices for The Group For the South Fork The College plans to host the GSF in the CEL. GSF estimates a need for 5,000 square feet of office space. E. Institute for Sustainable Development Long Island University's Institute for sustainable Development will have a home in the CEL. F. Friends World Program It is our hope that the FWP would be part of this project and we invite them to join in conversations about this exciting endeavor. 6. MISCELLANEOUS A. Computer Access Internet access will be provided throughout the Center. B. Bathrooms "Green" bathrooms should be conveniently available on all floors and able to accommodate the number of people likely to attend events. C. Parking There should be easily accessible handicapped parking for the building. |
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