Sustainability Initiative

Sustainability Symposium — May 14-16, 2010
For more information, click here.
http://pinemountainsettlementschool.com/events.php?view=details&id=86

In late 2007, Pine Mountain began a sustainability initiative. The three primary parts of this initiative are: to increase and diversify food production at PMSS; decrease and conserve energy use at the school; and create educational programs related to food and energy. Randal Pfleger was hired to direct this initiative. He has long-term experience working, studying, and volunteering on a variety of issues related to sustainability.

Since its founding in 1913, Pine Mountain Settlement School has had a history of producing food served on campus. We believe we can expand these efforts. One way is to extend growing seasons through use of cold frames, succession planting, seedling production and selection of more cold-tolerant, heirloom, and perennial cultivars. Staff are working to expand the cultivated garden area and incorporate bio-intensive, no-till, sheet mulching, and permaculture methods. We have restarted the composting operation which will help in the enrichment of soil. All fruit trees, blueberry bushes, and grape vines on campus have been mapped and pruning is underway. The farm and kitchen staffs are cooperating on the goal of serving more produce from the garden to visitors. Randal and Joyce Scearse, Laurel House supervisor, are analyzing food costs and redesigning menus to use more locally grown and in-season produce.

PMSS began the Community Garden to share knowledge and generate additional food in the community. Community garden meetings are held in March and early April. Community gardeners plan to begin work on their plots in mid-April. The School also co-hosts Gardening 101 workshops.

Energy conservation and efficiency at PMSS poses an interesting challenge. There are 23 buildings on campus, and all have separate energy systems: most have electricity and heat, and a few have air conditioning. Many need to be insulated. We are compiling a comprehensive report on energy use at PMSS. A preliminary review shows that the highest cumulative energy demand is in August and November-February. This is when the demand for heating and cooling is greatest. The School has already cut some energy use through conversion of most light bulbs from incandescent to compact fluorescent. Staff have installed weather-stripping and door sweeps in some buildings.

After a comprehensive audit, we will work on simple cost-effective measures for all buildings, including: insulation, caulking, weather-stripping, and hot water heater jackets and monitor the effects of these efforts. We are considering a variety of potential renewable energy projects, including: passive solar, active solar, geothermal, small-scale wind, and solar hot water. We are seeking funding to complete at least one of these projects by the end of 2009.

Public education is a key component of this initiative. One way we will do this is through demonstration projects. Randal is developing information points and signs in Laurel House and other places on campus to tell about the School's sustainability initiative and to share updates on specific projects. Lessons from the initiative will be incorporated into the environmental education curriculum. Information about the initiative will be posted on the School's website.

The Sustainability Initiative presents big questions with no simple answers. It is an exciting time at Pine Mountain. If you would like more information, please contact Randal at rpfleger@pinemountainsettlementschool.com.