George Mason University
PAE-19: Community Sustainability Partnerships

George Mason University (Mason) has numerous partnerships with the community at the local and national level on sustainability issues. Collaborations with the local counties include efforts such as the Mason Sustainability Institute, a program that empowers those in Northern Virginia to become sustainability stewards for their homes, communities, and the region; water quality monitoring; and assisting with the county's first greenhouse gas inventory. Mason provides educational material and interactive experiences to local K-12 schools on topics such as aquatic ecosystems; watershed protection; education about the Potomac River; and the benefits of going green with a focus on renewable energy sources. National partnerships include efforts such as the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment, a week-long summit that encourages and inspires 250 high school leaders from across the country who desire a unique experience focused on successful careers in this dynamic industry; joint research on wetlands mitigation; and lichen bio-monitoring. For more information, please refer to the URL below.