Upcoming Events

Catawba Center Will Host Artist Dianna Cohen of Plastic Pollution Coalition

Dianna Cohen, co-founder of Plastic Pollution Coalition, will speak at the Center for the Environment at Catawba College September 29 on “Plastic Pollution: Its Impacts on Our Health and the Health of our Planet and What You Can Do.” Plastic Pollution Coalition is a global alliance of individuals, organizations, businesses and policymakers working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impact on humans, animals, the ocean and the environment.

Renowned Thought Leaders to Speak at Center

Prize-winning American biologist Dr. Paul Ehrlich, best known for his warnings about the consequences of population growth and limited resources, will join Dr. Pete Myers, founder and CEO of Environmental Health Sciences, for a presentation on October 20 at 7pm at Catawba College. The event is hosted by the Center for the Environment.

Center to Host Famed Consumer Advocate Erin Brockovich

Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, best known for her involvement in one of the largest direct action lawsuits in U.S. history, will speak November 7 at 7pm at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. Her topic will be “Community Power: How We Can All Make a Difference in Creating a Healthier Planet."

Dr. John Daniels, professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNC Charlotte, will speak on the potential uses of coal ash

Dr. John Daniels, professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNC Charlotte, will speak November 17 on the potential uses of coal ash and the research he and others are conducting on this topic.

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News from the Center

by Juanita Teschner

Center Celebrates its 20th Anniversary with Slate of Renowned Thought Leaders

The Center for the Environment at Catawba College is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year. One of the ways it is commemorating this milestone is by hosting a slate of speakers who are thought leaders in their fields.

Throughout its two-decade history, the Center has brought renowned speakers to the campus to share new ideas and broaden our knowledge of important issues. This fall the speakers promise to shed light on topics of current concern and tell audiences what they can do to help.

by Juanita Teschner

Plastic Pollution: Its Impacts on Our Health & the Health of Our Planet

Dianna Cohen, visual artist and co-founder of Plastic Pollution Coalition, will speak at the Center for the Environment at Catawba College September 29 on “Plastic Pollution: Its Impacts on Our Health and the Health of Our Planet and What You Can Do.”

She spoke recently to Juanita Teschner of the Center for the Environment. This is an edited version of that conversation.

by Juanita Teschner

2016 National Environmental Summit Fosters Leadership

Invasive plants and animals. The psychology of change. The role of water resources in warfare. Music to support environmental causes.

These are just a few of the subjects participants studied on the Catawba College campus July 12-16 at the 2016 National Environmental Summit for High School Students. The Center for the Environment and Catawba faculty joined forces once again with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and Environmental Working Group (EWG) to offer stimulating classes and help students learn the skills they need to be environmental leaders.

by Juanita Teschner

Salisbury Academy Earns NC Green Schools Award

Salisbury Academy recently received the NC Green School of Promise Award from the NC Green Schools Program, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability in the state’s schools from pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade.

Under the auspices of the Center for the Environment at Catawba College, the NC Green Schools Program helps teachers connect and share ideas, offers resources and tools to help them start green initiatives and recognizes schools that meet specified goals.

The NC Green School of Promise Award is given to schools that are taking initial steps to improve their sustainability and environmental education curriculum.

by Juanita Teschner

Two Rivers Community School Receives NC Green Schools Award

Boone, NC – Two Rivers Community School, a K-8 public charter school in Boone, recently received the NC Green School of Quality award from the NC Green Schools Program, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability in the state’s schools from pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade.

It is the first school outside of Buncombe County to achieve the certification in Western North Carolina.