At Chesapeake College, we are committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. As part of our core values, we strive to take care of the environment and make positive impacts through leadership, education, and innovation. Located near the Chesapeake Bay, we believe it’s our responsibility to lead by example and inspire others to protect our planet.

The College has signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, thereby pledging to reduce our energy footprint to zero by 2025. Through our institutional actions, including installation of renewable energy, pursuit of higher-than-required LEED certification for building renovations, restoration of our campus watershed, and more, we model environmental responsibility on the Eastern Shore and inspire environmentally engaged citizens.

Chesapeake College was the 1st community college in the nation to be a US Department of Energy Better Buildings Initiative (BBI) Achiever. Based on BBI energy reduction data, Chesapeake College is the most successful college in the nation with respect to energy conservation and 2nd in the nation among all higher education institutions. Chesapeake College’s diverse energy program is touted as a best practice by the US Department of Energy. The College has reduced its electricity consumption by more than 25% with a 40% reduction energy cost.

LEED-Certified HPAC Building

Our Health Professions and Athletics Center (HPAC) is LEED Platinum-certified, featuring geothermal heating, efficient lighting, and solar-powered water systems. This building is a model of sustainable design, and highlighted by the US Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Solution Center.

US Green Building COuncil

Sustainability in the Classroom

Chesapeake College integrates sustainability into academic programs through the Sustainability Academic Group. Students can join the Sustainability Scholars Program—a competency-based, sustainability-studies initiative—to earn recognition for their environmental projects.

Sustainability Academic Group

On-Campus Recycling

Chesapeake College actively recycles paper, plastic bottles, and cardboard. These items are collected by Queen Anne’s County Public Works as part of the County Recycling Program. The college also hosts a recycling center on campus, serving both the college and the local Wye Mills community, where residents can recycle paper, plastic, cardboard, and glass.

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Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Chesapeake College has 4 electric vehicle charging stations, located near the Health Professions and Athletics Center.

Another 10 EV charging stations can be found underneath the solar parking-lot canopies near the HPAC building.

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Improving Stormwater Infrastructure

Watershed Restoration

In cooperation with ShoreRivers and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Chesapeake College is making strides to improve its stormwater infrastructure. Early efforts involved replanting native vegetation around one of the campus’s two stormwater ponds, and raising a storm drain to encourage water to percolate into the soil. More recent projects, engineered by Environmental Concern, Inc., include regenerative stormwater conveyance downstream of the campus stormwater infrastructure and the addition of two rain gardens near the main entrance to campus. Together, these improvements protect and improve water quality in the Wye East River, which begins on campus. These projects are used as “living laboratories” for education, both for Chesapeake College students and visitors to the campus.

Pollinator Meadow

As another part of Chesapeake College’s stormwater management system, ten acres of pollinator habitat has been created on the Chesapeake College campus. The meadow sits over the 240 geothermal wells that provide heating and cooling to the HPAC building, where it captures nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment before they can run into the Chesapeake Bay. The pollinator meadow provides critical habitat for pollinator insects, such as bees and butterflies, which help pollinate many of our agricultural crops, including most fruit trees and many vegetables.

The meadow was planted with native plants which are critical to some pollinator life cycles. Adult butterflies often lay eggs on specific plants, and their larvae then feed on those plants. For more generalist pollinators, this meadow provides multiple nectar sources that are free of insecticides.

Bioswale

As part of Chesapeake College’s stormwater management system, a bioswale was installed in the parking lot near the Humanities and Talbot Science buildings to better control water runoff. The bioswale is a narrow strip, planted with grasses and flowering plants. It holds water so biological activity can remove excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and it also helps remove pollutants from asphalt and vehicles. The bioswale facilitates the movement of stormwater into the ground, instead of diverting it into the Wye River and the Chesapeake Bay. It also provides habitat for insects and birds.

Solar Photovoltaic Array

Chesapeake College has installed a 1.8-megawatt solar array that generates over 50% of the campus’s electricity. The system includes 5,126 ground-mounted panels near the athletic fields and 2,430 solar panels atop parking lot canopies. This project, completed without taxpayer or student funds, helps reduce the college’s reliance on fossil fuels by 35% and could save up to $100,000 annually over the next 20 years. Chesapeake College is proud to lead in renewable energy and sustainability on the Eastern Shore.

Battery Storage

In partnership with Delmarva Power and AF Mensah, Chesapeake College is planning to install up to 2 megawatts of battery storage. This innovative system will store solar energy to power the Caroline Student Center and Economic Development Center during emergencies. Additionally, the battery array will contribute to the regional power grid, providing stable energy during peak demand times, further supporting the college’s commitment to environmental leadership.

Green Certifications & Recognitions

Maryland Green Registry
US Dept. of Energy
US Green Building COuncil