Programs and Objectives

The Center for Regenerative Design is the enabler and catalyst for advancing sustainability education and action initiatives in the local community by working with the College of Marin (COM), Dominican University (DU), Marin County and local organizations. CRD serves as an important gateway between Marin County’s higher education institutions (COM and DU), Marin County’s sustainability initiatives (green business and green building programs, countywide plan education and outreach), and the objectives of numerous environmental non-profits and green businesses.

CRD utilizes the many resources of Marin County as its campus through which it develops partnerships with existing organizations whose mission is aligned with promoting sustainability education. These programs include:

• Developing a Round Table speaker series attracting leaders from the sustainability movement as well as local residents who share their experiences in implementing sustainable practices in their daily lives.

• Creating a series of sustainability classes in topics such as green building, green business, energy conservation, alternative transportation, sustainable landscaping, etc. These classes are cross-listed through a partnership arrangement between College of Marin’s Community Education program and Dominican University’s Continuing Education program.

• Collaborating with Dominican University to develop a comprehensive internship programs that links county green businesses and non-profits with students and members from the community.

• Assisting the College of Marin and Dominican University in their efforts to green their campuses. This includes providing access to best practices and guidelines for campus sustainability programs in areas such as; energy efficiency, water conservation, food, material resources, waste re-use and transportation.

• Advising the College of Marin’s faculty and administrators in methods for incorporating ecoliteracy education and problem solving into the curriculum. This includes organizing workshops, training programs and lunches for COM faculty with resource experts that will develop various approaches for faculty to incorporate sustainability education into their courses. CRD will also create a faculty network on campus that will provide new opportunities for faculty and staff to learn about techniques and methodologies being used throughout the US to green campuses and academic programs.

The Center for Regenerative Design

1. Collaborates with COM and DU to integrate sustainability education into their community education programs.
2. Develops collaborative educational and new vocational programs (such as green design and building, solar electric technicians) with local businesses and non-profit organizations.
3. Advises on sustainability objectives for COM and DU including the ten systems described in the mission statement.
4. Promotes sustainability education to the COM, DU and larger community through the workshops and the Community Round Tables.
5. Through its network, encourages the growth and development of local sustainable enterprises improving the economic health of Marin County and the surrounding region.