CASS LAKE, Minn. – “Going green” has become incredibly widespread over the past few years. Despite its ubiquity in popular culture, actual “green” change has been a slow process, especially in rural northern Minnesota. Leech Lake Tribal College, just outside Cass Lake, Minn., is determined to do its part to change that.

One of LLTC’s major projects for 2010 is the creation of a master campus development plan. The plan, which will be focused on maximizing use of renewable energy and sustainable building design, will not only guide all future construction but will also identify options to increase energy efficiency and minimize the environmental impact of existing buildings on campus.

A significant hallmark of the plan will be the requirement that all future construction will meet a minimum of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver-level certification for quality, efficiency and sustainability. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

According to LLTC President Dr. Ginny Carney, a sustainable development plan is a natural extension of the values that drive the college’s mission. “It is vitally important that LLTC have a Master Campus Plan that is aligned with the college’s mission, values and strategic plan. This plan will ensure that the college’s core values will drive all future campus development.”

“While the up-front capital costs of energy-efficient construction are a little steeper, it will be more than repaid in lower operational costs over time,” said Vice President Sharon Kotla. “But what is really important is that we are committed to growing in a way that takes responsibility for protecting the land, air and water around us, for generations to come.”

The planning project is funded in part by a $10,000 grant from the Blandin Foundation and a $6,000 Clean Energy Resource Teams grant, with the remaining cost supported by donations from individual LLTC supporters.