Environmental issues are surfacing more than ever in today’s world. At Wesleyan, one group plans to help businesses understand the natural environment and help find solutions to environmental problems. The Highlands Institute for Environmental Research and Education at West Virginia Wesleyan College has implemented a program to educate, promote research, and facilitate community service for students and faculty. This type of program is distinctive for a small private college, especially in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

The Highlands Institute was publicly announced on campus Monday, March 17. The Institute is a non-partisan, multidisciplinary academic and community service organization whose mission is to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in environmental research and education.

The director of the Highlands Institute is Dr. Lisa S. McLeod-Simmons, assistant professor of political science, and Dr. Jeffrey A. Simmons, associate professor of environmental science, serves as assistant director.

“The Highlands Institute for Environmental Research and Education provides a unique opportunity for the faculty and students at West Virginia Wesleyan College to work closely with community members and government agencies to identify and address environmental problems in this area and across the state and Appalachian region,” stated McLeod-Simmons.

“One of the missions of the college,” McLeod-Simmons added, “is to promote an appreciation of the natural world and the judicial use of its resources. At the same time, the college is dedicated to educating our students and serving the community at large. The Highlands Institute provides a way to accomplish all of these goals.” As part of its environmental education and service missions, the Highlands Institute administers the campus-recycling program and was recently awarded a $14,400 grant from the W.V. Division of Natural Resources to expand the project and continue to teach students about the importance of recycling.

In addition, other initiatives administered by the Highlands Institute include several community-based research projects funded by the Bonner Foundation. Last fall, a dance performance at Wesleyan, entitled A Tribute to WV: Coal, was choreographed and directed by associate professor of theatre Bess Park-Reynolds. In this project, Park-Reynolds and her students worked with community members to research the cultural aspects of coal mining in West Virginia. They then developed an artistic interpretation and expression of the many issues surrounding the West Virginia coal industry. In another community-based research project, professor of Communication Kay Long and her video production class worked with Trus Joist to develop a training video on environmental safety for the industry’s employees.

This spring, the Highlands Institute has sponsored two additional community research projects with Bonner Foundation funds. In one project, two nursing classes led by Dr. Judith Halle and Dr. Judith McKinney are working with local and state health officials to research environment-based lead poisoning in local children. The long-range purpose of this project is to reduce the number of local children with lead poisoning. Project participants will identify at-risk children, implement appropriate diagnostic protocols, and work to educate parents about the risks of lead poisoning, as well as preventive measures.

Another community-based research project currently underway focuses on ways that computer technology can be used to advance environmental awareness and environmental protection. A computer science class, taught by Computer Science professor Karen Petitto is working with a local watershed group to develop a website dedicated to advancing community awareness of environmental problems in the Buckhannon area.

In addition to education and community service, the Highlands Institute is also dedicated to environment-related research. The Institute recently sponsored a multi-state survey of watershed groups in Appalachia to assess factors contributing to their abilities to effectively address water pollution. Recently, the Institute submitted a $200,000 grant proposal to the National Science Foundation to fund research on the effects of logging, mining, residential development, and other human activities on small watersheds in West Virginia and other Appalachian states. This is a collaborative project with West Virginia Wesleyan College and several other Appalachian colleges.

“The development of the Highlands Institute is a new venture for West Virginia Wesleyan College. Combining scientific inquiry with public policy formulation is an increasingly recognized strategy for bridging theory and practice, and I am excited by the prospects for the Institute making contributions to this important West Virginia and regional arena. We welcome this new program to the campus,” stated William R. Haden, President of Wesleyan.

McLeod-Simmons continues, “The Highlands Institute is dedicated to environmental education, research, and community service. We firmly believe that the more we know about the environment and the benefits of a healthy environment, the more likely we are to use our natural resources judiciously.”

“Part of the mission of West Virginia Wesleyan College is to encourage students to become involved in their communities and think and act responsibly toward the environment. The Highlands Institute is a practical application of the College’s mission.”