Energy Crunch

Abstract

Recreation administrators have had to evolve their approach to managing areas and facilities as both financial and environmental resources have become more limited. One way that administrators have attempted to meet such challenges is through strategies that are more environmentally sustainable. The following article addresses the importance of making eco-efficient decisions regarding the sustainable management of recreation areas and facilities and provides a learning activity that can help educators illustrate this point in a more practical and meaningful way. As part of a recreational areas and facilities course, students conducted a basic energy audit on the “lighting” for their place of residence. After a 2-week period of observation and data collection, students compared the energy consumption and costs of their current lighting with more energy efficient alternatives. That comparison allowed students to then calculate the payback period on potential lighting changes and ultimately develop a decision-making rationale for the most eco-efficient course of action.

Keywords:

• assessment
• competencies
• entry-level professional
• accreditation
• self-perceptions