Description of Individual or organization

Brandon Morton is the Sustainability Project Coordinator for North Lake College in Irving, a member of Dallas County Community College District.

Leadership (Nominee demonstrates leadership through example, knowledge, attitude)

Brandon Morton loves to teach others – especially North Lake College students and employees – about sustainability. His dedication and those instructional efforts earned Morton the 2017 Mayor and Keep Irving Beautiful Educator Award, which he received this August.

Morton has designed and led training workshops for college and district faculty in sustainability across the curriculum since 2014. He also designs and leads training workshops and workgroups for sustainability assessment in facilities, operations, policies and purchasing that are attended by college and DCCCD staff members.

Morton manages the SAGE Scholars program, which earns graduation recognition for students who are enrolled in sustainability awareness and global education coursework. Morton provides education resource support; collaborates with more than 70 faculty members in 17 different disciplines and degree programs; provides staff training; creates resources for advising used by student life staff members and orientation leaders; and advises students who are interested in international or sustainability careers. 

More than 130 students have earned the SAGE Scholars green cord, and North Lake College's SAGE Scholars received a 2016 NISOD Innovation Excellence Award.

Environmental Impact (Nominee demonstrates a positive impact on the local environment via policy change, product offering, significant volunteer contribution or other achievement)

In 2016, Brandon helped lead a local fight against drilling in Lewisville Lake with members of Sierra Club and Wendy Park from the Center for Biodiversity. The news of the drilling made the local Lewisville paper as a result, and residents were informed and spoke out against the drilling in Lewisville Lake and it was permanently removed from the BLM list of potential sites. 

In 2014 and 2015, Brandon helped lead efforts with conservation leaders and community members in Denton County and in Grayson County to fight against new natural gas plants that would impact public health in nearby communities. Unfortunately, Denton will go ahead with the gas plants. The Van Alstyne gas plant is still possible, and the permit process was approved by TCEQ despite public opposition.

Morton served on the Sub-Committee for the Solid Waste Plan 2040, which helps plan for future landfills and recycling infrastructure needs required as a result of population growth in the 16 county region of North Texas.

He presented his original research studies on Emissions Reduction with Ecosystem Soil Carbon Storage at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry conference in Houston in 2007, and at International Emissions Trading Association’s first Carbon Forum in San Francisco in 2008.

Community Impact (Nominee demonstrates commitment to DFW green community through involvement with causes, business ventures or organizations)

2015 – present -- President, Board of Directors, Sustainability Management Association, 

2014 – present -- Member, Executive Committee (ExComm) of Lone Star Chapter of Sierra Club, and newly elected Texas Representative of the National Sierra Club Council of Club Leaders (CCL). 

2008 – present – Executive Committee and Co-founding Member of Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability

2016 – present – Member, Resource Conservation Council and Stewardship Forum, North Central Texas Council of Governments 

2006 – present – Member, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Southcentral Chapter

Other reasons for your nomination

Morton is a tremendous asset to the DCCCD Sustainability Team and the Sustainability Outreach and Initiatives program. We respect and admire his tireless efforts to protect the environment, and wanted to show our support for him by submitting this nomination.