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Progress on the Gant Green Roof project continues as we work through spring semester. The main focus of recent discussions has been the plaza’s ability to handle the added weight of the plant materials and medium. A structural engineer is currently assessing the plaza’s ability to handle the additional load and will submit a report by the end of March. Once this review has been completed, Dr. Jack Clausen and the engineer will work with staff from the Office of Environmental Policy to gain final approval for the installation, which should occur this semester. Volunteers will be welcome, so we’ll keep you posted.

2. Compost Facility – From Vision to Reality

With funding for design and construction secured last year, UConn continues to move ahead with final site selection for an agricultural waste compost facility. In response to local concerns, the second round of site selection will identify and evaluate possible locations for the 10,000 SF facility with at least a 1,000 foot buffer from the nearest residence - more than three times the buffer recommended by the DEP. The Town of Mansfield will be consulted to ensure that the sites under consideration are consistent with town zoning regulations and planning goals. Structural plans for the compost facility (covered “hoop” barn on a concrete pad) will remain the same but the new site may require additional land clearing for the structure and an access driveway. The University is committed to working with the community while developing these plans and a public informational meeting will be held once a preferred site has been selected.

3. Progress in Water Conservation

UConn continues its efforts and commitment to conserve water. A recent study found that water use dropped by 15,000 gallons per day between 2006 and 2007 and such savings are even more substantial when compared to use in 2002. Water supply system improvements have accounted for much of the increased efficiency and reduced consumption, especially leak detection and repair of transmission and distribution pipes and storage tanks, and replacement of outdated motors and controls. We’ve also seen behavioral changes among students, faculty and staff, including an increased commitment to the principles of conservation and heightened awareness about the impacts of daily habits on consumption. Hanks Hall demonstrated this trend during the fall’s EcoMadness competition, when residents of the dorm decreased their water use by 50% during the one-month contest.

Improvements will continue when water conserving retrofits and installations, as recommended in a recent water audit performed at UConn, are integrated at the UConn campus. In accordance with UConn’s new Green Building Policy, we can expect to see more technologies like the low-flow toilets and fixtures, which help make the Burton Shenkman facility 35% more water efficient than is required by building code. UConn is also studying the feasibility of a water reclamation utility as an addition to the wastewater-treatment facility. Using reclaimed water for certain campus operational activities can save 500,000 gallons of potable water per day. UConn will need to obtain the approval of state environmental and public health regulators in order to build and operate a water re-use facility. Evaluation and design is currently in progress and a consultant will be named in the upcoming months. Reclaimed water would be used in the Co-Gen cooling system and for athletic field irrigation.

4. Virtual Tour: For Your Environmental Entertainment

The Virtual Green Campus Tour was completed this fall by OEP Intern Matt Rice. The tour highlights twelve “green” points of interest on the Storrs Campus and each page is full of great information and photographs. The tour can be taken on the Ecohusky webpage or by following this link: www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/VirtualTour/CoverPage.htm.

5. Students Caught EcoMadness in Fall 2007

EcoMadness struck the campus once again this fall. This dorm water and energy conservation competition gave students the opportunity to learn about sustainable habits by tracking their daily consumption. New records were set by residents of Hanks Hall who were able to reduce their water consumption by a staggering 50% and residents of Shippee Hall reduced their energy consumption by 16%, preventing 8 tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere and saving $3,000 in energy costs. Residential Life sponsored a Dairy Bar ice cream social for the winners and students poured into Shippee to enjoy their prize. Residents of the Greek Village, Hilltop Apartments, Charter Oak Apartments, and South Campus are gearing up for the Spring 2008 competition, which will run from March 21st-April 18th. For pictures and details visit: www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/ecomadness.htm.

6. Green Campus Fund Donor Incentive Launched

Donations to the Green Campus Fund are now being recognized with Sustainability Certificates. These certificates recognize donor generosity and quantify the environmental benefits the University expects to achieve through use of the donations. Such benefits include the prevention of greenhouse gas emissions, increased recycling rates, and increases in water conservation through various green campus initiatives. The Sustainability Certificate program allows us to express our gratitude while giving donors a more tangible acknowledgement of how their contributions are being used.

This year, the Green Campus Fund and the department of Dining Services have teamed up to purchase outdoor recycling bins to be placed in high traffic areas around the Storrs campus. The Green Campus Fund will also be used to support the installation of UConn’s first green roof at Gant Plaza. For more detailed information about the Green Campus Fund and for guidelines on how to donate, please visit http://www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/greencampusfund.htm .

7. The Green Generation Focuses The Nation

During the last week of January, the University of Connecticut participated in Focus the Nation, a national climate change awareness and education event. Over 1700 colleges, universities, and K-12 schools participated, involving over a million students nationwide. More than 50 faculty participated in the climate change teach-in by reserving their class period for that week for a discussion of climate change within the context of their discipline. Other well-attended events included a free showing of the new environmental documentary "The 11th Hour", a national webcast entitled "The 2% Solution", and a faculty panel discussion moderated by Vice-Provosts Veronica Makowsky and Greg Anderson about what UConn's role as an institution in higher education should be in addressing climate change. Between the teach-in components and associated events, over 3000 UConn students, faculty, staff, and community members participated. For more details visit: www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/focusthenation.htm.

8. Environmental Learning Community: An EcoFreshman’s Utopia

A new environmental learning community is in the works. The community will be focused around themes of environmental awareness and sustainability both at UConn and within the greater community. Initially, it will be open to first year students from all academic disciplines in order to foster an exchange of diverse perspectives and ideas. Incoming freshmen are always seeking ways to get involved on campus and this learning community will give them a chance to learn, work, and socialize with students who share their passion for the environment from day one. A pilot version of this community may be operational as early as 2009!

9. UConn Recycling Moving in the Right Direction

The final 2007 recycling tonnages are in. In 2007, UConn recycled 248 tons of material, up 28% from 2006. Improvements to recycling infrastructure and efforts of UConn students, staff, and faculty are leading UConn’s recycling program in the right direction. Of course, there is still room for improvement!

Ongoing improvements to UConn’s recycling infrastructure continue to be implemented. Willimantic Waste Company has outfitted the entire Storrs campus with new blue and green carts, designed to match the new blue and green recycling color scheme. At the end of fall semester, the National Recycling Coalition and Coca Cola awarded UConn 75 bottle and can recycling containers for campus events. In addition, 10 outdoor bottle and can recycling containers have been purchased through the Green Campus Fund and the Department of Dining Services and should be arriving in early April. The Department of Dining Services has also purchased ClearStream bottle and can recycling containers for catered events. Residential Life is also looking at how to improve recycling infrastructure in residence halls.

Finally, UConn is competing in Recyclemania, a national recycling competition that runs for 10 weeks during the spring semester. This year, nearly 400 colleges and universities are competing in a variety of categories including waste minimization, targeted materials, and the Gorilla prize for the school that recycles the highest gross tonnage of materials. See the EcoHusky website for more details: www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/Recyclemania.html. Go Huskies!

10. November Climate Change Conference Demonstrates Public Concern

On November 1, 2007, University members, Mansfield town residents, and state and town officials met to discuss the science and policy of climate change. More than 130 people attended the conference and the level of discussion indicated a large support base for sustainability initiatives. Panelists, including EPAC faculty members, Kathleen Segerson, Richard Parnas and Michael Willig, gave lectures relating disciplines from the physical and social sciences to the topic of global climate change, and poster exhibits from UConn graduate students, environmental non-profit groups, and state and town officials were also on display. Lynn Stoddard, of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, concluded the event with an encouraging presentation about state and individual action. To view pictures, presentations, and abstracts see: www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/ClimateConference2007_CT.htm.

11. UConn’s Health Center Goes Green

The UConn Health Center has been working on improving its environmental record with the help of a new Environmental Sustainability Advisory Council (ESAC) which was appointed by Dean Peter Deckers and convened last fall. The ESAC has already been an advocate and catalyst for several sustainability improvements at UCHC, including purchasing green energy, a pilot program to reduce office use of plastic bags, expansion of the recycling program, sustainable food service improvements and the switch to green cleaning products. The Health Center’s annual Environmental Health and Safety Fair will have a “Go Green” component this year and will take place on March 28th.

12. Upcoming events

Environmental Literacy Workgroup Meeting, March 21 Student Union Room 325, 10:00AM.

EcoHusky 5000 Road Race March 30 11:00AM Horsebarn Hill

Sustainable Energy Symposium March 31 and April 1

EPAC Meeting, April 3, 3rd Floor Business Boardroom, 9:30AM-11:30AM

Earth Day Spring Fling, April 22 11-2 Fairfield Way

Check out the EcoHusky calendar for more events and details: www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/environmentalevents.htm

EPAC Bulletin Archives

Fall 2007

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