April 2009

News from the CU Environmental Center, 2009 April

Spotlight On: Allison Hart and Campus Dining

You may not realize it when you pick up a sandwich at a grab-and-go, but, campus dining is working hard to make what you eat as low impact as possible.  “As a department we’re getting more and more excited about sustainability,” says Allison Hart.  Hart is a material handler at Pizanos , but she is also the go-to person for campus dining’s sustainability projects and initiatives.

Hart says that the department has done a good job of “picking the lowest hanging fruit.”  They have tackled areas where obvious way to conserve resources were visible.  Last year, after a pilot study by Lisa Barlow’s Baker class, all the plastic bags were removed from campus grab-and-gos. 60,000 bags were saved, and Hart says it was a huge success in changing people’s habits.  

Dining services has also worked to try to conserve water and energy campus wide, and to recycle and compost as much of their pre and post consumption waste as possible.  Events like scrape your plate day have been instrumental in showing students what they are wasting and what they can do.

Now, Hart says, they are “at the juncture of figuring out what the next steps are.”  Finding the best practices for food purchasing, including local and organic food is a goal, as is starting a sustainable dining club and getting students involved in what they eat.  Hart is trying to get staff and employees invested in sustainability as well.  She has organized staff trainings and says that they have been successful.  Due to a suggestion from one of the chefs, all of the dining centers on campus are trying to get certified by the Green Restaurant Association.

Hart, who does much of the sustainability leg-work for campus dining says that the most exciting part is working collaboratively with other departments, and seeing how quickly and thoroughly the campus has embraced the move towards sustainability.  “It’s been really fun to see people get on board,” she says.

Director's Column April

Earth Day is the Environmental Center’s birthday too – and this one means we’re turning 39. Next year is our 40th and we will celebrate with a big birthday cake made out of … lettuce?

Yes, lettuce, and onions and radishes and lots of other good, local, organic veggies grown on our new farm! Indeed, the CU Environmental Center has been awarded funding to develop a one acre farm on CU’s east campus! We’re going into the local food business!

The student led funding initiative “Sustainable CU” this year awarded >$100,000 for start up funding. Our Dining Services people are interested in the produce. Our local food bank gets some too. And there’s a plot of land on next to Boulder Creek on the east campus that is suitable and permitable for a farm! Just call me “Old McDonald!”

The farm will grow food and raise awareness of the virtues of local commerce, local food, and the entire re-localization effort. Students and local residents will help out. Teachers will use the facility to teach. And I get to raise bees! (Once upon a time I ran a commercial beekeeping operation).

Kudos to Marianne Martin for leading this effort. Amy Teligman and several other students helped do the heavy lifting behind putting together a great plan for the farm.

They did so because local food is important, vitally important, to both feed people and help refocus our awareness on the importance of a re-localized economy. And CU’s students supported it because they already want local organic foods and have been asking for it. Dining Services has been responding by increasing supplies of local goodies in all the dining halls.

Thanks to all.

CU isn’t the first campus to do this, many fine schools have helped lead this effort. And hopefully, we won’t be the last. The time to think and act local has never been better. So, Happy Birthday! Lettuce eat cake.

Recycle Mania Wrap Up

After 10 weeks of fierce competition, Recycle Mania is now over.  Although the final standings will not be posted until April 17th, the standings after 9 weeks leave CU at 73rd place, with a 29.81% diversion rate.  

Along with creating a competitive spirit behind recycling, Recycle Mania also provides for a focused outreach campaign to raise awareness of recycling.  As more people see the benefits of recycling, they will in turn see the importance of where they dispose of their waste.  The CU Recycling Outreach Crew has developed several events and themes over the course of Recycle Mania to help people see the benefits of recycling, which have been very successful.  

The overall theme during Recycle Mania at CU was: “Get in the Habit…”, which was chosen to address specific actions people can do in their every day lives to reduce there impact.  They were:
    Get in the Habit…
- … Lug Your Mug
- … Drag Your Bag
- … Double Side It
- … Choose to Reuse
- … Buffs Recycle
- … Recycle For the Future

Besides competing with our recycling totals, the CU community could also participate in the “Get in the Habit… Recycling Question Contest”.  By answering our questions, participants had the chance to help improve recycling on the CU Campus.  The most insightful and helpful answers would also win great prizes from local Boulder businesses.  The questions, and a few answers, are as follows:
o What are the 3 biggest barriers to recycling on the CU Campus?  How would you remove these 3 barriers to make recycling easier for everyone?
ß Not enough recycling bins next to trash bins
ß Apathy.  People do not care
ß Laziness.
o What is a "Catch Phrase" or "Slogan" that the CU Recycling Program can use on campus?
ß Kermit was wrong.  Its easy being Green!
ß If ya don’t reuse, you loose.  Just ask dumpster divers.
ß Don’t trash our campus… Recycle!
o What disposable items do you use on a daily basis?  What reusable items do you use on a daily basis?
ß Disposable: plastic bags, candy wrappers, Jamba Juice cups, tissues, coffee cups, utensils, disposable food containers
ß Reusable: mugs, canvas bags, water bottles, mechanical pencils, paper for notes, lunchbox, hand cloths
o What SPECIFIC locations on the CU campus would benefit from additional recycling bins and what type of recyclable materials should be collected at these locations?
ß Where ever trash cans are on campus without recycling bins next to them
ß William Village parking lot
ß Kittridge Field
ß In classrooms
o Are you a Recycle Maniac?  Explain how you have gone beyond standard recycling to gain this esteemed title.
ß Holding on to recycling until they find a bin
ß Composting
ß Keeping reusable shopping bags in their car so as to not forget them when going shopping

The Recycling X Games proved to be a successful event, with over 80 people competing in the games over the course of St. Patrick’s Day.  Our main sponsor, Green Guru Gear, provided us with the Grand Prize: The Vulcar (a messenger bag made from reclaimed inner tubes).  As the products from Green Guru exemplify “Close the Loop” recycling, they were the perfect sponsor to promote recycling and buying products made from recycled/reused materials.  

So even though Recycle Mania is over, we still NEED to CU Recycling.  Now, more than ever, recycling is important for the human race.  As our valuable resources are dwindling and the human population is growing at exponential rates, we need to realize the impacts of our consumption and understand the importance of what we do with our waste.  Waste is not always trash, and in most cases, can be captured for use in another means.  

As YOUR actions add up to make a difference, realize that you can make a positive impact on the world around us.  Not only should you think before your throw (away your waste), but you should also think before you buy.  YOU have the power to make change!

Get in the Habit… Buffs Recycle!

Earth Day Events

Earthfest Boulder
Saturday, April 18, 2009
9am-3pm
CU Research Park
Earthfest Boulder is a complete celebration of sustainability and community on Saturday, April 18th, 2009 in honor of Earth Day. Earthfest is a combination of activities including, the EarthDay5k (a 5th annual Bolder Boulder qualifier), the 5th Annual Dirt Day Adventure Challenge and Expo, Short Track Mountainbike Race and the Kids and Adults Cruiser Parade. In addition, there are hands-on family activities, such as: interaction with wild animals and leave-no-trace clinics, renewable energy demos, live music, fly fishing and climbing classes, and plenty of good local organic food!
www.earthfestboulder.org


Earth Day Celebration at CU
Wednesday, April 22
11am-4pm
University Memorial Center Fountain Area
-Free ice cream for CU Buffs who pledge to Live Green
-Exhibitors: CU student groups and local sustainable businesses
-Fashion SWAP (Sustainable Women's Apparel & Paraphernalia)
-Creation Stations


EarthDance: The Short-Attention-Span Environmental Film Festival
Wednesday, April 22
7:00pm and 9:00pm
Chemistry 142
EarthDance is not your average film festival.  The 2009 collection of 8 short films are a fun, funny, and provocative lot.  The 90-minute juried compilation of comedies, documentaries, animations, and adventures invite you to laugh and celebrate your relationship to the natural world.  EarthDance: Celebrating the Nature of Culture and the Culture of Nature.  Free and open to the public.


Mission: Wolf
Wednesday, April 22
6:00pm
Duane Physics G1B20
Ever Been Face-to-Face with a Wolf Before?  Now is your chance! CU Wilderness Study Group is hosting Mission:Wolf.  M:W is a wolf sanctuary in the remote mountains of Colorado that educates and promotes awareness about the animals and their habitat. Come join M:W along with seven year old Magpie, a wolf ambassador, for a chance to learn more about one of Coloroado’s most valuable animals. www.missionwolf.com Sponsored by CU Wild.  Free and open to the public.


Common Ground: Strong roots for commUNITY growth
An Earth Day panel featuring Julia Butterfly Hill, Kipp Nash, and Jeff Hohensee
Thursday, April 23
5:00pm
Farrand Field, CU-Boulder
Student Environmental Action Coalition and Students for Peace and Justice join forces to host a free sponsored panel of visionary environmental leaders. Activist, writer, and poet Julia Butterfly Hill, Urban Community gardener Kipp Nash, and National Capitalism CEO Jeff Hohensee share their work towards how we can bridge the gaps in the environmental movement and work together to protect this planet for many years to come. Musical group Elephant Revival will be opening at 5:00 p.m., and will be followed by the panel at 6:00 p.m. Rain or shine. Bring your blankets to sit on if you like, and barefeet are also encouraged.
Free and Open to the public, Rain or Shine
http://www.colorado.edu/campusmap/map.html?bldg=W-FA&x=14&y=2

Campus Sustainability Awardees Announced

The University of Colorado will recognize the significant achievements and extraordinary efforts of outstanding individuals and departments at the annual campus sustainability awards ceremony.  The luncheon ceremony will be held on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the UMC Aspen Rooms.  Interim Chancellor DiStefano will present the 2009 Campus Sustainability Awards to:
•    Office of Orientation for Departmental Achievement
•    Lisa Lampe for Individual Achievement in Energy Conservation
•    Julie Hayes for Student Achievement in Environmental Justice and Social Equity
•    Athletics Department, Facilities Management, Centerplate, White Wave and Environmental Center for Ralphie’s Green Stampede
•    Paul Tabolt for Legacy Achievement

Additionally, honorable mention awards will recognize:
•    Distribution Center for Departmental Achievement
•    Kelly McGregor for Energy Conservation

More information on each of the 2009 awardees is available at http://ecenter.colorado.edu/greening_cu/index.html#awards

To attend the ceremony, RSVP to ecenter@colorado.edu or 303-492-8308 by Friday, April 17th.  The campus sustainability awards program is supported by Office of the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Vice Chancellor for Administration, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Vice Chancellor for Research, and the UCSU Environmental Center.

The campus environmental awards program started in 1997 as a means to recognize commitment to reducing the burden that the CU campus places on the environment.  Outstanding efforts make CU’s successful and challenging approaches to attaining sustainability possible.  The awardees exemplify CU’s continuing efforts to become a sustainable institution.  They set the example for environmental stewardship and responsibility.  Some of the awardees have made groundbreaking efforts that will change the overall way CU operates, and others make an impact on the community and campus environment with their everyday actions.  All in all, the campus community is contributing toward a sustainable future.  

The Live Green Pledge

The University of Colorado Environmental Center and the CU administration are teaming up to promote sustainability on campus through the Live Green program.  Live Green supports environmentally friendly habits.  Participants sign a pledge indicating areas where they will change their lifestyle to become more sustainable. Moe Tabrizi, the school’s campus resource conservation officer, said that, “it helps our students, staff and faculty to commit themselves to sustainability.”

From now until Earth Day, April 22nd, the effect of signing a Live Green Pledge will be doubly impactful.  For every person who pledges to live green, and reduce their individual carbon footprint, the University will donate $5 towards sustainability programs on campus, which will reduce CU’s carbon footprint.  Each signature will be twice as important, because it will impact the person who signs it, as well as the larger community.  Any member of the CU community- faculty, staff and students- can sign a Live Green Pledge.

Live Green is designed to encourage and educate members of the community about changes they can make to their life.  After signing the pledge, and selecting three areas where they can become more green and reduce carbon emissions, participants receive a monthly newsletter with tips and ideas about what they can do in their everyday life – at home, on campus and around town.  Topics range from transportation to shopping, and focus on individual actions and personal behaviors that have large impacts.

CU is already known for it’s continual work to lessen it’s impact on the planet.  The money matched in association with the Live Green Campaign will go towards projects that promote energy efficiency and reduce the school’s carbon footprint. Tabrizi said that those projects could range from installing automatic light controls to investing in more renewable energy.  With the campus community also taking personal action on campus, these carbon reduction projects are even more effective.   

This joint effort towards sustainability, from both the school and the community, becomes more and more effective as more people sign the pledge.  You can sign it online at http://ecenter.colorado.edu/livegreen.   Do your part to help CU and the planet.

Transportation Referendum

During the UCSU election on April 6 through 10, University of Colorado students will be faced with a question at the polls: "Do you support the addition of $14 per semester to your bus pass and bicycle programs fee?” Due to an increase in RTD fees, as well as an increase in student ridership, the program will have to eliminate skyRide coverage, reduce regional coverage, and decrease service levels of both Late Night Transit and STAMPEDE routes, among others if the fee is not increased.  The student bus pass rate is based upon actual ridership counts and a discounted fare.  Any proposed fare increases over 10% needs to go to a student advisory vote.  

Transit, together with the student bus pass is a vital part of student life at CU.  It drastically improves the quality of life and accessibility on the populous campus.  It is cleaner for the environment, more efficient for congested roadways and cheaper than driving a personal vehicle.

It’s also highly utilized.  Last year, CU students rode the bus 3 million times.  In the fall of 2008, 84% of students rode the bus at least once, and more than a quarter of students take the bus to campus every time. With a bus pass students may board quickly and not have to fuss with change when they show their pass to the driver.   They can also bring bikes on the bus.

Maintaining the transit program has environmental, health and social benefits. Compared with private vehicles, public transportation produces, on average, per passenger-mile, 95% less carbon-monoxide, 92% fewer VOC's, 45% less carbon dioxide and 48% less nitrogen oxide. Riding the bus is 170 times safer than automobile travel, according to the National Safety Council data

The $14 increase is less than one roundtrip skyRide ticket to the airport. "For any student who rides the skyRide both ways even just once, it is less expensive to pass the increase than to pay individual fares," says Peter Roper, manager of the transit program. Without this increase, the program will eliminate skyRide coverage, require a partial cash fare on regional routes and eliminate STAMPEDE service enhancement.

CU students have supported a fully-funded bus pass for almost twenty years, it is an integral part of life on the Boulder campus. 88% of students recently rated the bus pass program good or excellent.  The additional fees will help maintain the transit program and make sure that the quality of transportation stays high.