2006-07 Environmental Leadership Awards

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2006-07 Environmental Leadership Awards
In departments throughout the University, from
the College of Agriculture Natural Resources to
Engineering and Liberal Arts, we are developing
conscientious thinkers and citizens by modeling
the behavior that we teach our students to
follow It is the cumulative effect of seemingly
minor events that will change the world.   It is
through innovative examples and teamwork that
UConn can be a steward of the Earths
future. -- UConn President Phil Austin, 2004-05
Environmental Leadership Awards
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Dr. Richard Parnas
Winner Faculty
Associate Professor Director, Chemical
Engineering Program
Chair, UConn Biofuel Consortium
January 2007 Organizes UConn Biofuels Symposium
May 2006 Leads UConn Biodiesel Workshop
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Dr. Richard Parnas
Winner Faculty
Associate Professor and Director of the Chemical
Engineering Program
Sustained and grew Biodiesel Lab - converting
waste cooking oil into ASTM-quality fuel for
UConn buses Developed environmental education
modules to train students in biofuel
production Designed state-of-the-art reactor
(patent application filed) with goal of expanding
UConn biodiesel production to 20,000 gal./yr.
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Dr. Richard Parnas
Winner Faculty
Associate Professor and Director of the Chemical
Engineering Program
Partnered with the Center for Continuing
Education to develop a new Certificate Program in
Biofuels
Teamed with Fuel Diversification Task Force and
Governors Biofuels Group
Led UConn Energy Summit headed by Vice Provost
Anderson to develop a 10 million funding
proposal for Sustainable Energy Research
Institute
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Kristin Schwab
Special Recognition Faculty
Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture

• Seized landfill cleanup as opportunity to
  create Hillside Environmental Education Park
• Developed 3-Phase Plan for HEEP
• Inter-Connected walking and biking trails
• Scenic Overlooks, Artwork, Interpretive Signs,
  Great Blue Heron Rookery
• Sites for Future Research Projects
• Incorporated designs done by her senior design
  students
• Organized Display at Babbidge Library
• Landscape designs for Rte. 195 corridor
  Invasive Plant Alternative Garden

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64 Acre-Landfill Preservation Area ? Future
Hillside Environmental Education Park (HEEP)
N. Hillside Rd.
Hunting Lodge Road
Landfill
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Student Designs for HEEP

• Hiking trails, wildlife observation decks
• Amphibian, wetland research
• Public access points

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Schematic Master Plan
Park Boundary Pathways Entry Points Recreational
Areas Gathering/Educational Areas Parking Wetland
Areas Art Areas
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Logan Senack
Undergraduate Student Winner
6th semester, Environmental Science
Maintains the herbarium specimens in the
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England teaching
collection Assisted in running a New England
Invasive Plant Summit conference Serves on
EPACs Land Use Sustainable Development
Subcommittee
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Logan Senack
Undergraduate Student Winner
6th semester, Environmental Science
Co-founder and current president of
student-run UConn Environmental Science club
(EARTH To UConn) - Guest speakers - River
clean-ups - Invasive plant control A
University Scholar Nominee for Udall
Scholarship Amphibian monitoring research
project at UConn landfill
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Timothy Bleasdale
Special Recognition Undergraduate Student
English Political Science

• Senior staff writer at the Daily Campus,
  specializing in environmental issues
• Stories have included
• - Stop the Drop signage campaign
• - Dorm Water Energy Conservation Contests
• - Environmental Expressions
• - Valentines Day Plea (Student Union recycling)
• EcoHusky 5000
• Summer 2006 Intern at E Magazine

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Jessica Kukielka
Graduate Student Winner
Masters Candidate, Agricultural Resource
Economics
Obtained EPA P3 Student Research Competition
Grant Environmental and Economic Impact
Analysis of Manure Digester Biogas-Powered Fuel
Cells for the Agricultural Sector Presenter at
Connecticut Natural Resources Conference in
2007 Wrote successful UConn grant applications
for EPAs Smart Sustainable Campuses
conference in 2006 National Udall Scholar
2005-06 Acting secretary on the Town of
Plainvilles Land Acquisition Committee
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Jessica Kukielka
Graduate Student Winner
Chair, EPAC Environmental Literacy Workgroup
2006 Intern at UConn Office of Environmental
Policy 2004-06 Webmaster, event organizer
EcoHusky officer
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Rebecca Gorin
Winner Staff
Manager, Whitney Dining Hall
Partnership between Whitneys sustainable
kitchen and the Eco-Garden Club Purchase of
local products for seasonal menus at Whitney
Dining Hall Founded and chaired the Local
Routes program
New England Winter Feast
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Rebecca Gorin
Winner Staff
Manager, Whitney Dining Hall
Local Routes Spring Fling celebrations,
2005-2007 - Showcased local farmers and
vendors - Nutrition, recycling and waste
reduction education Member of Connecticut Buys
Local Steering Committee Volunteer at the
Storrs Farmers Market
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Mary Kegler
Special Recognition Staff
Manager, Farm Services

• Protected grassland bird habitat on Horsebarn
  Hill
• Integral member of UConn Compost Facility Task
  Force
• identified evaluated potential sites
• - determined necessary equipment and cost
  estimates
• Facilitating use of UConn-produced biodiesel in
  farm vehicles
• Addressed concerns of Mansfield residents about
  construction of natural gas pipeline
• CANR Farmland/Land Use Task Force

Region of altered mowing on Horsebarn Hill for
conservation of grassland bird habitat
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Suzy Staubach
Special Recognition Staff
Manager, General Books Division of UConn Co-Op

• Established new Sustainability book section in
  the Co-Op
• Hosted Sustainability Book Fairs during Earth
  Day celebrations
• Books and speakers on all things green
• Computer ink cartridge drop-off
• Sneaker drop-off bin.
• Student Group displays
• Giveaways and informational materials
• Served as a judge for Environmental
  Expressions, an environmental literacy contest
  for students
• Helped coordinate CFL giveaways in conjunction
  with the Textbooks to Go program

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Division of Athletics Burton Family Football
Complex Mark R. Shenkman Training Center

• First Leadership in Energy Environmental
  Design (LEED)-registered athletics project in the
  NCAA
• UConns first LEED building paves the way for
  new Green Building policy
• Division of Athletics
• Agrees to absorb first-cost premium
• Actively promotes LEED features
• Hosts green building tours for classes and
  outside groups

Winner UConn-Affiliated Group
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UConn LEEDs the Way on Green Building

• Case Study for the NCAAs First LEED Athletic
  Complex

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Recycling Report
Structural Steel at Shenkman 90 Recycled
On-Site Dumpsters for Recyclables

• Structural Steel, Roofs, Decks, Stairs ? 45-90
  Recycled Content
• 89 of Construction Demolition Debris Recycled
• 4100 Tons of Wood, Concrete, Metal, Cardboard,
  Asphalt

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Sustainable Building Features
Rapidly Renewable Durable Dining Rm. Floor
Lockers Recycled Content and Locally-Made Green-
Label Carpet
Low VOC Paints and Entry Walk-Off Mats Grills
Improve Indoor Air Quality
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Energy Savings
Energy / Heat Recovery Unit
Infrared Radiant Heating

• 35 Energy Savings Over 1999 Industry (ASHRAE)
  Standard (saves 35,000 40,000 per year)
• Occupancy / Demand Controlled Ventilation

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Water Conservation
Drought -Tolerant Plants
Dual-Flush Toilet Low-Flow Showers

• 35 Water Savings Over EPA Standards
• Low-Flow Showerheads, Urinals Faucets,
  Dual-Flush Toilets, Water-Efficient,
  Front-Loading Laundry Machines
• No Irrigation Native Adaptive Landscaping

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UConn Water Pollution Control Facility Team
Special Recognition UConn-Affiliated Group

• Proactively evaluating grey water utility --
  effluent re-use to conserve water
• Active members of Compost Facility Task Force
  advocating composting of bio-solids
• Nitrogen removal program earns credits from DEP
  and ensures clean discharge

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Special Recognition UConn-Affiliated Group
UConn Water Pollution Control Facility Team

• Hosted public tours, including stop on
  Willimantic River Alliances anniversary event

• Extended chlorine treatment period for
  recreational users of Willimantic River

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Willimantic Waste Paper Company
Winner External Organization
Active in EPAC Recycling Workgroup to develop
new campus-wide recycling plan Guide numerous
UConn group tours of Willimantic transfer station
to raise public awareness Supply outreach
materials, collection bins, dumpsters and more
for Sneaker recycling since 2005
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• Willimantic Waste UConns Sneaker Recycling
  Partner
• UConn Mt. Sneaker 2005-07
• Collection boxes at 22 residential halls,
  athletic facilities, academic buildings, Co-Op
  Library
• Willi Waste expands pick-ups to include
• regional campuses in 2007
• Collection from March May
• Earth Day Mt. Sneaker Expo
• Collecting gt 1 Ton (2,000 lbs)

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Other 2005-2007 Campus Environmental Initiatives
at UConn
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Environmental Policy Advisory Council (EPAC)
Faculty Staff Students Sr. Admin.
NRME Facilities, Motor Pool Undergrad Dean CANR
EEB Athletics Graduate COO
Engineering Purchasing Alumni Univ Relations
Geography Dining Services Presidents Office
Economics Construction Mngmt
Extension Health Safety

• 25-30 Members
• Advisory to President Provost
• Recommends Policies Sustainability Initiatives

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UConn Green Campus Tour

• Green Hotspots Eco-friendly initiatives
  walking tour of campus
• Tour maps at Lodewick Visitors Center virtual
  tour on-line

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CFL Giveaway
Partnership between OEP, the UConn Co-Op, and
Connecticut Light Power
3000 bulbs distributed!
Did you know? CFLs have an average life of
10,000 hours CFLs use 20 of the electricity for
the equivalent light output of standard
incandescent lights
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An inconvenient truth

• Free showing for students and members of the
  campus community on September 15, 2006
• Extremely well attended (500) with balcony
  seating needing to be opened in the SU Theater
• Informational displays in the lobby of the SU
  attracted much attention

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Environmental Expressions Contest

• More eloquent than Emerson? Wittier than
  Whitman?
• Fall 2006 entries through Nov. 17
• Students invited to participate in this fun
  competition!
• Students submit their own environmental essays,
  poems, digital photos, favorite quotations OR
  song lyrics to adorn the EcoHusky website
• Prizes and eternal glory to winners
• Expert judges

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2nd Annual EcoHusky 5K
April 1, 2007 Over 80 runners participated Over
500 raised for campus environmental causes
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Recycling Roll-out
Campus-Wide by May 2007!

• Properly color-coded labeled containers
• Restrictive lids to reduce trash contamination
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• Custodians pick-up only recycling on Wednesdays
• A mixed paper bin at every desk side

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Earth Kindness Day
Outreach event in coordination with the Month of
Kindness Informational displays
from EcoHusky Soil Water Conservation
Society EPA P3 Student Grant Project Earth to
UConn Biofuels Consortium
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Fall 2005 Focus on Fenton River UConns Water
Supply System

• UConn Study Effects of Pumping Wells Near Fenton
  River on Stream Flow and Aquatic Habitat
  (2003-06)
• Findings During drought periods, pumping nearby
  wells can further reduce river flow
• Water Conservation helps! Voluntary measures
  after September 9 reduced campus water
  consumption by 100,000 GPD

Fenton River September 9-15, 2005
October 22, 2005
Please conserve!
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2006 A River Restored Improved Sustainability
of UConn Water Supply System

• UConns Actions
• Re-Stocks 1,000 Trout
• Studies Successful Re-Colonization of
  Macro-Invertebrates
• Invests 700K to Replace Faulty Water Supply Main
  Increase Reliance on Wells Near Larger
  Willimantic River (.300 MGD
• Improves System Management
• Leak Detection Repair
• Stream Flow-Based Pumping
• Professional Operator Hired
• Water Advisory Board Formed
• Studying Demand-Side Water Conservation
  Opportunities
• More Conservation Outreach!

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UConn Energy and Water Conservation Dormitory
Contest
www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/dormcontest.htm

• Which dorm can do it better in the dark?

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Competing to Conserve

• Student residents in Alumni and South (Fall 2006)
  and Northwest (Spring 2007) competing against
  each other to conserve the most water and energy.
  Winning dorm receives their choice of prize.

• Contest details and REAL TIME DATA available
  at
• www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/dormcontest.htm

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Current Standings for Eco-Madness 2007
Water Energy Conservation Contest in Northwest

1. Hanks
2. Russell
3. Terry
4. Rogers
5. Batterson
6. Goodyear

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Water Conservation Outreach Leak Reporting
Repair
Signs located in bathrooms
DRL installed signs in most dorms
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Stormwater Rain Gardens
Low Impact Design Projects

• Rain Gardens Bio-Retention Swales
• Retain Site Stormwater Runoff
• Reduce Erosion Sedimentation
• Minimize Downstream Impacts
• Remove Stormwater Pollutants Naturally Through
  Soil and Plants

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Proposed UConn Compost Facility

• Building 10,000 SF concrete pad, plus design
  and site development costs
• Hoop Barn
• Machinery - windrow turner, mixer,
• screener, bulldozer or backhoe
• Total construction equipment 500,000

5-acre site at Spring Manor Farm ?
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Sneaker Recycling
Diverted from the solid waste stream, recycled
sneakers are used for Synthetic
tracks Playground surfaces Tennis courts Field
turfs
A Multi-Campus Effort with EcoHusky, SAAC
Division of Athletics! University of
Connecticut, StorrsUniversity of Connecticut,
Avery PointUniversity of Connecticut, Hartford
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CT DEP Commissioner Gina McArthy and UConn
President Phil Austin speak at 2006 Avery Point
meeting to explore DEP/UConn partnership
opportunities
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Thanks OEP Interns 2006-07
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EPAC Sneaker Recyclers
Scenes from Summer 06 OEP Intern Meeting in China