As the Earth starts to make a transition from winter to spring, March becomes an interesting month for us. Warmer weather means that more individuals are getting outside and experiencing nature, but it also means we need to give some serious thought to climate change and the impact we are having on our environment.
I am more inspired than ever. I have gotten to speak to sustainability professionals and students who are taking on big challenges and asking even bigger questions. What if we could significantly reduce the energy consumption of the university and save hundreds of thousands of dollars? How can we protect the species and plants that inhabit the Texas coast? Is there a way to make labs on campus more sustainable? While these questions present issues facing our campus and community, I was amazed that these questions did not inspire fear, but rather fueled immense enthusiasm and passion.
Through this month’s newsletter, the people and projects profiled demonstrate that tackling problems and brainstorming solutions can be a thrilling, collaborative process with successful results.
Hook ‘Em Green,
Shannon Geison
The Greening of UT Labs
It’s an exciting time in sustainability at The University of Texas at Austin. The university has set 2020 as its target to move toward Zero Waste by diverting 90 percent of campus waste from the landfill. Emery Wolf coordinates a student-led initiative, Green Labs, which is committed to help the university meet its Zero Waste goal while promoting sustainability across campus.
UT Austin’s Utility and Energy Management (UEM) divisionrecently launched an energy portal that could potentially save the university hundreds of thousands of dollars. Hook ‘Em Green’s Shannon Geison sat down with Roberto Del Real, associate director of UEM, to learn more about the project.
Katie Swanson spends a lot of time making the Water Wise Wildlife Garden at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas a vital resource. Swanson wears a variety of hats including serving as the stewardship coordinator at the UTMSI and as the project lead for the garden, which is is one of the largest and most successful Green Fee projects to date.
The University of Texas at Austin sends 3,400 tons of trash to the landfill. Or picture it this way: that is the equivalent of filling the UT Tower two and one half times. UT Austin has set 2020 as its target to move toward Zero Waste by diverting 90 percent of campus waste from a landfill. In order to reach this goal, that would mean reducing 3,400 tons of trash to only 800 tons. Now picture that amount filling just 0.5 of the UT Tower. See the difference recycling makes.
Get your weekly shopping done on campus. Stock up on fresh produce and other goodies at the UT Austin Farm Stand. Mark your calendar: March 23, noon - 5:30 p.m., Gregory Plaza.
Take a moonlight hike at Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. See the beauty of the gardens by moonlight, listen for coyotes howling and maybe even catch a glimpse of an owl in flight during this evening hike through the gardens and arboretum. Participants are welcome to bring (red light) flashlights. Register here. March 13, 7 to 9 p.m.
Celebrate the starlit skies of Texas. The Texas Night Sky Festival offers live presentations, hands-on experiences, solar observations, night sky observing party and more. March 18, 2 to 10 p.m., Dripping Springs Ranch Park.
Congratulate everyone in UT Facilities Services, Landscape. Markus Hogue led the way for UT Austin to win the 2017 Texas Environmental Excellence Award for Water Conservation. The award will be presented on March 23.
Attend Smart Cities Powered by Smart Grids Roadshow. Speakers include UT Austin’s Juan Ontiveros and Dr. Michael Webber who will look at UT’s energy from different perspectives. March 30, noon to 5 p.m., Thompson Conference Center.
The Office of Sustainability at The University of Texas at Austin collaborates to advance ideas and programs that transform the physical, social and educational environments of campus for the enduring benefit of society and the planet.
Editor Shannon Geison Designer Laura Bowman Communications Coordinator Merry Bateman
