Summer 2021: Believing in Tomorrow
Sometimes each of us needs a reminder that it's not foolish to dream. If you find yourself doubting what could be, take a stroll down the Gambles Mill Trail to Abby's Garden. Zinnias showily stretch skyward above shy zucchini hiding among wide, deep-green leaves. The raised beds overflow with abundance where only potential existed just six months before. As Audrey Hepburn said, "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." It takes work, some luck, and help from Mother Nature to get to harvest, but at the gardener's core is a belief that their vision will be brought into being. Sustainability, like planting a garden, requires a belief that - through planning, effort, and attention - a life-giving future will one day bloom. And like Abby's Garden demonstrates, it's best to have a community to share in tomorrow's cultivation.
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Your Must Read (and One Book): All We Can Save
If you've been wondering what you can do to address the climate crisis, this year's One Book, One Richmond selection All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis can guide you to an answer. This outstanding anthology highlights the work of 60 women essayists, poets, scientists, teachers, and artists who call on each of us to develop solutions for a life-generating future. All We Can Save centers voices that have too often been marginalized or missing entirely from conversations on climate. If you haven't yet felt called to the climate movement, consider this your invitation.
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On to the Next Adventure
The Office for Sustainability had eight amazing interns last year. From creating compost education programs to assessing the University's greenhouse gas emissions, these students worked with care, passion, and tremendous intelligence to meet our sustainability goals. We are excited to congratulate our graduating seniors as they move on to their next journey (and also own up to feeling a twinge of sadness at their departure). Read their reflections on how sustainability shaped their time at University of Richmond and learn about what they have planned ahead below.
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Amanda Brosnan
"The last three years working at the Office for Sustainability have been amazing. I have met so many new people by working with students and on cross-functional teams throughout the University to ensure that sustainability reaches all aspects of campus life. I will remember my time at Richmond and the Office for Sustainability fondly, but I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life! In June I started a job as an analyst in Governance and Sustainability at Rivel, Inc. in Westport, Connecticut."
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Kate Sjovold
"I’ve loved working in the Office for Sustainability this year and I’ve learned and grown so much from this experience! From gardening and programming to teamwork and leadership skills, this has truly been an enriching experience that I will take with me in all my future endeavors. I've continued working with the Office for Sustainability this summer as a Sustainability Fellow and hope to pursue a career in environmental education or healthcare going forward."
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Taylor Hurtado
"Interning for the Office for Sustainability is an experience I will never forget and will forever be grateful for. Not only have I grown as a person, becoming more aware of my personal choices and broadening my interests, but I’ve also as grown as a professional. This position gave me an insight to what it means to be a professional advocate. I have no doubt that the skills I’ve strengthened and gained during my time here will help me in my next steps as a global intern studying health and conservation."
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Greening the Grid
Spider Solar, University of Richmond's 60,000-module array in Spotsylvania County, went live at the start of 2021, pushing us closer to our goal of carbon neutrality. So far, Spider Solar has generated 18,000 MWh of electricity, adding enough clean energy to the grid to power more than 1,300 homes in the Richmond region.
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Community is Blooming in Abby's Garden
Zinnias, sunflowers, and summer squash are in their full glory in Abby's Garden on the north end of the Eco-Corridor. 50 community gardeners care for these showstoppers and many other plant varieties. In addition to raising flowers and vegetables, the gardeners have been cultivating community, including monthly clean-up events to remove weeds and invasive plants. The garden committee has also hosted two social events, with an end of season social taking place later this month.
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Late Summer Garden Tip from Kate Sjovold, Abby's Garden Manager
It's easy to get lost in the harvest (and weeding) of summer plants like tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, green beans, basil, and cucumbers this time of year, but don't forget about your fall crops. Now is the perfect time to prep for fall greens, like spinach, kale, and lettuce, as well as root vegetables like carrots and beets.
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More than 100,000 Pounds Composted!
Led by a team of student Compost Coordinators, the University of Richmond met its goal of diverting 50 tons of organic waste from the landfill during the school year. To meet this goal, UR rolled out composting a year ahead of schedule, and our students delivered big: Over five months, approximately 54 tons of food waste was diverted from the landfill! Student Rethink Waste representatives will be available again during the upcoming semester to answer questions about reuse, recycling, and composting. Be sure to check out the composting options at your favorite dining location next time you dine out on campus.
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Tips for Returning to Campus
- If you have a roommate, communicate any shared items you'll be bringing ahead of time to avoid buying duplicates.
- Bring a reusable water bottle or coffee mug, bag, and utensil set.
- Bring a small recycling bin for your room.
- Reduce your food waste by participating in composting at a dining location on campus.
- Get your room or apartment Green Room certified.
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Spiders in the News
University of Richmond Geography Faculty and Students Participate in Statewide Heat Watch Project
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'Heat Risk' initiative to find areas most at risk for extreme heat
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Coastal Landfills Are No Match for Rising Seas
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Secretive Squirrels and Cold-Blooded Critters: A Guide to UR Critters
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Detecting Forest Degradation with CEO'S Geo-Dash
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Where are the U.S.'s Natural Gas Pipelines? Often in Vulnerable Communities
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The Outdoor Built Environment and Environmental Health Impacts
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The EU wants a carbon border tax on imports – but would it do the job officials expect?
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Can Gratitude Help You Live More Sustainably?
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UR Dining Receives National Award for International Dinner
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How a Warming Climate is Changing Animals
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