Sustainability at Lake Superior College

Meeting Minutes 3/3/2017

10:00 – 11:30

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Theresa Hornstein, Kristi Heintz, Eric Brandt, Nate Bronk, Marissa Johnsen, Mike Francisco, Deanne Roquet, Glenn Merrick, Heather Grillo

General Members present:

Guest Present:

Announcements

Duluth Traverse Trail Master and Management Plan survey is open until end of March.  COGGS and other have applied for a grant funding to complete pieces that may benefit LSC’s spur trail ambitions.  When that award is announced in April, it would behoove LSC to put representation at planning meeting to show our support of trail development near campus.  James E will keep us posted of those opportunities.

New Business

Kristi outlined Earth Day’s Tuesday April 25^th planning so far. The theme will be “Leave No Trace”.  Plans so far include:

• 10:00

TAPPING and SAPPING // Maple tree tapping and syrup making demo with

Tap a maple tree, and learn how SAP becomes SYRUP and other SWEET TREATS!  Meet at the circle drive entrance at 10:00, and we’ll head out to the Miller Creek Interpretive Trail; appropriate footwear recommended!

• 11:00-1:00

Community and club INFO TABLES in the Student Life hallway.  Get the scoop on local and regional trails, local food options, community sustainability, and volunteer opportunities!  Check out our General Biology student posters in the Student Life Lounge, demonstrating their waste research and MINI-LANDFILL EXPERIMENT results!

• LSC instructors Dave Israel and Tom Gustafson will turn WILLOW into WALKING STICKS – check it out in the Circle Drive!
• Toward ZERO WASTE at HOME // LSC is a community compost drop site. Learn about home food waste sorting, free food scrap collection, and Duluth’s closed-loop FOOD SCRAP to SOIL system.
• 11:00-Noon

Give-1-Get-1 SAMMICHES // A Zero Waste Lunch

Make a sandwich to donate to CHUM, then make one for yourself!  Sandwich supplies generously donated by the Whole Foods Coop!  Enjoy your sandwich and a compostable-cup of lemonade in the Student Lounge while you enjoy our featured speaker!

• 11:30-1:00

LEAVE NO TRACE TREATS – Completely compostable trail mix, popcorn, and lemonade (Connie motioned the Council supply compostable cones and cups for trail mix and beverages, Deanne seconded, unopposed)

• Noon-1:00

SAVE THE BOUNDARY WATERS – Amy Freeman and her husband, Dave, have traveled over 30,000 miles by kayak, canoe and dogsled through some of the world’s wildest places, from the Amazon to the Arctic. National Geographic named Amy and Dave 2014 Adventurers of the Year. The Freemans are ardent wilderness advocates who are actively working with the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters (www.SaveTheBoundaryWaters.org) to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from sulfide-ore copper mines being proposed along the edge of our nation’s most popular Wilderness.  When not on expeditions, Amy guides canoe, kayak and dogsled trips in Northern Minnesota.  We’re fortunate to bring Amy indoors, and learn from her outdoor experiences!

(Deanne motioned to purchase an LSC ceramic coffee mug for speaker Amy and maple tapping guest as a thank you for time, Eric seconded, motion carried unopposed).  Mike noted a special expense form needs to be filled out for these purchase, Kristi groaned at the point, Mike redacted his suggestion and told Kristi she may suffer the consequences of not following protocol, Kristi redacted her groan and thanked Mike for the reminder.

Once a few more details are settled, Kristi will work with Jean to create a poster

Kristi updated the group on the Minnesota State system’s efforts to create sustainability collaboration amongst campuses follow the first webex in February.  She noted it will be focused on facilities best practices and focus will be driven by topics of interest, mainly driven by suggestions we offer.  Kristi has already inquired about creating more transparent guidance as it relates to renewable energy development guidance, Emily Ziring noted it is being discussed now.

Kristi purchased the organics collection bins and shared that she offered compost assistance at the Advisory Breakfast on Friday morning and has posted information about the kits on our blog.  Alisha is very interested in finding ways to reduce waste in recruiting and SS programming.

Kristi gave the Council homework to review the new offering frameworks, reporting requirement and dues for Second Nature’s (formerly the ACUPCC) membership.  The Council decided over a year ago to discontinue membership with ACUPCC, citing redundant and competing reporting requirements between them and B3.  The Council decided then to revisit Second Nature once its new structure was settled.  Further discussion in April.

Kristi shared the rough outlined of the GreenCorp application she’s started; its focus is on campus energy reduction.  The application is due March 17^th and Kristi will complete it over spring break.  Kristi noted the GreenCorps funding is on the short list for those programs that will be cut if the Corporation for National and Community Services’s (CNCS) funding is slashed, so she is being careful not to spend too much time and energy on this application.

Old Business

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

None

Budget      

Encumbrances to date:

• Annual AASHE dues: -280
• Boreal Natives (fall-spring maintenance): -$600
• Boreal Natives (fall maintenance): -$200
• Human Svs Dept (plastic bag removal-annual): -$280
• Menards -$400
• Dan’s -$300
• Printing -$12
• RSPT Annual dues: -300
• Travel reimbursement (Deanne, Kristi to St. Paul Climate Adapt Wkshp 1/31/17) – $161.57
• Amazon (heated foot rests, max/min thermometers): -499.80
• Clear System Compost Collection bin x5: -338.61

BALANCE as of today: $5,558.46

FY16-17potential budget items (carryover FY15-16 list)

• Bottle filling station near Student LIfe
• Picnic table under H catwalk
• Additional bike rack for main entrance?
• Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
• Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin, compost bag dispenser
• MnSCU Sustainability Across Curriculum workshop

Meeting adjourned 11:15

Next Regular Meeting

April 7^th, 2017

Notes submitted to SC blog and LSC Employee Portal > Committees by Kristi Heintz