Meeting Minutes 3/2/2018

9:00 – 10:30

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Deanne Roquet, Tim Leudke, Kristi Heintz, Marissa Berger, Danielle Wood, Mike Francisco, Connie Moore, Nate Bronk, Theresa Hornstein, Heather Grillo

General Members present:

Guest Present: Chris Whaley

 

Announcements

The Twin Ports-Campus Sustainability Network (TP-CSN) is hosting a collaborative student gathering: S’Mores and Sustainability Social @ Bagley today from 2:00-4:00.  Kristi has shared the meeting via ours and LSC’s facebook page and Chris hung posters.

Weed Em Out: Invasives Workshop an invasive plants early detection workshop– March 27th, 9am-3:00, EPA

Duluth CISMA Stewardship Network – introductory conversation for local colleges and universities (March 7th from 11:00-noon and 14th from 10:00-11) at the City of Duluth.  Glenn and Kristi are tag-teaming this effort.

 

New Business

Theresa provided her insight on last week’s discussion with Dan Schutte from Shorview Natives regarding our S-building landscape discussion.  Theresa’s remarks were very positive and supportive of Dan’s vision and plan for the area.  Danielle also attended the discussion and agreed with Theresa’s sentiment.  Kristi shared the Shoreview project area on the map, noting this planting would replace the 2 main areas in front of the S-building that are now “wildflower” and where manual weeding has become almost impossible over the last 2 growing seasons.  Kristi received a work estimate  and shared that Dan suggested we split our transition of the area into 2 seasons, and also noted the cost of project install could be reduced by $700 if we can muster volunteer labor for planting in late spring/summer.  Based on the estimate (for half of our overall designated transition space), Deanne motioned we move ahead with the plan (based on Dan’s estimate of about $2,900) and work to get volunteers involved in planting.  Connie second the motion, all favored.

 

Kristi gave an update on this year’s LSC Earth Day (April 19th) presentation with Shawna Weaver from Ethical Choices Program.  Kristi and Jenna worked out a theme: “Food for Thought: The ecological and ethical impact of your everyday decisions”.

  • Deanne, Danielle, Kristi and Connie have been working on some food options. Deanne brought an Evol burrito to sample, and noted we need to be careful to offer ecologically healthy food options.  Kristi thought perhaps this could mean offering only vegetarian food options and asking student to provide feedback on what they’d like to see in the Café.  Connie liked this idea, as they are working to increase offerings in the fall, and this could help inform that decision.  Kristi will work with the Upper Lakes Rep and find some meat-free options (frozen burritos, hummus…).  Student Life (per Heather) is willing to pay for snacks, sides for the burrito, tortilla chips, popcorn, trail mix and cuties.   The Café (per Connie) will donate lemonade and water, the Council will provide compostable cups.  The Council agreed if Upper Lakes did not want to donate samples, the Council would cover up to $500 of main food and eatware.  Mike motioned on the amount, Theresa seconded, motion passed without disagreement.
  • Heather suggested we create a separate poster for campus clean-up if we want it to get more attention. The Council discussed “incentive” and Heather noted we could maybe offer prizes for best clean-up effort.  Heather has all of the supplies, Mike and Tim agreed to help direct the clean-up efforts on the 19th.

 

Garden/Grounds planning

  • The south hillside tree sapling planting is scheduled for May 4th. Mike suggested we offer a couple of days, perhaps the 3rd as well.  There will also be opportunity to help with site prep.  Kristi asked ERTC if they’d be willing to try to burn the site before May 4th; she hasn’t received a response from Joe Tribby.  Kristi asked if we might use coffee sacks to surround the saplings after planting, Nate will check with Duluth Coffee Company to see if they might donate used burlap sacks.
  • Theresa and Kristi shared a new Garden Club/Sustainability Council partnership they have been discussing. Noting the oscillating student interest in summer garden maintenance, Kristi wondered if an employee/student mentorship might be a way to keep interest and accountability going.  Danielle did a lot of work in the fall to clear the overgrowth inside the garden area.  The Council agreed it’s worth a try.  Kristi will put together a blog post and share via the Newsplash and offer 3 raised beds on a first request basis.  Tim Larson and a student have shown interest in the hugal bed area, so they may take that area on this season.
  • Boreal Natives provided an estimate for site maintenance (and prescribed burn). $700 would cover the 3 areas that have been seeded since 2014.  The map below was provided by Boreal, and Kristi will work with them to correct the misrepresented area along the southern-most roadway.  Kristi asked ERTC if they might be able to burn these areas this fall, she has not received a response from Joe.  Noting this, Mike motioned we go ahead with the prescribed maintence per Borea’s quote and Kristi’s changes, Nate seconded, unopposed.

 

We are hiring a summer groundskeeping and trails manger student employee, as Danielle’s availability may be limited.  The position is posted on the LSC employment page.

 

Old Business

Nate gave an update on the LSC to Piedmont bikeways discussion we had with James Gittemeier from Met Interstate Council.  Brain Bich, Dave Israel, Jeremy Roseth, Joshua Tesch, Nate, Chris, and Kristi all attended this meeting.  James was very appreciative of our input and will get back in touch with us after he’s had a chance to review the suggestions we had.  Brian and Dave both offered to give James a tour of those prospective connections any time.

 

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

GreenCorps project(s) update:

  • Chris gave an update on the three types of power strips we purchased.  Tim has also been using a few and will expand the “test” scenario next week.  Kristi has been using the Belkin brand strip with a timer and desktop button, and this one seems the most appropriate for workspaces.  Anyone that has completed the Green Office survey can request a strip to use from Chris and offer their feedback.  We’ll share all of the information we gather with IT.
  • Chris again request that each Council member to urge their department to participate in the Green Office Challenge if they haven’t already.

 

Budget      

FY 18 budget balance: $6,771.00

Encumbrances to date:

  • Amazon (smart strips): $275
  • Amazon (pruners, compost bags for campus): $87.67
  • RSPT annual membership: $330
  • Menards: -300
    • Atrium soil, potting soil, landscape tools
  • Mileage reimbursement: MPCA site supervisor training: -160.50
  • Mileage B3 luncheon: -167.99
  • B3 luncheon registration: -27.37
  • AASHE annual membership: -280
  • Print/postage: -36.47

 

Review/revise FY18 potential budget items

  • Smart strips
  • Energy-related requests/ideas?
  • Bottle filling station for Atrium?
  • Picnic table under H catwalk, or Student Life area?
  • Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
  • Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin
  • workshops?

 

Next Meeting

Friday, April 6th, 9:00

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 3/5/2018.  Posted to LSC Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.

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Calling ALL Thumbs-New Garden Mentor Project

All of this week’s forecasted snow has us thinking spring!  The Sustainability Council is excited to partner with the Garden Club to announce a NEW garden mentor project this spring.

The idea is simple.  An LSC employee and at least one student will team up to adopt a raised bed in the LSC Garden Club vegetable garden (behind the H-building).  The LSC employee is responsible for recruiting an interested student, and the mentorship will share the responsibilities of planting, tending, and harvesting the goods.  The Garden Club may be able to provide plants, and the Sustainability Council will provide garden tools and storage space.

Now, we didn’t say who would mentor whom, because we think the benefit will go both ways!  We have 3 beds available for adoption, and they’ll be assigned on a first-ask basis so contact us soon (sustainability@lsc.edu) if you’re interested!  Happy spring planning!

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Meeting Agenda 3/2/2018

March 2nd, 2018 9:00

Student Life Conference Room

 

Announcements

Sustainability and S’Mores this afternoon, 2:00, at the Bagley Center

Weed Em Out: Invasives Workshop an invasive plants early detection workshop– March 27th,  9am-3:00, EPA

Duluth CISMA Stewardship Network – introductory conversation for local colleges and universities (March 7th or 14th, tbd)

 

New Business

S-building landscape discussion with Shoreview Natives

MREA PV Development for Institutions Course: quick update on lessons so far

Earth Day (April 19th) presentation/theme ideas

  • Theme: Food for Thought: The ecological impact of your everyday decisions
  • Food update (Danielle, Kristi, Connie)
  • Campus clean up-anyone want to take the lead on organizing/leading this? Do we need to provide incentive?

Garden/Grounds planning

  • Meeting with Shoreview Natives (update from Theresa, Danielle)
  • Tree planting, May 4th
  • Garden Club/Sustainability Council partnership on garden mentorship

Boreal Natives $200 site maintenance (motion needed)

Prescribed burn in native seeded areas, Boreal (quote for $500) or ERTC?

Summer groundskeeping and trails manger student employee needed

 

Old Business

Bikeway discussion follow-up (Nate, Dave…)

Facilities Comprehensive Plan forum (any interesting/pertinent take-aways?)

 

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

GreenCorps project(s) update (Chris)

  • Green Office Challenge
    • Participants so far, follow-up/outreach
  • Smart strips update

Trex recycling challenge update

Grounds (Danielle)

 

Budget

FY 18 budget balance: $6,771.00

Encumbrances to date:

  • Amazon (smart strips): $275
  • Amazon (pruners, compost bags for campus): $87.67
  • RSPT annual membership: $330
  • Menards: -300
    • Atrium soil, potting soil, landscape tools
  • Mileage reimbursement: MPCA site supervisor training: -160.50
  • Mileage B3 luncheon: -167.99
  • B3 luncheon registration: -27.37
  • AASHE annual membership: -280
  • Print/postage: -36.47

 

Review/revise FY18 potential budget items

  • Smart strips
  • Energy-related requests/ideas?
  • Bottle filling station for Atrium?
  • Picnic table under H catwalk, or Student Life area?
  • Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
  • Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin
  • workshops?

 

Next Meeting

Friday, April 6th, 9:00

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This Week in LSC’s GreenCorps Office: Smart Strips Battle Phantom Loads

Another thoughtful post from our GreenCorps member, Chris…

Have you ever thought about how much time your computer and everything else at your office desk spends idle when you aren’t there?  That thought is the starting point for one of the main projects of the GreenCorps service year.  There is no way around it; your computer display(s) and all other electronics at your desk spend a lot of time sitting idle, and even though they’re not in use these appliances are all still drawing power from the outlet they are plugged into (it’s called phantom load, in case that shows up on an exam).  “Phantom use” sounds diabolical…and it is.  It accounts for more than 10 percent household energy use, $3 billion annually across the US!  Find more information from takecontrolandsave.coop.  It’s kind of like having leaking water facets in every room of your house. 

Math-tastic

First off, some background on the amount of idle energy use of computers on campus and how we got to that number.  We used the trusty kill-o-watt meters to measure a typical LSC employee workstation minus the laptop while one employee in our office was out for the week.  This employee took her computer with her (as many employees do) so the energy used was only to power the docking station and monitors at her workstation.  Using this week of data we came up with an approximation for the phantom energy use, that is to say the energy used when the equipment is still plugged in but not in use.  We approximated that equipment is typically idle for 16 hours a day (24 hours minus the standard 8 hour workday).  This means that during a standard 40 hour work week the equipment in your office sits idle for twice that time – 80 hours a week.  Combined with the full weekend days of Saturday & Sunday this brings the grand total of idle time to 128 hours per week.  The next part of the equation was take the amount of energy drawn over the course of the week in kilowatt hours  and divide it by the number of hours it was plugged in.  This gave us the energy use in kilowatt hours per hour and that number multiplied by 128 hours gave us the energy use for the idle equipment during a typical work week.  The final step here is to take that calculation of energy and turn it into a dollar value.  To do that we took the value for the workstations idle energy use and multiplied by an average of our electrical rate from MN Power for the 1st 6th months of 2017 which works out to .09 cents per kilowatt hour.  We then multiplied by 4.3, the average number of weeks per month, to get a monthly rate and multiplied that number by 12 to get a yearly cost.  After all of this math the grand total of the cost to power an idle workstation came to $2.26 per year without a computer in place, and $5.40 per year WITH a laptop left in place.  This number doesn’t seem particularly high, but when multipled across all the employees on the LSC campus (let’s say approximately 450) this means LSC is spending $1,000 to $2,000 a year to power workstations that are not actively being used.  This is a problem not only in the cost to operate them but also in the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated to provide the energy.  And this is just 1 example of phantom load on our campus. 

What a Waste!

Enter smart power strips as a  solution.  As you can guess from the name they are basically regular surge protectors with features to either automatically or manually stop the power draw from devices that are plugged into them.  With approval from the Sustainability Council, we have purchased a handful of smart power strips to test (first with our Green Office Challenge participants).  These strips, if purchased instead of regular surge protectors, will be especially useful where workstations are often idle.  Our early trials are promising,  showing almost ZERO phantom loss overnight.  Stay tuned for more updates about the trial of these smart power strips and other phantom load analyses.  If you would like a workstation energy assessment, let us know: sustainability@lsc.edu!

 

 

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Meeting Minutes 2/2/2018

9:00 – 10:30

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Tim Leudke, Kristi Heintz, Marissa Berger, Danielle Wood, Mike Francisco, Theresa Hornstein, Eric Brandt, Deanne Roquet, Nate Bronk, Glenn Merrick, Jenna Trenberth

General Members present:

Guest Present: Chris Whaley

 

Announcements

Introductions and welcoming of potential new members, Tim and Jenna!

 

LSC to Piedmont bikeways discussion with James Gittemeier (Met Interstate Council) will happen Tues Feb 6th, from 10:30-11:30 in S2920.  Anyone interested is welcome to join.

 

The Twin Ports-Campus Sustainability Network (TP-CSN) is hosting a collaborative student gathering: S’Mores and Sustainability Social @ Bagley on Mar 2 from 2:00-4:00.  This is the Friday just before spring break, so no idea how many students might be interested.  Eric suggested we maybe offer an on-campus rendezvous point prior, and everyone is on their own for transport.

 

New Business

Kristi gave an update on the first week of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) PV Development for Institutions Course.  Each week’s module includes an assignment.  Kristi asked if the Sustainability Council would like to provide feedback on those assignments.  Some were interested, so Kristi will share the working OneDrive folder with the Council and request feedback each Wednesday before assignments are submitted.  Glenn asked what the goal of this course was.  Kristi offered that it’s an opportunity for us to be guided through content that will help us weigh a number of options for solar deployment and hopefully quantify some of the educational benefits an installation would bring.  Our NREL assessment showed a 19 kW array would be marginally cost effective, and would supply 1% of our load.

 

Kristi gave an update on this year’s LSC Earth Day (April 19th) presentation with Shawna Weaver from Ethical Choices Program.  Shawna is available and would like to run 2 45-minute presentations, and the Council thought an 11 and noon session would work well.  The first session focus on food, the second on conventional farming.  The group agreed we should offer some healthy and ethical food options, Kristi will ask Shawna if she has any ideas, perhaps we can collaborate with the Café?  Deanne will ask Connie if she has any ideas.  Danielle suggested maybe the Co-op can do some healthy eating demos.  Kristi will ask Heather/Roxanne if they want to incorporate that too. Jenna mentioned Open House is the following day, and it would be great to put more focus on campus clean-up for our event on the 19th.  Maybe we can ask if Student Life would provide financial incentive to clubs to help with this effort.  Glenn suggested we invite the Ikes to table, Deanne suggested we invite Julie from DNR to maybe represent the Twin Ports Climate Coalition.  Kristi will send tale invites in a couple of weeks.  If anyone has a snappy theme idea, message Kristi.

 

The annual Regional Stormwater Protection Team (RSPT) dues are now due.  The dues were increased this year from $300 to $330.  The group discussed the value of our membership.  Glenn motioned to pay the dues, Deanne seconded, notion carried unopposed.

 

Kristi shared the Climate Committee’s request for outdoor gathering spaces.  Related, Glenn wants to plant 1,000 trees on the H-building hillside this spring.  This will require a pretty immense amount of prep and planting work.  Ideally, tree sapling planting will occur on May 4th to involve students.  Trees have been ordered from the DNR.  Perhaps we can use Earth Day to drum up interest in helping with the planting?

 

Kristi also asked if anyone had ideas for the front wildflower area, as the weed population has grown in recent years, almost making it unmanageable with our current manual and herbicide-free practice.  Tim and Danielle suggested reaching out to some local contractors for advice and get an idea of what it might cost to take on a project like this.  Danielle suggested more perennials like milkweed.  Kristi will hold off on our usual seed order until more planning happens.

 

Old Business

The Climate Leadership Network official withdrawal letter has been sent; no feedback from the CLN thus far.

 

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

GreenCorps project(s) update:

  • Chris gave an update on his energy use analysis (employee work stations and kitchenette appliance, both normal use and phantom load) and offered some suggestions for new smart strips.  Tim noted that IT would like to test run one of each to make sure they are work for their needs.  Deanne suggested we buy 3 of each kind, Mike seconded.
  • Chris noted 4 office have completed the Green Office Challenge, and we’ve received some great feedback and offered some pretty easy change suggestions.  Kristi asked each Council member to urge their department to participate if they haven’t already.

Danielle reported the grounds are still frozen.

 

Budget      

FY 18 total budget: $7,399.26

Encumbrances to date:

  • Menards: -300
    • Atrium soil, potting soil, landscape tools
  • Mileage reimbursement: MPCA site supervisor training: -160.50
  • Mileage B3 luncheon: -167.99
  • B3 luncheon registration: -27.37
  • AASHE annual membership: -280
  • Print/postage: -18.04

 

Review/revise FY17potential budget items

  • Trees for H-hillside (Glenn)
  • Energy-related requests (smart strips?)
  • Picnic table under H catwalk, or Student Life area?
  • Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
  • Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin
  • workshops?

 

Meeting adjourned 10:45

Next Meeting

Friday, March 2nd, 9:00

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 2/2/2018.  Posted to LSC

Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.

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Meeting Agenda 1/12/18

Announcements

LSC to Piedmont bikeways discussion with James Gittemeier (Met Interstate Council) Tues Feb 6th, 10:30-11:30

S’Mores and Sustainability Social @ Bagley ((Twin Ports-Campus Sustainability Network (TP-CSN)), Mar 2, 2:00-4:00

  • Should we offer transportation? Student Life?

 

New Business

MREA PV Development for Institutions Course: participants announced

  • First week feedback and assignment review (Al, Wade, Kristi)
  • Ongoing assignment input from the Council?

Earth Day (April 19th) presentation/theme ideas

Regional Stormwater Protection Team (RSPT) annual dues (motion needed)

Garden/Grounds planning

Sunrise Movement request for speaking opportunity March 14-18

 

Old Business

Climate Leadership Network, official withdrawl letter submitted

 

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

GreenCorps project(s) update (Chris)

  • December small appliance and technology audit results
  • Green Office Challenge
    • Participants so far, follow-up/outreach plan

Trex recycling challenge update (Jose)

Grounds (Danielle)

 

Budget 

FY 18 total budget: $7,399.26

Encumbrances to date:

  • Menards: -300
    • Atrium soil, potting soil, landscape tools
  • Mileage reimbursement: MPCA site supervisor training: -160.50
  • Mileage B3 luncheon: -167.99
  • B3 luncheon registration: -27.37
  • AASHE annual membership: -280
  • Print/postage: -18.04

 

Review/revise FY18 potential budget items

  • Smart strips
  • Energy-related requests/ideas?
  • Bottle filling station for Atrium?
  • Picnic table under H catwalk, or Student Life area?
  • Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
  • Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin
  • workshops?

 

Next Meeting

Friday, March 2nd, 9:00

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Air Quality Index for Minnesota

One of the secondary roles of all GreenCorps members this program year is to inform employees of our host site and the community at large about air quality.  The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) maintains an Air Quality Index (AQI) for the state of MN using data from 11 cities across the state.  The MPCA has this information, broken down into local regions, on their Current Air Quality website which is updated every hour.  These hourly AQI numbers are based on measurements of five pollutants including fine particles, ground-level ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

The actual calculation of the index is a rather complex process but the MPCA has that information on their website for those who are interested.  Once the index is calculated (this happens hourly) it is scored on a 5 tier/300 point scale from good (0-50), moderate (51-100), unhealthy for sensitive groups (101-150), unhealthy (151-200), and very unhealthy (201-300).  When the particulate with the highest scored AQI exceeds 101 the MPCA will issue an air quality alert.  You can sign up to be notified by email or text message when an alert is issued by going to www.mn.enviroflash.info.  The MPCA also has mobile apps for both Android & iOS devices to view real-time air quality information on the go.  The EPA uses a very similar scale to rate air quality for the entire United States, you can view this information at https://www.airnow.gov.

You can use this information to make informed decisions about your time spent outside.  Most days in Minnesota fall into the good air quality category meaning that air pollution levels are not expected to cause any negative health impacts to the population.  However, when the air quality falls into the moderate category, it means air pollution levels are elevated and some groups such as people with asthma may experience negative health effects.  If the air quality worsens, high levels of air pollution are expected and can affect a wider range of people.  Some of these groups include those with preexisting cardiovascular or lung disease, older adults, children, and otherwise healthy individuals participating in extended outdoor activity.  Finally when the air quality reaches the unhealthy category, everyone can experience negative side effects.  All groups of people should avoid spending time outside especially near high emitting pollution sources, and everyone should adjust activity levels by rescheduling or reducing the duration or intensity of their activities where possible.

There are a number of factors that can influence air quality in Minnesota.  The most common cause is changing weather patterns that increase rate at which air pollutants are formed in the air.  Fine particle pollution can rise above the good threshold at any time of the year but this happens most often between November and March.  These pollutants are what caused the air quality to fall into the moderate category across much of the state last week.  Ozone pollution tends to be more common on hot sunny days with calm winds.  Ozone pollution is also different than other types of pollutants because it is not directly emitted from a fixed source but rather is formed from a reaction between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the air.

One very important thing to remember is that there are many things that you can do to keep the air good in Minnesota.  In your home you can choose environmentally safe paints and cleaning products if at all possible.  Another great day-to-day change you can make is to drive less both for commuting and errands.  If you have a wood burning stove make sure that it meets EPA design specifications and burn only dry, seasoned wood.  You can also reduce your homes energy use and choose Energy Star appliances when purchasing new ones.  Now you know the pollutants, how they are measured, factors that influence daily air quality and most importantly, what you can do to help!

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Meeting Minutes 1/12/2018

9:00 – 10:45

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Kristi Heintz, Marissa Berger, Danielle Wood, Mike Francisco, Eric Brandt, Cliff Koski, Deanne Roquet, Dave Israel, Eric Brandt, Wade Gordon

General Members present:

Guest Present: Chris Whaley

 

Announcements

 

New Business

Following December’s meeting and conversation with Al, Kristi drafted an official withdrawal notice for the Climate Leadership Network/ACUPCC, on behalf of President Johns.  The Council took time during the meeting to review the draft and edit for content and typos.  The Council agreed the letter adequately represented the group and campus’ position on membership.  Kristi will send the draft to Debbie/Pat for his consideration and ask him to forward to the Climate Leadership Network.

 

This summer, Janet Blixt asked Kristi to update the review the LSC Wikipedia page to include additional information regarding our more recent sustainability efforts.  Kristi has edited and asked for Sustainability Council review.  All agreed it was an accurate representation, and like that it links to our campus’s sustainability webpage, but felt it needed a brief reference to our MS4/stormwater efforts and local affiliation.  There may even be an appropriate place to put this info in the “facilities” section of the Wikipedia page.

 

While updating the Wikipedia page, Kristi thought it might be a good time to revisit the LSC Sustainability mission statement.  The Council will maybe take this on another time.

 

Kristi sat in on a webinar for the Green Ribbon Schools award.  This is an annual application/award program for both higher education and K-12 institutions.  Each state accepts and scores applicants and forwards their top candidates to the U.S. Department of Education for national pool review.  Kristi asked the Council if anyone if this is something we should pursue.  All agreed it might be good if anyone has time.  Perhaps we would seek support from our PR department.  LSC has never applied for this award. Pre-application (a simple “intent to apply” is due Feb 1 and the full application is due Mar 7.  Kristi will work through this if time allows.

 

Emily Ziring from the Minnesota State System Office shared that the “APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities” is seeking campus sustainability case studies for their annual publication.  Kristi thought it might be cool to share a story about our collaborative project with WLSSD’s community compost drop site.  The Council agreed it would be nice to submit, time allowing. The application deadline is only a couple of weeks away.

 

Kristi was excited to share details of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) PV Development for Institutions Course she applied for and was accepted to participate in.  The course will run from January 29 – March 25.  The intent of the course is to lead a team of 5 members within an institution through all the steps of planning and deploying PV on a campus.  There are a number of “teams” participating in the course.  Modules are completed weekly, for 8-weeks, at our own pace but we have an opportunity to attend weekly webinars with PV industry professionals and ask questions.  The LSC includes Kristi (team lead), Al Finlayson, Wade Gordon, Jon Lintula, Steve Oberstar and Alan Ahlberg.  Right now, some team members are participating in the PV 101 optional “pre-req” course.  Kristi will provide monthly updates to the Council as the course proceeds.  Related, Wade reported PV course work (certificate or other track) development is being discussed amongst deans and Workforce Development.

 

Related to our PV course Kristi asked Emily Ziring for additional guidance on Minnesota State’s position on solar PV deployment and also asked for a list of campuses that have deployed PV to date.  Most campuses have installed systems <10kW, and may have been program or education driven, as opposed to primarily driven to generate/save campus electricity.  Emily will be providing campus guidance via PowerPoint, sometime in February.  Great timing.

 

Kristi shared that we are about half-way through our Trex soft plastics recycling drive and about 50% to our goal.  At the December meeting, Danielle through a “plastic bag drive” might be a good idea to get a final push on plastics collection and also promote more recycling.  It’s a great idea, and Kristi thought we might tie it to our March 22nd annual recognition of World Water Day.  We can maybe showcase the project in March and use the day as a celebration and outreach effort.  Danielle and Kristi will work on that project.  Anyone else can join in planning if they’d like to.

 

The Council decided our Earth Day could be celebrated on April 19th.  Last week, the Biology Department faculty received an offer from Shawna Mullen about her willingness to present to classes on the Ethical Choices Program.   Many of the Program’s themes focus on food and healthy decision-making, and there are 4 pre-designed interactive talks to choose from.  The Council reviewed the programs, narrowed it down to their two favorites, and would like to hear Shawna’s opinion of the most appropriate message for the audience.  Shawna also teaches at St. Scholastica, so would have a very good idea of demographic messaging.  Kristi will follow up with Shawna and ask if she is available, and go from there.  The Council will also invite Heather to the February Council meeting to continue Earth Day planning.

Kristi and Chris will do another energy walk-though over break, replicating results from 2009 and 2011, to quantify costs (energy and dollar) of small appliances and heaters.  This information will be useful in out Green Office roll-out.

 

Old Business

Kristi has heard feedback from maintenance and the nighttime supervisor, Craig, about their wanting some training for employees about proper recycling practice in offices.  In response, Kristi used the Duty Day gallery walk table to “Talk Trash” with faculty and staff.  Kristi also invited Sarah Lehrol from WLSSD to promote the LSC Community Compost drop site and offer home composting tips and bins for those that wanted them.  People were very receptive to the information.
Chris also tabled and kicked off the Green Office Challenge. He provided ¼ page cards to interested employees, with Kristi’s Trash Talking/recycling info on the back.

 

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

GreenCorps project(s) update:

  • Kristi and Chris had stickers and maps designed for the Green Office Challenge, and Chris kicked it off at the January 4th Duty Day. Kristi has a blog post available with the link to the google GO Challenge survey and information went out in the Newsplash this Monday.  Chris reported there have been 2 “teams” that have completed the survey and asked for additional resources. Win!
    • Marissa asked if there is a hard-copy version available for the survey, if anyone were to want to print and work through the survey over time with their team. Chris will look at this and maybe create .pdf that we can post on the blog.  Great idea.
  • Chris gave an update on his small appliance and technology audit. He is almost done and talked about some of the high level findings.  Largely, some computer settings or steps on how to most efficiently set personal laptops would be a nice resource that he could develop.  He’ll quantify more results on appliance use in the coming weeks.

 

Budget      

FY 18 total budget: $7,399.26

Encumbrances to date:

  • Menards: -300
    • Atrium soil, potting soil, landscape tools
  • Mileage reimbursement: MPCA site supervisor training: -160.50
  • Mileage B3 luncheon: -167.99
  • B3 luncheon registration: -27.37
  • AASHE annual membership: -280
  • Print/postage: -18.04

 

Review/revise FY17potential budget items

  • Trees for H-hillside (Glenn)
  • Energy-related requests (smart strips?)
  • Picnic table under H catwalk, or Student Life area?
  • Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
  • Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin
  • workshops?

 

Meeting adjourned 10:45

Next Meeting

Friday, February 2nd, 9:00

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 1/16/2018.  Posted to LSC Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.

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Meeting Agenda 1/12/18

January 12th, 2018 9:00

Student Life Conference Room

 

Announcements

 

New Business

Climate Leadership Network, official withdrawl letter (review)

Review/update LSC’s Sustainability mission statement

Review LSC Wikipedia page for Sustainability statement

Green Ribbon Schools award application – Feb 1: submit intent to apply, Mar 7: application due

MREA PV Development for Institutions Course: January 29 – March 25

  • Minn State campuses w/ PV

Soft Plastics recycling drive + World Water Day, March 22nd

Earth Day presentation/theme ideas

APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities seeking campus sustainability case studies

H-building hillside spring tree planting strategy

Old Business

Trash Talk @ duty day

 

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

GreenCorps project(s) update (Chris)

  • December small appliance and technology audit results
  • Green Office Challenge
    • Participants so far, follow-up/outreach plan

Trex recycling challenge update (Jose)

Graphic Design/Grounds (Danielle)

 

Budget

FY 18 total budget: $7,399.26

Encumbrances to date:

  • Menards: -300
    • Atrium soil, potting soil, landscape tools
  • Mileage reimbursement: MPCA site supervisor training: -160.50
  • Mileage B3 luncheon: -167.99
  • B3 luncheon registration: -27.37
  • AASHE annual membership: -280
  • Print/postage: -18.04

 

Review/revise FY18 potential budget items

  • Energy-related requests/ideas?
  • Bottle filling station for Atrium?
  • Picnic table under H catwalk, or Student Life area?
  • Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
  • Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin
  • workshops?

 

Next Meeting

Friday, February 2nd, 9:00

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LSC Launches NEW Green Office Challenge

LSC is launching its NEW Green Office Challenge in 2018!  This core  Minnesota GreenCorps member project aims to provide energy and waste efficiency information and tips to our campus employees while offering a bit of friendly inter-office competition.  Here’s how it works:

  1. Within their office suites, teams will earn points using our online survey.  One representative will complete the Green Office Challenge survey to represent their office suite/team.  The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete (easy-peasy!) and covers current practices for managing energy and waste.
  2. Each team will receive a score, based on a 37 point scale, and will receive a “Sprout”, “Sapling”, or “Leader” rank, and will be represented with a sticker to proudly display in their office.

The Sustainability Council will use the information gathered to target its outreach and innovation efforts for the year, and through 2018, they’ll create additional awards (think, “leading leader”, “most improved”, “best new idea”, “most creative accounting”….).

As of the end of May we have had 13 teams (including our office in the Biology dept.) fill out the survey.  We also have a follow up survey available so we can track the changes that offices are making.  If you would rather complete a paper version of either survey email christopher.whaley@lsc.edu.

Questions or Suggestions:  Contact sustainability@lsc.edu

 

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