Scribd
Upload
43 views

Projects Across Campus: Students Install A Rain Garden

The document discusses various sustainability projects and initiatives underway at USF. It describes how students installed a rain garden to capture and filter storm runoff. It also discusses how the new residence halls were constructed with sustainable features like low-flow fixtures and efficient HVAC systems, resulting in reduced natural gas and water consumption. Additionally, the document outlines efforts to "bio-dredge" Mirror Lake using natural bacterial processes instead of mechanical dredging.

Uploaded by

ainonlela
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
43 views

Projects Across Campus: Students Install A Rain Garden

The document discusses various sustainability projects and initiatives underway at USF. It describes how students installed a rain garden to capture and filter storm runoff. It also discusses how the new residence halls were constructed with sustainable features like low-flow fixtures and efficient HVAC systems, resulting in reduced natural gas and water consumption. Additionally, the document outlines efforts to "bio-dredge" Mirror Lake using natural bacterial processes instead of mechanical dredging.

Uploaded by

ainonlela
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

PROJECTS ACROSS CAMPUS

The Green Campus Committee comprised of facuty, staff and students as


well as the student-driven club, Eco, continually brainstorm new ideas to
"green" campus. These efforts have awarded USF the Allen County Solid
Waste Management District's 3R Award for excellence in recycling, reuse
and waste reduction.
STUDENTS INSTALL A RAIN GARDEN
Senior Cole De'Nise designed and planned a campus raingarden to
captures and filter storm run-off from the Pope John Paul II Center student
parking lot. On April 26 members of Student Government Association,
Student Activities Council, Cougars Care Club and TrimLine put their
muscle to work, shoveling a few cubic yards of heavy, wet clay. Various
flood and drought tolerant species such as little bluestem, oehme sedge,
coneflower, turtlehead, salvia and stonecrop were planted. Then the
garden was backfilled with organic soil and mulched.
In the fall, Dr. Louise Weber's science classes will rebuild the drainage
area as well as make improvements to USF"s original 2009 rain garden
that handles run-off from the Pope John Paul II Center's employee parking
lot.
NEW RESIDENCE HALLS SAVE RESOURCES
Students living in the Clare Hall and Bonzel Hall appreciate the sustainable

features incorporated. Environmentally friendly products include:


low-flow shower heads, toilets, and aerators
energy efficient windows and HVAC system
room thermostats with external controls to prevent overuse during
warm or cold weather
blown cellulose insulation made from recycled newspapers
LEED certified paint
These initiatives resulted in a 39% reduction in natural gas consumption
for heating and a 16% reduction in water use (over 1.5 million gallons)!

Additionally, as part of USF's green campus focus, contractors were asked


to sign a Green Campus Construction Initiative agreeing to uphold
sustainability practices, and resourcefully use or recycle all construction
materials with minimal amounts sent to landfills.
"BIO-DREDGING" MIRROR LAKE
The common method of mechanical dreging, removal of settled organic
material, is destructive to the landscape and sends tons of waste to the
landfill. USF worked with Sanco Industries in 2011, 2012 and again in
2013 to increase oxygenation and bacterial enzyme activity in the Lake to
naturally reduce organics. In some parts of the lake up to 17 inches of
submerged leaves and other organics were digested, improving water
quality, clarity, light penetration and biodiversity.
Mirror Lake at USF serves several purposes: campus aesthetics, a resource
for biology laboratory classes and research, and saving grace during
inclement weather. It's a little known fact that for years storm sewers in
nearby neighborhoods have drained into Mirror Lake. USF and the City of
Fort Wayne together are permit holders for Mirror Lake's use as a storm
water retention lake. Because USF values water quality and biodiversity in
Mirror Lake, it is important that area residents prevent pollutants from
entering storm sewers. A few simple rules of thumb will keep Mirror Lake

clean and healthy.


Never allow any chemicals to enter the storm sewer.
Wash the car in the yard so grass and soil absorb and neutralize the
soap and water. Chemicals break down more readily in soil than in water.
Sweep your driveway and sidewalks, rather than hose them off.
Keep leaves and other debris away from storm sewer drains.
USF has applied logos to campus storm sewer drains educating the public
that the drains flow to a natural waterway. Consider that nearly anywhere
you go in Fort Wayne, discharges to storm drains eventually go to the
local St. Mary's, St. Joseph or Maumee Rivers. Since we get our drinking
water from local water, the cleanliness of our rivers is vital. Often times
the aquatic life that is most sensitive to pollutants are also the ones that
are helping by filtering the water further. The cleaner the water, the
greater biodiversity, and...the cleaner the water - a wonderful cycle when
nature is in balance!
FOOD SERVICES INITIATIVES
USF's Food Services provided, AVI, has taken strides to "green" their
operations. The conversion to trayless dining, restricts what people can

carry and has reduced food waste by 20%. Food Services has also
elimated all Styrofoam, replacing it with biodegradable, non-waxed paper
packaging. Used cooking oil is sent off for use in the flavoring of pet food.
Leftovers are donated to local food banks/shelters. Learn more.

PAPERLESS
The Offices of Financial Aid and Admissions have dramatically reduced
paper use by changing processing methods Admissions saves up to
23,500 sheets of paper per year and Financial Aid saves over 15,000
sheets annually. Student Life now publishes the student handbook
electronically, saving 600,000 sheets annually. Course schedules will no
longer be printed begining with the Spring 2013 schedule, saving 250,000
sheets of 11x17 paper. Schedules can be viewed online.
RECYCLED PAPER
USF has been recycling paper and using recycled content paper on
campus for years. All colored paper, white paper, and some cardstock
used in the campus Copy Center are 30% post-consumer recycled content
and

Green

Seal

Certified.

Please further support our efforts by purchasing post-consumer recycled


content always recycling paper whether you are on or off campus. Paper
products recycled on campus can earn cash for the university for
additional environmental initiatives.
EFFICIENT LIGHTING
The University has converted to fluorescent lamps to reduce energy
costs and has even purchased energy saving LED Christmas lights for
decorating the campus during the holidays. These new LED lights use 20%
less energy compared to older lights used on campus. We are also using
lighting sensors in select areas. Even though the USF has added buildings
to the campus and changed most fixtures from incandescent to
fluorescent and LED sources, the volume of "burned out" lamps has
decreased. This is the result of energy minimization tactics and changes in
operations policy, such as lights off and low lighting policies

By replacing older lights we are committing to use the best technology


with the lowest energy cost. On the downside all fluorescent lamps
contain mercury, a toxic heavy metal that affects the nervous system,
kidneys, lungs and sensory organs. For this reason it is important to use a
licensed recycling facility once the bulb has burned out. USF contracts
with an industrial company, but homeowners can recycle fluorescent
lamps at Home Depot or Connolly's Do-It-Best.

OTHER WAYS WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE


Using paper towels and toilet paper made from recycled paper
products
Purchasing picnic tables and benches made from recycled plastic
bottles
Using electronic paper towel dispensers in Pope John Paul II Center
Regulating thermostats and water heaters throughout campus to
reduce energy waste
Replacing standard T12 style fluorescent tubes with even more
efficient T8 tubes campus-wide
Purchasing non-toxic cleaning products when able
Using rechargeable batteries in lieu of disposable batteries
Setting electronics to use energy saver features
Investigating environment friendly options for controlling plant
growth around Mirror Lake
Aerating lawns and regulating frequency and time of day of mowing
to reduce air pollution
Purchasing electric equipment instead of gas, diesel, or kerosene
powered when able
Installing more bicycle racks to encourage commuting by bike
Installing TPO energy efficient roofing systems
Sponsoring electronics recycling events for the community

You might also like