GREEN NEWS

Team Hosts Annual Mulching Mania

On March 19, 2015, the Sustainability Team held their annual Mulching Mania event in the quad near the Riverfront Center with the goal of promoting water conservation.

Volunteers, spanning several student groups on campus, including Alpha Phi Omega, and the Full Circle Project, spread mulch under 53 trees in the main quad, and across the entire rose garden. "Spreading mulch around trees and in plant beds is an effective way to keep moisture in the ground so our campus will use less water in the future," said Recycling Coordinator Joey Martinez. "The event engages and empowers the student populace, as well as the staff who also participated, to make a positive change within their own University."

This is the Sustainability Team’s third mulching mania event, the first dating back to 2013. However, this single mulching event is only part of a greater project. "This project is just the tip of the iceberg. Sac State is committing to adding mulch throughout campus. Sac State’s Sustainability Team, and Grounds and Landscaping are actively working with the city of Sacramento to obtain wood chips that will be distributed throughout so we can conserve water over the entire campus," said Joey.

A representative from the Sacramento Tree Foundation was on hand to assist volunteers as they learned the proper methods for spreading mulch, and the importance of water conservation in California. "In a drought as severe as ours, every water conservation method is crucial and the Sac State community understands this," said Joey.

Several of the student volunteers are committed to participating in multiple sustainability events. "Four volunteers from the Full Circle Project were helping as part of a bigger project for one of their classes," said Sustainability and Operations Analyst Kristina Cullen. "They will also do a river clean up with us next week, host a table in the quad for Earth Day and then do a presentation in their class for their final."

Staff is welcomed and encouraged to join student volunteers. If you are interested in participating in future mulching or sustainability events, contact Joey Martinez at jmartinez@csus.edu or Kristina Cullen at kristina.cullen@csus.edu.

Sac State Celebrates Earth Day

On April 16, Sac State celebrated its second annual Earth Day, as vendors, students, staff, and volunteers participated in activities near the library quad and all across campus.

According to the flier promoting the event, "This year's Earth Day promises to showcase the many strides the campus is making in the areas of Energy and Water conservation and in Green Transportation and Sustainable Food practices." One way Sac State's Sustainability Team highlighted these efforts was through a Campus Sustainability Tour, with over 20 points of interest and discussion.

Tour participants were greeted by Kristina Cullen, sustainability and operations analyst. The tour began at The WELL, which is LEED Gold certified, and continued through Earth Day activities in the Library quad. The tour concluded at the Sustainability Technology Optimization Research Center (STORC). There, participants could learn about the many projects currently underway, including stormwater research, biodiesel production, aquaponics and wicking beds, which prevent overwatering of plants using a passive drip water system.

For those interested, a copy of the tour's major points of interest is available here.

Participation in this year's event was high. Over 50 vendors registered to attend this year, as well as dozens of fraternities and sororities. A dunk-tank game was featured, with fraternities and sororities getting limited throws based on the weight of the recyclables brought to the event.

Recyclable products accepted this year included:

• Batteries and Light Bulbs
• Aluminum Cans, Glass and Plastic Bottles
• Electronic Waste
• Used Car Batteries
• Select Expired or Unused Prescription Medications
• Used Cooking Oil
• Toner and Ink Cartridges
• Gently Used Clothes and Shoes
• Select Latex Paints (In their original cans w/ labels)

No waste was made of the water featured in the dunk tank; the water was later transferred to the STORC for their stormwater research project.

Administrative Support Staff member Nikolas Soza was on hand, and in costume, attracting students and visitors to the Sustainability booth,  encouraging others to get involved. "I volunteer for Earth Day because of the message Sac State Sustainability represents," said Soza. "When volunteering, I spread the message that Earth Day reminds us  -  we only have one earth and limited resources."

New Sustainable Lights Brighten Pathway

In March, Facilities Management completed the installation of 17 new energy efficient lights that span the length of the bike path approaching the Guy West Bridge.

According to Bena Arao, director of administrative services in Facilities Management, the new lights are more energy efficient "and keep the same look and feel on the college side of the levee as the bridge side." Sacramento State is responsible for managing the college side of the levee, while the City of Sacramento manages the bridge side.

So far, feedback from staff has been positive. These lights will provide a higher quality light than the previous sodium-based lighting. "We have installed a better type of light that increases the area covered, improves the look of the ramp, and reduces energy consumption," said Arao.

Check out the new lights today on the bike path near the Guy West Bridge!