GREEN NEWS

ABA to Collaborate on Water Protection Project

ABA is excited to partner with the Office of Water Programs (a University Enterprises, Inc. program) and the City of Sacramento on a project to design and construct low-impact development (LID) storm water devices on campus. The project will develop up to 25 LID devices that will reduce pollutants going into the American and Sacramento rivers. The devices include retention basins, bio-swales, rain gardens, and impervious disconnects to capture runoff from roads, parking lots, open spaces and roofs.

Sac State was selected as the ideal location for its public accessibility, proximity to the American River and its educational mission. The project will both capitalize on and strengthen the University’s expertise and leadership for sustainable practices in the region. Moreover, project outcomes are expected to help protect state water resources that are vital to the public health, the state’s economy, and the environment through control of water pollution and contamination. The Office of Water Programs will be responsible for testing and monitoring the effectiveness of the project on the region’s river ways.

The University is currently in the contracting process and expects to complete design of the project in March 2015 and begin construction in June.
 
The $2.3 million project is funded by Proposition 84 grant monies through the Department of Water Resources, with matching funds provided by the University, along with in-house labor for landscaping. Proposition 84 is the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006.

Sustainability Team Adopts a Mile

Sac State's Sustainability Team joined the American River Parkway Foundation's Adopt the Parkway program as the Volunteer Steward for "Mile 7 South" of the parkway. This means that they will act as the volunteer coordinator for litter clean-up efforts along the river. In addition, they will monitor the area for needed improvements, reporting broken picnic tables and other issues to the American River Parkway Foundation. The team will coordinate with volunteers to participate in these maintenance and improvement activities.

The American River Parkway Foundation requires at least 20 man-hours a quarter to participate in the program. What does this mean for the students of Sac State? Well, the American River has long been considered a big part of Sac State's identity. This project will allow University students, faculty and staff to take a greater, hands-on leadership role to ensure that their adopted slice of the river and parkway is clean and well cared for.

The Mile 7 South adoption project has the potential to inspire the campus community to become more invested as environmental stewards for the campus and its surroundings, and to claim the river as its own.

Mile 7 South is approximately indicated by the yellow line. It starts alongside the Campus Commons Golf Course and ends just south of the Guy West Bridge.

Water Conservation Efforts Pay Off

In a recent issue, ABA FOCUS reported on efforts to reduce water use on campus, through plants that consume less water, and the installation and replacement of 519 toilets and bathroom fixtures, campuswide. These efforts were undertaken to help address the record drought facing California and to practice good stewardship.

Facilities Management is proud to report that these efforts are paying off. In September, campus water consumption decreased by 13 percent per capita, compared to September of last year. This is a direct reflection of the changes made to campus restrooms.

On the irrigation side, Facilities Management has decreased its water usage by 40 percent compared to last year. These drastic water savings are the result of a combination of factors. "We decreased our watering times, changed out sprinkler heads to better match the terrain, and have been more careful about when we water. We did also get more rain in 2014 as well," said Facilities Operations Director Daryn Ockey.

Water conservation is a team effort. In addition to grounds maintenance employees looking for areas of over watering, Sac State's Sustainability Team has been surveying the campus after hours for broken sprinkler heads. "Having the sustainability group assist us is huge - they have a huge impact. They are out there looking for things and have been a big help," added Ockey. For more ways and tips on how to conserve water in daily life, check out Save Our Water's website.

Campus Energy Conservation Day a Success

On October 16, Sac State's Sustainability Team, in conjunction with partners from SMUD, PG&E and other local agencies, participated in Sac State's Energy Conservation Day. University Transportation & Parking Services (UTAPS) was also on hand to promote alternative transportation, and show off one of their newest parking enforcement vehicles, a new Prius hybrid.

Booths from each agency, as well as hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles, were on display to attract students, faculty, and staff as they passed by the library quad. The event included outreach to inform about personal electricity usage and featured some of the latest information and technology on energy conservation.

"The general message was two-fold: A) to instruct event attendees how they might augment their daily practices so as to conserve energy and reduce their energy bills, and B) to illustrate the many ways that Sac State is acting to conserve energy," said Recycling Coordinator Joey Martinez. "Attendees were also introduced to alternative energy conservation technologies that they might not normally experience, such as electric bikes and solar cookers."

It was an excellent occasion for raising awareness about energy conservation, and educating campus participants on ways each household can make an impact. "The event was a HUGE success," added Martinez. "The number of presenters and vendors more than doubled for this year’s event. Plus, many of the booths added an interactive element that drew in many more students."

The event yielded immediate results in the form of student pledges and signups: "We had a dozen pledges that ranged from unplugging unused electronics to using cold water for laundry and other energy saving practices. We also had another 37 students sign up to become part of our volunteer list," he said.

Facilities Management's Sustainability Team keeps impressing with their commitment to engaging students in conservation efforts. Keep an eye out for future events!

Compounds Provide Security/Encourage Alternative Transport

As a part of the greater goal of encouraging alternative transportation and safer use of bicycles on campus, University Transportation & Parking Services, Facilities Management, and Public Safety worked together to plan, construct and staff new bike compounds on campus.

There are two new compounds - one near Moraga/Sinclair Hall, and the other near the Academic Information Resource Center (AIRC). Both compounds are staffed by Sac State Community Service officers (CSOs). According to Senior Director of Transportation & Parking Services, Tony Lucas, "Staffed bike compounds are a good way to encourage bicycle registration and are effective at reducing bicycle thefts." Before the completion of the bicycle compounds, in the month of September, 16 bikes were reported stolen, according to Police Chief Mark Iwasa.

The compounds are supervised from 8 a.m. through 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday and until 5 p.m. on Fridays.

In addition to the added security benefits, students no longer need to worry about having to find a place to park their bikes. The new compounds provide over 450 additional bicycle parking spaces, and are at nearly 50 percent capacity every day. "ABA designed a system of biking on campus that includes green bike lanes, mixed used sidewalks (where appropriate) and increased bike parking," said Lucas. "All of this was a way to encourage safe biking and the use of bikes as an alternative to driving to campus."

For more information about bicycles on campus, view this informational brochure.

STORC Recognized as Center

Sacramento State recently announced that the Sustainable Technology Optimization Research Center (STORC) has been approved by the University as a Category II Center. Associate Vice President for Risk Management Services Michael Christensen, director of the STORC, assumes responsibility for ensuring STORC’s success. Professors and students interested in pursuing STORC-related research activities will work in close collaboration with Christensen.

Unique collaborative efforts across the University led to the establishment of STORC in January 2014. Students, faculty, and staff from Engineering and Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Arts and Letters, Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies joined forces with Facilities Management, Risk Management Services, Associated Students, Incorporated, and University Enterprises, Incorporated to make the STORC a success story for the University. The center provides excellent lab facilities for sustainability research undertaken by faculty and their students. Furthermore, projects and programs such as those currently housed at The STORC promote collaboration and support the University Strategic Plan by fostering innovative teaching, scholarship, and research opportunities for students and faculty.

The research center has already drawn many prominent visitors, including officials from the California Department of Fish and Game, local water agencies and SMUD.

At the center, the campus and the community can collaborate to develop efficient approaches to clean fuel, water management, farming and energy production. In an effort to showcase the already significant research being conducted, University Advancement, Communications and Stewardship, has produced this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIGBahTb4wE

Aligned with STORCs new status, the center recently launched a website touting their accomplishments and collaboration across the campus and in the community. Visit the STORC website here: http://www.csus.edu/STORC/.

STORC is also featured in the Fall 2014 Sac State Magazine story - Trash to Treasure.

Bike Paths Welcome Alternative Transportation

Over the summer, UTAPS, in coordination with Facilities Services, Public Safety, and the city of Sacramento, installed dedicated bike paths throughout Sacramento State's campus.

These bright green painted zones cover close to five miles of the campus, and indicate specific pathways for bicycle riders, accommodating students and the campus community, as well as visitors to the campus. These pathways help direct bicyclists to proper routes to help maintain the interior of the campus as "pedestrian-only." The project will encourage more students, faculty and staff to ride rather than drive, and to ride and park their bikes responsibly. To learn more, read the full article here.