“NBC Learn, an educational division of the television network, came to Baltimore recently to report on how the physical alteration of streams in urban areas makes it that much harder for them to handle polluted storm-water runoff. It highlights research on area streams that’s being led by Claire Welty, a hydrologist at University of Maryland Baltimore County,” writes Tim Wheeler of the Baltimore Sun.

Welty, the Director, Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education (CUERE) and professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering takes NBC Learn on a tour of Baltimore’s streams.

“With NBC correspondent Anne Thompson narrating, Welty shows and tells how the loss of vegetation along stream banks and their channeling through concrete culverts deprives them of natural ability to filter out the pollution that causes algae blooms locally and dead zones far downstream in the Chesapeake Bay. The culprits are nutrients – notably nitrates from fertilizer, animal waste and even fallout from air pollution – washed off city streets, parking lots and yards whenever it rains,” continues Wheeler.

You may watch the video here:
http://science360.gov/obj/tkn-video/f535d962-4086-4e01-8e0f-2a57f810738b/sustainability-water-baltimores-urban-streams

Sustainability: Water - Baltimore's Urban Streams

Baltimore, Maryland is a major city situated on the Chesapeake Bay- a sprawling 64,000 square mile watershed. Currently, the Chesapeake is facing an environmental crisis due to pollutants. Scientist Claire Welty of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County is monitoring the travel times of pollutants in the urban streams in and around Baltimore. Through her research, she hopes to gain an understanding of the urban water cycle, and how municipalities can better prevent pollutants from contaminating the greater watershed.

Provided by the National Science Foundation & NBC Learn

Runtime: 4:03

UMBC Named One of the Most Green Colleges

Join us in welcoming our summer sustainability fellows!

These UMBC students and recent graduates will be working on campus through the summer of 2013 to develop campus outreach efforts through strategic communciations, web design, marketing, and leadership development.

This well rounded group just started their positions last week but has given a great deal of thought and energy to how sustainability can be recognized, celebrated, and how we can foster community engagement in this important topic!

Jack Neumeier, Jack Neumeier, Health Admnistration and Policy, Class of 2015

Through Student Government, Jack has engaged all issues sustainability through the lens of civic agency: how do we as an institution empower students, and then channel that racous energy towards the stewardship of our Earth? Concerned with the issue of food security in Baltimore city, Jack has worked to establish community gaden initiatives through UMBC in order to create a stronger connection between students who want to address social change and the communities they're working to partner with.

Laura Bartock, Environmental Science, BS; Media and Communication Studies, BA; Pursing MS in Environmental Communication and Participatory Processess, Class of 2013

Laura has worked in a variety of environmental education settings, including in zoos and on sailboats, and is now focused on figuring out how to involve stakeholders in environmental decision-making. Laura has a strong science background as well as a background in communications, which helps her work with and between scientists and non-scientists.

 Garrett Hopkins, Environmental Science with a GIS Certificate, Class of 2014

Garrett has spent the last year learning about mapping techniques within ArcMap, and ArcCatalog, and learning more about weather. He feels these two fields complement each other well, and help display information to a general populus.

David Veckt, Environmental & Political Science, Class of 2015

David devotes himself to keeping up to date on politics and environmental policies around the world. He is passionate about urban sustainability, knowledge of green technologies, and water management. He plans on being involved in the political environmental sphere.

Transportation

Guide

Know your options:

6 Transit Shuttle Buses

http://umbc.edu/transit

UMBC’s Carpooling Program

Connect with UMBC carpoolers

  http://umbc.edu/go/alternetrides/

MTA – MD Public Transportation

Routes #35, 77, and 99 serve UMBC

http://mta.maryland.gov/

Zipcar – Car Share

http://zipcar.com/umbc                                

The new Performing Arts and Humanities Building is certainly a hub of creativity. But the building is more than a shell to house the arts, it has state of the arts innovations built into it's very structure!

The new building is still under construction, of course, but in the design, UMBC takes the natural environment into consideration. Protecting health and protecting nature go hand in hand and from non-toxic materials, reducing pollution, and protecting clean water, we have taken things to a whole new level.

Read on and follow the link below to get the whole picture!

Enjoy!
Tanvi

http://www.umbc.edu/pahb/sustainable_design.html

Sustainable Design Strategies

SITE
Rainwater Harvesting (for on-site irragation)
Reduce Impervious Area (increased storm water drainage)
Pervious Concrete Sidewalks
Reduced Light Pollution
White Roof (reducing urban heat island effect)
Integrated With Proximity to Public Transportation
Promote Bicycle Usage

ENERGY & WATER
HVAC Energy Modeling Design (reduce building operating cost)
Enhanced Commissioning (Increase efficiency and operation of HVAC and lighting systems)
Zero USe of CFC-based Refrigerants
HVAC System (flush out prior to occupancy)
Reduce Water Consumption by 40%
Sun Control Devices
Work With UMBC on Purchasing Green Power

INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY
Controllability of Systems (lighting and temperature controls)
Daylighting and Views of 75% of Space (creates healthier learning environment, increased attendance and grades)
Materials (regional, low-emitting, and no-VOC)
Implement Indoor Air Quality Management Plan During Construction (monitor to ensure appropriate ventilation)

Last week, AASHE launched several new features on the STARS website to make STARS data more accessible, promote benchmarking among institutions, and improve functionality within the STARS Reporting Tool. Many new features are available to AASHE members and STARS Participants, while a number of them will enhance usability for the general public as well. We hope these new enhancements will lead to an improved user experience!

Data Display Excel Exports
In response to member and participant feedback, AASHE members and STARS Participants can now access an Excel Export function within the STARS Score Display and Content Display for easier data manipulation. Previously, website users that were interested in obtaining and analyzing STARS score or content data would have to copy and paste to create datasets. However, this work-around required significant formatting and was not optimal in some web browsers. The export function now creates the desired dataset with no extra formatting required.

Unique URLs
All STARS data displays now include unique URLs reflecting the filters used and the type of score and content data requested. This new function allows for greater capability of sharing filtered lists of data with much less work involved. For example, an individual from an AASHE member institution can use the STARS Content Display to create a list of GHG emissions inventories for ACUPCC signatory institutions. The URL for this list can be bookmarked for later reference or shared with colleagues, researchers, and anyone else interested in accessing the data.

Institution Type Filter
In the STARS data displays and the Institutional Boundary section of the Reporting Tool, the Organization Type filter has been updated to reflect Carnegie Basic Type designations. Instead of identifying institutions as either 2-year or 4-year schools, the changes will provide greater detail, designating institutions as Associate, Baccalaureate, Master, Doctorate, Special Focus, or Tribal. This greater level of detail will allow for better benchmarking among higher education institutions and opportunities for learning about how institution type impacts sustainability performance.

Rated Institutions List and Public Reports
The interface for publicly available STARS Rated Institutions has been upgraded to better highlight those institutions that have submitted more than one report. For institutions with multiple reports, clicking on that institution name will direct website users to a STARS profile page that displays all reports for that institution (see below). In addition, geographic location is now listed under every STARS report.

Other Website Enhancements
In addition to the enhancements described below, the following have also been included in this feature release:

• The STARS Reporting Tool now accepts international characters and phone number formats, allowing for enhanced usability among international constituents.
• Improved documentation in the Campus Sustainability Data Collector will make the process of sharing sustainability data with other organizations more efficient and easier to understand.
• General performance improvements on the STARS website will allow for quicker response times.

A Look Ahead
AASHE is constantly working to identify new IT improvements to continuously improve STARS. Along with regular scheduled releases, several exciting new features will be introduced with the launch of STARS 2.0 expected later this year. One upcoming feature includes an online version of the STARS Technical Manual that will allow for comparability between STARS versions and will provide additional resources for STARS reporting not currently included in the PDF technical manual. Another feature to expect in the coming months is the introduction of a new NCAA conference filter in STARS data displays.

We are always looking for input and ideas on improving STARS through technological enhancements. To submit feedback on website usability, ideas for future releases, or any other STARS-related questions or issues, please email stars@aashe.org.

A Note about Accessibility:
Current AASHE Members and STARS Participants enjoy enhanced access to certain STARS data displays. (Learn about levels of access here.) To gain enhanced access or to learn about other benefits, please inquire about AASHE membership or STARS participation.

Students, this could be you! University of Tennessee Knoxville's Maria Rosales accepts her 2012 Student Sustainability Leadership Award.

The May 17 deadline to apply for an AASHE Sustainability Award is quickly approaching and we’ve got some exciting bonus elements to this year’s program to share with you.

For the first time ever, we will be announcing the finalists in each award category. This means that the top candidates (as selected by our panel of judges) in each category will receive special recognition leading up to the live announcement of the award winners at the AASHE 2013 Conference & Expo in Nashville. As a top candidate, your photo and story will be featured on the AASHE website and in a special press release mailing.

Another bonus this year: all AASHE award winners will be specially invited to present at the conference to share more about their winning initiatives. This added benefit gives our winners the chance to talk about the important work they are doing to advance sustainability.

Students visiting the Owens Harvest Garden of 2012 Campus Sustainability Case Study winner Owens Community College.

Read more about some important category changes this year and take a look at our past winners on our new archive page. We’re looking forward to celebrating the sustainability successes and “Aha!” moments on your campus!

Happy Arbor Day! This week, volunteers from AKA Sorority, Professional Staff Senate, Parks & People Foundation, UMBC Landscape and Grounds came together to plant several trees on campus! 

The donated trees included Eastern Red Buds and Tulip Poplars which will host some lovely blossoms!

They were planted between our new rain garden and and our new parking lot with pervious pavers, that helps to absorb rain water and allow it to filter into the ground, rather than causing erosion and run off into the Patapsco River & Chesapeake Bay

AASHE's Jillian Buckholz, University of Hawai'i Maui College's Joie Taylor and Hawai'i Pacific University's Josh Prigge.

This month AASHE was invited to give a keynote presentation and overview of its Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) at the first-ever Hawai’i Sustainability in Higher Education Summit. I was honored to be asked to attend on behalf of AASHE and learn more about the sustainability efforts at the colleges and universities in our 50th state.

The Summit was located at the University of Hawai’i West Oahu, which is in Kapolei on the Southwest part of the island where the largest population of native Hawaiians live. The landscape is dry and reminded me a lot of Northern California's climate in the valley. Hawaiian's are very protective of their culture, take pride in living Aloha, and enjoy "talking story" (chatting with each other).

The two-day event started off with Welina, a Hawaiian opening protocol that paid respect to the history and culture of the Summit’s location. Speakers including the University of West Oahu Director of Sustainability Aurora Winslade, University of Hawai’i Vice President for Community Colleges John Morton, University of Hawai’i Hilo Sustainability Coordinator Cam Muir and Hawai’i Pacific University Sustainability Coordinator Josh Prigge addressed the Summit’s main purpose of bringing together campus sustainability stakeholders and students to talk story and advance the draft of the University of Hawai’i System’s first sustainability policy.

A talk by University of Hawai’i Student Regent Jeffrey Acido was especially poignant during the welcome address. Discussing the human element of sustainability, he compassionately reminded us that Hawaiian culture and the respect for all peoples – especially those that are less fortunate – must not be forgotten by sustainability efforts at our colleges and universities.

Being part of a state university system’s first sustainability policy was really interesting. Summit support from top campus officials including Associated Students of the University of Hawai’i West Oahu President Stacy Garcia, University of Hawai’i West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni and University of Hawai’i System President M.R.C. Greenwood, illustrated that the University of Hawai’i System is passionate and dedicated to integrating sustainability through Hawaiian colleges and universities. Participants were more than happy to see this support, with many feeling that this movement in Hawai’i is long past due.

As an AASHE representative, my main goal was to let Hawaiian colleges and universities know that just because sustainability efforts are just starting on their campuses, there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. I was happy for the opportunity to share the case studies, tools and examples in our STARS program and Resource Center designed to help campuses just like those in Hawai’i who are working toward sustainability.

The Summit helped move the sustainability policy forward with facilitated discussions on a draft of the policy. Participants were first asked to share what they liked, what could be removed, and any glaring omissions or general themes.

In part two of this policy discussion, participants chose the topic they most wanted to discuss when it came to moving the policy forward. The audience broke into various groups based on these topics, organizing imperative elements to consider during the next steps of moving the policy forward including budget and developing and measuring metrics, as examples.

The Summit proved that Hawai’i has a fair amount of inspiration to draw from as it goes through this policy process. Leith Sharp, chair of the Sustainability Futures Academy and Harvard sustainability instructor, Skyped in from Australia to share examples of how sustainable concepts have been integrated into campuses throughout the world.

Matthew St. Clair from the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) shared how UCOP has worked over the past few years with little to no budget to integrate sustainability throughout all of the 10 University of California campuses, resulting in over $90 million of savings. Matthew's talk couldn’t have been more appropriate since the University of Hawai’i system is starting off in a similar predicament – the need to get started as soon as possible and make big changes with little resources to support the effort.

The Summit ended with a closing circle lead by Kamu from MA’O Farms. The closing was very appropriate as it brought Hawaiian tradition back to the participants, similar to the tradition shared at the opening of the Summit. Participants stood hand-in-hand, reflected on the event, and then slowly went about their own separate ways.

Some would convene again the next day to debrief about the event and discuss next steps to move the University of Hawai’i System sustainability policy forward to the chancellors and regents. Others would take what they learned, along with the motivation that came with the knowledge, back to their campuses to implement policies and programs to help move their campuses towards sustainability.

Overall, the Summit was a huge success. Stakeholders from campuses throughout the state had a chance to meet, collaborate, and share with each other – something that I learned is a rare occurrence. Further development on the first sustainability policy for the University of Hawai’i system occurred with input from various campuses, students, faculty, staff, and professionals outside of higher education. Students re-convened after a meeting earlier in the week to discuss their role in sustainability efforts on their individual campuses and how to create a statewide student group focused on sustainability initiatives.

I want to give a big congratulations to all of those that made the Summit a reality. I'm already looking forward to next year!

For more on sustainability happenings on the West Oahu campus, watch this short video featuring Aurora Winslade.