Thirty days hath Earthtember

Earth Month is here--and yes, that's right, around here we give our planet its own month because a day just won't suffice. That means it's time to embrace spring's arrival and to gear up for great happenings around Boulder.

Throughout the next four weeks there will be seminars, films, competitions, festivals, field trips and tremendous other opportunities to celebrate our one and only planet from multiple different perspectives. Think biodiesel and alternative energy, agriculture, recycling and waste management, water management, and more.

For starters, you can really dive in to the spirit of things by joining the No Impact Experiment from April 10-17. This one-week carbon cleanse might reaffirm why you are dusting off your bicycle this spring, or give you a new perspective on just how much we rely on things that aren't healthy or sustainable -- from transportation to our general consumer habits. If a couple from New York City could do it, surely we Boulderites can give it a whirl. You can sign up at noimpactproject.org/experiment and get tips about how to go about such a brave and noble task day-by-day, conundrum-by-conundrum.

If you have a passion for food like we do, we really encourage you to consider another aspect of this month, as well: food and environmental justice week. In a country where up to 40 percent of our food gets wasted, there is sadly an increasing number of people going hungry. Many people cannot afford to eat wholesome food, or make decisions based on strictly environmental impacts. Many people are simply fighting to survive. Underprivileged populations are often unjustly burdened by environmental degradation and pollution, and live in proximity to industrial waste with limited access to many of the public health basics we take for granted.

The week of April 10-16 will be dedicated to the special concerns of the Boulder community and surrounding areas, so please consider attending one of the myriad events we have planned.

Then, on April 21, we have the honor of hosting renowned Native American activist and environmentalist Winona LaDuke on campus. This is a free event and open to the public, but seating will fill up quickly, so arrive early!

The events will be in high form on Earth Day, too of course, which is April 22. See our events calendar for all the details!

As one of the nation's most profoundly eco-aware communities, this month is Boulder's time to shine. For those of us already doing what we can, it's also a time for hope and celebration. Earth Month is in itself an important accomplishment in the sense that it's still a relatively young concept to humanity, and it has brought issues to our attention that 100 years ago didn't even occur to us. Our increasing understanding of the infinite connections between our lifestyles and our future-from our economic well being to our national security-really inspires us. So we'll be wearing green. Wave that flag high! And keep yourself posted at ecenter.colorado.edu 

CU Environmental Center Announces 2010-11 Sustainable CU Grant Awards

Since 2005, when students voted to dedicate a portion of student fees to implement on-campus projects incorporating sustainability, innovative projects have been awarded funding to reduce the campus' impact on climate and environment.  

Sustainable CU funds are used for renewable energy, energy efficiency, recycling and waste reduction projects, by assisting in capital investment, the purchase of necessary infrastructure, installation of capital projects, educational displays related to the capital projects, and any other non-staff operating costs associated with the initiatives.  CU Environmental Center administers the Sustainable CU fund and pays particular attention to initiatives created and led by students.

This year, the fund awarded eight small grants (under $2,500). These awards funded a Green Labs contractor and recycling and waste reduction pilot, a reusable dining clamshell pilot, an oil filter recycling project, a Computers to Youth summer program, a Dining Services electric cart, a Casey Middle School Sustainability Garden

Vertical edible garden, and a CU Biodiesel solar thermal system for a mobile processor.

2011 Large scale grants awarded:

Semester Bike Rentals, $31,000

Originally started by a Sustainable CU seed grant, the Semester Bicycle Rentals (SBR) program is ready to expand.  SBR utilizes refurbished impounded bicycles to rent to students on a semesterly basis.  This grant funds a 3-year plan to grow the program to 270 bikes by 2014 at which point the rental income offsets operating expenses and is self-sustaining. 

Electric Zero Emission Vehicle, $78,895

This grant funds the acquisition of a ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle). Environmental Center's Recycling, Energy/Climate and Sustainable Transportation departments may utilize the truck for various routine and occasional tasks.  This use will largely displace the use of existing fossil-fueled vehicles such as the CU Recycling cube vans. The E-Center will also make the vehicle available and encourage other campus departments to use the vehicle.

UMC Paper Towel Reduction, $16,158

This project will implement high-powered hand dryers to reduce conventional paper towel use and eliminate the conventional hand dryers in restrooms in the University Memorial Center (UMC).  By phasing in the new hand dryers, reducing the amount of paper towels available, and removing the conventional ones, consumption trends will be monitored and compared to the business as usual scenario to measure the success of this project. The eventual goal is to see efficient hand dryers installed throughout campus. 

Campus Green Roof, $100,000

As CU replaces rooftops for maintenance purposes, this grant funds the opportunity to install a green roof system. This proposal earmarks funds to finance the construction of a green roof system on the CU campus. The proposed budget covers the net cost difference between a typical roof renovation and a green roof system. When a candidate building's roof is funded for replacement, it will be flagged for review by a committee to deem the feasibility of that structure to hold a green roof.

Science Discovery Garden, $9,293

This grant funds the installation of two small organic garden plots for educational purposes adjacent to the Science Learning Laboratory.  The garden will enable Science Discovery to expand its K-12 science education program curriculum to include plant science.   

Food for Thought Series, $3000

Dining Services has planned a series of activities and events this spring designed to increase education and outreach regarding the theme of sustainable food. The series includes film shorts with discussions, presentations from local vendors, CU Chef Special Features, a Vegetarian/Vegan Week Challenge, a Food for Thought meal at all the dining centers, and a community-wide event to finish off the semester.

Laboratory Freezer Competition, $28,500

Freezers, refrigerators, and refrigerated equipment in scientific laboratories are collectively huge consumers of energy on the CU-Boulder campus. Old and very inefficient freezers are commonly found in labs. Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers (also commonly known as -80˚C freezers) are growing in number and are particularly large consumers.  Often times lab freezers are poorly maintained, space is poorly managed,  samples are poorly labeled and stored at temperatures colder than necessary, and labs will buy another unit when their old one gets filled to capacity (rather than working to better organize, clean out, and efficiently use the space they presently have).  This grant funds the incentives for labs participating in the National Freezer Week Contest. 

Compost Tea Brewing System, $21,560

Facilities Management Outdoor Services Turf Management program is using a compost tea brewing/injection system with the current irrigation system. The system includes five GEOTEA Machines and GEOTEA Compost and GEOTEA Complete (microbial food) to last for one growing season. The system allows the Turf Team to brew and then inject compost tea (beneficial microorganisms) through the irrigation system and into the soil. The results of our most recent soil bioassays show low in microbial activity throughout campus. This system will greatly enhance soils to help establish better root systems, improved soil structures, and better water retention for an overall healthier plant system in turf and ornamental beds. This in turn helps to create a dense turf canopy that will naturally prevent weed seed germination and establishment. 

For more information about the Sustainable CU grants and future application deadlines, visit:

ecenter.colorado.edu/greening-cu/sustainable-cu 

Campus Master Plan is ready for review

Down To Earth:Green summer jobs are hiring now

As the days get longer and the sun gets warmer, it's a good time to start thinking about summer-jobs, that is. You may be a student graduating or just facing down summer break, or you may a professional looking for a new career or interest. Either way, summer jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities are an excellent way to try something out, and get your foot in the door. Many employers are already accepting applications. So dust off your resume and check out these green jobs, volunteer and internship ideas designed to help you build a meaningful career--or at least a better resume.

1. Visit your national parks (all summer!). The National Park Service hires up to 10,000 temporary employees each year, and utilizes about 125,000 volunteers. In addition to living and working in an amazing setting and working for a federal agency that promotes conservation, you just may end up staying year-round and finding a career. Visit nps.gov/personnel/ for more information. For Colorado state parks, visit parks.state.co.us/Jobs/Pages/Jobs.aspx 

2. Get out on the trail -- for a day, a weekend, or the whole summer. Help maintain, repair or enhance recreational trails throughout Colorado. Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (14ers.org/) is hiring crew leaders, crewmembers, and interns. The Colorado Mountain Club (cmc.org/conservation/conservation.aspx) has a Boulder chapter and offers ongoing crew leadership training (the next one is April 16) as well as summer trail work projects. The Continental Divide Trail Alliance (cdtrail.org/page.php?pname=involve/youthcorp) and the Colorado Trail Foundation (coloradotrail.org/volunteer.html) offer a variety of great opportunities as well. Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (wlrv.org/) offers both paid and volunteer positions and training around the Front Range.

3. Check out Green Businesses. Boulder Green Building Guild is a volunteer-based organization, and offers several internships in addition to a jobs/classifieds section on their website (bgbg.org/classifieds). The Boulder Chamber of Commerce has a Green Zone webpage that identifies CleanTech Boulder news, events and partnerships. If you are an entrepreneur looking to launch your next project, this is a great resource. Meetup.com is helpful if you are new to the city or community.

4. CU-Boulder's Career Services Go Green website is also wealth of great resources and ideas. Visit: careerservices.colorado.edu/students/goGreen.aspx  

5. If you want to get better training for your present or future sustainability work, consider the CU-Boulder Sustainable Practices Program. You can take individual classes or get a professional certificate. Visit: http://ecenter.colorado.edu/education/sustainable-practices for a schedule of courses and certificate information.

Even if you don't get your dream job the first time around, don't just sit at home! Get up, get out there, and put yourself to work. Often people get jobs by meeting the right people through volunteering experience! Show up to events to stay engaged in the community and its opportunities. You don't have to know anything, or anyone--just go, see what they offer, and see where it leads you. Check the KGNU community calendar, campus and Daily Camera event calendars, and go to Boulder's world-class farmer's markets and festivals to network and brainstorm.

Environmental Center has a new blog!

Environmental Center has recently created a new student blog. Please follow us at  ecenterblog.blogspot.com/  

Earth Month Events

We have so much planned this month, we can't even list it all here! Below are some featured events sponsored by Environmental Center, and the details (plus many, many other happenings) are available on our website.

No Impact Week

April 10-17

  The No Impact Experiment is a one-week carbon cleanse. Each day will feature a theme to consider, and films, field trips and other community events are scheduled to complement it. Sign up at

here! 

April 10 "Consumption"

April 11 "Trash" and Recycle! Campaign

April 12 "Transportation"

April 13 "Food"

April 14 "Energy"

April 15 "Water"

 and Tree Planting for Arbor Day

April 16 "Service Day"

April 17 "Eco-Sabbath"

  hiking and biking field trips

Winona LaDuke

April 21 

LaDuke will speak about indigenous solutions to food security and environmental justice from 7-8 pm, in Mathematics Room 100. There will be a Q&A session following her presentation. This event is free and open to the public.

EARTH DAY

April 22

11-3 pm at UMC Fountains:Recycling X Games, 180, 11's Really Really Free Market, CRC Earth Day 5K- running, shoe recycling, and shotput, Student Clubs, Take Back the Tap, CU Slow Food, giveaways, and more to celebrate the environmentalist in all of us!

10 am-4 pm

Green Frontier Fest

at Central Park and 13th St.    

Communikey Festival 2011

April 14  

Communikey's Yes, AND...? program and CU Environmental Center present Burning Ice film screening and a Creative Climates discussion, which invites both community members and Communikey Festival goers to explore the important relationships between culture, creativity, and complex environmental issues.  

 For more information and a full description of the Burning Ice Film Screening and Creative Climates discussion, visit: communikey.us/festival2011/

For more details, visit:

ecenter.colorado.edu/component/content/article/443-earth-month-2011

Food/Environmental Justice Week April 11-16  

 Each year millions of people suffer injustices due to environmental degradation and food shortage. Learn about this systemic problem and how you can contribute to the solution. Please bring a donation of canned goods for each event entry.

April 11

Film: The Garden

6:00 pm in EDU 220

April 12

Women and Environmental Justice 

6:00 pm in HUMN 1B50

Films: Sisters on the Planet and Deeds Not Words, followed by a panel discussion with Na:'zic (Grandmother's Earth Kitchen), Neambe LeadonVita (GrowHaus), Beth Osnes (CU Professor of Theater),  and Jeanine Canty (Naropa)

Film: King Corn

7:00-8:00 pm in ENVD 120

April 13

Buffalo Can Challenge and Food Justice Fair

11:00 am-2:00 pm UMC Fountains

Local Farmers Panel

7:00 pm in HUMN 135

April 14

Food Justice Panel

1:30 pm in UMC 384

With Michael Brownlee (Transitions Colorado), Karen Coates (Ted Scripps Fellow), Katherine Moos (Colorado Campiagn to End Childhood Hunger and Hunger Free Colorado), Coby Gould (The GrowHaus)

Film: Dive! Living Off of America's Waste

7:00 pm in VAC 1B20

Q&A with Jeremy Siefert (filmmaker), Elizabeth Kucinich (humanitarian and activist), and Kelly Shea (VP WhiteWave Foods)

April 15

Global Effects of Injustice

5:00 pm in HUMN 1B80

Film: Burning in the Sun

With a panel of Lakshman Guruswamy (Center for Energy and Environmental Security), Erin Smith (Global Diversity Foundation), Michael Glantz (CU Consortium for Capacity Building)

April 16

Better Boulder Better World Volunteer Service Day

Check out volunteer opportunities here!

For more information, details, and a full schedule, visit our

website! 

Beyond Campus:

As you drive through the industrial area of Elyria-Swansia in northeast Denver, it's hard to believe you are on your way to a greenhouse. The Nestle Purina Pet Care Company manufacturing facility sits prominently among vast warehouses, manufacturing plants, junkyards and signs for auto body repairs.

But one of the warehouse buildings is indeed a greenhouse. On a blind corner of York and 47th Street, The GrowHaus has taken a vacant building and turned it into a gardening oasis in little more than a year. The GrowHaus is an indoor farm, and even in early spring it is clearly thriving. Due to the otherwise bleak environment, Elyria-Swansia neighborhood is considered a food desert, because there is no access to fresh produce of any kind within three miles in any direction. While that may not sound like a great distance to many of us, it is the difference between eating healthy food or not for the disadvantaged, low-income residents that live there and don't necessarily have transportation.

The term 'food desert' has been getting more attention lately, as inner city areas across the country become increasingly isolated from one of the most basic human needs-food.  Ashara Ekundayo and Paul Tamburello, the founders of The GrowHaus, were interested in taking at least one of those food deserts in the U.S. off the list. In September of 2009, the group purchased a 20,000 square foot building that had sat empty for almost five years, but had previously been a long-established distribution facility for Lehrer's Flowers.

Given the original purpose, the building already had a storefront, walk-in coolers, dirt floors in some areas, and plenty of possible growing space. Adam Brock and Coby Gould were hired to oversee the funding, design and development. Major renovations, including adding insulation, creating more efficient heating and cooling systems, and attaining better sunlight exposure, are already well underway.

With an open-minded mentality and sincere interest in serving the community, The GrowHaus is a nonprofit educational center trying to provide both skills and opportunities for the surrounding neighborhood. The first greenhouse room is relatively small, but packed efficiently with a host of herbs, vegetable starts, vermiculture and spring greens. It uses a permaculture design to raise tilapia, trout and perch underneath the plants while water pumps filter the tanks and fertilize the plants-a process that yields up to four times more produce than conventional methods and uses 90 percent less water.

The first section of the building currently used for growing food will serve as a model for the future expansion into much larger areas, and it is already producing enough greens to help supply The Same Café in Denver, where diners are given access to fresh, healthy food regardless of income or economic status. Community residentss can attend all GrowHaus events, meals, and workshops at no charge, and they can also try growing their own plants in fresh, imported soil here-which is a significant opportunity in the most polluted area of Denver with somewhat toxic soil.

As intern Ashley Basta explains during The GrowHaus' weekly Friday morning tour, the three missions of the project are food production, distribution, and education. The members hope to raise chickens and have a farmer's market next summer, and to eventually host music events and art shows, add a café, classrooms, an outdoor demonstration garden, and a commercial aquaponics facility as well. The goal is to be producing 90 percent of its income in-house, while still accepting food stamps and allowing residents to trade volunteer work for food, to maintain affordability. Growing micro greens for restaurants and renting space to the public may balance this out. But more than anything, The GrowHaus wants to build and maintain a relationship with the community.

"We try to avoid the so-called 'nonprofit complex,' where you come in with this vision and think you have all the answers for someone," says Basta. "One of the main tenants of The GrowHaus members is to keep a constant dialogue [with the community]."

In that spirit, The GrowHaus has dedicated its short existence to innovation and sustainability, but most of all to inviting the world into its space.  From the number of people working as volunteers, to the space being rented by a local herbalist, to the large group of interested visitors on the Friday morning tours, it seems to be working.

The GrowHaus is located at 4751 York St, Denver, CO 80216. For more information about The GrowHaus, or to become a volunteer, visit thegrowhaus.com

Campus Sustainability Awardees Announced

Ceremony to be held Thursday, April 21

CU Environmental Center is hiring for Summer and Fall 2011!

The Green Office Program Offers New Self-Assessment Tool