Environmental Leadership Awards

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Environmental Leadership Awards

• 2004-2005

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Environmental Policy Statement
  Performance The University will
institutionalize best practices and continually
monitor, report on and improve its environmental
performance.   Responsible management and growth
The University will design, construct and
maintain its buildings, infrastructure and
grounds in a manner that ensures environmental
sustainability and protects public health and
safety.   Outreach The University will promote
environmental stewardship in Connecticut and
embrace environmental initiatives in partnership
with its surrounding communities.   Academics
The University will advance understanding of the
environment through its curriculum, research and
other academic programs, and will employ an ethic
of environmental stewardship in all intellectual
pursuits.   Conservation The University will
conserve natural resources, increase its use of
environmentally sustainable products, materials
and services, including renewable resources, and
prevent pollution and minimize wastes through
reduction, reuse and recycling.   Teamwork The
University will encourage teamwork and provide
groups and individuals with support, guidance and
recognition for achieving shared environmental
goals.
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EPAC Subcommittees Workgroups
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Environmental Leadership Awards

• 2004-2005 Environmental Leadership Award Winners
  
• UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATE
• Meghan Ruta Mark Hood
• STAFF FACULTY
• John Wheeler Joseph Helble
• ALUMNI GROUP
• Mark Carabetta Center for Land Use
• Education Research
• SPECIAL PROJECTS
• Biodiesel Team
• Towers Rain Garden Team
• Campus Bicycle Plan Team

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Meghan RutaUndergraduate Student

• Environmental Science, B.S. (UConn, Dec. 2005)
• The driving force behind the EcoHusky Student
  Group
• Office of Environmental Policy Intern/Staff
• Environmental Science Program Assistant

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Mark HoodGraduate Student

• Natural Resources Management Engineering
  Graduate Student
• Research Area Water Quality Benefits of
  Low-Impact Urban Development
• Environmental Research Institute
• Jordan Cove
• EPAC Graduate Student Representative
• Soil Water Conservation Society President

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John WheelerStaff

• UConn Farm Manager in Poultry and Animal Science
• EPAC Water Conservation workgroup member
• Recognized an opportunity to reduce water use in
  the UConn chicken coops and rallied funding and
  support for the installation of a closed loop
  drinker system in two of the coopsconserving
  more than ONE MILLION gallons of water per year!

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Mark CarabettaAlumni

• Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy CT Chapter
• Natural Resources Management Engineering, B.S.
  Graduate (UConn, 1994)
• Motivated faculty and students to get involved in
  conservation projects and built professional and
  community service ties between the Nature
  Conservancy and UConn.
• Serves on the advisory board for the College of
  Agriculture and Natural Resources Water Resource
  Institute

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Dr. Joseph HelbleFaculty

• UConn Chemical Engineering Professor and
  Department Head
• Research Areas Air pollution and nanotechnology,
  focusing on the fundamental and applied studies
  of aerosols and air quality
• Scientific environmental policy advisor to
  Senator Joseph Lieberman and the U.S. Senate
  Environment Committee
• EPAC Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Workgroup
  volunteer
• Faculty catalyst for the biodiesel initiative

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Center for Land Use Education Research (CLEAR)
UConn Affiliated Group

• Project Overview
• CLEAR uses cutting edge remote sensing and GIS
  technology to provide information, education and
  assistance to land use decision makers
• Promotes sustainable growth through site
  assessment and resource evaluation for the Office
  of Environmental Policy and Building Grounds
  Committee on projects such as the East Campus
  Master Plan and the proposed compost facility
  site analysis.

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Biodiesel TeamSpecial Project

• Project Overview
• Demonstrated that waste cooking oil from our
  dining halls can be converted into a sustainable
  alternative fuel for many of UConns buses and
  trucks
• Held a November demonstration that received
  significant publicity and attention, education
  hundreds about the environmental and economic
  benefits and feasibility of this project

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Towers Rain Garden TeamSpecial Project

• Project Overview
• Understood the environmental challenges of
  stormwater management in the context of UConn
  2000, and seized an opportunity to design,
  construct and plant the first rain garden on a
  Connecticut campus
• Currently, such gardens exist outside the Towers
  Dining Hall, at the old Co-Op location, adjacent
  to the Babbidge Library, and the UConn Law
  School. In addition, several more have been
  planned for the Hilltop Apartments and the
  Burton/Shenkman sports facilities.

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Campus Bicycle Plan TeamSpecial Project

• Project Overview
• Students and faculty from UConns Institute of
  Transportation Engineers with assistance from the
  EcoHusky Student Group, the Connecticut
  Transportation Institute, and the Office of
  Environmental Policy
• Recognized the need for a campus bicycle network
  and outlined a proposal to Building Grounds
• Collected over 2100 survey responses
• Organized a Campus Bike Plan Support Ride