Author: Mortensen, Betsy

UConn Office of Sustainability Will Host Campus Climate Action Corps Members to Drive Impact in Connecticut

UConn’s Office of Sustainability will be hosting a team of 11 AmeriCorps members this fall to implement campus and community led climate action. The positions are part of the Campus Climate Action Corps (CCAC) within national nonprofit and higher education civic engagement leader, Campus Compact. CCAC is the first nationwide AmeriCorps program solely dedicated to campus-based, community-led climate action. CCAC builds the capacity of campuses and their community partners to create change that leads to increased energy efficiency and improvements for at-risk ecosystems by implementing local solutions for underserved communities.  

CCAC is also an inaugural Implementing Partner for President Joe Biden’s American Climate Corps, a new initiative working to address climate change and environmental injustice via workforce training and service. Teams of AmeriCorps members serving host sites around the US will facilitate collaborative efforts to promote environmental awareness and to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis in their surrounding communities.  

CCAC has recently received a grant from Serve Connecticut for a state based CCAC Connecticut (CCAC CT) cohort which will launch in September with an anticipated 40 CCAC CT AmeriCorps members serving at 8 different host sites throughout the state. As part of the CCAC CT team, two full-time and nine part-time positions will be supporting UConn’s sustainability efforts. The full-time Regional Campus Sustainability and Environmental Justice Coordinator will focus on coordinating sustainability and environmental justice efforts at UConn’s four regional campuses, the UConn Health Center, the School of Law, and in the communities they serve. They’ll lead sustainability education and outreach programming, assess campus and community needs, build relationships with community organizations working on sustainability and environmental justice initiatives, and help develop an environmental justice fellowship program for UConn. They’ll have six part-time student CCAC members to assist with related service projects.

The full-time EcoCaptains and Community Outreach Coordinator will focus on managing the EcoCaptain Internship program at UConn’s main Storrs campus. The EcoCaptain internship program places sustainability educators and ambassadors at each residence hall, where they host environmental programming and assist with the Office of Sustainability’s engagement events and behavior change initiatives focused on energy and water conservation and recycling. The new coordinator will provide leadership and mentorship in support of three additional part-time CCAC CT members to serve as EcoCaptains at several off-campus apartment complexes, The Oaks, Celeron Square and Carriage House Apartments. These members will be especially engaged in providing energy efficiency assessments for residents and leading community zero-waste efforts to reduce litter surrounding campus in collaboration with the Town of Mansfield.

Sally Slovenski, Program Director of the Campus Climate Action Corps shares, “We are inspired by UConn’s dedication to improving environmental stewardship for economically disadvantaged populations and look forward to working alongside its campuses in 2024-2025 to build community partnerships to reduce the impacts of climate change across the state!”

“The addition of these resources to support our growing regional campuses and students on and off campus could not have come at a more critical time. Climate change is already impacting our state and stands to disproportionately affect our most vulnerable communities in underserved and underrepresented areas. Energy costs have also never been higher, and commuter students already living near or below the poverty line stand to benefit especially from the energy efficiency audits and interventions provided by CCAC CT members. We are excited to have been chosen as a host site by CCAC CT and are eager to begin recruitment for these new AmeriCorps positions and student experiential learning opportunities,” says Patrick McKee, Interim Director of the UConn Office of Sustainability.

Application instructions will be posted on American Climate Corps website soon, with an expected start date of Sept 23rd, 2024. 

Hiring EcoCaptain Interns! On and Off Campus

EcoCaptain Interns (EIs) serve as paid sustainability champions and ambassadors for the Office of Sustainability. In collaboration with ResLife, this programs allows for EcoCaptains to lead sustainability related programming and educational activities in their residence halls. Keep an eye out for communications from your Residence Hall’s EcoCaptain Intern for more ways to get involved and learn about UConn’s sustainability initiatives! Below are some of responsibilities of an EcoCaptain Intern (EI):

Must be a UConn student living in an on campus residential hall. NEW! For Fall 2024/Spring 2025 we are also hiring at: The Oaks, Celeron and Carriage House

Work 5 hours per week ($15.69/hr to start)
Attend monthly EI meetings
Provide weekly updates to OS Staff and Interns
Participate in EI training and group activities
Participate and encourage student participation in Office of Sustainability led events and programming such as EcoMadness, RecycleThon, Green Game Days, and Hillside Environmental Education Park (HEEP) trail events
Distribute Recycling Bags and Sustainability Activity books to residents
Lead sustainability education and engagement activities in residence halls beyond those initiated by the OS, examples include:
Weekly recycling audits and scoring
Monthly hall meetings about different topics related to sustainability
Environmental film screenings or movie nights, discussion forums, guest speakers
EI “office hours” where people can ask questions about sustainability or give suggestions
Educational flyers, social media, etc.
Weekly tips for living more sustainably
Volunteer clean-up events
Week-long or one-day events or activities, such as a “power-down” day or other fun competitions
Apply online via UConn JobX! Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are reviewed on a rolling basis. Hiring decisions will begin August 1.

Contact sustainability@uconn.edu for more information.

Revived Give and Go Program Helps People and Planet

UConn community diverts over 8,000 pounds of donations to local aid organizations during move out.

You never think you have too much stuff until it’s time to move. Thousands of UConn students faced that same problem while moving out of residence halls this May.  

Luckily Give and Go was there to help! 

Give and Go is a program that allows students to donate gently used goods at drop off points throughout campus, which are then sorted and given to community organizations that help those in need. It diverts waste from incineration, provides an easy way for students to donate items, and supports the lives of fellow residents. 

Read the rest of this article on UConn Today.

Environmental and Social Sustainability Grant Applications OPEN

Are you a UConn student with an idea that can push environmental and social sustainability forward at UConn and in Connecticut? Then apply for our Environmental and Social Sustainability Small Grants!

Projects must advance strategic sustainability goal areas AND related social challenges.

Deadline is March 1, 2024 at 4pm.

Winners will be selected by April 1, 2024.

Grant amounts may be up to $10k.

All projects must have a faculty or staff member acting as a mentor, and must have the ability to accept funds on behalf of your project.

Projects must be completed by the end of December 2024.

For all the details, deadlines and materials visit the grant info page.

Environmental and social sustainability grants logo

Share Your Sustainability Event with the Office of Sustainability

Is your student organization or department hosting an event related to sustainability? Need help getting the word out at UConn?

Fill out our new form and we may be able to share it on our social media channels, digital dashboard screens, and in our monthly newsletter.

Please give at least 2 weeks notice and know that we may not have the staff power to share all events, depending on our existing obligations.

Sustainability Event Form

 

*Note – don’t forget to add your event to the University Event Calendar and tag it “sustainability” for even greater viewership.

Sustainability Action Student Org Meet and Greet on Nov 16

Is your club involved with suSustainability student org meet and green on Nov. 16 2023 from 5:30-7pm in McHugh 102.stainability issues like environmental justice, agriculture, energy or more? Does your club want to be more involved? Let’s connect!

Meet with other clubs and the UConn Office of Sustainability between 5:30p and 7pm on Thursday November 16 in McHugh Hall, room 102. Pizza and beverages provided.

RSVP Here

Not part of a club yet? You’re invited too – see how you can get involved with the many UConn student organizations working on saving the environment.

Letter from the Director: World Vegan Day

Dear UConn Campus Community, 

Today, November 1st, is World Vegan Day, a day to recognize and celebrate the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. Word Vegan Day also helps raise awareness of the ethical and environmental implications of animal agriculture. 

For several years I worked with some of California’s largest dairies to advance energy and water conservation efforts. My time on these farms was enough to convince me to stop eating dairy products and drastically cut my meat intake. Many of the operations that I encountered housed 5,000-10,000 dairy cows. These large scale confined animal feeding operations (CAFO’s) are drastically different from the many small farms here in CT but they supply some of the biggest food distributors and restaurant chains in the world with an unsustainable and unethical product.  I urge you to shop local and think about the impacts of these CAFO’s before visiting your local chain for a burger. Here is why. 

Family farms vs industrial-scale dairy and meat production 

There is a significant difference between family farms and industrial-scale dairy and meat production. Family farms are typically smaller, more diversified, and more sustainable. They often raise animals on pasture and use fewer antibiotics and hormones. Industrial-scale dairy and meat production, on the other hand, is characterized by large-scale CAFOs, where animals are too-frequently raised in crowded and unsanitary conditions. CAFOs have a very large environmental impact, sucking up precious ground water (especially in the case of Central CA) and are a major source of air and water pollution. Additionally, these industrial facilities contribute to climate change and antibiotic resistance. 

Social impacts of industrial-scale dairy and meat production 

There are also significant social impacts of meat and dairy production. For instance, workers in the meat and dairy industry often face poor working conditions and low wages. They are at increased risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals and diseases. Communities near CAFOs often suffer from air and water pollution, and they may also experience decreased property values. Sadly, many farm workers are food insecure and live in food deserts. 

Environmental impacts of industrial-scale dairy and meat production 

Industrial-scale dairy and meat production is a major contributor to climate change, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. It is also a major consumer of land and resources. 

So….. What can we do? 

There are a number of things we can do to reduce the negative social and environmental impacts of dairy and meat production. One is to choose to buy meat and dairy products from family farms whenever possible. We can also reduce our overall consumption of meat and dairy products. And we can support policies that promote sustainable and ethical agriculture. 

I encourage you to learn more about the social and environmental impacts of dairy and meat production, and to make choices that support a more sustainable and ethical food system.  To start, you can check out: 

https://sustainablefood.uconn.edu/ 

https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/Marketing/Marketing/Organic-Farms-Listing  

https://ctgrown.org/ 

Sincerely, 

Joe Fullerton 

Director of the Office of Sustainability  

University of Connecticut 

Letter from the Director: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Dear UConn Campus Community, 

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I write to you to honor and celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across our nation and around the world. I see Indigenous Peoples’ day is an opportunity for reflection, mindfulness and unity, to acknowledge and support Indigenous communities.

Before I go on, however, please take a moment to acknowledge the land on which our university stands. The University of Connecticut is located on the traditional lands of the Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Schaghticoke, Golden Hill Paugussett, Nipmuc, and Lenape peoples. Especially as an Office dedicated to cultivating a healthy relationship between humans and the environment, we honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between these Indigenous nations and their ancestral lands.

In the spirit Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Office of Sustainability encourages all members of our community to learn about Indigenous history, culture, and contemporary issues. On campus, one of the best resources for this is the Native American Cultural Program: https://nacp.uconn.edu/.

In the coming months and years, we will engage deeply with the critical issue of environmental justice and will be sharing resources that provide opportunities for education, dialogue, and celebration of the many vibrant cultures and valuable perspectives of our community, including that of indigenous peoples.

I’d like to take a moment to encourage everyone to support Indigenous communities through acts of solidarity and allyship. One simple act is to understand the historical lands upon which you, your loved ones now stand: https://native-land.ca/

Also, I encourage participating in local events, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, and advocating for Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship. A good place to start is here: https://career.uconn.edu/blog/2020/11/24/native-american-owned-small-businesses/

Indigenous Peoples’ Day reminds us to reflect and take action for an equitable, just and sustainable world. Let us use this day to honor the resilience and wisdom of Indigenous peoples while also acknowledging the challenges they continue to face.

Thank you for joining us in recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and for your ongoing support in our shared commitment to sustainability and inclusivity at the University of Connecticut.

Sincerely, 

Joe Fullerton 

Director of the Office of Sustainability  

University of Connecticut 

Haunted HEEP 2023

I survived Haunted HEEP October 2023

Prepare to be scared at the annual Office of Sustainability Haunted HEEP (Hillside Environmental Education Park)! This thrilling 1 mile walk through the woods is sure to scare.

Date: Wednesday, October 25

Time: 7-9:30pm

Free! Do RSVP in advance though. We will have a VIP line for quicker access for those who pre-registered.

Rain date will be Thursday, October 26.

First come, first served, and we need to close promptly at 9:30pm. First 100 students will get a limited edition Haunted HEEP shirt.

Where: Entry will be at the HEEP Trailhead off of Discovery Drive and behind the Innovation Partnership Building. You can take the blue line, walk, or park your car in the IPB lot.

HEEP Trail Parking is behind the Innovation Partnership Building.

Volunteers Needed

We are currently recruiting volunteers to help put on the event. We need people willing to scare, and also to help with entry/exit. If you’ve ever wanted the chance to jump out of the bushes and scare your fellow UConn students, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!

Does your club want to host a scary scene? Sign up here.

Do you want to volunteer on your own or with friends? Sign up here.

Volunteers will receive a limited edition Haunted HEEP shirt and pizza.

You must be able to be present from ~5pm onwards on October 25th.

You must attend a pre-event trail walk through to get oriented with the site. A walk through will be hosted on Saturday, October 14 from noon-1pm, and a second option on Saturday, October 21 from 2-3pm.