Environmental Leadership Awards

1. Environmental Leadership Awards 2004-2005

2. 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.

3. EPAC Subcommittees & Workgroups

4. Environmental Leadership Awards 2004-2005 Environmental Leadership Award Winners: UNDERGRADUATEGRADUATE Meghan Ruta Mark Hood STAFFFACULTY John Wheeler Joseph Helble ALUMNIGROUP Mark Carabetta Center for Land Use Education & Research SPECIAL PROJECTS Biodiesel Team Towers Rain Garden Team Campus Bicycle Plan Team

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 coops…conserving more than ONE MILLION gallons of water per year!

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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 UConn’s 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

12. 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.

13. Campus Bicycle Plan TeamSpecial Project Project Overview: • Students and faculty from UConn’s 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