Help Ban the Bag in Tacoma!

The local chapter of Surfrider is working on getting the Tacoma City Council to pass a bag ban that would eliminate single-use plastic grocery bags throughout the city. Bans like this have already been enacted in Seattle, Edmonds, Bellingham, Mukilteo, Bainbridge Island, Issaquah and Port Townsend. Several other communities are also taking a look at similar legislation and more cities will undoubtedly be added to the list soon. We are hoping that Tacoma will be one of them.

Approximately 100 billion plastic shopping bags are used in the United States every year, of which less than 5% are recycled. The energy needed to produce these bags (about 5 million barrels of oil) and the long-lasting ecological problems associated with plastic as it breaks down in the environment make plastic grocery bags something that we, as a city, cannot afford.

We will be attending the Tacoma City Council meeting on April 9th to begin the process of instituting a bag ban here in Tacoma. There will be other steps in the process but for right now, what we really need is to have a show of force at this meeting, to be there with enough citizens to show to the council that there is support for this kind of legislation here in T-town. You won’t have to speak (although you will be able to if you want to); mostly we would just like you to be there as the issue is brought up and to show your support just by your presence.

It’s an early meeting (details below), but we thought that after it’s over, we’d head up to the Parkway for a pint and a bite to eat. So it would be an evening of civic duty as well as a little pub time. I hope this is an issue that you can get behind and I really hope you can make it out for this very important step in the process.

Tacoma City Council Meeting
Date: Tuesday, April 9
Time: 5:00pm
Location: 747 Market Street, 1st floor of the Tacoma Municipal Bldg.

Parkland Transit Center to Receive a Facelift

This morning, Greg Premo and I met with a Pierce Transit project team about improvements to its Parkland Transit Center. Grant funds enable Pierce Transit to enhance its Parkland Transit Center immediately. Officials estimate the two month construction project will begin as early as March 2013 and be completed no later than late May. Permits are pending and PT is optimistic permits will be issued in Feb.

Benefits:
Transit center will have 2 new shelters and improved lighting, sidewalks, parking lot, and security friendly landscape, and CCTV.   A new looking transit station will occur just in time to usher in the new MRLH and Garfield Station constituents.

Impact to East Campus and Riders:
4 bus stops will be moved across the street from the transit center onto 121st Street (Routes 45, 55, 204, 410). Bus stop poles/garbage cans, signage, and bus zones markings will be installed (temp) on south east stretch of 121st street between Pacific Ave and C Street.
Up to 4 buses will dwell for up to 15 minutes in the 121st street zones. Buses stop only once per hour and it will be uncommon for more than 1 or 2 buses to dwell at a time.
Passengers will wait for buses on the “sidewalk.”  Shelters will be unavailable throughout the project. Bathrooms will be located somewhere on the transit project site.
1 bus stop will move to the Pacific Avenue border of the transit station, close to the corner of Pacific Ave and NE 121st Street. (Route 1)   Route 1 stops will be along Pacific Avenue rather than in transit center.

Security:
East Campus parking lot was offered to PT security as an observation point for their roaming security cars. This adds to existing security presence at East Campus.
Campus Safety and Auxiliary Services will develop a temporary access and security plan for/with East Campus constituents, particularly PLU dance students.  It is probable that Door C will be locked 24/7 and another door be designated as entry for east campus constituents.

Potential Challenges:

The project timeline could slide.  PT is aware that construction and temp bus zones will be a problem when heavy use of east campus begins with the MRLH move-in.

I’ll pass on more detail and the plans in person.
Best -
Ginger Peck
- PLU Auxiliary Services Director

Upcoming events this semester

January 12th

Legislative Workshop

Bellevue College

http://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=1608&EID=13700

This annual event is your opportunity to be involved as the state’s leading conservation groups prepare for the upcoming legislative session. You’ll hear from legislators, environmental lobbyists, and others regarding the community’s Environmental Priorities.

 
The afternoon will start off with learning about this year’s Priorities, next we’ll break for workshops where you’ll learn how to become a citizen activist or take your activism to the next level. After the workshops we’ll regroup to meet our invited legislators and finally end the afternoon with a social hour where participants can network and ask any additional questions.

 

January 31st- February 1st

Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference

Portland State

http://www.ohesc.org/

Colleges and universities serve a unique role in our state. We have a responsibility to investigate societal challenges, test drive potential solutions, and serve as the shepherds of a sustainable future. Take part in the effort to maximize our collective potential. Join campus professionals, faculty, and students for two days of dialogue, networking, and training at the 2013 Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference (OHESC).

 

 

February 19th. 2013

Environmental Lobby Day

http://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=1608&EID=13700

This year, join 24 of the state’s leading conservation groups and hundreds of citizen advocates to push for the passage of the Environmental Priorities Coalition’s 2013 legislative agenda. We need you in Olympia on February 19, 2013, to garner the support of all three of your state legislators by using your power of persuasion as you meet face-to-face with them.

 

February 22nd-24th

Cascade Climate Network

http://cascadeclimate.org/calendar/

The Cascade Climate Network‘s Winter Fermentation gathering is coming up February 22nd-24th! Please read this email to get the important information. You can click this link to register for the gathering.  If you are interested in coming we will do our best to help you get to the gathering.  Here are the details:

 CCN’s winter gathering where we can keep our region’s youth climate organizing strong!  We will be focusing on regional and community campaigns, as well as offering workshops, presentations, spaces for dialogue, and a chance to shake off those winter blues!

 

 

Sustainability Committee Meeting Minutes 11/14/12

Members Present:

Rose McKenney, Brooke McIntyre, Anna Pfohl, Sara Patterson, Kenny Stancil, Tyler Wilson, Joe Bell, Chrissy Cooley, Joe Kowalczyk, Wendy Robins, Joel Zylstra, Emily Fahey, Geoff Loomis

 

1. Review of STARS

Presentation by Chrissy Cooley and discussion with committee:

The Results:

National Averages

-          PLU is above national average in every category

-          We don’t know if we will get a silver or gold, we have exactly the amount of point (65) to get gold, but the last four points are subjective, so we’ll have to wait for the final results.

-          290 school submitted previously

-          Jenny Taylor did most of the work collecting data

Using STARS as a Planning Tool

-          Goal Setting

-          Outreach

Where do we go from here? How do we want to use stars as a planning tool?

This is up to the committee.

First Category: Education

-          Most improved since 2009: the curriculum

-          Needs improvement: the curriculum

• We now have a definition of what sustainability is in teaching (thanks to Brett’s work)
• With new definition of sustainability, we need resources for our faculty to work with this

Operations

-          Most improved:  buildings and climate

• Not climate like temperature, amount of natural gas reductions – facilities put in a system so we can now do preventative maintenance on natural gas)
• Since 2010 we have developed better policies around preventative maintenance

-          Needs improvement: transportation

• No “bike-plan”
• No bus tickets for students
• No cash-out for parking

 

-          How are doing in some of the categories?

• Dining: the only points left are the reusable to-go containers, which are illegal in the state of WA. Wendy is working on this currently!
• Energy: we are doing fantastic
• Clean and renewable energy: we have a long way to go. Geothermal doesn’t count in their system
• Grounds: we do not have a plan herbicide use in certain areas of campus and these are the only points we’re missing.
• Purchasing: The President’s office has promised to buy recyclable paper instead of the glossy kind in their next purchases.
• Transportation: We don’t have a system to track vehicles PLU community is using.
• Waste: We could really work on waste reduction rather than just diversion. What in our waste stream can be avoided in the first place?
• Water consumption: hard for us to track water through parkland light and water utilities.

Planning, Admin & Engagement Points                           

-          Most improved: coordination & planning and human resource areas

-          Needs improvement: Investment

-          How are we doing in some of the categories?

• Diversity & Affordability: We don’t have support programs for our faculty handling diversity (faculty development and how to deal with a diverse student population)
• Investment: Our worst category and an area we need to work on. An outside company deals with our investments. Not much is transparent in this area.
• Public Engagement: We are doing a lot right now, but did not have a way of measuring this during 2011-2012. This year we have some ways of documenting these measurements, so we’ll have better information for next STARS in this category.

2. Announcements

1. unPLUg event was a success and the winner was Hinderlie with a 16% reduction in energy consumption
2. Anna Pfohl and Sara Patterson are planning events the week leading up to Go Green in Red Square, which will take place on November 30, 2012. They will be tabling the previous week and selling “take back the tap” and “one less cup” mugs in the market. Wendy suggested that they can get more support for the event by passing on the information to the administrative staff council.
3. C.      South Campus Open Space Community Forum is coming up to get more ideas and feedback on the current plans.
4. D.     Criteria for green fees: Anna Pfohl, Sara Patterson, and Brooke McIntyre are working on these currently.
   1. Criteria so far:
   2. Sustainability Grid

-          Background/statement of purpose (a couple sentences, can vary depending on the proposal)

-          Fill in the boxes with whatever the individual thinks is applicable

-          Include a brief paragraph about educational component/plan of action to inform PLU community of benefits

-          Expense report

        Successful proposals will

            Outline the current problem

-          Provide an explanation of why the proposal will be a solution

-          Include at least two components of the Sustainability Grid

-          Detailed timeline of how individual plans to implement proposed solution

1. Feedback
   1.  What will be the impact on campus? Probably include this in the timeline.
   2. We will need to clearly define the sections of the sustainability grid.
   3. South Sound Sustainability Expo is on March 2, 2013 at the Seattle Convention Center
   4. Sustainability Retreat/Workshop: Small turnout, but it was a success.
   5. Trinity Lutheran Community Dinner
      1. Food club volunteers to help out at these
      2. All food is sourced locally
      3. Everyone is welcome to come volunteer and participate
      4. H.    AASHE
         1. a.      Went very well and we were able to debrief afterward and come up with a plan for the sustainability office.
         2. I.       Semester long Gateway Program
            1. a.      Discussing possibility of starting study away option that would be local
            2. J.        Non-profit Leadership Minor
               1. a.      Creating this option for future curriculum

 

3. Looking ahead:

-          We will go over the sustainability grid

-          Discuss offsets

Job Opening

AmeriCorps*VISTA Gleaning Coordinator
Harvest Against Hunger project in Tacoma / Pierce County

Background: Work with the Pierce Conservation District and the Community Garden Program to manage the Pierce County Gleaning Program and collect unharvested fruits and vegetables for distribution to local hunger relief organizations throughout Tacoma and Pierce County. This project is entering its third full year as a sponsored AmeriCorps*VISTA program and is gaining tremendous community support. Help further the program’s three pronged approach to increase fresh produce donations through gleaning, plant a row for the hungry and community fruit tree harvest project. This position is offered through the , details are outlined on the AmeriCorps*VISTA website.

Main Partners:
AmeriCorps*VISTA program – http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp
Rotary First Harvest – http://firstharvest.org/
Pierce Conservation District Community Garden Program – http://www.piercecountycd.org/home.html
Emergency Food Network – http://www.efoodnet.org/
St Leo’s Food Bank – http://www.foodconnection.org/

Service Description: This project is entering its third full year as a sponsored AmeriCorps*VISTA program and is gaining tremendous community support. Help further the program’s three pronged approach to increase fresh produce donations through gleaning, plant a row for the hungry and community fruit tree harvest project. As a project of Rotary First Harvest, the Harvest Against Hunger gleaning program creates a much needed way to enlist small to medium-sized farm operations in existing hunger relief efforts in local communities throughout Washington. For 28 years, RFH has focused on connecting and collaborating between different groups (farmers, truckers, food banks and others) to gather food that would otherwise go to waste.

Program Benefits: Childcare assistance if eligible, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Health Coverage, Living Allowance, Living allowance is $11,136 a year, Relocation Allowance, Training.
Service Areas: Community and Economic Development, Community Outreach, Hunger.
Skills: Communications, Community Organization, Public Speaking, General Skills.

Email resume and cover letter to benjamin (at) firstharvest (dot) org
Complete Harvest Against Hunger at: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/search.do?criteria.programTypesString=VISTA%3BVLDR&criteria.programState=WA
Application Deadline: November 30, 2012

 

Emily Garofalo

AmeriCorps*Vista

Gleaning Coordinator

Emergency Food Network

P (253) 584-1040 x 111

F (253) 984-9368

emily@efoodnet.org

unPLUg results are in!!!

Great job PLU residents. After a month of dedication and effort unPLUg has come to an end. Everybody did an amazing job this year, and hopefully we’ve all developed the habits to make this type of energy use effortless. So without further adieu hear are the results of this years unPLUG:

Hinderlie was the most successful with an outstanding 16% reduction.

Stuen was close behind with 14%.

Foss was a very respectable 11%.

Honorable mentions go to Ordal with 9%, T-stad with 8.8%, and Hong with a 7% improvement from last year.

Harstad broke even with last years effort; and South, Kreidler and Pflueger all fell a bit short of last years performance.

Big thanks are due to RHA, ASPLU and GREAN for making this a great program. The reDesign Program also contributed the amazing graphic in front of the AUC. Individuals from all across campus gathered together to make this a real campus triumph.

As a University we had our best results ever. I want to give a heartfelt congratulations to the top halls, and my sincere appreciation to everyone who participated. UnPLUg is only possible due to the enthusiasm and support of the students and it’s truly my favorite moment of the year to see how much you all accomplish. Best of luck with the rest of the term.

- Chrissy Cooley
Sustainability Office

Sustainability Committee Minutes

Sustainability Committee   9/12/12                           Chair: Rose McKenney 3:45-5:00 PM                 Treasurer: Anna Pfohl UC REGENCY                   Secretary:  Brooke McIntyre

 

Members Present:

Brooke McIntyre, Anna Pfohl, Kenny Stancil, Tyler Wilson, Joe Bell, Chrissy Cooley, Carmen Eyssautier, Joe Kowalczyk, Wendy Robins, Linda Gibson, Romey Haberle, Rose Mckenney, Nathalie op de Beeck, Gretchen Howell

 

1. Introductions

 

2. Filling Treasurer and Secretary Positions

Anna Pfohl assumed role of Treasurer and Brooke McIntyre assumed role as Secretary.

 

3. Green Fees: The total amount of Green Fees for the 2012-2013 academic year is $30,053.10

A. Update on current proposals that have either been approved or are in the process of approval

-          The purchase and screening of the film “Mother Nature’s Child” requested by Nathalie op de Beeck has been approved. The screening will occur on October 9.

-          Funding for UnPLUg event requested by Rebecca Rumpza has been approved.

-          Funding for the Sustainability Retreat requeted by the Sustainability fellows has been approved. Kenny went through the itinerary for this retreat.

-          Funding for the reDesign project requested by Jp Avila is in the process of review for approval.

-          Funding for a water filter in Ramstad requested by Abigail Blackner is in the process of review for approval.

 

B. Goals of Green Fees

            - Question proposed by Rose: Should there be limits on proposals and what green fees are used for based on rules designed by the committee, or should this be left up to the three students designated to vote?

            – Committee discussed that students should have the final vote, since it is student money, but it would be helpful to create green fee criteria that would help manage which proposals are appropriate for approval.

            – Some general ideas for green fees were the following:

• Improve the application and add People Planet Prosperity to description.
• Get word out to students about how their money is being allocated and make green fees generally more visible for the PLU community.
• Possibly change the name to reflect what type of proposals and projects green fees apply to (Name change would need to go through ASPLU).
• Possibly set-up informational meetings about green fees for students, staff, and faculty.

 

4. STARS – Data Discussion

- Chrissy explained a little bit about the STARS Program and showed PLU’s score sheet from the last submission in which PLU received silver. PLU will resubmit this October and there will be a campus wide presentation on November 14^th to discuss PLUs score and progress.

- Setting up a Sakai site for the Sustainability Committee was briefly discussed and Rose said she would look further into this possibility.

 

5. Announcements and Requests

A. Updates from Sustainability Fellows

• Tyler : Restoration of the Morken Meadow – Has visited some other restoration sites in the Puget Sound area, including the JBLM prairie, has written a preliminary paper and experiment that will be implemented, and is in the process of figuring out logistics for the research.
• Kenney : Examining Irrigation Practices & Rainwater Usage – Beginning to research ways in which rain water can be captured from around campus with different water catchment systems.

B. Dining & Culinary

• Dining is in the process of replacing all plastic to go silverware with compostable bamboo ones for all to-go orders. They are currently purchasing them from a company in California.
• We need to spread the word that all the new packaging for sandwiches is recyclable.
• Wendy talked about the possibility of starting a new compost program around campus, such as in various offices and academic spaces, so composting is more easily accessible. This would require volunteers from different departments to bring compost back to the AUC Commons.

C. If you want something on the Committee Meeting Agenda contact Rose McKenney before the meeting.

D. UnPLUg

• There needs to be more advertisement and a greater push for academic buildings to get involved with unplug this year.
• Part of the green fee proposal went toward buying shirts for UnPLUg Kick-off event.

E. AASHE Conference – Rented a bus to take people down to the Conference this year. There are still spaces available on the bus if more people want to attend.