Sustainability Subgroup, March 22, 2012
3/22/12 Sustainability Subgroup Meeting, 12:30-2:00 pm, HIG 223
In attendance: Max Queen, Renee Bindewald, Dee Eggers, Melissa Acker, Macon Foscue, Rob Nelson, Christine Riley and Ed Katz.
Rob Nelson called the meeting to order at 12:30 pm.
Max Queen is retiring from AB Tech the end of April, but he plans to continue his work with UNC Asheville’s CMP Working Group.
Christine Riley presented her research on best practices in employee education in sustainability. A group member asked what Christine would like to see implemented at UNC Asheville. Her preferred model is the one with visible sustainability markers. It is generally seen as a way to educate everyone on campus including visitors. The certification program has value too. Personal sustainability pledges could work.
Melissa Acker and Macon Foscue presented their research on best practices in Landcare/Greenspace (including stormwater).
They looked at 20-25 examples (both large and small). Models that they discovered:
- Operations model
- A more fully-encompassing model
Macon described some examples of definitions they found for greenspace preservation:
Natural versus landscaped.
Macon and Melissa agreed that doing an inventory of the current greenspace would be a good place to start.
Other points discussed:
- Potential to create a land management plan to allow for green space within the Asheville City limits.
- Green space not eliminated completely, incorporated in the city.
- Are there examples of how other schools made the decision to maintain greenspace? Middlebury College was a good example. They recognized the need for balance of use. They have a plan for re-forestation. They also tied together their greenspace management with their energy plan.
- Greenspace is important for educational research.
- A reminder that the campus as an informal educator.
- Setting aside some land comes from a notion that we need to be separate.
- We could be more sustainable just with increased values.
- Preservation/sustainable land planning versus facilities.
- Competing goods. We need more dorms. We need more classroom space. Offices, double faculty up, need more labs. We have a lot of needs.
- We need to figure out how to deal with those situations.
- Needs versus sustainability
- How do we make those decisions? How does that work?
- Better communication of where our property is, especially those green spaces.
- Need to take a stand that sustainability can be the most important lens, competing goods, or not. Park farther, share your office, if we don't think about this, then we'll be a sprawled campus.
- Conservation and fiscal prudence are not mutually exclusive [Middlebury]. The competing goods might be a limiting frame. Doesn't need to be either or.
What other people need to be consulted on campus for Landcare?
- Environmental Faculty
- Students
- Staff involved in these particular areas.
What were the best examples of Landcare plans? Melissa and Macon agreed that Georgia Tech and UW Madison both had excellent comprehensive plans.
Rob Nelson concluded the meeting at 1:45 pm.