MINUTES

Sustainability Council

January 12, 2011

Present: Chris Beardsley, Ellen Castello, Dan Christman (Grants), Jared Dial, Tim Dobson, Katrina

Doolittle, LaToya Garcia, Jason Jackiewicz, Sara Jackiewicz, Bud Jones, Art Lucero, Jimmy Maese, Xander

Pertusini, Michael Rickenbaker, Stephanie Sepulveda, Nathan Small, Amy Smith, Gill Sorg, Brian

Stephens (Carlsbad), Mark Uchanski, Theresa Westbrock, Russell Winn, joni newcomer (chair)

I. Welcome!

II. Committee and Task Force Updates

a. Looking for student co-chairs for Ops and E/R committee. As a reminder, the three

committees are:

Planning, Administration, Engagement (outreach)

Operations – LaToya Garcia is interested in volunteering. She will be in touch

with Art Lucero and Tim Dobson.

Education and Research (curriculum)

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) checklist is divided

into three divisions, as we have named our Council’s subcommittees. The chairs of each of these

subcommittees will get these checklists. We have already received a six-month extension on reporting

to AASHE (due date is 9.1.2011), so we will need to complete the checklists soon.

b. Education and Research Committee

Idea from Connie Falk: sustainability class for all entering freshman; textbook

possibility: The Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century's Sustainability

Criseis.

Xander Pertusini, NMSU student, has volunteered to try to organize the New

Mexico “Climate Maters” program; anyone from the university or the

community can take this 8-week workshop.

c. Planning, Administration, Outreach

joni is writing a plan for outreach to City of Las Cruces, Mayor, and community.

Working with US Partnership for Education for Sustainability for leadership

training for students

d. Operations

Kicking off Green Cleaning program this week: OFS will be implementing the

use of Green Seal paper and cleaning products throughout campus.

II. Campus Sustainability Project Updates (Please contact joni if you have any ideas/feedback)

a. America Recycles Day: Jared Dial is having the results of the survey he distributed in

the Fall analyzed. He will report back.

b. Sustainability Council Memorial: Will be voted on at the Faculty Senate meeting on

January 13 at 4pm.

c. Student groups: OASIS is busy planning Earth Day for April 16 – save the date!

d. Looking for student volunteer to prepare a paper on Green Cleaning program. Please

contact Art Lucero if interested: artl@nmsu.edu

e. RecycleMania is Feb. 6th through April 2nd 2011

f. Aggie Welcome Orientation – Jan. 11, 2011; Jared did a table welcoming new students

to Office of Sustainability

g. PowerShift - Energy Action Coalition in DC; need volunteers to go to DC with this

student group. Xander and LaToya were interested.

h. Cutting energy costs through behavioral changes: joni is planning to set up meetings

with deans and department heads to discuss this.

III. Speakers for 2011

a. January 12: Bud Jones, NMSU Grounds Department

Xeriscaping at NMSU (presentation attached)

Bud originally worked for Sodexho, who had the grounds contract for the university at the time.

In October, there was a planning meeting at OFS with a presentation by Chris Brown requesting

more campus xeriscaping, less turf. As part of NMSU’s move to increase xeriscaping on campus,

Grounds is using more sophisticated irrigation systems, more mulching, better soil preparation,

appropriate use of turf, and water efficient plant material (ice plant, Lydia bloom, fountain

grass, rubrum aka purple fountain grass, Desert willow). Grounds is looking to add ID plates to

plants for education and general interest.

Regarding the new Health and Social Services building – Grounds wanted to accent the beauty

of the building with a beautiful landscape. The design includes ponding.

Future project sites – Lot 33, south of PanAm by Coaches Building; OFS Property Storage Area

(where students will design and landscape); duck pond area. All landscaping follows NMSU

Master Plan.

In response to a question, Bud reported that turf is installed at approximately $1.25/sq ft.

Xeriscaping is less expensive up front at approximately $1.00/sq ft. but more labor intensive

over time.

b. February 19: Steve Loring, BioMass

c. We need suggestions for March and the rest of spring semester. Ideas include: Tom

Schuster, Patrick Peck, Coca-Cola, Environmental Health and Safety Office, OFS Waste

Assessment

IV. Other

a. Tieshia Francis reported on her trip to Nicaragua as part of a rural electrification project

sponsored by the Nicaraguan government and Solar Energy International (Colorado).

Additionally, she has been selected as an eco-ambassador as part of an EPA pilot

program. As part of this project, she will be conducting a waste assessment on campus

modeled after the EPA’s WasteWise Program.

b. The Compost Facility Task Force (Sara Jackiewicz, LaToya Garcia, Stephanie Sepulveda)

presented their plan to increase composting of food waste on NMSU campus

(presentation attached).

c. Nathan Small, Las Cruces City Councilor, is looking for a student intern to assist with

constituent outreach, policy research, local election finance reform, and social media

outreach. Contact: nsmall@las-cruces.org (job description attached)

d. MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) was on campus in October. Joni is

recruiting volunteers to act as judges for their competition (information attached).

e. Eco To-Go containers are now available at the Taos Cafeteria! They are free for

students with a meal plan and $5 for everyone else.

f. Carlsbad campus is working to move all vendor communications to electronic only

g. Jan 22 – Haven on Earth will have a booth from 8-12 at the Downtown Farmer’s Market

to educate people about curbside recycling

h. Jan 23 – Haven on Earth will be doing garden enhancing at Shahid’s garden at 1pm.

Contact: LaToya Garcia: latoyarenee1@gmail.com

VII. Closing: Next meeting is on February 9, 2011 at 8:30am in 85 Milton Hall

Presented By Bud Jones NMSU Grounds Manager

Xeriscaping projects Definition of XERISCAPEA landscaping method developed especially for arid and semiarid climates that utilizes water‐conserving techniques (as the use of drought‐tolerant plants, mulch, and efficient irrigation). 

Design

Whether your developing a new landscape , renovating an existing one, or just looking for ways to conserve water in an urban environment, proper planning and design are essential to creating a landscape.

Keys to success are: 1. Map it out2. Shade is very cool3. Identify micro climates4. Plant selection

What is Xeriscaping about? 

Xeriscape incorporates seven water‐conserving principles: 

•Planning and design.•Efficient irrigation systems, properly designed and maintained.•Use of mulch.•Soil preparation.•Appropriate turf.•Water efficient plant material. •Appropriate maintenance.

Irrigation

Irrigation is necessary in a xeric landscape, at least during the first few years while the plants' root systems are developing. Following establishment, irrigation may still be necessary depending on the landscape design and plants' needs. In New Mexico, many landscapes need irrigation for at least a portion of the planted area for the life of the garden. The oasis and the moderate‐water‐use zones have the greatest need for irrigation, but it is wise to plan irrigation even in the low‐water‐use zone to allow for new planting, changes, and years of severe drought. 

Use of Mulch

Mulch provides a cover over the soil, reducing evaporation, soil temperature, and erosion. Spreading mulch over your garden soil also suppresses weeds. And over  time, mulches made from organic materials break down and increase your soil's structure and fertility.

Soil PreparationSoil preparation is an important part of successful xeriscaping and gardening. When done prior to planting, soil testing can help determine which plants are best adapted to the site and which amendments are appropriate for improving the soil for the selected plants. Loosening the soil improves root development and allows better infiltration of water and air needed by plants' roots. This is important in all water‐use zones. 

Appropriate use of turf

One of the most controversial and misunderstood of the xeriscaping principles is the concept of appropriate turf. Turfgrasses have a place in the landscape, even the xeriscape. Turf is easy to maintain, although it requires more frequent care than many other landscape plants. Turf provides a play surface for children and pets. It is an important element in cooling the local environment, reducing erosion, and preventing glare from the sun. Other ground cover plants can perform these functions‐‐except providing a playing surface for activities.

Water efficient plant materialThere are many very attractive plants for use in water‐wise landscapes. While you may use many of your old favorites , there is a wide variety of colorful fragrant, and beautiful plants for the less irrigated part of the landscape. Many have long blooming seasons and attractive leaves. Some provide autumn interest with colorful foliage and fruit, while others offer winter interest with their fruit, seed stalks, and winter colors ranging from silver, to gray, to many different green and brown shades. 

Delosperma floribunda Starburst (r) ‐Hardy Ice Plant 

Genista lydia ‐ Lydia Broom 

A little more about Genista lydia ‐ Lydia Broom The slender pendulous branches of this "outstanding dwarf shrub are covered with golden‐yellow flowers in early summer. Sun/Med‐Dry 

Pennisetum alopecuroides – Fountain grass ‐ Chinese pennisetum is a perennial .

The arching mound of bright green foliage turns golden brown in winter. The flower spikelets are borne in bristly yellowish to purplish cylinders to 8" long. They resemble bottle brushes, and are at their peak in summer and begin to disintegrate by early winter.

Pennisetum setaceum'Rubrum'Purple Fountain Grass has a symmetrical and mounding habit. The reddish‐purple racemes may be 12" in length and arch gracefully above the burgundy foliage in late summer. After the first killing frosts, this ornamental grass fades to amber, and continues to be a welcomed addition to the winter landscape. It introduces motion with every breeze. An annual in our climate.

Desert willow ‐ Chilopsis linearis

Fluffy pink/violet flowersNative to Sonoran Desert, especially in stream banksSW Yavapai; east Harvill; SW Old Main

The real task at hand is to create balance utilizing all seven principals. 

Planning stages at Health and Social Services

Construction phase

Finished product

Future xeriscaping project sites

There is no “I” in Team

Las Cruces City Council Internship with City Councilor Nathan Small

Background: Nathan is entering the final year of a four year term. He has

successfully lead efforts to hire a sustainability officer for Las Cruces, brought

increased resources to existing neighborhoods, and made renewable energy a

priority in city economic development efforts.

Need: One or more interns to assist with a variety of tasks, including, but not

limited to:

1) Constituent outreach, based on the high volume of community meetings

2) Policy research, development, and advocacy over budget, sustainability,

community safety, local election finance reform and more

3) Multimedia and social networking platform brainstorming and development

4) Clerical work as needed

Requirements: NMSU student in good standing. Car, bike, or buss pass – must

have means of transportation. Able to work with and in one-on-one and group

settings. Bilingual abilities appreciated but not required. Political affiliation does

not matter.

Please direct inquiries to Nathan at nsmall@las-cruces.org or call 575-640-5457

"Building Tomorrow's Mathematicians, Engineers and Scientists...TODAY!"

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR!

NM MESA IS LOOKING FOR JUDGES FOR OUR COMPETITION

“GOING GREEN; RENEWABLE ENERGY”

When: FRIDAY JANUARY 28TH Where: NMSU CORBETT CENTER 3RD FLOOR

What time: 8AM-1PM

Why? *Support science education for youth*

*Earn volunteer/service learning credit* *Free Snacks, Refreshments And Lunch!*

NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED, BUT WE NEED YOU! HOW DO I SIGN UP OR GET MORE INFO?

CONTACT MONICA BLEA: 575-646-1382/ mblea@nmmesa.org VOLUNTEERS MUST CONFIRM WITH MONICA BLEA OR ASSISTANT

JUAN GARDEA PRIOR TO JAN. 28TH

Are you a STEM professional, student, or Green business? We’re also seeking donations items to toss into the crowd (logoed t-shirts, caps,

totes, etc) & raffles. Promote your organization and Going Green!

Stephanie SepulvedaLaToya Renee Garcia

Michael MillerSara JackiewiczEvan Humphrey

To transform the majority of NMSU’s biodegradable waste into valuable material for the use of the campus community by implementing an in-vessel composting

system.

To take action toward the goal of a sustainable university by proposing the purchase of an

in-vessel system that will convert the majority of the campus’s biodegradable material into valuable product for the

economic and environmental benefit of NMSU.

NMSU student workers and volunteers will collect biodegradable waste and transport it to an energy efficient system which then converts the material into compost. The compost then will be distributed for the benefit of the campus landscaping and gardens. This plan will reduce costs to the university and increase campus sustainability through the reduction of landfill waste and by using the compost to replace former fertilizers.

NMSU◦ ASNMSU◦ OFS (Office of Facilities and Services)◦ Fund-raiser

City of Las Cruces◦ Grants (Environmental, Educational, Community Development)

State of New Mexico◦ Grants (Environmental, Educational, Community Development)

Private Funds (Alumni, etc.)

Containerized Composting System

Composting in modular roll-off containers is flexible and expandable. Composting in roll-off containers allows enormous flexibility in

system design and operation. The same CompTainer module can be used to compost from 1 to 100 tons per day. If odor and process control are concerns, then the CCS is the technology you need.

Green Mountain TechnologiesMain Office5350 McDonald Ave.Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110(802) 368-7291Fax: (802) 368-7313Van Calbezwww.composting technology.com(206) 319-7102

Wright Environmental Management Inc.9050 Yonge Street, Suite 300,Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4C 9S6Tel: (905) 881-3950Fax: (905) 881-2334EBoyd@WrightEnvironmental.comwww.WrightEnvironmental.com

CHRIS’S OPERATIONS OTHER OPERATIONS

• TAOS• Catering• Concessions • Retail Stores• Upcoming Subway

• -Frenger Food Court• -Snack Bar• -West 100 Café• -Golf Course

On average Taos produces about◦ 200 lbs a day in waste

product that is raw material that could be used in composting◦ equivalent to 100 gals

each day (estimation) ◦ 60% of cooked product

mixed w/ paper and is pulped in the machine

- 40% of the cooked food is thrown out

- 500 lbs = 62.5 gallons of remaining material includes cardboard and eating ware (also thrown out)

Nitrogen SourcesRaw food material

(Functioning 5 days a week)200lbs per day200lbs times 5=1,000lbs per week1,000 times 4= 4,000lbs per month of raw material

(Functioning 7 days a week)200lbs per day200lbs times 7= 1,400lbs per week1,400lbs times 4= 5,600 per month of raw material

Pulped (cooked) food with paper100lbs of pulped (cooked) food with paper per day100lbs times 5= 500lbs per week500lbs times 4=2,000lbs per month of pulped material

CARBON SOURCE

Cardboard and 3 compartment plates and eating ware(Functioning 5 days a week)500lbs per day500 lbs times 5= 2,500lbs per week2,500lbs times 4= 10,000 lbs per month

(Functioning 7 days a week)500 lbs per day500lbs times 7= 3,500 lbs per week3,500lbs times 4= 14,000lbs per month

300 lbs of nitrogen and 500 of carbon per day of compostable material (from Taos)

1 short ton =2,000 lbs (Note: this is considered a ton in the US)

1 long ton = 2240 lbs (Note: this is considered a ton in the UK)

Education Volunteers Outreach Funding

“You can measure the sustainability of a university by the percentage of biodegradable materials that are being composted.”

-CFTF

CFTF contact information:Stephanie Sepulveda(215) 688-0857stephsep@nmsu.edu