{"id":818,"date":"2020-02-14T11:04:28","date_gmt":"2020-02-14T16:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/?p=818"},"modified":"2020-02-14T11:04:31","modified_gmt":"2020-02-14T16:04:31","slug":"sustainability-initiatives-at-umass-lowell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/sustainability-initiatives-at-umass-lowell\/","title":{"rendered":"We\u2019re kicking our CO2 habit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>You may have heard that UMass Lowell was recently recognized as the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"highest-rated campus (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uml.edu\/News\/stories\/2019\/Leading-by-Example-sustainability-award.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">highest-rated campus<\/a> in Massachusetts by the <a href=\"https:\/\/stars.aashe.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) (opens in a new tab)\">Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS)<\/a>. This means that we\u2019re in the top 10 of over 900 colleges and universities across the nation who use this sustainability rating system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s an\nincredible accomplishment, but we\u2019re not doing it for the recognition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re doing it for you and the planet. Whether you hope to major in one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uml.edu\/Sciences\/Programs.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"sustainability-focused majors or minors (opens in a new tab)\">sustainability-focused majors or minors<\/a> or just want to learn the ins-and-outs of every day sustainable living, we\u2019ll be here to show you the ropes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are a few of the programs we have in place that will help you learn to make a difference in the world:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"410\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/Sustainability-initiatives-infographic--410x1024.png\" alt=\"sustainability initiatives at umass lowell\" class=\"wp-image-823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/Sustainability-initiatives-infographic--410x1024.png 410w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/Sustainability-initiatives-infographic--120x300.png 120w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/Sustainability-initiatives-infographic--768x1920.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/Sustainability-initiatives-infographic-.png 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>$23M Accelerated Energy Program helps eliminate CO2 emissions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Last spring,\nUML completed it\u2019s $23.1 million Accelerated Energy Program. It\u2019s the largest\nprogram completed in Massachusetts to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply put,\nthis program allowed UMass Lowell to implement more than 100 energy-saving\nmeasures in 30 buildings across campus. The benefits not only help the\nuniversity and the local community but they also help us work towards our goal\nof carbon neutrality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>9 million fewer pounds of CO2 emitted each year<\/li><li>1.7 million fewer gallons of water used each year<\/li><li>$1.2 million in annual energy savings<\/li><li>6,000 pieces of mechanical equipment and lighting replaced and updated to more energy-efficient options<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/sheep-on-campus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Check this out: Let them eat grass (opens in a new tab)\">Check this out: Let them eat grass<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>The Sustainability Engagement &amp; Enrichment Development Fund (a.k.a., the S.E.E.D. Fund) <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/seed-fund-umass-lowell.jpg\" alt=\"funding from the seed fund helped purchase this electric lawn mower\" data-id=\"820\" data-link=\"http:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/seed-fund-umass-lowell\/\" class=\"wp-image-820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/seed-fund-umass-lowell.jpg 640w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/seed-fund-umass-lowell-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/seed-fund-umass-lowell-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>The Facilities Grounds team was able to purchase this commercial-grade electric lawn mower with help from The S.E.E.D. Fund. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/solar-powered-lawn-mower.jpg\" alt=\"electric lawn mower with solar panels\" data-id=\"821\" data-link=\"http:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/solar-powered-lawn-mower\/\" class=\"wp-image-821\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/solar-powered-lawn-mower.jpg 480w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/solar-powered-lawn-mower-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><figcaption>Solar-panels help power it.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/electric-lawnmower.jpg\" alt=\"this commercial-grade electric lawn mower was purchased with help from the seed fund\" data-id=\"822\" data-link=\"http:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/electric-lawnmower\/\" class=\"wp-image-822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/electric-lawnmower.jpg 640w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/electric-lawnmower-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/electric-lawnmower-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>The lawn mower uses zero gas, has a low noise output and is low maintenance. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The S.E.E.D.\nFund provides funding for sustainability-based projects that positively impact\nthe student experience at UML. Every year, students and UML community members\nmake the case for project ideas they want to see implemented. Then, a\nstudent-majority committee reviews the submissions and decides which programs\nto fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Some cool S.E.E.D. Fund projects:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Hybrid Shuttle: Gave Transportation Services $8,000 to put towards a product that will convert an existing shuttle into a hybrid vehicle.<\/li><li>It Pays to Ride Your Bike!: This program incentivizes students, faculty and staff to commute to campus by bicycle. It uses the $5,000 funding to reimburse a portion of the cost of a UML parking pass for participants.<\/li><li>Battery-Electric Mower Purchase: The Facilities Grounds team received $8,000 to put toward the purchase of a commercial-grade battery-electric lawn mower. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/going-green-sustainability-at-university-crossing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Check this out: The green scene at UML: Stainability at University Crossing (opens in a new tab)\">Check this out: The green scene at UML: Stainability at University Crossing<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>The Urban Agriculture Program<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/urban-agriculture-at-uml.jpg\" alt=\"urban agriculture and sustainability at uml\" class=\"wp-image-819\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/urban-agriculture-at-uml.jpg 900w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/urban-agriculture-at-uml-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/urban-agriculture-at-uml-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/142\/2020\/02\/urban-agriculture-at-uml-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption>Students planting vegetables at herbs at the UML Community Garden.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This program\nis a partnership between the Office of Sustainability and Mill City Grows, a\nlocal non-profit dedicated to improving community access to healthy, fresh\nfood. This program has provided services to the university and the Lowell\ncommunity since 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Some of the pieces that go into this program are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>FarmShare (CSA) Program: This provides the UML community with direct access to locally-grown, organic produce.<\/li><li>East Campus Greenhouse and urban farm: A 1,800 square-foot greenhouse that is a legit, full scale and agricultural production site. This is also where the seedlings for the <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/organic-vegetables-rooftop-garden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"rooftop garden in University Crossing (opens in a new tab)\">rooftop garden in University Crossing<\/a> came from.<\/li><li>Rooftop Farm: On top of the rooftop gardens that provide produce to the community, we also have green roofs that help reduce flooding, provide habitats for wildlife and reduce carbon dioxide. You can find them on the rooftops of buildings all over campus.<\/li><li>Community Garden: Partnering with Mill City Grows, we created a community garden on Dane St. that houses 16 garden plots for Lowell residents and the UML community to use.<\/li><li>\u00a0Mobile Markets: Our partnership with Mill City Grows also gave us access to their Mobile Market. It brings fresh produce to areas of Lowell that may not have had access to fresh and healthy food before.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy (RISE)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>RISE was\nestablished to bring together all of the sustainability efforts happening\nacross campus. It links the university\u2019s research centers to campus initiatives\nin areas of sustainability, climate change and energy use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RISE recently awarded a team of students who were tasked with finding solutions that would reduce the university\u2019s CO2 emissions by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uml.edu\/News\/stories\/2020\/RISE-Student-Innovation-Awards.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"10,000 pounds in 10 weeks (opens in a new tab)\">10,000 pounds in 10 weeks<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are just a few of many ways that we\u2019re working with students, faculty, staff and the Lowell community to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and address climate change. At the end of the day, we want you to graduate with the knowledge and practical experience of how you can help fight climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You may have heard that UMass Lowell was recently recognized as the highest-rated campus in Massachusetts by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). This means that we\u2019re in the top 10 of over 900 colleges and universities across &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/sustainability-initiatives-at-umass-lowell\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":754,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[51],"tags":[46],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/818"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/754"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=818"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":828,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/818\/revisions\/828"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uml.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}