News
Locally grown, right around the corner
Shop the NEW downtown Arlington Farmer’s Market every Friday in October, November and December 2009. 9:00 a.m. til sell-out, rain or shine. 215 E. Front Street. Typical items for sale will include locally grown vegetables, fruits and nuts, honey, dried or fresh-cut flowers, bedding plants and shrubs, firewood, ladybugs, butterflies, worms for composting, cider and homemade baked, canned or preserved items. Co-sponsored in part by UT Arlington’s Dining Services. Contact Downtown Arlington Management Corp. at 817-303-2800 or info@downtownarlington.org for more information.
Mavericks help Korean companies go green
Thomas Vinson-Peng, program director of Zero Waste Network at the UT Arlington Center for Environmental Excellence in Austin, has been selected for the 2009 Volunteer of the Year award from the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable for his work in educating Korean companies on cleaner production. The award will be presented Sept. 22 in Washington, D.C. Vinson-Peng led five teams of volunteers on site visits to over 60 companies. As a result, several companies have begun undertaking projects to conserve water, reduce electricity and more safely manage their chemicals. The companies also increased their knowledge of lean manufacturing and environmental management systems through workshops and site visits.
UT Arlington Recognized in AASHE National Report
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) released in August 2009 its annual digest of campus sustainability initiatives and developments across the nation, including many at UT Arlington. The green roof project, groundbreaking on the Engineering Research Building and release of the white paper on curriculum and research are examples of the University’s accomplishments. The digest is available at: www.aashe.org/files/documents/AASHEdigest2008.pdf.
Engineering Students Learning to Address Sustainability
Beginning in Fall 2009, engineering students will be part of concerted efforts to improve their knowledge of and competency in addressing sustainability issues in engineering design and problem solving. Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, sustainability concepts will be integrated via one-class modules into 12 core engineering courses. Also as part of the program, senior civil, electrical and industrial engineering students will have the opportunity to participate in a multi-disciplinary sustainable engineering senior design project to design, fabricate and assemble a portable biodiesel production refinery for the UT Arlington campus. Learn much more >
Library’s sustainability efforts recognized
The UT Arlington Library has recently been recognized for putting their sustainable thinking into practice. First, Texas Carpet Recycling recognized UT Arlington for recycling over 7,700 pounds of broadloom carpeting resulting from renovations on the fourth and fifth floors of the Central Library. Not only will the carpet be recycled into alternative fuel, but Texas Carpet Recycling will also plant one tree per ton of recycled carpet. Second, by purchasing six Canon Energy Star copiers, Canon will donate 60 trees – 10 per copier – to the Arbor Day Foundation.
National Wildlife Federation heralds UT Arlington as exemplary
The National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology program released a report entitled A National Report Card on Sustainability in Higher Education. UT Arlington was one of 334 institutions nationwide and 14 in Texas rated as “exemplary.” Highest marks were on energy efficiency/conservation/renewables and on recycling/solid waste/materials. Read more >
UT Arlington charter member of Air North Texas initiative
UT Arlington is the first and only university member of a new air quality consortium, Air North Texas. Air North Texas is a regional clean air partnership and campaign whose mission is to provide a comprehensive air quality resource; promote a consistent, regional air quality message; leverage existing resources and program strengths in a collaborative effort; increase public awareness of opportunities to reduce emissions; and motivate individuals and businesses to make clean-air choices.
Upcoming Events
Approaches to Sustainability: A UT Arlington OneBook Poster Session
Friday, November 20 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Announcement of awards at 12:30 p.m.
Palo Duro Lounge, University Student Center. Presented by OneBook.
The Sustainable Upside-Down Cement Boat: The Whitehawk Community Experiment
a discussion with Dr. Ken Roemer
Friday, January 29, Noon, Library Parlor
Presented by OneBook.
Bodily Natures: The Environmental Activism of the Posthuman
a discussion with by Dr. Stacy Alaimo
February 12, Noon, Library Parlor
Presented by OneBook.
Bill McKibben, author of UT Arlington’s 2009-2010 OneBook “Deep Economy”
March 10, 2010
Presented by OneBook.
Environmental Events Calendar
For more environmentally-aware activities at UT Arlington
Photogallery
See environmentalism in action at UT Arlington. Photogallery hosted on Facebook
