Specific short-term goals identified in MxCC’s Climate Action Plan, 2015-2016: Time clocks on vending machines in one building have been installed for plug load control, computers are now shut down nightly, and all emergency lighting has been converted to LED. We are currently replacing exterior building and campus parking lot lighting with LED solutions. In the spring of 2016, MxCC completed a retrofit of the Chemistry Lab located in Wheaton Hall. Within the scope of this project all fume hoods were replaced with higher efficiency units, all lighting was replaced with dimmable LED units and new electric and gas lines were installed to all lab tables. * Achievable now (AN), achievable with additional resources (AAR), achievable through policy changes (APC), achievable through institutional investment (AII) Specific short-term goals identified in MxCC’s Climate Action Plan, 2015-2016: * Achievable now (AN), achievable with additional resources (AAR), achievable through policy changes (APC), achievable through institutional investment (AII) Specific short-term goals identified in MxCC’s Climate Action Plan, 2015-2016: * Achievable now (AN), achievable with additional resources (AAR), achievable through policy changes (APC), achievable through institutional investment (AII) Our sustainable landscaping is a shining example of MxCC’s commitment to sustainability. Nancy Ballek Mackinnon, a partner in Ballek’s Garden Center in East Haddam, met with the Sustainability Team and other staff of the college, and created designs for the Community/Demonstration Garden, the Human Equity Garden, four rain gardens (one of which is planted outside of Founders Hall), an intentional meadow, plantings surround the approach and signage to the college, and other spaces on campus. Specific short-term goals identified in MxCC’s Climate Action Plan, 2015-2016: * Achievable now (AN), achievable with additional resources (AAR), achievable through policy changes (APC), achievable through institutional investment (AII)Buildings
Action Measurement Achievability Status Track energy usage of each building. Make improvements as needed. Install individual meters. AN Two direct digital building automation systems are now in use across campus, monitoring heating and cooling levels in all main buildings. Upgrade HVAC system. Installation of variable frequency drives. AII Energy Service Request approved – work to be completed in 2016 – complete HVAC cooling and heating system. Retro-commission each building every 3-5 years to ensure building is functioning properly and efficiently. Energy Audit that will identify cost savings. AAR First system-level Energy Audit has been conducted in 2016. Better regulation of daily temperature within buildings. Less fluctuation of inside building temperature. AN Boilers and chillers for the system have been upgraded (2016). Chapman Hall is not part of this because it is on a different building automation system. Look into staff earning green professional (GPro) operations and maintenance credential (gpro.org). Staff earning credential. AN Steve Chester – Spring 2015. Keep up with weatherization. Reduction in energy usage AN Envelope project (including reseating the glazing, replacing the roof, and window resealing) for Chapman Hall began in 2016. Modulate boilers where appropriate. Reduction in energy usage AN Routine preventive maintenance conducted on all boilers and chillers. Ensure all ducts are properly sealed. Reduction in energy usage AN Duct analysis found mold in Chapman Hall – remediation completed Summer 2014. Not applicable for other three buildings because cooling and heating done through the wall units. Grounds
Action Measurement Achievability Status Continue to expand the application of low mow grass Percentage reduction in lawn area needing periodic mowing AII Currently applied to Circle and around the Pavilion. (as of Spring 2016) Continued expansion of meadows and gardens Percentage reduction in lawn area needing periodic mowing AII Will consider as projects present themselves. In 2015, a Veteran’s Garden was created outside Chapman Hall. In 2016, the Herb Garden was expanded to connect up with the entrance to Founders Hall. Replace trees removed due to disease Number of trees replaced AII The Presidential Grove is expanded each year. Identify and use snow melt alternative Percentage reduction in the use of sodium chloride AII Sustainable Landscaping
Action Measurement Achievability Status Improve use of walking trails around campus, including creation of a trail map. Increased foot traffic on trails and make more of the trail accessible (observation) AN, AII Environmental students have scheduled trail clean-up days. Continued removal of invasive plants on campus and replace with native ones Reduction in invasive plants present on our campus
Various workdays (SEAS, faculty/staff, community) AAR, AII Volunteers have been removing invasive plants on trail work days. Currently not enough college resources. Work with City of Middletown to connect designated hiking and biking routes (Mattabesett section of the Blue Trail System). Offer secure parking, bike racks, outhouse, and water facilities (compostable toilet with possible solar power to pump water). Increased number of bikes on campus and use of local trails (observation) AN Pursue collaboration between Meriden’s existing gardening club and the work of the environmental club (SEAS) in Middletown Collaborative projects between SEAS and gardening club AN Not achievable as SEAS is no longer in existence. Educate the college and outside community on local wildlife habitat Development of new workshops AAR Identify debris and other waste dumps on campus. Creation of an inventory and develop a plan for remediation AAR In the lower northern section of the campus, there is an area where tree limbs, hedge clippings, brush, and stumps are dumped. All other construction and rubble are removed from Campus via rented dumpsters. Increase awareness of Sustainable Landscape projects on our campus Continue to include signage and expand information on our website to include each new site AII Our revitalized website can be used as a vehicle for this communication. Create a Presidential permaculture orchard Continued expansion of current space to include a tree each year and accompanying underplantings AII In progress. Plant and maintain perennial wildflower meadow behind Founder’s Hall Meadow seeded, maintained, path delineated, research conducted AAR, AII Expand Demonstration Garden to be a Community Garden Number of plots tended expanded AAR, AII Incorporate environmental art into campus landscape Collection of materials for use in art classes. Production of environmental art in appropriate art classes. Environmental art incorporated into campus landscape. Partnerships with groups such as the Jonah Center are forged to support these activities. AAR, APC, AII Seek funding to increase campus/surroundings research and collaboration with other local educational institutions including vo-ag, COE at Wesleyan, and MHS as well as the Nature Conservancy and Middlesex Land Trust Funds secured and partnerships forged. Shared tools and equipment with partners expanded. AAR, AII Sustainable landscaping projects identified in the original plan by Nancy Ballek and others in the Paulien & Associates, Inc. Master Plan continue to be implemented The college as well as individual staff and faculty seek funding and support for implementation of identified sustainable landscaping projects AAR, AII Webpages on Sustainable Landscaping updated as projects and policies are completed Information on the website remains current on sustainable landscaping on campus AAR, AII New website can be updated easily by some committee members Sustainable Landscaping principles are adopted and implemented in maintenance of our campus The college takes on full responsibility for all landscaping projects and the maintenance of those already in place AN, AAR, APC, AII Air and Climate
Action Measurement Achievability Status Become a part of TREE Campus USA and plant trees annually The reduction in GHG emissions from forest sequestration APC The Presidential Grove is expanded each year. Have yet to investigate “TREE Campus USA”. Keep an updated GHG inventory Clean Air-cool planet carbon calculator AN The Institute for Sustainable Energy continues to support us in developing this report. Use only green cleaning products /reduce use of volatile organic compounds, which can be found in paint, cleaning, and disinfecting products. Use of only green cleaning and other products. AN This is built into the cleaning service’s contract – they are green-certified. All college-provided cleaning supplies are green cleaning products. As for paint, we use only Sherman-Williams and have minimized our color options. Install high efficiency air filters where necessary to reduce allergies and asthma. Installation of air filters AN A maintenance schedule for air filters has been established.