Past Green Fund Awards

 

 

Find University of Montevallo's Green Fund on Facebook.

 

 

FALL 2011 GREEN FUND AWARDS

 

Student Projects

 

 

Sustainability Under the Stars: A JWSO Promotional Event

Brandy Holt (Dr. Michael Sterner). $630

This event is aimed at educating, encouraging, and empowering our local community towards a more responsible life of sustainability. Through the event, participants will learn why sustainability is important for our future. They will witness the possibilities of sustainability through the JWSO. They will become informed of simple sustainable initiatives that can be achieved at their homes. We plan to design activities for the event that promote sustainability.

 

Soak Up The Sun

Kimbrell Lee (Mr. John Denson). $835
 

Soak Up the Suns sole objective is to ensure student, faculty, and the local community’s safety while improving our on-campus lighting at night time. We will begin with three solar powered lampposts to be installed by the physical plant outside of the following buildings: The Carmichael Library, Palmer, Student Life, and Hanson.

 
Running/Walking/Biking Routes

Paige Scott (Dr. Carolyn Miller). $933
 

The object of the project is to provide a series of mapped out, marked routs throughout the city of Montevallo that are geared towards runners, walkers and bikers. The plan is to place three map viewing stands in high activity areas, such as Orr Park, Student Activity Center, and the University Lake. With each of these viewing stands there will be a box for maps so that people will be able to bring a map with them. These maps will also be available at key locations in Montevallo (Vallocycle checkouts), such as the SAC, City Hall, Parnell Library, and others. We plan to print 300 tri fold color maps for distribution.

Rainwater Runoff Collection System for UM Organic Community Garden

Aaron Traywick (Dr. Michael Sterner). $480

 

This project is intended to extend the positive impact of the UM Organic Community Garden on our community in such a way that allows us to expand the garden without contributing negatively to water supply issues felt by downstream users. By installing a system of rain barrels that will catch rainwater runoff from both sides of our two sheds, and which can connect to our present line of rain barrels via an underground hose tunnel, we will not only supplement our garden’s water supply in a sustainable manner, we will also be able to provide an educational experience for our community. Since very basic but detailed instruction is available from the Alabama Environmental Council, as well as barrels at only $10 apiece, hosting a minimum of three seminars that will teach the construction process will not only provide the garden with useful new additions, but also give all attendees a chance to learn a skill particularly useful in our region.

 

 

Special Projects

 

 

Alabama Chanin Guest Artist Workshop and Lecture

Prof. Emily Gill and Ms. Donna Bell. $1000
 

Alabama Chanin is an unique fashion retail and manufacturing company. Located in Florence, Alabama, this company produces high end- hand crafted items using eco-friendly and recycled materials. In addition to responsible sourcing of materials, this company extends their philosophy of sustainable products into their labor practices. Alabama Chanin products are made by local artisans trained by the company in a modern version of the cottage industry production model. What makes this company different from other “business opportunities” available to home-workers is the fairness of the exchange and the originality of the product. Instead of being recruited as vendors of a mass marketed brand, the mostly female workforce are established as independent contractors with supplies coming from the company.

Block that Sun! Green Window Treatment for West Side Windows of the Library

Ms. Kathleen Lowe. $7500

 

In order to significantly reduce heat gain on the west side of the library, the library proposes to use the green fund grant to purchase solar shades to reduce the heat gain by at least 97%. Uncontrolled solar heat gain is a major cause of energy consumption for cooling in the hot Alabama summer climate. Heat gain often accounts for 50% of the air-conditioning load in the summertime. Most summer overheating is caused by windows facing the south and west. The forty eight windows on the west side of the library are a major energy hog.

 

Sculptural Bike Racks:

Promoting Environmental Responsibility & Physical Activity through the Arts

Prof Ted Metz and Dr. Hollie Cost, $7500
 

Green Fund monies awarded to the ValloCycle program by the UM Sustainability Committee will finance the creation of 5 sculptural bike racks to be permanently installed on the University of Montevallo campus. Students in Ted Metz’ public art class will design and create unique bike racks that not only promote physical activity and environmental responsibility, but also help further beautify the already unique campus. Each bike rack will reflect the uniqueness of the specific site at which it will be installed. A sculptural bike rack will be installed at the following campus locations: McChesney Student Activities Center; Carmichael Library; Harman Hall; Bloch Hall; and adjacent to the Pedestrian Promenade planned for North Boundary Street, which will reconfigure the existing street to a pedestrian- and bicyclist-friendly path, with two lanes still reserved for automobile traffic.

James Wylie Shepherd Observatory Green Initiatives

Dr. Michael Sterner. $7382

 

 The objective of this project is the implementation of two major green initiatives at the James Wylie Shepherd Observatory: a 1.4 kW solar generator, and a rainwater collection and purification system. The solar generator will be tied in directly to the existing service pole, and the rainwater system will provide potable water immediately upon installation.  We are striving for platinum LEEDS certification for the entire observing complex. The site of the observatory, and the planned observing complex, is reclaimed land, being a former landfill for University construction debris. The existing dome and foundation features low-impact construction, solar path lighting, and complete ADA accessibility. The planned restroom facilities will include self-composting toilets.