AASHE ( Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education) Conference held at Oregon Convention Center Portland, OR visited October 25 to October 29, 2014 By Kali Hiatt My thanks to the JCCC Sustainability Committee

Favorite Sunday Sessions Visited “Finding Carrots” UK National Union of Students represents 7 million students in about 60 Universities. Great ideas for campuses like Student Switch Off (turn off dorm lights, dorms compete) Student Eats (gardening and food prep help) Black Out (unplug items over a bank holiday for extra energy savings) Snap it Off (see a light on unnecessarily, take a picture, report it) Bottle Bank Arcade “Building Connections” University of Arizona - Ideas for meaningful communication with faculty, staff and students. Write your plan down. Define what makes your project successful. Develop a timeline and work backwards to achieve goals. Determine environmental impact and use common language. Incremental changes can add up to measurable impacts.

Sunday 10/26 pictures

Most memorable Monday Sessions 10/27 “Green Cleaning” Custodial Service Manager from Lane Community College in Eugene, OR – Partnered with Staples to employ the use of more environmentally friendly cleaners for hardwood floors, carpets, bathrooms and more. Cost in bulk is more affordable. Coastwide Labs assisted in training regarding proper dilutions and techniques. “Vegetated Roofs” University of Alabama, describes benefits such as: Energy Conservation Roof Membrane Longevity Sound Insulation With widespread use reduction in urban heat island Storm Water Management Urban habitat, aesthetics ~Can be intensive (over 4 inches of soil) or extensive (soil 2-20 cm) ~Plan on who will maintain garden (pull weeds)

Vegetated Roofs Roof beds can be raised to accommodate irrigation and for accessibility. On Campbell Hall they have 16 sandbox plots with native plants and succulents. Half were irrigated and half were not to see how the plants tolerated the environment. No pre-emergent products should be used as excess water will enter the Storm Water System instead of being absorbed/filtered by the ground. Their Fine Arts Center used succulents, like sedum, to cover 20,000 square feet. Roofers helped to install the membrane, insulation, drainage system, soil and plants.

Terrific Tuesday at AASHE 10/28 “Students Heat Up Las Pintas” by JCCC students Tyler and Kait was inspiring, educational and demonstrated the importance that caring for our environment has across cultures and communities. Pride in Johnson County Community College Student Sustainability Committee members and faculty that have made the trips to Las Pintas, Mexico possible was felt by all. “Sustainability Investment Decisions” a panel of leaders confer about STARS and GRITS (Green Revolving Investment Tracking System) A goal to save a billion dollars worth of energy, schools pledge amounts. STARS used to figure out what areas need improvement. Universities like Denison in Ohio have goals for ending coal use by 2016 and carbon neutrality by “Solaire Generation” Re-imagine parking lots. Solar arrays fit on top of parking garages or over parking lots. Developed duel incline system to withstand windy (to 85 mph), snowy (40-80 lbs per foot) and rainy climates (some built in MA). Bill A., the presenter, indicated 8.1MW (megawatt) capability in Rutgers, NJ facility. A space of around 450 parking spots is minimum requirement. Cost is slightly higher than a normal ground mount system ($0.40 to $1.00 per watt) however provides covered parking including LED safety lights. He estimated 15 watts would be generated for each square foot of solar panel.

Pictures from Tuesday Tyler and Kait describe how solar energy was used to build hot water systems in Las Pintas, Mexico.

Food and Fun Pictures Thanks to food venues like: Cultured Caveman Restaurant off N. Denver, Departure on S.W. Morrison, food carts, Courier Coffee, Verde Cocina, and Mother’s Bistro for keeping this gluten-and-dairy-free traveler nourished.

A few more food pics… Some Sustainability crew! Beautiful Steel Bridge