As a University of Arkansas alumnus, I am happy to announce that the U of A was included as one of the “Green colleges” and we have quite a bit to be proud of!  The University of Arkansas has not only committed to become a zero solid waste establishment, but has also made a public pledge to develop into a carbon neutral institution. In addition, they have just recently concluded a baseline greenhouse gas inventory that will be shared publicly on the University of Arkansas website.  The U of A also has seven buildings on campus that are built to meet the university’s green building policy and the U of A Enterprise Center is on target for LEED certification.

The University of Arkansas has its own formal Sustainability Council as well as a “Students for Environmental Sustainability” group that hosted the University’s Earth Day Celebration and Mullins Creek Cleanup.  One of the U of A’s most notable “Green Highlights” is that they provide 45 sustainability related research programs offered to students and have extensive partnerships with Tropicana, Frito-Lay, and PEPSICO that provide funding to support sustainable products research.

“The Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges” is not meant to rate or rank colleges against each other, but rather to highlight the main sustainability practices and green efforts made by each of these universities committed to incorporating sustainability principles into higher education. This is a great guidebook for families of perspective college students and gives us University of Arkansas alumni another reason to be proud of our Alma Mater!

BEEP!  BEEP! BEEP! It’s 6 a.m., still dark outside, and Jordan Stewart’s alarm is sounding off, letting him know it’s time to get up and get ready for work.  After showering and ironing his clothes (including his long thermal underwear) he loads up on his three-wheeled bike (rain, snow, hot, cold) and makes his way to Harp’s Grocery store in Har-Ber Meadows.  Whether his trip is to work, grocery store, bank, dentist, hair cut, restaurant, etc., Jordan’s mode of transportation is his trusted bicycle.

What makes Jordan the greenest commuter I know?  Unlike most of us, the thought of driving verses walking rarely crosses his mind.  Although he may mutter something under his scarf when it is 30 degrees outside, he still backs his bike out of the garage and starts pedaling.  

Living with Down Syndrome, biking is not an “alternative” transportation option for Jordan. It is his main mode of transportation!

Fortunately for Jordan, Har-Ber Meadows is a master planned community where community members can live, work, play and attend to most basic services without the use of a car. 

Community connectivity is not only great for the environment, but it helps Jordan to be as independent as possible in his daily living.  

Jordan now has pedestrian or “pedal” access to almost “10 basic services” (LEED terminology) for most of his needs.  On a regular basis, he rides his bike to:

• Flying Burrito , Buffalo Wild Wings or Quiznos  for lunch
• SportClips for the buzz cut
• Harp’s for groceries
• Signature Bank to deposit his hard earned money
• Dr. Duckworth for regular teeth cleaning
•  Shake’s for frozen custard

Once again, another Eco-Hero has shown us that there is a triple bottom line return on investment (ROI) when we make sustainable transportation choices.

1. Environment ROI for biking vs. driving => less green house gases and less need for roads and parking lots
2. Economic ROI for biking vs. driving => less money spent on gas and auto maintenance
3. Social ROI for biking vs. driving => healthier commuters and independent productive citizens

He may not be a chancellor, sustainability coordinator, or green builder, but he’s my Eco-Hero and I plan to be more like him in my commuter decisions.
Karen Stewart, LEED AP

In their interview with WalletPop, Benjamin stated that “only 6% to 8% of LEED projects in the world have achieved their reused materials credits.”  He also noted that this element of the LEED rating system is often neglected due to all the hang-ups that are encountered when trying to source reclaimed materials. But now, thanks to Planet Reuse, you can be easily navigated through each step of the process in matching reclaimed building materials to your specific needs.

Planet Reuse focuses on reducing landfill waste, saving you time and money on your building projects, and ultimately making the planet a better place. Visit http://www.planetreuse.com/ to see recently listed and recently requested materials in your area!

Kimberly Kreth

Although I never thought of myself as an urban homesteader, my vision for my backyard garden in 2009 was very similiar to the video above.  However, the POA covenants do not allow farm animals.  The slugs ate all my strawberries and the $100 worth of lady bugs (for integrated pest management) all flew away!

As many try their hand at “living the farm life without the farm land,” they may find that it is not as easy at it looks.  Suppose you get past the garden pests and local covenants, and you reap a bountiful harvest, then you need to preserve your precious vegetables.  I should have taken notes in grandma’s kitchen when she showed us how to ”put up” the garden vegetables. 

Not easily deterred, I am back at the garden adventure again this year! With visions of fresh vegetables for my dinner table, I don the gloves, knee pads, hat and garden boots and to try once more to become an urban homesteader.

Karen Stewart

Green Building Certification Institute:  “I am enrolled. Now what?”

LEEDuser- “LEED AP Credential Maintenance : Cracking the Code”

Author:  Karen Stewart, LEED AP
Date:  3/10/2010

1. Computers
2. Batteries
3. Televisions
4. Paint
5. Aluminum Cans
6. Used Motor Oil
7. CFLs
8. Glass
9. Fluorescent Lamps
10. Christmas Trees

You can review their 2009 Annual Recycling Report for more information.

1. Green Building & LEED Core Concepts Guide, 1st Edition
2. Green Office Guide: Integrating LEED Into Your Leasing Process
3. LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovation Rating System (My favorite book!)

To learn more of the new exam requirements, sign up for one of the upcoming LEED Green Associate classes in Northwest Arkansas.

 
Save the date of January 19, 2010 to come out and mingle with members and friends of the local Western Branch of the Arkansas USGBC Chapter.
The first meeting of 2010 will be a membership mixer that starts at 5:30 p.m. at 4476 Waterside Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The location is off Zion Road, behind Lowes. You do not have to be a member to attend the social event. Come on out and meet the new leadership of the group. Hope to see you there.

To reduce energy costs, many homeowners across the nation have implemented the “low-hanging fruit” conservation strategies such as changing to CFL’s, insulating the hot water heater, and installing a programmable thermostat.

If you would like to implement a holistic approach and take your home conservation strategies to the next level, check out the new EPA website for green homes.

The EPA Green Home website has tools to help you achieve the following:

• Reduce energy use
• Use renewable energy
• Reduce water use and protect water resources
• Select the most environmentally friendly location for a new home
• Choose green building materials and household products
• Reduce waste from home construction and household activities
• Increase recycling
• Improve the indoor environmental quality of your home