University of Maryland Fall 2008 Sustainability Speaker Series

Fall 2008 Sustainability Speaker Series

Various Wednesdays this fall; noon-12:50pm, Microbiology Building Room 1207

The Sustainability Speaker Series strives to engage the campus
community in conversation about broad issues of sustainability. Bring
your lunch every other Wednesday and enjoy an intriguing 30-40 minute
presentation followed by 10 minutes for Q/A. Read President Mote`s message about the Sustainability Speaker Series by clicking here.

• 9/10- An Overview of Sustainability at the University of Maryland

  Our campus has made great progress in the past year toward its goal
  of becoming a national leader in sustainability and a model green
  campus. In this first session of this semester`s Sustainability Speaker
  Series, the staff of the Office of Sustainability will provide an
  overview of the infrastructural improvements, policies, programs, and
  people that are making this campus more sustainable and will give a
  sneak preview of the exciting topics that will be presented during the
  other Speaker sessions this semester.

• 9/24- Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Conservation: Jim Conlon

  "What can I do to make my life a little greener?" Thanks to all the
  feedback on last year`s speaker series, we are pleased to present Jim
  Conlon to address the issue of becoming more sustainable on an
  individual level. Jim is the president of Elysian Energy, LLC and is a
  home energy audits expert. His mantra is "Lower bills, Lower impact,
  Higher value." Come interact with a local expert to discuss easy steps
  to conserve energy in your own home.

• 10/01- (Special Session) Presidential Candidate`s Environmental Platforms

  Both Barack Obama and John McCain have strong platforms on the
  environment, but which presidential candidate would do the most to
  protect the environment and slow global climate change? This event is
  co-sponsored by the UMCP College Republicans and College Democrats.
  Speakers: TBA

• 10/08- Sustainability-Minded: New Academic Departments on Campus

  The three components of sustainability--economy, society, and
  environment--are understood well through interdisciplinary approaches.
  The University has added three new academic departments recently that
  address issues of sustainability as core pieces of their curriculum.
  Come hear how their students, faculty, and staff are working for a
  sustainable future.

  The Environmental Science and Technology (ENST)
  program is housed in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
  and offers Bachelors, Masters, and PhD Degrees. The ENST faculty
  specialize in soil science, ecological design, cropping systems, and
  wetland science. Speaker: Dr. Andrew Baldwin, ENST Undergraduate
  Coordinator

  The Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health (MIAEH)
  is located in the School of Public Health offers a Masters in Public
  Health. The MIAEH faculty specialize in health infomatics,
  epidemiology, and exposure assessment. Speaker: Dr. Betty Dabney, MIAEH
  Assistant Director

  The Masters in Real Estate Development (MRED)
  program is in the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.
  The MRED program takes sustainability farther by including aesthetics
  to the usual suspects of environment, economy, and society. Speaker:
  Margaret McFarland, JD, MRED Director

• 10/22- Green Construction on Campus

  Project Manager for the Office of Architecture, Engineering and
  Construction, We Lin Chang, will share with us the features of Knight
  Hall (currently under construction). Knight Hall will be the new home
  of the College of Journalism and is expected to be the first US Green
  Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
  (LEED) rated building to be owned and operated by the University of
  College Park campus. The building is scheduled to open in late 2009.

  Project Manager for Resident Facilities Andrew Van der Stuyf will
  explain the features of the newly renovated Washington Quad. The
  improvements include the campus` first stormwater irrigation system
  complete with subterranean water cistern. The Quad also plans to use
  food waste taken from the campus dining facilities for plant mulch.

• 11/05- Engaged University

  The University of Maryland is recognized as a fully engaged
  innovative land grant institution providing many opportunities to learn
  in richly diverse settings where learning has real consequences. It is
  in this light that the Engaged University (part of the Maryland
  Cooperative Extension) links the College Park campus with surrounding
  communities. Come learn how Engaged University is putting the theories
  of sustainability into practice with their five ongoing programs: Master
  Peace Community Garden; Renaissance Community Youth Bike Shop; Free
  Minds Collective; Mural and Community-based Arts Workshop; and the
  Green Guild Biodiesel Cooperative.

• 11/12- (Field Trip) LEED-Certified Platinum: Sidwell Friends School

  Last fall, the University adopted LEED Silver green building
  standard for all new construction and major renovations. In order to
  see the potential in green buildings before they begin cropping up on
  campus, we will be leading a field trip to a LEED Platinum building at
  the Sidwell Friends School in DC. Our tour of the school will begin at
  noon and will last an hour. Transportation will be provided to and from
  campus. Please RSVP to Mary Ellen Kustin at kustin@umd.edu.

• 11/19- Responsible Purchasing Network: Chris O`Brien

  The Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) is an expert in green
  purchasing. Come learn about a wide range of green purchasing options
  from cleaners to fleets to office electronics from RPN`s director Chris
  O`Brien. Chris will explain how RPN`s step by step resources narrow the
  complicated field of green procurement and take the guesswork out of
  effectively implementing environmental policies at organizations,
  communities, or offices. They compile resources from leaders in the
  green purchasing world and provide direct access to cutting edge
  research, industry experts, peers and a team of consultants.

• 12/03- Sustainability Open Forum

  Please join as we incorporate your feedback into planning for the
  spring semester of the Sustainable Speaker Series. Also, share your
  ideas about how to develop a sustainable campus and learn how you can
  get involved.