We thought it would be interesting to invite David Takemoto-Weerts, the UC Davis Bicycle Program Coordinator, to share his perspective on applying for and winning Platinum-level recognition of the campus as a Bicycle Friendly Business. Here are his words about the achievement:

When UC Davis was awarded the highest (“Platinum”) level award by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) as a Bicycle Friendly Business on Earth Day, April 22, I was a bit surprised, but also very pleased. As one of only eight businesses nationwide to receive Platinum recognition (out of 545 awards presented since 2008), and the first college or university so honored, we are understandably proud.

I had not given much thought to applying for this award until mid-December when LAB’s Executive Director, Andy Clarke, on a visit to UC Davis, suggested that we should and that doing so might improve our chances of moving up from Gold to Platinum the next time we apply for the award. With only four weeks (including two weeks of winter break!) to complete and submit the lengthy application, I was grateful that there was at least some overlap between the questions on the new form and our previous Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) application form. [UC Davis was awarded Gold recognition as a BFU in 2011.]

Perhaps most staff, faculty and students don’t think of the University as a “business”, but the fact is that we have thousands of employees and we provide a wide range of services, usually for a fee, to a broad constituency. Filling out the BFB application forces one to think about what we do in many different ways.

I was asked what the most challenging question was to answer. It was probably this one: “What has been the business’s most significant investment for bicycling?”

I could think of many possible responses, but I went with this:

In the 1960s, Chancellor Emil Mrak made two major policy decisions that were instrumental in making UC Davis so welcoming to bicyclists: 1) all campus buildings and other destinations would have sufficient bike parking for all cyclists and the parking areas would be located as near to major building entrances as possible. 2) in 1967, the campus “core area”, formerly accessible by motor vehicles with no restrictions, was closed to all motor vehicles except for emergency, service and delivery vehicles. By doing so, the core area streets essentially became wide, safe and convenient bike paths overnight. The “bicycle only” campus core area has expanded over the years and, in fact, will expand significantly in 2013 when unauthorized motor vehicles are restricted from even more roadways on the west and southeast sides of campus.

The other challenging part of the application was trying to remember and include all of the programs, policies, procedures and infrastructure that contribute to the overall “bike friendliness” of UC Davis. It’s not like any one department has control or authority over the creation, implementation or management of all these elements, and I’d guess we might have missed a couple.

Even though we earned the top award, we know there is always room for improvement. We should soon be getting feedback from the League that will describe areas in which they feel we could improve. We received similar follow-up when we received the Gold BFU recognition in March 2011. As a result, we instituted a number of improvements that we believe will elevate us to Platinum status when we reapply for the BFU award in July.

To everyone who helped with both applications, especially all those who responded to the League’s survey questionnaire which is an integral part of the review process, TAPS would like to extend a huge “Thank You”! It’s the many campus individuals and departments who do so much to encourage bicycling here at UC Davis that really put us in the top echelon of “bicycle friendship” in the U.S.

So, now that you know a little of the behind-the-scenes story, go out and celebrate May is Bike Month by riding around our Platinum-level bike friendly infrastructure. Bike safe and have fun!

Professor Shuji Nakamura at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C.

World renowned for his research and development of nitride-based semiconductors, Dr. Shuji Nakamura’s work includes some of the most important breakthroughs in modern materials science, including the very foundation for LED lighting. His innovations and inventions continue to improve the quality and efficiency of LEDs for lighting, electronic devices and other applications.

For this year’s Don Aumann Memorial Lecture in Lighting Efficiency, Professor Nakamura will discuss the past, present and future of LEDs and laser diodes, including their impact on energy conservation and lighting design. Attendees will be eligible for 1.5 CEUs through the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).

Date: May 7, 2013
Time: 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Place: UC Davis Conference Center Ballrooms A & B
Cost: Free and open to the public
Complimentary catering will be provided

RSVP NOW (click) to attend.

The Don Aumann Memorial Lecture in Lighting Efficiency reflects the shared mission of UC Davis and the California Lighting Technology Center: achieving sustainability through education.

A Plug in and Go Electric Vehicle Showcase is coming to UC Davis, the birthplace of the plug-in hybrid!

Students, staff and faculty will have the opportunity to learn more about hybrid and full battery electric vehicles on Tuesday, April 16^th from 11:00am – 2:00pm at the Silo.

Transportation and Parking Services has collaborated with regional advocacy groups and auto dealerships to organize Take Charge: Plug in and Go. There will be an opportunity for licensed drivers to test drive plug-in electric vehicles from Ford, GM, Nissan and Mitsubishi in Parking Lot 43 (adjacent to the Silo).

Additional information about local electric vehicle resources will be provided by UC Davis Fleet Services, TAPS and the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District in the Silo Courtyard.

Video from the Take Charge EV Coalition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo3NWJllp7g&feature=youtu.be

Hope to see you there!

The following post is from Tessa Artale, a fourth-year Sociology and Spanish double major, and the Director of the ASUCD Campus Center for the Environment:

ASUCD’s Campus Center for the Environment (CCE) is now hiring for the 2013-2014 academic year!

If you want to get involved in sustainability projects on campus, gain leadership skills, and work with an enthusiastic hard-working staff this is the job for you.

The paid internship positions currently open are:

• Unit Director
• Sustainability Education Coordinator
• Media Coordinator
• Campus Club and Events Coordinator
• Sustainability Advisor
• Volunteer Coordinator/CSSC Liaison

The job descriptions can be found at this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gJvHfi-OXErM6uIQUos3giL36QynUHAoGIqOBg-6E38/edit?usp=sharing .

To learn more about CCE you can visit our Website, Facebook, or ASUCD Site, or contact current Unit Director Tessa Artale at tjartale@ucdavis.edu.

Positions will remain posted through April 11th; don’t wait – apply!

Have you ever wondered what people throw away at UC Davis? Or, how much is being thrown away? We have, too, and we need your help to find out.

The UC Davis Waste Reduction and Recycling Program is embarking on a waste characterization study to determine what is currently hauled from campus to the landfill.  This study involves going through UC Davis waste and sorting the materials into categories (recycling, compost and landfill). The study will show the amount and type of material our campus community is throwing away as trash that could have been recycled or composted, and will help UC Davis determine actions to move towards becoming a zero-waste campus.

We are offering a reward for those who are interested in volunteering with us! We want to thank our volunteers for helping us move closer to a zero-waste campus. For every 3 hours of volunteer time, you will receive a $15 Visa gift card (up to a maximum of $75.00). If you, or anyone you know, is interested in joining us on a Friday from March 8 until April 19, please email recycling@ucdavis.edu AND sign up for volunteer shifts on this linked Volunteer Shifts document. Please also sign up for a mandatory training seminar on this linked Training Seminar document. Let us know if you have a conflict with the training seminar times and we’ll work with you to find a time for the training.

If you have any questions, feel free to email recycling@ucdavis.edu or call (530)752-7456.

Come help UC Davis tackle our trash! We hope to see you on a Friday soon!

Thank you,
Waste Reduction and Recycling Program
Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability

Bargain Barn is offering another of their free e-waste drop-off events. E-waste needs to be disposed of legally, which means it cannot be thrown in the landfill trashcan. The drop-off events are a great service for the campus community. Here’s the announcement from Bargain Barn:

When: Wednesday, March 13, 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Where: Hopkins Services Complex, 615 Hopkins Rd. (Across from the University Airport)

Items Accepted: Non-functioning* University owned desktop (or smaller) electronic items such as:

We’ll also accept small lab items, such as shakers and water baths

* Please note that the Bargain Barn picks-up marketable functioning items at no charge.

Not accepted for drop off** are:

• items with UCD property stickers
• items requiring decommissioning (e.g., containing oil or refrigerant) or containing hazardous chemicals
• household batteries (can be placed for pick-up with your campus mail)
• toners (can be placed for pick-up with your campus mail)

**We reserve the right to refuse any item.

Please prepare your items as follows:

• Please remove items from their original packaging
• Do not place items in small boxes
• Batteries must be removed from the casing on UPS units

Large drop-offs: If you plan on dropping off a large quantity (50 or more items), please let us know so that we can plan accordingly.

Call (530) 752-2145 or e-mail for other eligibility questions.

Guest blogger Alicia Brown, a third-year Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning major, Sustainability Showcase Curator and Green Offices Intern, writes about the latest installation in the Memorial Union Sustainability Showcase, located in the east wing, near the Information Desk and AggieCard Office.

Water: Fact or Fashion? Display in the UC Davis Memorial Union Sustainability Showcase.

The Sustainability Showcase has opened its second exhibit for viewing on the first floor of the Memorial Union! The theme of the exhibit is Water: Fact or Fashion and features disposable water bottles and issues surrounding water quality and use. Water is a vital aspect of our everyday lives, but when faced with the facts, is choosing to drink bottled water a necessity or a product of our society’s consumerism? Why do people pay more for their water than they need to?

When thinking about water, it’s hard not to consider safety and equity on a global scale, but the issues hit close to home as well–in the Central Valley where tap water is unsafe due to high concentrations of nitrates from agriculture, households are paying 4.6% (3 times the affordability threshold recommended by the EPA) of their income on relatively safer bottled water. Is this out of necessity or is it a fad? How do we solve the problem of water equity in our own state? These are some of the thought-provoking questions the exhibit invites you to explore.

With interesting visuals and a collection of water bottles from across the country and around the globe, Water: Fact or Fashion is intriguing and engaging.

Some of the collection’s water bottles from around the world.

An interactive portion of the exhibit allows viewers to become part of the ongoing conversation about water.

Comment board, with a “Question of the Week” about water policy and use.

The Showcase is a collaborative project between departments to provide information about various sustainability issues in keeping with UC Davis’ reputation as a #1 Cool School. Make sure to stop by and check it out! The exhibit is located on the first floor of the MU between the Corral and the Information Desk.

If you are interested in creating your own sustainability themed exhibit or have any thoughts and suggestions, please contact student curator Alicia Brown at the Office Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability (aibrown@ucdavis.edu).

Many thanks to John O’Connor of H2O’C Engineering for giving us permission to display part of his collection of water bottles as well as visuals from his presentation.

The guest post below is by Amanda Wentworth, a third-year Community and Regional Development Major and the Club/Event Coordinator for the ASUCD Campus Center for the Environment:

The Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus) is widely considered the ancestor of the domestic chicken; a rooster at UC Davis.

Can sustainable farming feed America? Find out: Don’t miss an upcoming screening of the documentary film, American Meat, at Hunt 100 on February 6th, 6-9 p.m.

American Meat is a pro-farmer look at cattle, hog, and chicken production in the U.S. This is a great opportunity, as the film is coming through Davis specifically to be screened for our community!

The event is free and open to the public and is hosted by ASUCD Campus Center for the Environment. Following the film will be a lively Q&A with the film’s director Graham Meriwether. Snacks will be provided and there will be free Chipotle burrito vouchers for everyone attending!

Three core actionable principles guide American Meat’s nationwide Young Farmers Screening Series: (1) thank America’s farmers; (2) support young farmers; and (3) food choices matter.

Come learn more about these actionable principles:  Join us for this important and fun event! And, please spread the word! Follow American Meat on Facebook  and check out our Davis page for local event information.

Guest blogger Lynne Nittler, a Davis citizen and active member of Cool Davis, sends news that Garth Lenz is coming to Davis next week. Don’t miss his award-winning talk; you have three opportunities to catch it:

Large-scale mining in the Alberta Tar Sands. Photograph by Garth Lenz, copyright reserved.

Garth Lenz, an internationally-renowned environmental photo-journalist, will present his talk and award-winning slide show, “The True Cost of Oil: Images of Beauty and Devastation,” on the Alberta Tar Sands at the United Methodist Church of Davis (1620 Anderson Road) at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 14.  Suggested donation is $15-20; students are free. Space is limited; pre-register at www.cooldavislenz.eventbrite.com .

“Canada’s Tar Sands are perhaps the most visually compelling example of all that is wrong with our addiction to fossil fuels and why we must change or face dire consequences for all life on Earth,” states Garth Lenz.  His TED talk on the Tar Sands has been visited over 700,000 times!

Best known for his work presenting environmental and social justice issues, Garth has photographed extensively throughout Canada’s temperate rainforest and boreal forests, gathering images that show the plight of the pristine Canadian boreal region and its people who are now confronted by a vast industrial project.  The Alberta Tar Sands are the third largest, most carbon-intensive oil reserves on the planet, and their exploitation is a global threat to climate stability.

Lenz will also present his slideshow talk at Wellman 2 Lecture Hall at UC Davis on Tuesday, January 15, at 5:00 p.m.  The presentation is open to the UC Davis community and to the general public.

Additionally, Lenz will present “The True Cost of Oil” at Goethe Hall at St. John’s Lutheran Church (1702 L Street) in Sacramento on Thursday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m.  Donations will be accepted at the door.

The following guest post comes from Leslie Mancebo, the Transportation Demand & Marketing Coordinator at UC Davis Transportation & Parking Services:

In my position here at TAPS, I regularly talk to UC Davis commuters about transitioning to a more sustainable commute. One anecdote that I frequently hear from commuters traveling from outside of Davis is that they are interested in changing their commute, but they live in an area that isn’t well served by public transit. While UC Davis is well served by a number of regional transit agencies, the bus and train simply cannot meet the needs of each individual commuter. A lesser-known alternative, with much more flexibility, is the vanpool. Vanpooling is one of the most cost-effective, flexible and convenient commuting alternatives to driving alone to work. People who vanpool to work enjoy many benefits, including the following:

Saves Money – Vanpooling is much less expensive than driving alone to work each day. A vanpooler saves money on gas, parking, personal vehicle maintenance and many vanpool members are able to lower their insurance rates by reducing their daily commute.

Saves Time - Vanpools can use regional HOV lanes, which can cut commute times dramatically. When you let someone else drive you to and from work, you can use the free time to work, sleep, read, or daydream! Plus, TAPS offers dedicated vanpool parking spaces, so you can save time spent searching for parking and walking long distances to your office.

Reduces Commute Stress - Imagine arriving at work refreshed and ready to begin your day, free from commuting stress! Vanpoolers enjoy a leisurely commute, allowing time to relax between work and home. Traffic isn’t so bad when you can put in your iPod and take a nap.

Saves the Environment – The average UC Davis staff commuter generates over 2 tons of CO₂ emissions into the environment each year. Each single occupancy vehicle on the road also contributes to traffic congestion that further decreases the regional air quality.

Flexible and Convenient - Vanpools can operate where and when they are needed, regardless of the availability of transit service. Some vans decrease vehicle size during academic breaks so that vanpool riders aren’t paying extra for empty seats on the van. After-work errands can still be accomplished by meeting your vanpool at a conveniently located Park and Ride lot. Additional benefits provided by TAPS allow vanpoolers to drive to campus and park for free on days that the vanpool is not a convenient option and access to the Emergency Ride Home Program ensures that vanpoolers will not be stranded on campus without a car if there is an emergency at home.

Currently, there are vanpools running to UC Davis from Newcastle, Roseville and El Cerrito. In an effort to make vanpool a viable option for more of you, TAPS will host three information sessions in January focused on commuters from the following areas:

San Francisco Bay Area: Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Folsom and El Dorado County: Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Elk Grove: Wednesday, January 30, 2013

All information sessions will be held in the Garrison Room on the 2^nd floor of the Memorial Union from Noon-1:00pm. Please feel free to bring your lunch. For more information please contact Leslie Mancebo at (530) 752-6453 or goclub@ucdavis.edu.