How the Spring can be Sustainable? -Sustainable Gardening

Top 5 Ways To Have A More Sustainable Gardening Routine - FARMHOUSE 40


What is Sustainable Gardening? Sustainable gardening is a term that has no technical definition. It’s the concept of using gardening practices that cause no harm to the earth and its inhabitants while attempting to actually enhance it. Words that define “sustain” and “sustenance” are support, preserve, keep alive, maintain, reinforce, and nourishment. These words help paint the picture. By practicing sustainable gardening, you practice good environmental stewardship. Do no evil; that’s it.

Here are some tips for Sustainable Gardening

1. Plant vegetables – plant your own veggies for ultra-fresh and pesticide-free food. The latest list of the “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables from the Environmental Working Group identifies everything from spinach to bell peppers as having the most pesticide residue – even after you wash them. So plant some of your own without pesticide and focus on eating the “Clean Fifteen,” including cantaloupe and sweet potatoes.

2. Plant flowers – Spring flowers are a cheery accent. Your flowers can do double-duty as food for bees. Bees have been stressed in recent years by Colony Collapse Disorder and also just the loss of habitat. Plants like milkweed, asters and many more can help our bees survive.

3. Plant native plants – which need less water and are better able to survive .

4. Minimize lawn care impacts. A lawn has significant environmental impacts. All that watering, fertilizing, mowing and pest control exact a toll on the planet. So minimize how much of your yard is devoted to lawn. And consider a smart device like the Smart Garden Hub, which can help save up to 50% of the water you sprinkle on a lawn.

5. Bonus tip: Make your plans now for Earth Day in April! The official day is April 22, but many organizations use the whole month of April to sponsor green fairs, eco-fests and other events to both educate and inspire people about sustainable living. EvCC hosts Earth Week between April 18th and April 25th this year. Check back next week for a link to this year’s earth week schedule.

Learn more about EvCC Sustainability!  www.everettcc.edu/green

Mariya Zelenskyy – Media and Outreach Coordinator  sustainability@everettcc.edu

Simple & Sustainable Spring Cleaning Tips

Sustainable Spring Cleaning · Organic Spa Magazine

With Spring just around the corner, we feel that there’s no better time than the present to start sprucing up our space. Not only does decluttering create a more mindful abode, but it can also contribute to your mental well-being. So, whether you like to clean room-by-room or tackle the entire house in one sweep, below are some simple and sustainable tips to get you through the season.

1. Repurpose Everyday Items

From using glass jars as storage containers to repurposing a cup into a toothbrush holder, there are endless ways to get creative with existing everyday items. 

One of our recent go-to’s has been making our own chemical-free cleaner. Not only is it all-natural, but it can also easily be customized with your favorite combination of scents. To make a standard all-purpose solution:

Mix 1-part vinegar to 1-part water in a glass spray bottle (plastic can occasionally react with essential oils, so it’s important to use a glass container)

Add 8-10 drops of your favorite essential oil You can also add citrus peels to the above mix for extra cleaning power

2. Clear the Clutter by Categorizing

One of the most rewarding parts of cleaning is clearing out your closet. Start by separating all of your clothing into four categories:

  • donate
  • sell
  • throw-away
  • keep

Take your time when sorting and do your best to avoid creating a “maybe” or miscellaneous pile. Once you’re finished with clothing, move on to homewares.

Items that are still in good condition can be donated or gifted to a friend.

When it comes to donating, look locally for a no-contact option. Safely dropping off things you no longer use (but are still in good condition), will not only contribute to your community, but it will also help reduce your environmental impact.

3. Set Small Goals & Stick to Them

When it comes to cleaning, it’s best to commit. Setting small goals and sticking to them will make each task less overwhelming and motivate you to keep going. Start by making a list and cross things off along the way. If you live with others, cleaning can also be a fun group activity. Dedicate specific days and times to complete household chores with your roommates or family. Be diligent with daily projects and take comfort in knowing that almost no task will take as long as you think.

4. Master the Art of Organizing

Making sure that everything has a home will save you a lot of time in the long run. Spend a few minutes to walk around your home at the end of the day. Is there loose paper on the table? Are there dirty clothes in the living room? Assessing the state of your space is an easy indicator to your organizational needs. Here are some tips to help restore order: 

Laundry to Linens: Small baskets are a great way to keep household linens organized and looking fresh.

Pots to Pantry: If you find yourself needing a little bit of extra counter space, a wall-mounted shelf or rail is a stylish space saver. 

Magazines to Books: A small storage rack can lend a helping hand to stray publications, records, and books. 

5. Celebrate Successful Spring Cleaning

Once your checklist is complete, it’s important to celebrate a job well done! 

CONSERVATION FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Link: http://www.waconservationsociety.org/scholarship-program.html

This link is to a scholarship opportunity through the Washington Conservation Society open through March 31st to students (details of who can apply below)

Eligibility requirements:

The applicant must be a resident of Washington State at the time of application.

The applicant must be:

A full-time high school senior; or

Entering their freshman year of college; or A returning college student. 

If the applicant is enrolled in college, preference will be given to applicants who are enrolled in an accredited college or university in Washington State. Note: There is no age requirement or maximum age cap for applicants.

Applicants must demonstrate an interest in: Conservation and the environment; and Planned employment in the broad field of natural resources.

Learn more about EvCC Sustainability!  www.everettcc.edu/green

Mariya Zelenskyy – Media and Outreach Coordinator  sustainability@everettcc.edu

Preparing a Climate Action Plan and Setting Priorities

Preparing a Climate Action Plan and Setting Priorities

At this stage of formulating a climate action plan, research campuses choose greenhouse gas reduction goals, set dates for achievement, and determine financial constraints and opportunities.

The resulting plan can be goal driven or finance driven.

In preparing climate action plans, there is usually a desire for specific goals and a need to stay within financial constraints. Because of this, a hybrid approach that combines goals and financial constraints is most typical.

Developing a climate action plan is an iterative process that sets preliminary goals, evaluates specific measures, calculates financial impact, and then revises the goals.

Set Preliminary Goals

Research campuses should carefully consider where to set greenhouse gas reduction targets because it is a long-term goal against which you will measure progress for many years. Targets are usually expressed in terms of percent reduction in energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions by a certain year.

A typical date range for climate-neutral targets is between 2020 and 2050. Plan your targets and dates to achieve goals on time and at the lowest cost possible. Remember, climate neutral means a 100% reduction in your current baseline carbon impact.

Many climate actions reduce greenhouse gases and save money at the same time. For example, energy conservation projects can sometimes result in very high rates of return. Calculating a return on investment or simple payback for these projects allows measures to be ranked relative to each other in terms of financial performance.

Revise Goals

The final step in the planning process is gathering information gleaned from the process and revisiting the original goals. Research campuses often find the need to revise climate action plan goals based on financial constraints and results uncovered by evaluating specific measures and/or the portfolio approach.

Revising goals at this stage increases the likelihood of success. There is little point in striving to meet preliminary goals when financial and specific measure analysis shows them to cost-prohibitive or outright unattainable.

Learn more about EvCC Sustainability!  www.everettcc.edu/green

Mariya Zelenskyy – Media and Outreach Coordinator  sustainability@everettcc.edu

What should colleges do about climate change?

Most young people care about climate change. College students can make a difference by pushing for campus sustainability and taking steps to make a more sustainable campus.

College students have a voice on campus. Choosing a sustainable college or encouraging sustainable practices can make a difference. For example, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, & Rating System rates colleges on sustainability and recommends college sustainability programs.

Colleges committed to fighting climate change invest in college sustainability programs. They build green dorms, invest in low-carbon transportation, and limit waste. This section covers the ways colleges are tackling climate change on campus.

Why is Climate Action important for sustainable development?

A strong climate agreement backed by action on the ground will help us achieve the Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, build stronger economies and safer, healthier, and more liveable societies everywhere.

Climate action and sustainable development are inseparable. Climate change is a threat multiplier. It amplifies existing threats, exacerbating problems for the economy, environment and society. 

Learn more about EvCC Sustainability!  www.everettcc.edu/green

Mariya Zelenskyy – Media and Outreach Coordinator  sustainability@everettcc.edu

What are the benefits for the

students of Climate Action Plan ? 

Colleges and universities must exercise leadership in their communities and throughout society by modeling ways to minimize global warming emissions, and by providing the knowledge and the educated graduates to achieve climate neutrality. Campuses that address the climate challenge by reducing global warming emissions and by integrating sustainability into their curriculum will better serve their students and meet their social mandate to help create a thriving, ethical and civil society.

Colleges must remain vigorous in supporting students, faculty, and staff who are championing ideas, expertise, and action related to climate change. Colleges have a responsibility to act on the research and insights from our faculty and students. 

The climate action plan will build on the past progress and use the campus to confront the difficult questions posed by climate change and test promising new solutions that move the College, and the world, away from fossil fuels. 

It’s important that College provide a good example not only for the students, but also for our community. It helps students to understand and address the impacts of the climate crisis, empowering them with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to act as agents of change. The international community recognizes the importance of education and training to address climate change.

Do students want to learn about climate change?

A survey in Europe found that just 4 percent of students feel they know a lot about climate change; 42 percent feel they have learned a little, hardly anything, or nothing about it at school; and 57 percent of students want to learn more.

Learn more about EvCC Sustainability!  www.everettcc.edu/green

Mariya Zelenskyy – Media and Outreach Coordinator  sustainability@everettcc.edu

What is a Climate Action Plan?

Climate Action Plan Banner

Our Climate, Our Future: Climate Action Plan!

A climate action plan is a detailed and strategic framework for measuring, planning, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and related climatic impacts. Municipalities design and utilize climate action plans as customized roadmaps for making informed decisions and understanding where and how to achieve the largest and most cost-effective emissions reductions that are in alignment with other municipal goals. Climate action plans, at a minimum, include an inventory of existing emissions, reduction goals or targets, and analyzed and prioritized reduction actions. Ideally, a climate action plan also includes an implementation strategy that identifies required resources and funding mechanisms.

A Climate Action Plan (CAP) begins with an inventory of the College’s past greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and follows with a plan for reducing those emissions by a given time frame. The goal of SMC’s CAP is to achieve the largest and most cost-effective GHG emissions reduction.  

Tackling climate change is not just a technological challenge, it is a moral, ethical and social justice issue. 

A strong climate agreement backed by action on the ground will help us achieve the Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, build stronger economies and safer, healthier, and more liveable societies everywhere.

Learn more about EvCC Sustainability!  www.everettcc.edu/green

Mariya Zelenskyy – Media and Outreach Coordinator  sustainability@everettcc.edu

Calendar for the budget preparation of the Green Fee Proposals

Student Green Fee Project Proposals | Everett Community College

Are you a current student with ideas on how to make EvCC more sustainable? 

The EvCC Student Green Fee has funds available and will be accepting student proposals Jan 1st through Jan 31st 2022.  

Submit yours to be a part of making EvCC a more sustainable place! 

For details and instructions or to learn about previously funded projects Click Here

In order to submit a proposal, please follow these instructions:

  1.  First, download and save both the budget proposal form, as well as the SMARTS worksheet
  2. .Second, fill out the documents, saving them under the following format: ProjectPropsalName.Date.GreenFeeBPF and ProjectProposalName.Date.GreenFeeSMARTS (ex. SolarPanels.1-10-2020.GreenFeeBPF and SolarPanels.1-10-2020.GreenFeeSMARTS).
  3. Finally, email completed documents to sustainability@everettcc.edu.

To facilitate the handling of budget requests in preparation of the budget, the following dates will be adhered to:

January:

Opportunities will be provided for all members of the college community to submit budget proposals through the budget request forms. These forms will be sent to all organizational advisors and program directors including the Vice President of College Services. The budget for every project, program or activity must be developed by the students participating in the project, program or activity in conjunction with the appropriate advisor, coach or director. The budget request form should reflect the planned project, program or activity for the next fiscal year and shall be submitted to the Sustainability and Resource Conservation Manager and the ASEvCC Sustainability Officer by the published deadline (Late budgets subject to Student Green Fee Administrative Committee discretion).

February: 

The ASEvCC Sustainability Officer shall collect all budget request forms and prepare a master budget request. The Student Green Fee Administrative Committee shall also meet for a preliminary information discussion session(s) to establish goals and to develop schedules and procedures.

The Student Green Fee Administrative Committee shall invite the various advisors or student representatives to any project, program or activity requesting funding to present their proposals or, if they are from a current- funded program, their budgets. Presentations to the committee are mandatory if requesting a budget increase (written exceptions are subject to the Student Green Fee Administrative Committee discretion).

Requestors presenting to the committee will be scheduled and the scheduled sessions will be advertised by the ASEvCC Sustainability Officer and be open to all members of the campus community. Presentations will be limited to 15-20 minutes in length, including a question and answer period.

February/March:

Administrative Services personnel shall estimate the Student Green Fee revenue for the next fiscal year. The Student Green Fee Administrative Committee will determine a basic amount of revenue that are expected to be produced by each revenue-generating program. The sum of the Student Green Fee revenue and other program revenue will be the annual budget allocation. The Student Green Fee Administrative Committee shall meet to adjust the budget requests to the annual budget allocation.

March:

Account directors, advisors or other representatives of student groups requesting funding for a new program, project or activity, or submitting their budgets to the Student Green Fee Administrative Committee shall be notified in writing of the status of their budget and shall be advised of their

right to appeal. Appeals will be formally scheduled, and once heard, the Student Green Fee Administrative Committee will review them for possible adjustments.

April:

Two (2) open hearings will be advertised to the campus community so that viewpoints regarding committee recommendations can be heard.

The Student Green Fee Administrative Committee shall prepare a balanced budget and present its recommendations to the ASEvCC Student Senate at a budget hearing during a regularly scheduled meeting to be approved with a two-thirds affirmative vote.

The College President shall receive information regarding the budget as approved by the ASEvCC Student Senate.

Green Fee Project Examples


Are you a current student with ideas on how to make EvCC more sustainable? The EvCC Student Green Fee has funds available and will be accepting student proposals Jan 1st through Jan 31st 2022.  Submit yours to be a part of making EvCC a more sustainable place! For details and instructions or to learn about previously funded projects Click Here
In order to submit a proposal, please follow these instructions: 
First, download and save both the budget proposal form, as well as the SMARTS worksheet.Second, fill out the documents, saving them under the following format: ProjectPropsalName.Date.GreenFeeBPF and ProjectProposalName.Date.GreenFeeSMARTS (ex. SolarPanels.1-10-2020.GreenFeeBPF and SolarPanels.1-10-2020.GreenFeeSMARTS).
Finally, email completed documents to sustainability@everettcc.edu.  
Green Fee Project Examples
Many other colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest (and nationwide) have taken to student fees to fund their sustainability and environmental goals. Here are some examples of projects they funded through these types of fees. Below are examples of projects that have been undertaken on other campuses, or potential project ideas generated by students for our campus
.Bike Rentals Bicycling is one of the most efficient modes of sustainable transportation in urban and suburban areas. Its a healthy and sustainable way to get around, and allowing students to rent bicycles has several benefits. Now with our two student housing buildings, a program like this just makes sense for our campus!
Climate Action Plan
 The climate action plan will build on our past progress and use the campus to confront the difficult questions posed by climate change and test promising new solutions that move the college, and the world, away from fossil fuels. It also helps students to understand and address the impacts of the climate crisis, empowering them wit the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to act as agents of change. The international community recognizes the importance of education and training to address climate change.
Eco-Scholarships
Some colleges have used the funds from their sustainability fees to offer mini-scholarships to STEM students, specifically those studying environmental sciences or engineering.
ADA Compliance and Improvements
Some colleges have invested in improving their accessibility standards for individuals with short and long-term disabilities. Sustainability isn’t just about protecting the environment, it also incorporates principles of social justice and equity, and one way to promote these principles is by removing barriers that may make it challenging for specific groups of people to achieve educational success.
Water Bottle Fill Stations Did you know that in the United States alone, we go through enough disposable water bottles in one week to stretch around the globe two times. That’s a lot of plastic that ends up in landfills, estuaries and oceans. Though we already have a few water bottle fill stations, most buildings on campus still need to be retrofitted so we can continue to reduce our campuses reliance on disposable water bottles
.To learn more about Project ExamplesClick here: https://www.everettcc.edu/administration/college-services/facilities/sustainability/evcc-green-fee/project-examples

Use of Green Fee Funds

Student Green Fee Project Proposals | Everett Community College
Are you a current student with ideas on how to make EvCC more sustainable? The EvCC Student Green Fee has funds available and will be accepting student proposals Jan 1st through Jan 31st 2022.  Submit yours to be a part of making EvCC a more sustainable place! For details and instructions or to learn about previously funded projects Click Here
In order to submit a proposal, please follow these instructions: First, download and save both the budget proposal form, as well as the SMARTS worksheet.Second, fill out the documents, saving them under the following format: ProjectPropsalName.Date.GreenFeeBPF and ProjectProposalName.Date.GreenFeeSMARTS (ex. SolarPanels.1-10-2020.GreenFeeBPF and SolarPanels.1-10-2020.GreenFeeSMARTS).Finally, email completed documents to sustainability@everettcc.edu.
The funds generated by the Student Green Fee and all associated revenue, which is generated, are to be used as otherwise provided by law, rule or regulation of the Board of Trustees for the express purpose of advancing the sustainability goals of the College and the ASEvCC.When authorized and approved in a manner consistent with this Financial Code, Student Green Fee funds may be used for, but shall not be limited to:A. Projects, programs, activities or other opportunities for students and the campus community to engage in promoting or implementing sustainable practices in all campus operations.B. Travel and per diem costs for students and staff members on authorized travel status while participating in sustainability related student programs, activities or conferences.C. Salaries or compensation for students, who are employed by the Office of Sustainability, or as otherwise needed for temporary positions and internships relating to projects funded by the Student Green Fee funds.D. Supplies and materials considered essential for the day-to-day operation of the Office of Sustainability, including those for outreach and education, such as general office supplies; collateral and give-away items; posters, flyers, and other advertising mediums; technology deemed necessary for student use within the Office of Sustainability.E. Promotion of and limited support for curricular and co-curricular programs that have a sustainability-related education component.F. Subsidies or supplements to campus programs, departments and services (including contracted services) if such subsidies or supplements result in improvements to students’ access to sustainability resources, education, or demonstrates the capability to make the services of a contracted vendor on campus more sustainable.G. Dues for institutional memberships in recognized sustainability professional organizations, provided that the legality of such an expenditure is first established in consultation with the legal advisor of the College.
  EvCC Sustainability is hosting a FREE (open to all) Electronics Recycling Event on Tuesday, January 18th from 10 AM to 2 PM in Lot F.Event is no touch (drive up/get unloaded by recycling staff). All data is wiped from the electronics.3 R Technology ( E Waste recycler) accepted items list can be found here:https://3rtechnology.com/materials-accepted/ Students for Environmental Action (SEA) invites you to be an environmental hero! Bring clean styrofoam, packing peanuts in bags or boxes, bubble wrap and plastic film to be recycled–for free!This event is open to everyone! To learn more about Event click here: https://www.everettcc.edu/calendar/2022/01/styrofoam-recycling-event Location: Parking Lot F
Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 – 10:00am to 2:00pm 

EVCC Green Fee

Are you a current student with ideas on how to make EvCC more sustainable?

The EvCC Student Green Fee has funds available and will be accepting student proposals Jan 1st through Jan 31st 2022.  

Submit yours to be a part of making EvCC a more sustainable place! 

For details and instructions or to learn about previously funded projects Click Here

In order to submit a proposal, please follow these instructions:

  1.  First, download and save both the budget proposal form, as well as the SMARTS worksheet
  2. Second, fill out the documents, saving them under the following format: ProjectPropsalName.Date.GreenFeeBPF and ProjectProposalName.Date.GreenFeeSMARTS (ex. SolarPanels.1-10-2020.GreenFeeBPF and SolarPanels.1-10-2020.GreenFeeSMARTS).
  3. Finally, email completed documents to sustainability@everettcc.edu.

Background of the Green Fee:
In May 2018, EvCC students had the opportunity to vote on whether to assess the proposed Student Green Fee, a $0.50 (fifty cent) per credit fee, with a maximum of $7.50 for 15 credits that would fund various sustainability and environmentally-focused projects and activities on campus while giving the student body more influence over how the campus approaches sustainability. 

With 70% of ballots in favor of the proposed fee and board approval, fee collection began in Winter Quarter of 2019. The uses of the funds from this fee include:

  • Creation of the Campus Sustainability Fund to provide funding and resources to the campus community in the effort to advance the sustainability goals of the College and the ASEvCC.
  • Student employment opportunities in the Sustainability Office
  • Supplemental funds for outreach, education and materials for the Sustainability Office.
  • ASB Senate and BOT approved the Student Green Fee Financial Code 
  •  and Agreement Document 
  • as well as a Student Green Fee budget for the remainder of the fiscal year (Jan 2019-June 2019) in November, 2018.

EvCC Sustainability is hosting a FREE (open to all) Electronics Recycling Event on Tuesday, January 18th from 10 AM to 2 PM in Lot F.

Event is no touch (drive up/get unloaded by recycling staff). All data is wiped from the electronics.

3 R Technology ( E Waste recycler) accepted items list can be found here:

Students for Environmental Action (SEA) invites you to be an environmental hero! Bring clean styrofoam, packing peanuts in bags or boxes, bubble wrap and plastic film to be recycled–for free!

This event is open to everyone! To learn more about Event click here: https://www.everettcc.edu/calendar/2022/01/styrofoam-recycling-event

Location: Parking Lot F

Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 – 10:00am to 2:00pm