Major Site Re-Construction underway---Stand back, put your thinking cap on here comes the fall class of 2016--and Now introducing the Spring class of 2017. Thanks so much for your contributions--together we are building the future
Student collected links
I think first we need to clarify the different sections of Building vs. Grounds and use the page to focus on Campus Buildings and Grounds only. Also, I would like to see more information on the Solar Energy Panels on Venice Campus. I do not get to visit that campus and I didn’t realize it was there.
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Another thing would be to provide links to outside information (ie. LEED certifications)
Maybe a few links to learn more about:
LEED CERTIFICATION
http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/ (Links to an external site.)
Florida Native Landscaping
http://www.floridayards.org (Links to an external site.)
Florida Environmental Protection Issues:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/default.htm (Links to an external site.)
Florida State Parks
https://www.floridastateparks.org (Links to an external site.)
~~R. Kelln (Fall 2016)
I think that an easy and interesting project would be building the solar panels for the energy-efficient cars at the Lakewood Ranch campus. This could involve the engineering team to create a structure that would hold the panels and also the sustainability class to help get the most out of this structure. This project could be implemented into the already "LEED" building code and could help boost funding or incentive into sustainability.
I also found a link with a lot of little activities that all teachers could implement to serve a purpose for a subject and also create something out of it.
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/teacher_resources/project_ideas/
Hope this is what the assignment asks for! :
J. Martorell (Fall 2016)
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One "low-hanging fruit" solution to stormwater management issues facing not only SCF campuses but also the community at large is to implement porous (or permeable) pavements or pavers in parking lots, surrounding low-speed roads, pedestrian walkways and other paved ground surfaces.
An informative resource on this topic is the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) report entitled "Towards Sustainable Pavement Systems", the executive summary of which is located at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/sustainability/hif15002/chapters/hif15002_00c.pdf (Links to an external site.) (part of its "Sustainable Pavements Program" located at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/sus
tainability (Links to an external site.)).
In this report's executive summary, it is argued that: "Permeable pavements are an effective means of providing stormwater management by capturing and storing runoff, reducing contaminants in waterways, and recharging groundwater supplies. They also make for more efficient land use by eliminating the need for retention ponds and swales. These pavements are currently limited to low-volume roadways and parking lots." Additional benefits of porous pavements are outlined in the "Use-Phase Considerations" section of this report.
This article http://www.pupnmag.com/article/detail/6245/permeable-clay-pavers-solve-stormwater-issues-while-preserving-historic-character-of-college-campuses (Links to an external site.) discusses the benefits of using porous materials for pedestrian-oriented paved surfaces -- with a focus on college campuses.
~~~S. McTeague (Fall 2016)
Some things that could be very good to include would also relate to other topics. One of these is current projects. I noticed that on the main scf.edu site there are at least two building projects that are available for bids from contractors. If these were listed under "buildings" with evidence of how they were advancing the commitment to sustainability it would be very helpful. Another section could be future goals. This could delineate areas that are not currently addressed or at least not addressed fully and would show where the college is attempting to go with its commitment. Another section could be reserved for ideas. This could just be an area designated for collaboration for students, faculty, and members of the community to brainstorm about how to make the buildings and grounds even better. For instance, it would be great to have a small facility on one of the campuses that is built to reflect the natural Florida environment and give the perception of being in an outdoor classroom while having the benefits of a comfortable and sustainable shelter.
~~~~R. McCoy (Fall 2016)
Landscaping—Serves as an important function and promotes a more sustainable relationship with ournatural resources. You should consider cost, how hard is it to maintain and functionally when choosingyour design. And don’t forget how pleasing on the eye this will be once it is finished.
~~V. Harris (Fall 2016)
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Three things that I would like to add would be Wastewater treatment, Storm water reuse, and Substitution. When it comes to waste water it is something that often gets over looked because people don’t want to have to deal with it. But proper treatment of waste water is very important and the effects it can have the environment and out water sources. Storm water runoff usually goes into treatment plants through the sanity system of they run off into larger bodies of water. But considering how much dirt and filth it carries with it then goes into bodies of water is very harmful. And substation is something that I think everyone should consider doing. Instead of using paper towels use rags, use biodegradable materials, cloth bags instead of plastic, etc.
Wastewater treatment, http://water.worldbank.org/shw-resource-guide/infrastructure/menu-technical-options/wastewater-treatment
~~~~L. Novak (Fall 2016)
Pre reconstruction material below as of 9/28/2016---AAG
Buildings & Grounds
Biodiversity & Conservation
Tips for Preserving Biodiversity in Natural Areas
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Support your local park system by visiting, donating, or volunteering. Find nearby park information by visiting our Local Resource page!
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Volunteer for clean-ups to remove garbage and invasive species from natural areas.
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Think about where your products are sourced. The harvest of raw materials and manufacture of products may have negative impacts on unique ecosystems. Thinking about what we buy, and looking for products with less packaging, less toxins, more durability, and recycled content is one of the biggest ways we can help our planet.
SCF uses native trees, shrubs and grasses in an effort to move toward lower maintenance and sustainable landscaping. SCF Bradenton campus uses reclaim water and untreated surface water for half of all irrigation. SCF Venice campus uses 100% untreated surface water to meet irrigation needs.
The Venice Campus Green Team, students, staff and faculty, in partnership (funded by) Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, in the spring of 2016 planted a wildlife corridor. A win win as we no longer have to mow the area, trees providing shade in a few years!!!!
Building Energy Use
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for the Medical Technology and Simulation Center (MTSC) at SCF Lakewood Ranch.
The 42,000-square-foot facility’s unique, environmentally friendly features, recognized by LEED Gold certification, enhance the College’s mission to promote healthy and sustainable living practices; demonstrate efficient energy and conservation management, saving money for families, businesses and taxpayers; and provide forward-thinking leadership for students, faculty, staff and the community.
“SCF’s foresight in the design of the MTSC positions the college to meet the needs in two areas important to the community: sustainability and wellness. While the LEED Gold certification represents a tangible symbol of our commitment to the environment, sustainability, health and wellness initiatives are fundamental to our college’s culture,” said SCF President Dr. Lars A. Hafner.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is a third-party certification program and nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.
Building certification levels are ranked in four categories—Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum—and are achieved through a point measurement system of five green benchmarks areas including Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality. Additional points are possible through an Innovative Design evaluation category.
SCF sought and earned 40 uncontested points from the USGBC, achieving LEED Gold certification for the MTSC’s exceptional energy, lighting, water and material use and for incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.
A significant green feature of the MTSC is the 1,600-square-foot chiller plant that uses a Thermal Energy Storage system to provide air conditioning for the campus during peak times. The chiller plant is designed to help SCF reduce annual energy costs by nearly 30 percent. A water condensate recovery system captures water from the air-handler’s coils and recycles it back into the air-conditioning system to replace 10 to 20 percent of the lost condensation needed to operate the cooling tower. Waste water generated by the chiller plant also is reused for irrigation purposes as a water conservation measure.
The MTSC’s energy systems perform double duties. In addition to cooling all the buildings on campus, the chiller plant will be a hands-on learning lab to provide a simulated work experience for students in SCF’s future Energy Technology Management baccalaureate program.
Green features of the MTSC include:
Air quality and occupant comfort/productivity
• Large windows made with Low E glass (emissivity) allow natural light and help reduce heat gain.
• Furniture was manufactured by a Greenguard-certified company for low-to-no “off gassing” compounds.
• The MTSC offers a healthy, clean-air environment on a tobacco-free campus at SCF Lakewood Ranch.
Alternative transportation incentives
• Preferred parking spaces are reserved for energy-efficient vehicles.
• Future plans call for solar-powered charging stations for electric vehicles.
• Restrooms with showers, lockers and bicycle storage encourage cyclists and walkers.
Building durability and storm resistance
• The MTSC is hurricane resistant and can withstand winds up to 149.5 miles per hour.
Recycling/Conservation
• More than 80 trees were preserved and nearly two dozen were relocated on campus during construction.
•Seventy-five percent of construction waste was reused or repurposed.
• Recycle bins are placed conveniently throughout reception and common areas.
Water conservation/ measures
• Low-flow, low-flush fixtures save an estimated 269,693 gallons of water annually, 40 percent less than a comparable building.
• “Night-sky-friendly” outdoor lighting fixtures reduce light pollution.