Bundle of Fund

$400K Available for Projects Promoting Environmental Sustainability on Campus

By Carly Taylor ’19 Sep 06, 2018

Photo by John T. Consoli

Calling all tree-huggers and would-be plastic straw bandits: Think you have what it takes to make this campus greener? The Office of Sustainability is accepting applications from faculty, staff and students to fund project proposals that promote environmental sustainability at UMD. And this year, $400,000 are up for grabs.

The University Sustainability Fund has provided more than $2 million in grants since its creation in 2011. Funding comes from student fees, which undergraduate students voted in 2007 to increase for this purpose. A student-majority committee of the Sustainability Council administers funds each year, typically supporting multiple projects.

The 120 funded projects have the following in common: They promote environmental sustainability and positively impact and enhance the student experience. They might increase the use of renewable energy on campus or local community, increase the energy efficiency of our facilities, reduce waste, encourage sustainable behaviors, and integrate sustainability into teaching, research and service.

The fund allows the campus community to get creative with proposals, says Sustainability Manager Mark Stewart.

“It has really inspired a lot of new ideas and I think encouraged people to be forthcoming with concepts that at first sound crazy,” he said. “Time and time again, we’ve seen a lot of innovation happening because we have this fund available.”

The priority deadline for proposals this year is Oct. 15, and winners are announced in mid-January.

Check out these previously funded projects that have sparked change at UMD.

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Green Terp and Green Chapter Program

These programs, developed by the Department of Resident Life, Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Office of Sustainability, have encouraged the Greek community and on-campus residents to adopt “green” behaviors such as conserving water, saving energy and minimizing waste. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Sustainability)

Aquaponics Research Center

The Department of Environmental Science and Technology and the Green Roots Club proposed this center to study aquaponics, a form of food production that combines raising fish and growing soilless crops. The center includes hydroponic systems for plant growth, fish tanks and a 1,200-square-foot heated greenhouse. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Sustainability)

React House Dennis Schroeder US Departmentof Energy 1920x1080

Solar Decathalon Project

The UMD team that participated in the 2017 U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon received funding to update its design for a solar-powered house called reACT, which stands for resilient Adaptive Climate Technology. The student-designed and -built house, which featured a composting toilet, hydroponic garden, moveable plant-covered walls and a combination greenhouse-courtyard, placed second at the international competition. (Photo by Dennis Schroeder/US Department of Energy)

Biowall

University Libraries installed a biowall in McKeldin Library’s Footnotes Café in an effort to improve indoor air quality and represent a commitment to sustainability. The 1,000 plants of eight varieties require water and light—not soil—to grow. (Photo by Rachel Baker)

PALS

The Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), a campus-wide initiative led by the National Center for Smart Growth, has used money from the fund to have students and faculty experts help communities across Maryland, including Frederick, Columbia and Anne Arundel County, become more sustainable. (Photo by John T. Consoli)

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Campus & Community