[Archived] Newsletter
February 17, 2009
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Project Updates
Peter - Kilowatt Ours just starting contact for info. Cardboard Crew getting on its feet.
Ben - Start meeting on compost/garden/ green roofs
Matt - Working on Earth Hour with Andrea George, which is turning off your lights for one hour on a specific date.
Becca - Rites of Spring Recycling, contact her to volunteer.
Luke - hoping to kick off next week on Commons with new batch of compost.
Leslie - Eco-Fashion show this Fall, want to have it outside while Sierra Club wants to do it inside.
Stacey - (Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative representative) Wants to increase collaboration with SPEAR. Look for VBI general body meetings.
Presentation
Bottled Water
The taste, quality, and environmental impact of bottled water. [Download]
Coming up in SPEAR
Next general body meeting + elections
Monday, March 9 at 7 PM in Buttrick 201
Cabinet positions: President, Vice President, Internal Secretary, External Secretary, Treasurer
Loop positions: VP Composting, VP Recycling, VP energy and resource conservation, VP education and community outreach, Webmaster
News
Compost Utilization
A few weeks ago, Plant Operations used the finished compost from the Commons composting initiative to plant trees around campus. Photos are available in our Photo Gallery.
New York Times: Dark Days for Green Energy
Because of the credit crisis and the broader economic downturn, installation of wind and solar power is plummeting.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/business/04windsolar.html.
Service Learning Opportunities
Trailing Building / Hiking at Beaman Park
Sign up by Wednesday, February 25
Date: Sunday, March 15
Place: Beaman Park, TN
Cost: FREE!
Pre-Trip Meeting: Wednesday, 3/11 at 6:30 PM
Beaman Park is a relatively new park in Nashville that is being developed as a more natural park, rather than a "ball field park." We will either help improve the new trail that goes from the Nature Center to the 2-mile trail and / or we will pick up litter. Experienced trail volunteers and equipment will be provided to help us. Lunch is also provided, and hiking afterward is an option. Estimated trip duration: 12 Noon – 6 PM.
Contact: Linda Rosenkranz (linda .dot rosenkranz @at vanderbilt .dot edu)
Kilowatt Ours Nashville Project
This is a joint collaboration between individuals from VU's Climate Change Research Network and the Kilowatt Ours project. Kilowatt Ours is a documentary created by Jeff Barrie (http://www.kilowattours.org), and his organization is now working with community organizations in Nashville to promote energy conservation in homes. Beginning in the summer, we will be launching a pilot project to examine the effectiveness of block leaders and feedback meters. We're also seeking funding to expand this project to a much bigger scale. Student volunteers would have the opportunity to be involved in the research design process, participant recruitment, developing outreach materials, and collecting data. It's also a chance to do something good for the community and reduce our impact on the environment.
We're looking for students who may be interested in volunteering, and potentially gaining some research experience. There may be the potential for paid positions in the future, although this will be contingent on funding. Either way, if you are interested in environmental psychology, community organizing/outreach, etc. and are looking to get some experience, we would love to work with you.
Contact: Amanda Carrico (amanda .dot r .dot carrico @at vanderbilt .dot edu)