It is my pleasure and honor to report on the activities of the Environmental Sustainability Task Force.  It has been a busy year with many accomplishments.  The Office of Environmental Sustainability was established this January to further the ideals of the task force.  In addition, we have realized the following achievements:

ü      Energy conservation: Two energy campaigns in the residences resulted in over $25,000 in avoided energy costs

ü      Sustainable food production.  An agreement between Chartwells and a local livestock cooperative brought several shipments of grass fed beef to our cafeterias.  Our farmer’s markets brought local produce to campus and resulted in $15,000 in donations to the Regional Food bank.  Speakers on sustainable food production were sponsored by the office.  Chartwells has increased their percentage of local food purchases.

ü      Recycling and Hazardous Waste. We participated in Recyclemania and increased our recyclables per capita by over 30%.  Several new recycling centers were established around campus.  An on-going assessment of recycling needs is in place. We have cut our hazardous waste disposal in half and have increased our electronics recycling program.

ü      Planning.  The task force plays a role in future facilities planning, thanks to a Senate resolution, and will continue to do so with an upcoming pond improvement project.  The campus watershed management plan is moving forward.  Construction on the Purple Path has begun.

ü      Communication.  The web site is updated regularly with new handouts outlining our efforts and an electronic newsletter distributed to the campus community helping to improve access to knowledge on task force activities.  Additionally, a new student group, the UAlbany Students for Sustainability, has been formed to assist the office and develop projects on their own.

ü      Research.  Projects investigating the possibility of generating biodiesel and installing an on-campus bioreactor for food waste have been undertaken.

ü      Community involvement.  Task force members organized a conference on sustainable city neighborhoods and participated in the Climate Change and Agriculture workshop.

We are looking forward to another exciting year as we accept the challenge of climate neutrality and become a more environmentally responsible campus.