Category: News

Campus historian preserves over 24 years of environmental management activities

Since Daniel Einstein started working at UW–Madison over 24 years ago, he has worked tirelessly to archive the history of environmental management activities on campus. As the current Historic and Cultural Resources Manager, he uses this knowledge to develop and implement new resource management policies on campus. Einstein is well versed in campus history. His …

Wisconsin Cleantech Network forum highlights green startups at the UW

“Cleantech” is short for clean technology, a term used to describe products or services that reduce waste and require as few non-renewable resources as possible. The University of Wisconsin–Madison currently provides more than $100 million in federal grant funding the growing field of cleantech research. In addition, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), in cooperation …

New expertise in communication comes to the Office of Sustainability

Nathan Jandl started his first day of work on August 7 as the new Office of Sustainability Communications Director. Jandl is actively brainstorming ideas for refreshing the website, building a greater awareness of sustainability initiatives through social media, increasing engagement with undergraduates, and giving the newsletter a facelift. He’s also enthusiastically starting conversations with leaders …

Department Of Energy selects Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center for next-phase funding

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) for an additional five years of funding to develop sustainable alternatives to transportation fuels and products currently derived from petroleum. Already the recipient of roughly $267 million in DOE funding, GLBRC represents […] Read the full article at: http://news.wisc.edu/doe-selects-great-lakes-bioenergy-research-center-for-next-phase-funding/

Refillable water bottles: Research in progress

In Fall 2016, the Division of University Housing placed a Camelbak 750-ml refillable water bottle in the room of each incoming UW–Madison housing resident. Housing has nearly 7,500 student residents across 19 residence halls. Each bottle carried the imprint: “Badgers live sustainably. Rehydrate. Refill. Reuse. Reduce waste.” Breana Nehls, Residence Hall Facilities Sustainability and Communications …

“Living laboratory” for sustainability comes to a national conference

In June, the 2017 Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) Conference was held in Tucson, AZ. The national conference brought together faculty, students and staff of interdisciplinary environmental programs to strengthen teaching, research and service in environmental studies and sciences. UW–Madison doctoral students Tom Bryan and Tim Lindstrom, together with their faculty advisor Cathy …

Office of Sustainability welcomes new summer interns

The Office of Sustainability hired nine undergraduate interns with diverse backgrounds to work toward improving campus sustainability. This summer, the interns will work on two different teams to integrate sustainable practices on campus. The Waste & Recycling Team will help campus groups improve their recycling and composting by analyzing the items thrown away and the …

Office of Sustainability hired new Green Fund Program manager

On June 1, Ian Aley began work at the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability as the new Green Fund Program Manager. Aley brings a wealth of environmental experience to the position, which focuses on managing student-initiated sustainability projects. “He’s a perfect fit for the position,” says Cathy Middlecamp, Interim Co-Director.  “He wants students to experience success.  …

Student volunteers help university residents move out sustainably

This spring, 160 volunteers provided over 750 hours of staffing at sites set up on the UW–Madison campus. They diverted 129,493 pounds of material from the landfill by helping residents donate and recycle items. The campus and Madison community received 124 microwaves, 601 area rugs, 169 futons and over 60,000 pounds of clothing, food and …

Refrigerator project will provide fresh produce access to campus

On June 16, UW–Madison senior Hannah DePorter will plug in the first refrigerator for her UW Campus Food Shed project on the third floor of the Student Activity Center (SAC). The project allows all students, faculty and staff to have access to fresh produce donated from the plant sciences research labs, the Greenhouse Learning Community …