Native Plant Garden | School of Education | Spring 2023 | $11,413
Wildlife ecology students are working with staff from UW facilities to plant a native plant garden just north of the School of Education building to support pollinators and be a space for indigenous place-based learning.
Lighting Retrofit | Four Lakes Dining | Spring 2023 | $2,000
Students from Helios and Enactus worked with Housing staff to upgrade the lighting in the kitchens, hallways, and other “back of house” spaces of Four Lakes Dining. The new LED bulbs will save 112 MWh of electricity a year.
Energy Efficiency Devices | Spring 2023 | $2,505
The Office of Sustainability Green Labs program will pilot and study the use of smart power strips and timers to reduce energy use of lab equipment.
Electric Mower | Arboretum | Spring 2023 | $21,260
The Arboretum worked with students from CLEAN to replace a fossil fuel-powered riding lawn mower with an electric powered one, saving roughly 14 MTCO2e in greenhouse gas emissions and $6,900 in fuel costs over the life of the mower.
Aquaponics | D.C Smith Greenhouse | Spring 2023 | $9,250
Students from Engineers for a Sustainable World worked with faculty and staff to build an aquaponics system to raise fish and edible plants in D.C. Smith Greenhouse and incorporate the system into classes and other educational programming.
Tower Garden | Camp Randall | Fall 2022 | $1,356
Student Athletes Leaders for Sustainability (SALS) introduced a vertical hydroponic growing system at the UW Athletics Camp Randall dining hall to engage student athletes in growing food.
Lighting Controls | Waters Residence Hall | Fall 2022 | $2,664
Students from Enactus and Helios worked with University Housing staff to add occupancy sensors and timers to hallway and bathroom lighting at Waters Residence Hall saving about 32 MWh and $4,700 a year.
Bee Hotel | Allen Centennial Gardens | Fall 2022 | $1,300
Students from Bees Please, Engineers for a Sustainable World, and The People's Farm are working with staff to design and build a nesting box for native bees at Allen Centennial Gardens.
Clothing Repair Equipment | Fall 2022 | $1,427
Re-wear It Wisconsin, a student organization, runs clothing swaps and workshops on campus about clothing reuse and repair. This project offers equipment to support their waste reduction efforts.
Have an idea that addresses the environmental footprint, social impact, and operating costs of on-campus facilities? Green Fund staff can assist with proposal development at any time. Please contact Green Fund Program Manager, Ian Aley.