Office of Sustainability
University of Wisconsin–Madison

Green Fund Projects 2023-2024

Modular Agrivoltaics | Dining | Spring 2024 | $1,090

Mechanical Engineering students received funding to build an agrivoltaics prototype for use at the Campus Farm in the Eagle Heights Community Garden. The system is one initiative of the broader "Badgervoltaics" effort on campus.

A group of six students and staff post for a photo near an agrivoltaic planter which demonstrates how plants and solar panels can occupy the same space.

Compost Cart Washer | Gordon Dining and Event Center | Spring 2024 | $6,610

Students proposed an alternative system for washing the carts that Dining staff use to collect food scraps for compost. This equipment will save around 80,000 gallons of water a year and make for a safer and cleaner process for Dining staff.

In a facility's loading dock and trash collection area, a photo showing a line of rolling bins with the one at the end displaying a bright yellow sign that reads "Food Scraps Only."

Lighting Retrofit | CALS Greenhouses | Spring 2024 | $11,840

Students collaborated on a project that will upgrade 1,200 High Intensity Discharge lights with LEDs in three greenhouses, saving over 833 MWh in energy usage and $90,000 per year in energy costs.

A photo of students and staff inside a greenhouse featuring the overhead lighting system.

Organic Landscape Management Pilot | Spring 2024 | $28,000

Students collaborated with Grounds and Campus Planning and Landscape Architecture to pilot organic landscape management practices, using compost and other organic inputs rather than synthetic fertilizers and pesticides on four campus landscape sites.

A group of four students and staff inspect a soil sample at a grassy site.

MaetaData Pilot | Spring 2024 | $36,000

Students proposed piloting a 3-year subscription to MaetaData, software that uses procurement information from campus food providers to give a dashboard output with data about the locality and sustainability of the food options on campus.

A Housing Staff member passes a plate of chicken over the serving counter to a student with signs featuring a Star Wars themed menu.

Vertical Gardens | Leopold Residence Hall | Spring 2024 | $2,300

Students and staff will expand crop production at the Dining & Culinary Services (DCS) Campus Farm to grow fresh herbs and lettuce in a vertical hydroponic system in Leopold Residence Hall.

A group of seven students and staff examine a growing system inside of a greenhouse,

Lighting Retrofit | Enzyme Institute | Spring 2024 | $2,000

Students proposed LED lighting upgrades to the Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE) offices in the Enzyme Institute building on campus.

A staff member on a ladder installs new ceiling lighting while two students observe.

BCycle Station | Arboretum | Fall 2023 | $20,000

Students and UW staff will improve accessibility for the campus community to the Arboretum Visitor Center by introducing an e-bike sharing station.

Kitchen Hood Controls | Gordon Dining and Event Center | Fall 2023 | $10,000

Dining is working with students to upgrade the controls for the kitchen ventilation systems to save an estimated 220 MWh in energy usage and over $60,000 in operating costs per year.

Bird-Friendly Windows | Dejope Residence Hall | Fall 2023 | $12,750

Students worked with Housing to add dots to the north-facing windows of the Dejope dining room to make the glass more visible to birds to hopefully avoid collisions and death of wildlife.

A group involved in the project gathers outside of Dejope Residence Hall to watch the installation of Bird-Friendly glass.

Free Food Alerts | Fall 2023 | $5,000

This project pilots the use of an application that allows food providers and campus community members to connect when excess food is available, reducing waste and improving food security.

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.