|
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
 |
||
|
||
DOT Releases "Sustainable Streets"
 New York City DOT has released a new strategic plan, Sustainable Streets. NYC has 6,000 miles of streets, about 1/4 of our land mass and the DOT has a plan to make our streets the safest and most pedestrian friendly of all big cities. A clear initiative in the report is to make the streets safer, most potential bikers and pedestrians feels the traffic on the streets is unsafe and are deterred from alternative transit. Other ideas include, Bus Rapid Transit Corridors, practices to decrease parking spot cruising and doubling bike rider-ship in the city. Link | 0 comments  NYS DEC Offers Green Schools Challenge  Earth Day, April 22, 2008 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in collaboration with the Department of Education announced a new Green Schools Challenge contest to bolster recycling efforts in every school across the state. The year long competition will see just what schools, all public and private elementary, middle and high schools can do to: Recycle paper, metal glass and other materials Buy and promote recycled products, and reuse packaging Reduce waste and toxins Conserve water and energy Jumpstart composting programs Winners are eligible for prizes and will be announced on Earth Day 2009! Link | 0 comments Pratt Begins an Eco-Reps Program  Living and Visualizing a Greener Campus through Peer to Peer Outreach Engage* Empower* Conserve* Invest The Eco Reps Program, originally started at Tufts University directly involves students in applying their creativity and sustainable design skills to their own lives on campus. Through this program, students will be empowered to decrease their environmental impact and engage their peers and ultimately the whole campus to do the same. Through training and workshops Eco Reps will learn sustainable practices for energy & water conservation, waste management, recycling, sustainable food systems and eco-consumerism. Eco Reps will be the "go to" people on campus to inform all others of these best practices as well as disseminate updates on campus-wide events and initiatives. If you would like to learn more about the program or apply to be an Eco Rep contact info@sustainablepratt.org Link | 0 comments Sustainable Food Systems  During Green Week, we mobilized around the social equity issue of access to healthy foods for all communities. And we got lots of support! There are many out there that want access to healthier food systems and believe in the power of healthy living through healthy eating! Sustainable Pratt is continuing to lead the sustainability movement by drafting a local foods procurement policy for Pratt's cafeteria. If you would like to help in this initiative, contact info@sustainablepratt.org Here are just a few of the NYC groups out there.... Green Market NYC Part of the NYC Council on the Environment and organizers of all green markets in NYC including the weekend one at Fort Greene Park, just blocks away from Pratt's Brooklyn Campus on DeKalb Avenue! Slow Food USA An organization committed to "a food system that is based on the principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability and social justice." They also have a "Slow Food on Campus" initiative, visit the site to see participating schools. Just Food they work with Fort Greene and Clinton Hill Community Supported Agriculture groups The New York Industrial Retention Network (NYIRN) has an initiative called "Food From New York", showcasing local manufacturers of specialty foods And to learn more about the politics of food systems, visit Sustainable Table make sure to check out the Eat Well Guided Tour of America! Link | 0 comments Green Wood Design  As Pratt moves forward with the construction of its new Myrtle Avenue Building, slated to become LEED certified, it has come to our attention that 6 - 8 trees are currently within the buildings footprint. So to make the best of these natural resources, we challenge students and faculty to design creative uses for this green (meaning non-treated and wet) wood. Here is one idea..... "Turn your bowls out of green wood, the wetter the better, do the whole operation at one time, allow them to dry in paper bags, and then apply a finish." ~excerpt and image from California based woodworker Howard Lewin. To read the full document on how to turn bowls from Green Wood Sustainable Pratt recommends using a Propolis based finish for raw woods. Propolis is a remarkable substance created by honeybees to keep their hive healthy. It neutralizes any bacteria, fungi or virus which enters a hive. One of the most powerful antibiotics found in nature, it is a complex blend of waxes, resins, balsams, oils and a small amount of pollen. And it makes a good all natural finish for woods! Link | 0 comments Welcome to Sustainable Pratt  A message from Pratt President Schutte and the Academic Senate: President Schutte: As a leading school of art, design and architecture, Pratt is uniquely poised to develop creative responses to the major environmental challenges facing our society. The professional practices over the next 20 years of those who are now students of design will play a major role in determining whether recent innovations such as carbon-neutral buildings, design for recycling, and fabrication and construction processes that minimize waste and energy consumption become common practice in the United States. I join the committed faculty and student members of Sustainable Pratt in celebrating the Institute's accomplishments to date and look forward to working with them to integrate sustainability principles fully into curricula and campus operations. Academic Senate: http://www.prattsenate.org/ Jenny Lee, Academic Senate President Archives October 2006 | November 2006 | December 2006 | February 2007 | March 2007 | May 2007 | June 2007 | November 2007 | January 2008 | March 2008 | April 2008 | June 2008 | July 2008 | August 2008 |
|
||
