TGIF 2010-11 Funding Cycle Awarded Projects

Announcing the selected projects for the 2010-11 Funding Cycle. 37 projects applied for TGIF grants requesting a total of $537,814. Of those projects, 18 were awarded funds totaling $177,080.

Isla Vista Theater Theatrical Lighting ($37,604)

This project will replace all of the high wattage halogen theater lighting fixtures at the Isla Vista Theater with low wattage LED fixtures,resulting in huge energy savings. This is the fourth major theatrical venue on campus to convert to LED lighting, showing a comprehensive approach to energy savings.

“Campus Pool” Pool Cover ($15,000)

This project will purchase a pool cover for the campus pool, which will prevent heat from escaping and water from evaporating during non-operating hours. Currently, much energy is wasted to keep the pool at 79F at all times. The project is estimated to save $48,750 per year in energy costs.

UCSB Student Food Collective Sustainable Food Cart ($30,000)

Funds will be used to construct and operate a student-owned cooperative food cart. The food cart will sell a combination of prepared grab-and-go items such as sandwiches, wraps, and salads, as well as fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, coffee, tea, and juices. The cart aims to provide fresh, healthy and ethically produced food to the campus community at an affordable price. SFC’s cart will also educate students about food sustainability and the local agricultural economy.

Family Housing Composting and Trash Reduction ($10,800)

In the County of Santa Barbara, 35 – 40% of food trash is compostable. Family housing produces almost 2 million pounds of trash per year that could be composted, but is currently diverted to landfills. This project will pilot a composting program at Storke and West Campus family housing, distributing 24 compost bins along with accompanying educational materials and programs.

Recycling the Brine from Campus Reverse Osmosis Systems ($3,555)

Currently, the Reverse Osmosis (RO) system at the Engineering Sciences Building (ESB) creates reverse osmosis water and reverse osmosis process water at the ratio 1:1. At present, ESB produces around 50,000 gallons per month of RO water resulting in an equal amount of reverse osmosis process water flushed down the drain. The project aims to capture that process water in a storage reservoir and pump it back into the building effectively recycling water. This project will save at least a half million gallons of water annually.

Aerator Retrofit Program ($4,136)

This project will add aerators to the least efficient faucets in 14 campus buildings in order to reduce water flow and thus usage. The project will result in an estimated savings of nearly 1 million gallons of water annually.

CCBER Native Algae Book ($1,200)

Two student interns will create a field guide of Santa Barbara algae specimens for use by CCBER faculty, staff, and students, in university classes, K-12 outreach programs, and for the general public.

Improving the Gathering of our Recycling Streams ($1,990)

Project to re-label the 89 outdoor berthas waste bins on campus to match the in-building recycling program for four types of waste: commingled, office pack, landfill and now compost! This effort will help standardize recycling across the campus with the goal of recycling 75% of our waste by 2012 and 100% by 2020.

Solar Power for CCBER, Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration ($21,000)

TGIF has awarded half of the funding required to install a solar panel array on the roof of CCBER headquarters at the Harder Annex resulting in total energy reduction of 40-50%. This project will supplement CCBER’s current 4.8 KW installation and effectively double the building’s power production. This project supports CCBER’s endeavor of modeling and promoting sustainable practices on campus.

Extending the Central Irrigation Control System ($9,000)

This project will extend the central irrigation control system to cover CNSI, Life Sciences Building, the Psychology building and the Student Resource Building for more efficient irrigating. Extending the smart sprinkler system will mitigate over-watering. The project could save 2,613 gallons of water per day.

Down with Styrofoam, Up with Reusables ($2,050)

Project to implement an educational campaign highlighting the benefits of using Eco-Clamshells Reusable Containers in place of styrofoam. The Eco-Clamshell reuse program will be advertised at food outlets on campus. Patrons initially buy the reusable container with a meal and subsequently exchange rinsed, used containers for sanitized ones with next meal purchase.

Commingled Recycling Bins for Student Affairs Buildings ($4,050)

20 commingled recycling bins will be purchased for Student Affairs buildings to assist in achieving 9 LEED-EB certifications, a top-priority for the division. This project will increase the campus’s solid waste diversion by placing these bins in heavily trafficked student services buildings with accompanying instructional signage.

Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) “Striving Toward Zero Waste” ($3,950)

This project will purchase recycling containers and distribute them throughout the ICA building and outdoor athletic venues including Harder Stadium, Caeser Uyesaka Baseball Stadium, and the Softball Stadium. An intern will be hired to oversee ICA’s first recycling program, especially targeting waste reduction at sporting events.

Extension of Campus Reclaimed Water Line to Psychology ($10,050)

This project will extend the reclaimed water irrigation line to serve the areas around the Psychology Building resulting in reduced potable water use. By expanding the existing reclaimed water system, the campus will continue to lower its impact on regional water consumption.

Santa Cruz Island Reserve Lighting ($5,842)

This project will replace the existing fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs with LED lights in Field Station buildings at the Santa Cruz Island Reserve (SCIR). The project will reduce diesel fuel use by 150 gallons annually and is part of an ongoing program to increase sustainability, self-sufficiency and improved energy conservation at the Santa Cruz Island research station, a unit of the UCSB Natural Reserve System.

Santa Cruz Island Reserve Solar Hot Water ($9,163)

This project will install solar water-heating panels on Field Station buildings at the Santa Cruz Island Reserve (SCIR). This system will replace the existing LPG gas dependant water heating system. Using solar instead of propane for water heating reduces propane fuel use consumption by 600 gallons annually.

Solar Powered Attic Fan ($3,190)

To address ventilation problems in the campus greenhouses, this project will install solar attic fans to draw out hot air and allow cooler air to enter without the use of electricity. The Attic fan project will use solar energy to conserve water through cooling plant temperatures and create a safe/comfortable environment to carry out student research.

Smart Water Use Project ($4,500)

This project will update current sprinkler infrastructure on the West Campus grounds and launch an educational campaign to inform campus staff, faculty, and students about the environmental impact of water use. The Smart Water Use Project will replace 435 Sprinkler Heads with MP Rotator heads, saving up to 30% of water used by the current sprinklers.