2024
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11/13/24: KLB names Dr. Carol Lunn co-chair of the University Sustainability Coalition
KLB names Dr. Carol Lunn co-chair of the University Sustainability Coalition
has selected Carol Lunn, assistant vice president for research and economic development at the University of New Orleans, as the new co-chair of the KLB University Sustainability Coalition. Representing university affiliate and sustainability coalition member Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful, Lunn will serve in this role for two years, with support from current co-chair Jonathan Brown, sustainability coordinator at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The KLB University Sustainability Coalition is a network of colleges and universities with an interest in increasing higher education sustainability efforts in Louisiana.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to have Carol selected as the co-chair of the University Sustainability Coalition. Through her leadership, her department helps the 色色研究所 community succeed in creative, innovative, and scholarly research. In her 23 years at 色色研究所, Carol built a team focused on customer service and compliance. The Office of Research provides support, training and mentorship for all research activities and generates opportunities for collaboration with external partners in the community,鈥 said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
Under Lunn's leadership, Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful has grown sustainability efforts on campus. The affiliate is committed to planning Earth Day events, regular litter cleanups, sponsoring mural projects, planting native plant gardens, working to reduce campus waste, and maintaining 色色研究所鈥檚 status as a recognized Arbor Day Foundation 鈥淭ree Campus.鈥
Lunn recently received her Ph.D. in urban studies, and her dissertation focused on environmental sustainability in higher education. In addition to serving as the 色色研究所 facilitator for Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful, she is a co-director of the 色色研究所 Sustainability Circle and the advisor to the 色色研究所 Garden Club.
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10/17/24: Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful wins Outstanding University Affiliate award
Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful wins Outstanding University Affiliate award
At the annual Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) State Conference in Baton Rouge, Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful won an Everyday Hero Award as the Outstanding University Affiliate.
The Outstanding University Affiliate Award is presented to a KLB University Affiliate that has demonstrated strong leadership and a growing presence in their campus community. Recipients' efforts should have not only resulted in visible and measurable changes but also led to a cultural shift, with more students, faculty, and staff committed to reducing waste, preventing litter, and improving the appearance of their campus.
As stated in KLB's announcement, "Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful, led by Carol Lunn, has been growing sustainability efforts on campus year after year. The Affiliate is committed to planning Earth Day events, organizing litter cleanups, sponsoring campus mural projects, planting native gardens, working to reduce campus waste, and maintaining 色色研究所鈥檚 status as an Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus. Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful also received KLB grants to install water bottle refill stations and to mark storm drains."
The KLB conference is an annual educational training and networking forum welcoming all individuals, Keep America Beautiful Affiliates, universities, state and local governmental agencies, community and business partners, and non-profit organizations.
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4/2/24: Earl K. Long Library featured on WGNO for "Get Down & Clean Up" anti-litter program
Earl K. Long Library featured on WGNO for "Get Down & Clean Up" anti-litter program
The University of New Orleans Earl K. Long Library and 色色研究所 students were featured on WGNO New Orleans for their participation in Keep Louisiana Beautiful's anti-litter program.
KLB has partnered with the Louisiana State Library and the Louisiana Public Library System to make litter clean up supplies readily available for check out at local libraries across the state. You can now use your library card to check out a clean up kit, which includes a safety vest, grabbers, a trash bag, and instructions on how to conduct your cleanup. This program provides the perfect opportunity for students to get service hours for school. It鈥檚 also a great hands-on way for families, small homeschool groups, youth groups, and scouts to care for their neighborhood.
The Earl K. Long Library is the first in Orleans Parish to participate in the program!
2023
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10/30/23: 色色研究所 awarded recycling grant
色色研究所 awarded recycling grant
The University of New Orleans has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful to help the university expand its on-campus recycling program. The University Affiliate Grant will be used to purchase new recycling bins with wheels and lids, which will make it easier to transport collected recycling from the bin locations across campus to the recycling dumpsters.
The primary anticipated outcome of this project is to educate students and employees on what can be recycled in the City of New Orleans and therefore on 色色研究所鈥檚 campus. By educating the community, 色色研究所 hopes to increase recycling on campus by providing the means to change behavior.
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7/25/23: 色色研究所 Birding releases annual report for FY 2022-2023
色色研究所 Birding releases annual report for FY 2022-2023
色色研究所 Birding has accomplished much in the 2022-2023 academic and fiscal year. To celebrate these achievements, they have released their second annual report and newsletter!
Click the link below to read or download.
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6/27/23: 色色研究所 Native Plant Garden recognized as 100th certified habitat in New Orleans
色色研究所 Native Plant Garden recognized as 100th certified habitat in New Orleans
色色研究所's second Native Plant Garden has been designated as a certified Louisiana habitat by the . The designation recognizes 色色研究所 for preserving and promoting the state's natural heritage via native plant gardens which benefit wildlife and natural ecosystems.
The native plant garden, overseen by Assistant Professor Chris Belser, has also been recognized as the 100th certified habitat in the New Orleans area. The program鈥檚 milestone and 色色研究所鈥檚 certification will be marked during a 9 a.m. ceremony at the Amphitheater garden on July 6.
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5/9/23: 色色研究所 and The Beach at 色色研究所 launch Wind Scholars Program
色色研究所 and The Beach at 色色研究所 launch Wind Scholars Program
In response to the growing demand for engineers working in clean energy, the Louisiana Wind Energy Hub at 色色研究所, a collaboration between the University of New Orleans and The Beach at 色色研究所, has launched the Wind Scholars Program. The program will award five scholarships of up to $5,000 to undergraduate and graduate students in the Dr. Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering who are interested in acquiring skills and knowledge in the realm of renewable energy.
To qualify for the scholarship, junior or senior undergraduate students must choose one of four available paths, consisting of four courses, that corresponds to their degree program: civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or naval architecture and marine engineering. Graduate engineering students will pursue a track consisting of graduate-level courses. Each student will also be paired with an industry partner and receive a paid internship or summer experience with that company.
RWE, Entergy and Gulf Wind Technology have already signed on as industry partners and will host an industry speaker series for 色色研究所 students.
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3/1/23: 25-year energy partnership with LAEP to improve campus infrastructure
25-year energy partnership with LAEP to improve campus infrastructure
Louisiana Energy Partners (LAEP), a partnership between Bernhard LLC and Johnson Controls Inc., and the University of New Orleans (色色研究所) announced today a 25-year Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) partnership to renew 色色研究所鈥檚 campus energy infrastructure, reduce campus Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions, and provide additional capital to advance 色色研究所鈥檚 core academic and research mission. Within 色色研究所鈥檚 existing operating budget, the University will generate $2.1 million of annual utility cost savings while addressing nearly $9 million of deferred maintenance during the lifetime of the partnership.
色色研究所鈥檚 200-acre lakefront campus in New Orleans will see $27 million of upfront energy infrastructure and building improvements deployed within the first 24 months of the partnership. These improvements include a 1.8 MWdc solar array, renewal of the campus chilled water systems, upgrading building assets including air handling systems, efficiency improvements to lighting and building water systems, and retro-commissioning of building automation systems. In addition, 色色研究所 will transfer operations and maintenance (O&M) risk of their campus energy infrastructure to Bernhard鈥檚 team of experts.
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3/1/23: 色色研究所 contributed to Louisiana鈥檚 updated $50 billion coastal master plan
色色研究所 contributed to Louisiana鈥檚 updated $50 billion coastal master plan
Four University of New Orleans researchers contributed to the creation of Louisiana鈥檚 updated $50 billion coastal master plan, which is the state鈥檚 proposed guiding document to address the challenges of land loss and coastal flood risk.
The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) released a draft of on Jan. 6. The plan lays out the state鈥檚 priorities for implementing restoration and risk reduction projects that officials say will result in a more sustainable coast.
色色研究所 earth and environmental sciences professors Madeline Foster-Martinez, Ioannis Georgiou, Denise Reed and research associate Ann O'Connell contributed to the 2023 draft plan.
2022
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11/22/22: Fine Arts students paint more bird murals, raising climate change awareness
Fine Arts students paint more bird murals, raising climate change awareness
色色研究所 fine arts students are taking inspiration from the Audubon Mural Project and using the National Audubon Society鈥檚 report 鈥淪urvival by Degrees鈥 to select the species to highlight. Kathy Rodriguez, assistant professor of fine arts at 色色研究所, has incorporated the mural creation as a service learning course for her Painting III class.
The public-art initiative celebrates birds while drawing attention to the risk climate change poses to both birds and people, mural organizers said. 色色研究所 is the first university in the country to participate in the Audubon Mural Project, said Carol Lunn, assistant vice president for research and economic development. Lunn is spearheading the projects, which are a part of the Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful initiative.
The second mural project is currently underway on four Fine Arts Building doors facing the Fine Arts Woodlot.The murals鈥攐ne is a Seaside Sparrow and the other features a Swallow-Tailed Kite鈥攁re expected to be completed by the end of the fall semester.
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11/15/22: Sustainability Circle celebrates America Recycles Day
Sustainability Circle celebrates America Recycles Day
The 色色研究所 Sustainability Circle hosted 色色研究所's first ever Recycling Day as part of Keep America Beautiful's "America Recycles Day."
"" is Keep America Beautiful's nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. In mid-November every year, event organizers provide recycling education through nationwide community events.
The Sustainability Circle's committee on recycling hosted a tabling event at the Earl K. Long Library, providing students and employees with the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of recycling. The City of New Orleans is once again offering recycling city-wide, and attendees were educated about the expanded initiative.
Attendees were also encouraged to volunteer with the Sustainability Circle, join the 色色研究所 Garden Club, and/or sign up for Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful's upcoming Recycling Ambassador Program coming to campus in Spring 2023.
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10/11/22: Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful honored at state conference
Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful honored at state conference
Organizers from Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful attended the Keep Louisiana Beautiful State Conference, where University Affiliate Coordinator Carol Lunn participated in a panel. Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful was honored as one of the flagship university affiliate programs for Keep Louisiana Beautiful.
"Keep Louisiana Beautiful has put together a large series of best practices. It's almost a plug-and-play model," Lunn said in a videotaped interview during the conference. "I can also contact the other affiliates and ask them for advice. And that really makes it much easier and more approachable for universities. Without having to put out a lot of resources, [we] get a lot of benefit from this program."
Keep Louisiana Beautiful鈥檚 State Conference is an annual educational training and networking forum welcoming all individuals, Keep America Beautiful Affiliates, universities, state and local government agencies, community and business partners, and non-profit organizations.
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10/3/22: 色色研究所 celebrates native plant garden, Privateer Pocket Park, and environmental mural
色色研究所 celebrates native plant garden, Privateer Pocket Park, and environmental mural
On Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1, Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful celebrated the grand opening for three pilot projects on campus: the first native plant garden, the first Privateer Pocket Park, and the first installment of the at 色色研究所.
The native plant garden was designated a Gold Level Louisiana Certified Habitat by the .
色色研究所 students, faculty, and staff as well as neighbors from our community gathered outside the Administration Annex to see the new entrance garden, the Administration Courtyard, and the Pine Warbler mural painted by 色色研究所 art students. Organizers estimate more than 300 people were in attendance over the course of the two days.
"It was wonderful to see people enjoy our campus," said Carol Lunn, university affiliate coordinator for Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful and assistant vice president of research and economic development. "I look forward to working with these partners on future projects to benefit our campus and our community."
The sponsored a free native plant giveaway. Over the course of the two days, NPI gave away nearly 700 native plants before donating additional plants to the 色色研究所 Garden Club.
See our Grounds Work & Habitats page to learn more about all these programs.
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9/21/22: 色色研究所 releases annual sustainability report for FY 2021-2022
色色研究所 releases annual sustainability report for FY 2021-2022
The University of New Orleans, Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful, the 色色研究所 Sustainability Circle, and other eco-friendly partners on campus have accomplished much in the 2021-2022 academic and fiscal year. To celebrate these achievements, we have released our first annual 色色研究所 Sustainability Report!
Click the link below to read or download.
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9/20/22: Carol Lunn awarded KLB grant for reducing single-use plastics
Carol Lunn awarded KLB grant for reducing single-use plastics
The University of New Orleans has been selected as a recipient of the University Affiliate Grant by , the State鈥檚 premier anti-litter and community improvement organization. Carol Lunn, assistant vice president for research and economic development, will serve as the principal investigator.
The $5,000 grant will support 色色研究所鈥檚 efforts to reduce single use plastics on campus. The University of New Orleans will first focus on reducing single-use plastic bottle pollution by installing bottle refill water fountains in areas most used by students.
By reducing the number of single-use plastics circulating on campus, the university will also reduce the potential for those bottles to escape into the campus or local waterways as trash and marine debris.
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9/14/22: Carol Lunn awarded Healthy Communities grant for storm drain marking project
Carol Lunn awarded Healthy Communities grant for storm drain marking project
The University of New Orleans has been selected as a recipient of the Healthy Communities Grant by , the State鈥檚 premier anti-litter and community improvement organization. Carol Lunn, assistant vice president for research and economic development, will serve as the principal investigator.
The $4,100 grant will support 色色研究所鈥檚 storm drain marking project. 色色研究所鈥檚 campus is adjacent to Lake Pontchartrain, an estuary that leads into the Gulf of Mexico and serves as a nursery for numerous species of animals. Some species have experienced steep declines in population. Any litter or chemicals near storm drains in New Orleans risk contaminating Lake Pontchartrain and the wildlife that depend on it for survival. Litter and debris in storm drains can also clog catch basins, which exacerbates flooding.
This project will create a storm drain marking program at 色色研究所, in which each drain will be marked with information for the community about storm drains emptying into the lake. An inventory of the drains both on and immediately adjacent to campus will be created and added to the University鈥檚 new sustainability website. 色色研究所 will also develop an environmental education program regarding storm drain runoff.
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8/11/22: Birds of 色色研究所 releases annual report for FY 2021-2022
Birds of 色色研究所 releases annual report for FY 2021-2022
Birds of 色色研究所 has accomplished much in the 2021-2022 academic and fiscal year. To celebrate these achievements, they have released their first annual report and newsletter!
Click the link below to read or download.
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8/8/22: 色色研究所 launches Louisiana Wind Energy Hub
色色研究所 launches Louisiana Wind Energy Hub
To accelerate the growth of the state鈥檚 wind energy innovation ecosystem, support emerging companies, spur the development of novel technologies and supply trained professionals to the rapidly expanding renewable energy sector, the University of New Orleans, in partnership with the 色色研究所 Research & Technology Foundation, has announced the launch of the Louisiana Wind Energy Hub at 色色研究所.
The hub will be located at , the University鈥檚 research and technology park.
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6/14/22: 色色研究所 student artists paint on-campus mural to draw attention to climate change
色色研究所 student artists paint on-campus mural to draw attention to climate change
In Spring 2022, Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful and the 色色研究所 Office of Research funded a student art project that transformed an otherwise nondescript set of utility doors into a vibrant and poignant art installation drawing attention to local birds affected by climate change.
The collaboration was inspired by the National Audubon Society鈥檚 and spearheaded by Carol Lunn, 色色研究所鈥檚 assistant vice president for research & economic development in the Office of Research. She is also the university affiliate coordinator for Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful.
"In the fall of 2021, I was on a Zoom with a co-worker, and she had a beautiful image of birds as her background, with the logo for the Audubon Mural Project," Lunn said.
The co-worker was Elizabeth Sigler, assistant to the vice president for research & economic development and director of the Center for Undergraduate Research & Creativity.
"After the meeting, we spoke about the mural project, and later I researched it online," Lunn said. "The more I reviewed the site, the more passionate I became about implementing something similar on 色色研究所鈥檚 campus!"
As noted on their website, the Audubon Mural Project is informed by Audubon鈥檚 groundbreaking science report "," which found that climate change threatens 389 birds species鈥攁t least half of all North American birds鈥攚ith extinction.
Lunn hoped that a mural similar to Audubon鈥檚 on 色色研究所鈥檚 campus would generate attention for 色色研究所鈥檚 sustainability initiatives while getting students involved in an in-person project, once classes came back on campus.
Working together with partners nationwide
But realizing this idea required extensive collaboration with various partners. Lunn identified the best location for the mural by walking campus with staff members on her team, and the planned location was approved by Deborah Hadaway, associate vice president for 色色研究所鈥檚 Facility Services.
Next, Lunn needed to find 色色研究所 artists who could take her concept and implement it. She reached out to Kathy Rodriguez, assistant professor of fine arts at 色色研究所. Rodriguez offered to incorporate the mural as a class project in her spring Painting II course.
As part of the Painting II curriculum, students researched the topic, submitted designs in a competitive selection process, then collectively implemented the selected mural design.
Rodriguez said, "Working collaboratively with so many moving parts on this mural, the first of its kind in Louisiana, has given not only the class but all members of the 色色研究所 community a rich and expansive opportunity for learning. I鈥檓 grateful to be able to share my experience painting in this format with our students and to learn from them."
With a plan in place, Lunn and Rodriguez reached out to the Audubon Mural Project in New York鈥攁nd they were quickly connected to several experts who agreed to speak with Rodriguez鈥檚 students.
Avi Gitler, one of the co-founders of the Audubon Mural Project, joined Rodriguez鈥檚 Painting II class remotely and gave a presentation on the original project. Dr. Erik Johnson, director of bird conservation for , joined remotely and discussed the importance of the region to local and migratory bird populations as well as the threats posed by climate change.
"Erik is also a talented photographer, and our art students had as many questions about his camera and lenses as they did about the birds!" Lunn laughed.
Nic Dixon, an outreach associate with Audubon Delta, joined the class on-site to document the painting process and the students and staff members involved.
Student painters included Lydia Barbry, Zen Castro, Trinity Jackson, Rowan Lambert, Jamie Risbourg, Larrencia Smit, Rebekah Tomblin, Estelle Vanthier, and Daneia Williams.
Julie Landry, office manager for the Office of Research, also photographed and videoed the painting process. She further assisted with the administrative efforts of acquiring the painting supplies.
"So, there is obviously a lot of networking occurring here," Lunn said. "This was all done very organically and in a relatively short amount of time, thanks to technology that enabled free exchange of ideas and dedicated people who love what they do. The hours spent coordinating and sharing knowledge go well beyond what is mentioned here."
Student-driven mural installation features threatened pine warblers
After listening to the guest speakers from Audubon, Rodriguez鈥檚 students set to work researching the birds listed in "Survival by Degrees." Each student designed and painted a small-scale idea for a mural. Lunn worked with a committee including the university鈥檚 President John Nicklow to select the winning design from all submissions.
Jamie Risbourg, a junior majoring in studio arts, submitted the winning design.
"When I enrolled in this class, I had no idea that we would be doing a mural," Risbourg said. "I have done murals in the past, but on my own. I have never gotten a chance to be a part of a group project for a mural. So, this is really exciting, to not only be involved but, now that this design of mine has been chosen, I get to maybe help oversee some of what is happening as well."
And she did! Throughout the collaborative painting process, Risbourg advised and directed her fellow students, all of whom participated in painting the mural Risbourg designed.
The mural features three pine warblers, one of the bird species listed in "Survival by Degrees" with the to climate change in Louisiana.
In Risbourg鈥檚 mural, the pine warbler is shown in its natural habitat of pine trees along with some of the insects it eats. The pine warbler is a bird commonly found on 色色研究所鈥檚 campus鈥攂ut it is at risk of disappearing.
According to the report, if action is not taken to hold off climate change, a quarter of the pine warblers鈥 range will be lost as the average temperature warms by 1.5 degrees. 38% of their range could be lost with two degrees of warming, and 59% could be lost with three degrees of warming.
For more information about Risbourg and her experience with painting the mural, watch the Office of Research鈥檚 .
At this time, 色色研究所鈥檚 pine warbler mural stands in tribute to the national Audubon Mural Project鈥攂ut Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful has been working with project coordinators to explore opportunities for an official partnership.
Improving ecosystems with native plant gardens
Even so, the mural on its own did not satisfy Lunn鈥檚 ambitious plans for the area.
"To create a complete project, I committed to installing a native plant garden next to the mural, so we could tie in art with a complete eco-system," Lunn said. "I met with Dan Scheiman, a Plants for Birds program manager with Audubon Delta in Arkansas. He gave me some great information, and he set 色色研究所 up in the Spring 2022 Louisiana Native Plant Sale, so people could donate plants right to our garden!"
According to the Audubon website, the program is "designed to help inform and encourage individuals and communities to grow native plants that benefit wildlife. By adding native plants in one鈥檚 yard, balcony, container garden, or public space, individuals can not only attract more birds but give them the best chance of survival in a modern landscape of fragmented habitat, and in the face of climate change."
In addition to receiving the native plant donations, Lunn worked with Tammany Baumgarten, a licensed horticulturist, owner of Baumgardens, Inc., and president of the . Thanks to their partnership, the landscaped area on the eastern side of the 色色研究所 Administration Annex is now a native plant garden designed to attract birds, bees, and butterflies.
"Audubon helped make 色色研究所鈥檚 campus a living lab鈥攖hat allowed students to implement what they learned in the classroom鈥攁ll while beautifying campus and bringing attention to environmental issues," Lunn said. "This was a successful semester with amazing teamwork!"
Read more in the 色色研究所 News press release.
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6/13/22: Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful recognized among premier class of KLB university affiliates
Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful recognized among premier class of KLB university affiliates
graduated its first class of University Affiliates with the close of the school year, welcoming the University of New Orleans along with Grambling State University, Louisiana State University, Nicholls State University, Tulane University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL), and Xavier University of Louisiana. The KLB University Affiliate program, engaging college students in environmental stewardship and sustainability practices, is now the largest program of its kind in the U.S.
This recognition comes after Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful worked throughout the 2021-2022 school year to complete a waste audit, conduct a litter survey, and develop a work plan for encouraging more sustainable activity at the University of New Orleans.
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5/20/22: 色色研究所 introduces sustainable practices to residential halls' move-out day
色色研究所 introduces sustainable practices to residential halls' move-out day
At the end of the spring 2022 semester, partners from Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful and the 色色研究所 Sustainability Circle worked with and the 色色研究所 Privateer Pantry to reduce the environmental impact of students moving out of on-campus housing.
Students do not always wish to take everything from student housing with them when they leave. In the past, these items were typically placed into waste containers. This year, students were able to donate items in good condition to Goodwill and unopened, shelf-stable food and personal care items to the 色色研究所 Privateer Pantry. Instead of being sent to a landfill, these items can now be re-used by those in need of them.
"Goodwill was a fantastic partner who came to campus several times over the two-day move-out," said Carol Lunn, university affiliate coordinator for Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful and assistant vice president for research and economic development. 鈥淭hey helped us keep appliances, computers, electronics, cookware, clothing, and linens out of landfills. Numerous boxes of food and personal care items were also donated to 色色研究所鈥檚 Privateer Pantry, which provides supplemental food support to all currently-enrolled 色色研究所 students."
Students and their families provided such positive feedback that 色色研究所 plans to continue with these sustainable practices in future move-out events.
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4/27/22: Office of Research awards Innovation Challenge sustainability grant to Chris Belser
Office of Research awards Innovation Challenge sustainability grant to Chris Belser
The 色色研究所 Office of Research and the 色色研究所 Research Council awarded a $10,000 Innovation Challenge grant to Dr. Christopher Belser, assistant professor of counselor education, for his proposed sustainability project, "Project SEED (Supporting EcoLeadership & EcoWellness Development)."
Project SEED is an "applied eco-leadership development initiative centered on environmental sustainability and eco-wellness." According to Belser's proposal application, "three 色色研究所 students will complete National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Campus EcoLeader Certification by cultivating and maintaining three on-campus greenspaces that support native biodiversity and campus sustainability efforts. In addition to providing signage meant to educate the campus community on the contents and ecological benefits of each greenspace, the students will incorporate signage that promotes eco-wellness."
Applications for 色色研究所's internal grant programs will open again in Fall 2022.
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4/22/22: 色色研究所 invites regional partners to campus in celebration of Earth Day
色色研究所 invites regional partners to campus in celebration of Earth Day
The 色色研究所 Sustainability Circle, Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful, and community partners gathered in the breezeway of the Earl K. Long Library on Friday, April 22 to celebrate Earth Day.
Attendees participated by talking nature walks with 色色研究所 birders, exploring 色色研究所's campus in a sustainability scavenger hunt, learning about bike safety, taking home native plant seeds, and more. As part of Louisiana's "Love the Boot" campaign, attendees also volunteered to clean 色色研究所's campus in a litter pickup event.
Participating Earth Day partners included Bike Easy New Orleans, Chartwells, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful, Master Naturalist GNO, Mosquito Termite & Rodent Control Board, Native Plant Initiative of Greater New Orleans, Orleans Audubon Society, 色色研究所 Garden Club, Water Institute of the Gulf, and various 色色研究所 departments & student organizations.
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3/21/22: Donation Opportunity: Help 色色研究所 support local bird populations with native plants
Help 色色研究所 support local bird populations with native plants鈥 a perennial flower, shrub, or tree today!
At the University of New Orleans, we aim to decrease the risks climate change presents to local bird populations. As part of our efforts, 色色研究所 art students are painting murals on campus to highlight the birds being threatened, taking inspiration from the and using the National Audubon Society鈥檚 report 鈥溾 to select the species to highlight.
For our first mural, we are showcasing the !
Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful would like to install a garden next to this mural, one consisting of native plants selected to benefit the Pine Warbler. Your purchase of a flowering perennial, shrub, or tree will directly benefit birds in our area and provide students with an on-campus living lab equipped for environmental education.
Audubon Delta has generously allowed 色色研究所 to receive donations through their . The online donation form only takes a moment to fill out, and the cost of donations starts at $8!
According to Audubon, 鈥淏y simply choosing native plants for our yards and public spaces, we can restore vital habitat for birds and help them adapt and survive to an ever-changing world. Audubon鈥檚 Plants for Birds program is designed to enable anyone to have a positive conservation impact!鈥
HOW TO DONATE:
- Visit Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful鈥檚 on the Audubon Plants for Birds website.
- Select a donation of a flowering perennial, a shrub, or a tree (in any quantity)!
- Enter your email address.
- Enter your payment information.
- Celebrate your contribution to bird health and student education!
NOTE: Online ordering will close on Thursday, March 31 at 8:00 PM! If you鈥檇 like to donate, please do so before then!
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3/16/22: 色色研究所 conducts waste audit for Keep Louisiana Beautiful
色色研究所 conducts waste audit for Keep Louisiana Beautiful
On March 16, 2022, Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful conducted a waste audit of five separate locations on 色色研究所's campus. The waste audit was conducted as part of Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful's efforts to become a certified University Affiliate of .
"Despite recycling challenges in New Orleans, 色色研究所 is very dedicated to minimizing our landfill waste to protect the health of our community and our planet," said Samantha West, laboratory safety officer for the 色色研究所 Office of Research and coordinator for the waste audit. "We hope that facilitating this waste audit will give us the information we need to move forward with developing landfill reduction methods and policies."
Other volunteers included Matthew Tarr, vice president for research and economic development; Carol Lunn, assistant vice president for research and economic development; David Richardson, director of environmental health & safety; Erik Wahl, director of external collaboration; Juana Ibanez, planning & urban studies instructor; and Julie Landry, office manager for the 色色研究所 Office of Research.
The audit showed that food packaging contributes the most to on-campus waste, particularly single-use items such as utensils, cups, lids, straws, and to-go containers.
The detailed results of the audit are included below, itemized by location and by material type:
By Location
Location Estimated Volume Estimated Weight Percentage
By WeightKirschman Hall 6.13 ft3 11.1 lbs 29.2% Recreation & Fitness Center 2.42 ft3 3.01 lbs 7.9% University Center 5.92 ft3 5.6 lbs 14.7% Earl K. Long Library 10.98 ft3 16.1 lbs 42.4% Biology Building 1.39 ft3 2.2 lbs 5.8% Total: 26.84 ft3 38.01 lbs 100% By Material
Material Estimated Volume Estimated Weight Percentage
By WeightPaper 8.79 ft3 5.5 lbs 14.5% Metal 1.14 ft3 1.3 lbs 3.4% Organics 0.45 ft3 8.1 lbs 21.3% Glass 0.01 ft3 0.01 lbs 0.03% Mixed Materials 2.03 ft3 2.1 lbs 5.5% Container(s) with Content 4.27 ft3 9 lbs 23.7% Plastic 10.15 ft3 12 lbs 31.6% Total: 26.84 ft3 38.01 lbs 100% -
1/18/22: Gov. Edwards announces Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification
Gov. Edwards announces Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification
The Governor鈥檚 Task Force on Statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification will work to find policy solutions for Louisiana鈥檚 litter problem, educate the public, and promote community litter abatement activities. Created by executive order and managed by the Keep Louisiana Beautiful program in the Lieutenant Governor鈥檚 office, the Task Force of 26 members will make recommendations to the Governor by July 1, 2022.
As part of the executive order, the Governor also declared that the fourth Saturday of each month will be designated as a "Love the Boot. Don't Pollute" Day across the state, where officials and neighborhood groups will be encouraged to conduct targeted events to pick up litter in their communities.
Stay tuned to Keep 色色研究所 Beautiful for news about our forthcoming event!
2021
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11/15/21: 色色研究所 commences effort to join Keep Louisiana Beautiful University Affiliate program
色色研究所 commences effort to join Keep Louisiana Beautiful University Affiliate program
Thanks to the efforts of the 色色研究所 Sustainability Circle, the 色色研究所 Office of Research, and dedicated faculty and staff members on campus, the University of New Orleans is taking the necessary steps to become a certified University Affiliate of !
Being a is a special mark of distinction and represents a commitment by the university to continual improvement in sustainability and environmental issues, promoting student environmental stewardship and engagement, and rigorous outcome measurement. It offers state recognition and sends a strong message to university stakeholders, as well as city, state, and national leaders. It signifies that we are part of a greater movement of over 600 national affiliates and 40 state affiliates that have a proven track record of behavioral change and preserving the beauty of Louisiana.
The process to become a certified University Affiliate involves a commitment to litter prevention, waste reduction, and beautification on campus鈥攁nd it may take a year or more to complete. But the University of New Orleans is dedicated to the process!
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10/13/21: 色色研究所 joins Keep Louisiana Beautiful's University Sustainability Coalition
色色研究所 joins Keep Louisiana Beautiful's University Sustainability Coalition
To open lines of communication and initiate a network focused on increasing higher education sustainability efforts in Louisiana, Keep Louisiana Beautiful established the University Sustainability Coalition. The Univeristy of New Orleans is one of 15 colleges and universities to join the coalition.
The group meets for eight months throughout the academic school year with one goal: to increase higher education sustainability efforts in Louisiana.
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9/24/21: Office of Research announces Innovation Challenge grant for sustainability projects
Office of Research announces Innovation Challenge grant for sustainability projects
The 色色研究所 Office of Research and the 色色研究所 Research Council announced a new internal grant program aiming to fund environmental sustainability projects on 色色研究所's campus.
The program requires participation from a faculty mentor and a team of students from two or more colleges, and applicants are encouraged to seek additional matching funds from off-campus residents.
Proposal applications must be submitted to the Office of Research by December 10, 2021.
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9/23/21: 色色研究所 receives grant to create urban bird habitat on campus
色色研究所 receives grant to create urban bird habitat on campus
The University of New Orleans has received a $34,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to create an urban bird habitat on campus and support educational programming connected to environmental conservation. The grant will fund habitat restoration, the creation of a birding trail on campus and educational experiences for 色色研究所 TRiO Upward Bound students.
The project will establish a 1-mile birding trail at 色色研究所鈥攚ith interpretive signage, designated parking and an accompanying website鈥攁nd initiate regular bird counts to monitor populations along the route. The Greater New Orleans chapters of the Native Plant Initiative and Louisiana Master Naturalists will work with volunteers to plant 120 native trees and shrubs at two sites along the trail鈥攖otaling 4 acres, enhancing campus canopy and providing birds with needed refuge.
Assistant Professor of Philosophy Dan Shahar is the lead principal investigator; John Bishop and Elizabeth Sigler from the 色色研究所 Office of Research are co-principal investigators.
2019
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10/24/19: Green initiatives include recycling, energy-efficient lights, bicycle fix-it station
Green initiatives include recycling, energy-efficient lights, bicycle fix-it station
The 色色研究所 Sustainability Circle has implemented several green initiatives around campus including a new bicycle fix-it station (located between the University Center and the Recreation & Fitness Center), a new recycling team, and the recent installation of thousands of energy efficient bulbs around campus. These bulbs not only saves money鈥攖hey also brighten the campus and improve safety.
Thanks to the recycling efforts, there are recycling bins in each building and four designated dumpsters: (1) near the Geology/Psychology Building, (2) near the Liberal Arts Building, (3) near the International Center, and (4) near the Recreation & Fitness Center. The bins are for cans and plastics, while the dumpsters are for recycling cardboard boxes and paper. Students and employees can also email recycle@uno.edu to arrange pickup.