The iGreenCR program was developed in late 2011 as a coordinated strategy to promote and brand Cedar Rapids’ sustainability efforts under one program rather than separate departmental initiatives. Students conducted research to evaluate community awareness and willingness to embrace sustainability, as well as their current level of awareness of iGreenCR. A sustainability plan was then […]
Focus Area: Sustainability
Examining Urban Agriculture as a Stormwater Best Management Practice
The Freshwater Society’s (FWS) Master Water Stewards (MWS) program develops, certifies, and supports community volunteer leaders to manage stormwater at a neighborhood scale to improve water quality. As part of the training program, MWS complete a capstone project in their watershed to infiltrate stormwater into the ground. MWS can use the MIDS calculator to determine […]
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Oil Seed Processing
The Eco Farm uses a significant amount of cooking oil in its operation and would like to develop a 5 acre parcel for sunflower oil crops which would provide the feedstock to an oil pressing operation. Students are to determine the most viable oilseed crop for the farm, to develop a processing method for the […]
New Mobility Case Study
The city of Eugene is interested in learning how its residents might benefit from technology-enabled ‘new mobility’ solutions to differently meet their transportation needs. Student teams analyzed how members of a fictional or real household in Eugene could reduce their reliance on single-occupancy vehicles in daily commutes, local and regional trips, and infrequent travel destinations. […]
Developing PR for Organics and Recycling
The City of Elk River has long been a leader in recycling participation and organics recycling involvement. In fact, the city was one of the first to implement single stream recycling and household organics collection in the state of Minnesota. Elk River organizes recycling collection for single family homes, splitting these residents between two haulers; […]
Passive Heating Building Analysis
The City of Albany looked to University of Oregon architecture students to gather climate and microclimate information for Monteith Park and use it to quantify local heating needs and monthly net solar heating resources. Student teams developed passive solar designs for park restrooms, a sunspace off the current senior center, and a greenhouse, incorporating spatial, […]
GIS Projects
Students will work with the Metropolitan Council on climate vulnerability and resiliency story maps of the Metro area and examine flood and heat data layers in the area. Project details coming in October! Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Sustainable Communities Partnership Contact Info University Faculty Contact David Kelley Geography […]
Study Away Pittsburgh Marketing Campaign
Study Away Pittsburgh is a semester-long program offered by PSU intended to provide students an immersive experience in an urban setting while exposing students to collaborative sustainability related projects and community organizations and local governments. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Sustainable Communities Collaborative Contact Info University Faculty Contact Tara […]
GIS Projects
Students will work with the Metropolitan Council on climate vulnerability and resiliency story maps of the Metro area and examine flood and heat data layers in the area. Project details coming in October! Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Sustainable Communities Partnership Contact Info University Faculty Contact David Kelley Geography […]
Residential Stormwater Management
Students will hold a residential stormwater management workshop with Ferguson Township. The workshop will educate homeowners about problems associated with stormwater runoff, tools they can use to reduce runoff, and encourage them to adopt best management practices Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Sustainable Communities Collaborative Contact Info University Faculty […]