Progress Update: The College converted a low-lying cow pasture into a wetland ecology garden incorporated into the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens (UDBG).  While the primary goal of this project is to improve water quality and enhance habitat, the site will also be used for research and teaching related to water quality, soils, ecology, and horticulture.

The College will integrate with the Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN) as its three research foci—processes at the air, land and sea interface; environmental forecasting and restoration; and ecosystem health and sustainability—are critical to the college’s teaching, research, and outreach missions.

UD, in collaboration with Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, PA, has received a $4.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to establish the Christina River Basin as a new “Critical Zone Observatory” for researching questions relating to climate change.  This effort, led by Donald Sparks, involves CANR faculty members from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Kyungsoo Yoo (also co-PI) and Yan Jin, as well as Shreeram Inamdar in the Department of Bioresources Engineering.  The research team will focus on the sources, transport, and fates of water, sediments, and carbon from uplands to inland waters and from inland waters to the coastal zone.

Progress Update: Representatives from the College have been on the team that is planning the new Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building.  A part of this project will house research space for the UD Energy Institute and the Delaware Environmental Institute, as well as core facilities to support a broad range of research on campus.  A search is underway for a new chaired professor who will serve as Director of the UD Energy Institute and under the Energy and Environmental initiative we have approved an inorganic search in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

Progress Update: Wind Power -- in May 2009 Sustainable Energy Development, Inc. delivered a feasibility study for a utility scale wind turbine at the Lewes campus.  In Summer 2009 UD and CEOE signed an agreement with Gamesa Wind USA to pursue turbine procurement and partner on wind research initiatives.  Biodiesel - a pilot project with the seashore mallow (a halophyte) is underway on salinized Delaware farm fields.  The feasibility of generating biodiesel on a commercial scale from the mallow seeds is being assessed.  The scope of the testing will be further expanded in Summer 2009.  Sustainable UD -- The College is working with UD administration to assess feasibility of green energy purchase to power a percentage of the UD Newark campus.

Progress Update: The Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) – with 44 real-time meteorological observing sites and over 200 environmental sensing platforms in its network, DEOS continues to provide Delaware decision makers and researchers with high quality data on all aspects of Delaware’s environment.  Real-Time Satellite Receiving Station – specifications for the acquisition of a real-time satellite receiving station are currently being finalized.  The new system will enhance the remote sensing capabilities of the UD environmental monitoring network and make UD a national leader in remote sensing applications.

Progress Update: In April 2009 the Chair of the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, Dr. Marsha Dickson, became the chair of the fashion industry’s Fair Labor Association and began world-wide visits to promote fair labor in the textile and garment industry. In May 2009 the University of Delaware Sustainable Apparel Initiative was launched by the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, establishing the first world-wide standards for sustainable practices in the apparel industry. From February to May 2009, the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy sponsored a global agenda lecture series on sustainable energy use and policy.

Progress Update: During the 2008-09 academic year, the College introduced several new courses that address business sustainability.  For example, through the Economics department, new courses were offered in Energy Economics, Economics of Natural Resources, and Environmental Economics.  In Business Administration, Sustainability and Green Business Practices was offered.

Through the College’s HRIM department, the latest green technologies, as exemplified by the Courtyard’s Experimental Guestroom and other technology-based research, students are being taught effective environmental practices.  The Marriott Courtyard at UD has now become a certified “green,” hotel, one of the first two hotels in Delaware to be awarded the Delaware Green Lodging Certification.

Progress Update: Single-stream recycling of Laird and South campuses initiated. UD Environmental Report Card under development for annual release on Campus Sustainability Day (October 23rd).

Progress Update: Residence Life and the residents of George Read North collaborated with the Facilities Department and the First Year Experience program to establish an energy conservation/alternative lighting scheme in their facility. The Independence Complex Community Council established the first Residence Hall Recycling Program and placed bins inside their building. In addition, UD’s Single Stream Recycling Program was piloted in these halls. The Office of Residence Life has established an Environmental Sustainability Committee involving over 120 students in projects throughout campus that promote energy conservation and recycling in the residence halls, as well as greater awareness of university-wide initiatives.