Nature Village Sustainable Family Living, Phase I

Project Leads: Lludmila Moran, Tavie Tipton

Sponsor: The University Village Office

Nature Village Website

See Also: Nature Village Phase II Grant Project

TGIF Grant: $16,861

Project Theme: Education & Behavior Change

Project Location

2012 Application Submission

Application Metrics

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Status: In Progress

Nature Village is a multidisciplinary group of University Village resident volunteers and campus sustainability students, staff and organizations working towards the goal of building a sustainable community at the University Village at UC Berkeley. Nature Village grows, supports, and inspires sustainable living by:

• Promoting sustainable living through education and outreach.
• Increasing awareness of protecting the environment, saving the energy, improving waste management, and reducing carbon footprint.
• ProvidingBerkeley Environmental Alumni Network (BEAN) Speed Networking Event, February 26, 6pm-8pm guidance and resources on sustainable living best practices.
• Creating unique green living environment that is suitable to our multicultural community.
• Collaborating with campus groups and departments to implement new operations, programs, and initiatives that realize sustainability metrics.

Project Description: This grant will fund supplies and student internships to create waste, energy & water, and education & outreach programs at University Village, to promote sustainability and resource conservation amongst the residents.

Goals: Reduce the Environmental Impact of the University Village. Improve the knowledge and lifestyle practices of residents in relation to resource management, including water, energy, natural gas, and solid waste. Open a new opportunity of Experiential Environmental Education for children and families. Create a stronger sense of community and life experience at University Village through an active participation in environmental programs and activities. Reach a 5% reduction in the consumption of electricity, natural gas, and water. Produce outreach and education materials in at least the four main languages spoken at UC Village: English (35%), Chinese (17%), Korean (15%), and Spanish (6%).

TGIF Blog Posts about Nature Village
 

2012-2013 Accomplishments

Project leader Mila Moran wrote a Fall 2012 Report and Spring 2013 Report on the accomplishments and challenges of the project. 

Highlights: 

• Obtained metrics for University Village's total electricy, gas, and water consumption for 2011:
  • Electricy - 4,112,000 kWh;   977 tons of CO2
  • Gas - 35,800,000 cubic feet;   2184 tons of CO2
  • Water - 7,800,000 cubic feet
• Held a successful outreach event with multiple tables and volunteers at the September 22nd University Village "Village Festival".
• Designed outreach & education materials including logo and website: http://www.naturevillage.org/
• Wrote article for the Fall TGIF Newsletter.
• Hosted a Bulky Waste and Donation Day (July 28th 2012) for the Village to donate old furniture or mattresses and avoid sending them to landfills.
• Hosted Free Family Cycling Workshops (September 30 2012).
• Recruited 50 families to the Green Family Program, a program designed to work closely with a group of Village residents interested in participating in programs for energy and water saving, as well as proper waste disposal. They will provide feedback to Nature Village in order to improve the application of large-scale programs.
• Worked with PowerSave Campus and Building Sustainability @ Cal to secure UZLOW shower valves and laundry drying racks, and conduct energy audits for 21 Green Family Program participants.
  • Successfully applied for two mini-grants: Fight the Flow Part II and Sustainable Laundry at University Village.
  • Average audit results for Green Family Participants:
    • Total kWh: 1497
    • Total emissions of CO2: 784 lbs
  • Average annual electricity consumption/apartment in University Village (calculated from energy bills):
    • Total kWh: 4222
    • Total emissions of CO2: 1995 lbs
• Sent weekly email messages to residents in the Village's listserv to keep the community updated on environmental activities.
• Designed waste management informational posters for proper recycling and landfill practices to be employed in the Village.
• Hosted Reuse and Recycling events in the Village.
  • Toy exchange: ~15 families participated
  • Community yard sale
• Planned acting as a host for "CreeKids," a hands-on environmental education summer program at the Codornices and Strawberry creeks.
• Bought and installed a bicycle Fix-it station equipped with basic tools for bike repairs by residents.