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Monthly Newsletter
September 2017
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CU Launches Innovative Rewards Program
What if
you were rewarded every time you rode the bus, shared a bike or a car, refilled your
water bottle, donated your time or recycled? Well, you can be now.
CU Boulder, a leader in sustainability and tech innovation, has teamed up with PIPs
Rewards to beta test an
app that tracks and rewards the good you do everyday.
"It all started with a couple of
'what if's?
' said Dave Newport, Director of the Environmental Center .
What if
a more engaged student was also a more successful student? Research in fact bears this out. And
what if
there were an App that helped to deepen engagement among students in behaviors that drive up success?
These were the questions that Newport was asking, and that a scrappy young startup he knew was puzzling over too. PIPs Rewards,
a Certified B Corp (which means, that per their corporate charter, they have to 'be good' as well as 'do good') has
been developing a solution they call a "motivation/engagement engine." Its aim is to
deepen
engagement in beneficial choices - boosting personal, community and planetary health - all through a fun, social mobile experience that mashes up smart tech, principle
s of behavioral psychology and a 'currency of change.'
The 'currency of change' - called PIPs for 'Positive Impact Points' - is earned and redeemed exclusively for verifiable daily life behaviors that benefit the planet, community and personal health.
What sorts of beneficial behaviors are we talking about? On and around CU Boulder, students will be able to earn PIPs for:
- Bike sharing with B-Cycle and BuffBikes
- Ride sharing and carpooling with Lyft and Lyft Line
- Car sharing with eGo CarShare
- Riding the HOP bus
- Recycling their mobile or laptop, and buying 'new to you' with Gazelle
- Shopping lightly used and vintage clothing with Etsy and ThredUp
- Volunteering on campus and with local non-profits
- Attending CU events
- Offsetting your carbon footprint with Oroeco
- Saving and debt reduction (coming in 2018)
- Reducing and simplifying by donating things they don't need with Give Back Box
- De-stressing and detaching from their phone with LifeOffline
- Refilling their water bottle
Once earned, PIPs can be exchanged for incredible deals at local restaurants and shops, for credits on local services like eGo and Lyft, on books at the bookstore and for equipment rentals and fitness classes at the Rec Center. Or students can turn them in for great discount on national online brands or to make a donation to a good cause.
"The rewards are important, and top performers and most active can earn prizes in addition," notes Wendy Gordon, PIPs co-founder and CEO. "But the App also comes ready with contests and challenges, and there are more in the pipeline. We are eager to test these tools in small groups and large, to see whether some fun competition and a touch of surprise and delight can boost awareness and engagement in healthier, smarter everyday choices, delivering intrinsic habit-changing benefits as well."
Unlike other engagement tools, the PIPs App requires that every action is verified before PIPs are awarded. To this end, the App connects up to a number of data gathering methods and tools, including: API integration, beacons, sensors, QR codes and transaction reports. In an number of cases, Gordon notes, "the smart tools we use - like beacons on the HOP bus and in eGo carshares and an API integration with BuffBikes and Lyft - mean a user can earn PIPs without having to take their phone out of their pocket. Now that's what I call 'reducing friction.'"
The beta rollout began in early September. Interested in being a beta tester - 'kick the tires' if you will on this innovative new platform? Sign up to beta test here
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CU Bike Fest is TODAY at Farrand Field
Head down to
Farrand Field
from 2pm to 9:30pm today for the First Annual CU BikeFest
and enjoy a day of bike community, culture, fun and information.
Come by to find all sorts of free stuff, including beverages and tacos, get a custom printed T-shirt, talk to various campus and local groups that support sustainable transportation, demo an electric bike or listen to music. Stick around until dark - 8:30 p.m. - to watch a screening of
Filmed by Bike from Portland, Oregon.
The always popular
used bike sale will start at 7 p.m., and we will be handing out entry numbers at 6 p.m. to those who are lined up.
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| 2016 Used Bike Sale |
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Bikes, paid for with cash or check only, cost either $100 or $160. They are all registered, include a high-quality U-lock and have been totally refurbished by our trained mechanics. The sale is first come, first served, so plan accordingly.
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Ralphie's Green Stampede Needs You
Did you know CU was the first school in the nation to have a zero waste football stadium? Ralphie's Green Stampede is a driving force behind the award-winning, ground-breaking Zero Waste football games at Folsom Field. Thanks to the hard work of Stampede volunteers and
many
others behind-the-scenes, every season over 80% of waste from Folsom games is kept out of landfills.
Volunteer to join the Green Stampede action this season! Volunteers receive
free admission
to games, a meal, and a Ralphie's Green Stampede t-shirt. You can volunteer for one game or all of them!
Sept 16 vs. N. Colo. @ 12p
Sept 23 vs. Washington @ TBD
October 7 vs. Arizona @ TBD
October 28 vs. California @ TBD
November 11 vs. USC @ TBD
The Stampede is in action for all football games at Folsom Field as well as all basketball games at Coors Events Center. For football games, we start 2 hours prior to kickoff time and work till the end of 3rd quarter. The 4th quarter is yours to enjoy! For basketball games, a volunteer shift is 1.5 hours prior to tipoff till the end of the game.
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Off Campus:
ECO-Visits (formerly known as $CORE), is a team of trained students that help other students save money on your bills and be more comfortable in your home by installing energy upgrades, such as LED light bulbs, and water-efficient fixtures in their homes. All students have to do is sign up and make and appointment and student technicians will show up, and guide them through a discussion of energy and water usage with helpful tips on how they can reduce their carbon footprint.
If more than half of the residence's tenants are present, participants earn a large Cosmo's cheese pizza.
Just over the last year, the ECO-Visits program visited 225 homes with a total of 879 student tenants impacted. They gave away over 1000 light bulbs and helped students save over a million gallons of water! Thanks to a grant, everything is 100% FREE.
The Greek Sustainability or "Green Greeks program is made up of representative from Greek houses known as sustainability chairs and two program-wide Greek Sustainability Coordinators. House sustainability chairs coordinate ECO-visits for their houses as well as house recycling programs and other house-specific resource conservation efforts. The Green Geeks program also holds an even known as the Panhellenic Green Cup. This event is a competition between the sororities in which each house tries to lower their energy bill as much as possible during one month by taking steps to reduce electricity use. The winner is awarded $1,000 towards their house's philanthropy. The Green Greeks program is always looking for members of the greek community to represent their house. If you are a member of a Greek house and are passionate about making your house more energy efficient and sustainable, email
[email protected] for more information.
On Campus:
Green Room Certifications
is a program that
connects first year students with returning students who can give you all the tips and tricks you need to live green in the residence halls, and get connected with other green buffs!
When you sign up, one of our student leaders will reach out to schedule a one-on-one meeting to talk about green behaviors in the residence halls, and get you connected with campus programs and events. Two weeks after your first meeting, you'll have a follow-up visit to check in on how you're doing, and answer any questions you might still have. Easy to do and you get a chance to win some great prizes, too!
Sign up now, and get certified!
The
CU Green Labs Program
uses a team approach to minimize the use of energy, water,
material goods, and hazardous chemicals in CU-Boulder laboratories without compromising research integrity or safety.
Because laboratories are large consumers of resources and thus present huge opportunities for conservation, this program places a special emphasis for conservation has been placed on laboratory operations.
Any office on campus can also get Green Certified through the Green Office Program. This educational program integrates many of CU's campus sustainability initiatives, including transportation, purchasing, recycling, and energy. With the Green Office Certification you're likely to save your office money as well as lower your office's environmental impact, with very little time commitment. The faculty/staff campus sustainability program is coordinated by the CU Environmental Center and has two components: Department Eco-Leaders (Individuals) and the Green Office Certification (Departments).
Learn more about the Green Office Program.
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September is Pollinator Month
Campus is abuzz with opportunities to learn about pollinators this month:
Free Tour of CU's
Pollinator
Gardens
Hosted by Richelle Reilly,
Campus Landscape Architect
12 Noon-1:00 P
Tuesday, September 26
Noon - 1pm
Meet at the Museum's south door.
Walk, talk and learn about the importance of
pollinators on campus. CU's Landscape Architect Richelle Reilly will host tours of two of the
pollinator-friendly gardens on at CU Boulder! Learn which plants attract pollinating insects, how you can positively impact local
pollinator populations and how diverse low-water landscapes can be!
Our Feathered Service Providers
Thurs. Sept.21
7:00 PM
Hale Science Bldg. #270
Dave Leatherman, Retired Entomologist for the Colorado State Forest Service, discusses the ecological services provided by Boulder area birds, including
pollination, distribution of seeds, and regulation of organisms often considered "pests". Learn how birds inspire music and other art forms and how to encourage birds in our yards and public lands.
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Every year a portion of student fees are allocated to projects that reduce the overall campus impact on climate and environment. The program can fund: capital investment, the purchase of infrastructure necessary for initiatives, installation of capital projects, educational displays related to the capital projects, and any other non-staff operating costs associated with the initiatives. Particular attention is paid to initiatives created and led by students. Check out past projects that have received funding.
Request for Proposals 2017-2018
Approximately $100,000 is expected to be available for disbursement in two funding cycles, depending on the size of the project.
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SEEC garden funded by Sustainable CU |
Small grants program (up to $2,500)
Applications are accepted
via online form
for small scale projects requesting $2,500 or less.
Small grants have a rolling deadline
, so submit your application any time throughout the school year (September through mid-April) and Environmental Board will review it within the following weeks.
Large grants program (over $2,500)
Large grant proposals are usually accepted and considered in two cycles each year, one in the fall semester and one in the spring semester.
For the current school year, large grant application deadlines are October 30th, 2016 and February 23rd, 2017
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Farm-to-table and farmers market foodies generally agree that local food is often more nutritious than its well-traveled alternative. And paying your farmer directly keeps your money in your community while less packaging and less traveling mean less environmental impact per bite. But one look at the face of someone who has just sunk her teeth into this pizza made with local ingredients will tell you the real reason to be choosy about your food miles: it is scrumptious.
- Grab local grub on Campus
Did you know that Campus Dining Services manages its own gardens and uses the ingredients throughout their menus? And they're working hard to grow even more food on campus. A greenhouse at the Village Dining Center in Williams Village that will supply all the leafy greens for that location is currently under construction and will be fully operational around November. For what they can't grow, local ingredients from farms and business throughout Colorado are incorporated into menus across campus and will be featured in different menus throughout the semester - follow @CUBoulderLiving on social media to get fresh menu updates.
- Head to the Farmers Markets
The Boulder Farmers Market is a cornucopia of offerings from local farms, restaurants, and producers. You're sure to snag some free samples as you stock up on local produce, cheese, meats, baked goods, and much more. Find it all:
Downtown: 13th Street between Canyon & Arapahoe
Saturday Market: 8-2pm through November 18
Wednesday Market: 4-8pm through October 4
- Grow Your Own
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Without much time, or even a yard, you can still grow most leafy green things at home.
- Growing potted fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, rosemary, mint, marjoram, and many others is an easy way to add a lot of flavor to inexpensive meals
- Spinach, arugula, chard, bok choy, and other delicate greens can grow well potted inside or in a small yard garden
- Sprouting in trays or jars (Google sprouting trays) in your kitchen is an excellent and inexpensive way to add fresh vegetables to your diet
- Check out CU in the Garden on Facebook for opportunities to be a part of growing food on campus
- And if you are ready to get your hands really dirty,
- Find it in the grocery store
Most grocery stores in Boulder make a point to source more and visibly label foods grown or produced locally - take the extra moment to grab the local goods.
- Farm-to-Table dining
Boulder has an abundance of restaurants, cafes, bars, distilleries, and breweries using regional ingredients to create delectable dishes. Dig into all the options.
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Upcoming Events
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Find us at events around campus and see our featured fall semester line-up of field trips, speakers, and more!
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CU Environmental Center Events Calendar
Get the latest info on campus and community events calendar, below are some featured events to save the date for~
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Eco-Engage: Watershed to Waterspout - September 15
This Eco-Engage Event is focused on water sustainability, particularly conservation and green infrastructure. We will be touring on campus and off campus water conservation projects and examples to see them first hand, as well as meeting innnovators and leaders in the water conservation industry. The day is still in development but plans include a planned tour with Paul Lander to look at community green infrastructure examples, as well as a visit to the Center for Resource Conservation, the Boulder Hydro water plant and more.
Friday, September 15, 2017
12:30pm - 5:00pm MDT
Meet in C4C Lobby Lounge
This workshop is open to enrolled CU Boulder students only.
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Eco-Engage: Food Deserts to Food Justice - September 23
This Eco-Engage Event is focused on the social justice dimensions of our food system. We will visit a food justice farm and have a chance to get our hands dirty assisting in the gardens, followed by a visit to
So All May Eat Cafe where we will learn more about their model of ass
uring that everyone has acces
s to nourishing food. From there we will pay a visit to
Dhalia Campus for Health
where we will have an opportunity to visit several community farm models and learn about how they are focused on com
munity and mental health thr
ough food and well being!
Along the way, we'll have lively
discussion about food systems, access to health food, and social justice, and keep our eyes out for interesting career paths, internships and volunteer opportunities all while having fun.
Friday, September 23, 2017
12:30pm - 5:00pm MDT
Meet in C4C Lobby Lounge
This event is open to enrolled CU Boulder students only
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