SSC Progress
Current Features & Accomplishments:
- Hosted summer work parties where members of the community volunteered to remove invasive species, plant an organic garden, etc.
- Connected with various groups and individuals in the community to connect the to the new center.
- Removed nearly all invasive plants.
- Pruned and removed overgrown vegetation.
- Planted a lawn alternative seed mix around the house.
- Constructed two raised beds and planted a demonstration organic garden.
- Constructed a three bin compost system for yard waste.
- Installed a Worm Wigwam (a worm composting system).
- Laid down cardboard, bark, and hazelnut shells as mulch to prevent weed growth and promote water and nutrient retention.
- Installed two large bike racks for secure bike parking.
- Created a new, more efficient lighting plan, which uses only tubular fluorescents and CFL bulbs.
- Installed a new bathroom sink and low flow toilet (a 1.6 gal per flush toilet replaced one that used 13 gal per flush).
- Removed the carpet from the office, living room and the library. Sanded and refinished original wood floors.
- Pulled out the old vinyl and tile in the bathroom and the kitchen and installed Marmoleum (100% natural linoleum).
- Repainted the interior and exterior of the center using sustainable paint.
- Hung signage that indicates green building materials and how they are sustainable.
- Created a bulletin board for groups and individuals to post their events, job openings, volunteer opportunities, etc.
- Started an environmental resource library by soliciting book and video donations from the community.
- Renovated the living room to serve as a meeting space that can be rented out to campus and community groups.
- Renovated one bedroom to serve as our library and the other bedroom as office space for SSI employees.
Coming Soon:
- A wheelchair ramp at the front of the SSC.
- A pole-mounted solar system that will power at least 30% of the SSC’s energy consumption
- Re-landscaping around the center using native, low maintenance plants. The plan will be created by OSU students in a landscaping class taught by Dr. David Sandrock, fall 2007.
- Sustainably made furniture from Herman Miller.
- Continue filling our environmental resource library and create a cataloging and check out system.
- Install an Earth Tub (a large composting system) for composting campus dining hall food waste.
- A rainwater collection system (possible).
- Conversion of area adjacent to SSC into a community garden (possible).
Contacts: Reade Northup.
Last Updated 9/11/07
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