University of North Carolina Campus Ecology Handbook (Matt’s draft):

I. Transportation Alternatives
II. Enjoying Nature
III. Eating Green
IV. A Green Campus

I. Transportation Alternatives: <<

According to the American Lung Association, the Triangle has the 13th worst air quality in the nation. To help improve quality of life, the Chapel Hill community is encouraged to seek out “greener” transit options.

Commuter Alternatives Program (CAP): The Commuter Alternatives Program is designed to reward UNC faculty, staff and students who use bicycling, walking, transit, park and ride, carpool, and vanpool to commute to campus. The only requirement to register for CAP is that the registrant must commute to campus for school or work and may not be a single occupancy vehicle (SOV) permit holder. First-year students are not eligible for the CAP program. For more information see http://www.dps.unc.edu/tp/CAP/cap_registration_enter_pid.asp

Ridesharing: Get to and from campus by sharing car transport with friends; and/or receive help with ridesharing possibilities thru the UNC department of Public Safety via University of North Carolina Campus Area Ridesharing (UNC-CAR) http://www.dps.unc.edu/tp/UNC-CAR/CAR.HTML. University of North Carolina Campus Area Ridesharing is a program of the Department of Public Safety linking commuters who share a common route to and from UNC and common work hours.

Bus: Chapel Hill Transit offers FREE standard service to the UNC community The Chapel Hill Transit system has fifteen routes that provide coverage throughout much of the area. Serving 3 million riders annually, Chapel Hill Transit has become an important transit alternative for many UNC employees and students. The Park/Ride routes provide convenient transportation to and from satellite parking areas around Chapel Hill. And the Bike/Ride routes allow riders to transport their bicycles. For route schedules/maps and additional information, see http://www.ci.chapel-hill.nc.us/transit/routes/

The Triangle Transit Authority extends public transportation services further throughout the region. To find out about routes/schedules, visit http://www.ridetta.org/

Bicycling: The abundance of bike racks throughout campus and town are testament that Chapel Hill is a bicycle friendly community. The UNC department of Public Safety provides free permits to deter crime and aid in identifying lost or stolen bicycles. More information on these free permits and bicycle safety regulations can be obtained at: http://www.dps.unc.edu/tp/BIKES/BIKES.HTML

To obtain a local map made by the Town of Carrboro and the NCDOT with highlighted bicycle routes, on-road and off-road as well as existing and planned, contact the Town of Carrboro: (919) 968-7714.

Walking: Walking is a healthy form of transportation. Most streets around Chapel Hill and Carrboro have large shoulders and/or sidewalks to protect pedestrians. Crosswalks are provided and pedestrians should use them properly to cross roads safely. Walkers will need to allow extra time to get to their destinations as walking is not as fast as other forms of commute. See Pedestrian Access and Safety: http://www.dps.unc.edu/dps/police/pedestrian_access_and_safety.htm

Driving: If driving is your only feasible transportation option, consider investing in “greener” vehicles with higher gas mileage (above the 22 mpg average). Not only will this help the environment, but it will save money in the long run!

II. Enjoying Nature: <<

Feeling stressed? Need to escape, reflect, recreate, or renew your dedication to protecting the environment? There are several natural areas nearby that are worth visiting.

On campus:

Coker Arboretum: Coker Arboretum provides a quiet setting to take a stroll, lunch break, or nap. Within this 100 year-old haven, one can admire the impressive array of flora, and take refuge from the busy world. The arboretum is adjacent to the Morehead Planetarium at the intersection of Raleigh and Cameron. For more information call (919) 962-0522 or see http://www.unc.edu/depts/ncbg/.

Botanical Garden: Open to the public 8am-5pm weekdays year-round (hours subject to change on weekends). The North Carolina Botanical Garden has displays boasting over 2000 species of plants, and seasonal exhibits include artwork and nature collections. The Botanical Garden is located right off 15-501 on Mason Farm Road. For more information call (919) 962-0522 or see http://www.unc.edu/depts/ncbg/

Mason Farm Biological Reserve: Located next to the Botanical Garden, this 367-acre natural area includes a refreshing 2-mile hiking trail. Home to 216 species of birds and unique old-growth forest, this reserve is special indeed. As such, visitors are required to apply for a (free) permit at the Botanical Garden: (919) 962-0522 or see http://www.unc.edu/depts/ncbg/

Off Campus:

Battle Park Trail/Bolin Creek Greenway: The Battle Park trail is unpaved and extends 1.5 miles from the Chapel Hill Community Center to behind the Forest Theater along Country Club Drive (across from Cobb Dormitory). The Bolin Creek Greenway is also 1.5 miles, but also is paved and connects with the Community Center from Airport Road. For more information, contact the Community Center: (919) 968-2784.

Woodland trails: Several miles of hiking along unpaved single and double-track trail are possible outside Carrboro along the Woodland Trails (access to trails available behind Wilson Park in Carrboro as well as at Seawell Elementary School along Seawell School Road).

Duke Forest: Owned by Duke University, 7900 acres of land adjacent to Chapel Hill and Durham have been left undeveloped as indispensable regions for natural research in the triangle area. A few divisions of the forest are open to the public. The Korstian Division is just a few miles from UNC. For more information, see http://www.env.duke.edu/forest/

University Lake: From April to November, canoes are available for rent at University Lake on Old Fayetteville Road. Swimming is not permitted in this drinking water reservoir. For more information, see http://www.owasa.org/pages/recreation.asp

Other: North Carolina State Parks and Recreation Areas are some of the best in the nation. Not far from Chapel Hill are the following: Eno River State Park, Umstead State Park, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, and Falls Lake State Recreation Area. To find out more about any of these, visit http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/ncparks.html

III. Eating Green: <<

As we work towards “thinking globally, acting locally,” we recognize that our diet can have great impact on the earth. The higher we eat on the food chain, the more we affect the planet. To achieve a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle here in Chapel Hill, we need to take into consideration our eating habits:

Organic: Scientific studies listed in the Journal of Applied Nutrition have documented that organically grown foods have a higher content of essential vitamins and minerals than non-organic foods. Organically grown produce and organically raised poultry and livestock does not retain as much residue from toxic pesticides, and does not promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Finally, many find that organic foods taste better! With new labeling regulations, it’s easier than ever to identify organic food products. To learn more, see http://www.organicconsumers.org/

Less Meat: According to Sustainable Times Magazine, twenty vegetarians can be fed on the amount of land needed to feed one person consuming a largely meat-based diet. By eating lower on the food chain, we may also live longer. There are many other good reasons for reducing the meat on our plates. For more information, check out: http://www.eatveg.com/

Lenoir and Chase campus dining facilities both offer a selection of meatless entrees at each meal. To find out what’s on the menu, visit: http://www.dining.unc.edu

Acting Locally: The following nearby markets are renowned for their selection of organic and vegetarian foods: Weaver Street Market (http://weaverstreetmarket.com/), Whole Foods Market (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/), Carrboro Farmer’s Market (http://www.carrborofarmersmarket.com/), Fresh Market, ([Raleigh] 919-676-2939).

To purchase from local growers or tour local farms see http://www.orangecountyfarms.org

IV. A Green Campus: <<

UNC-Chapel Hill is looking forward to a green future. With 5.9 million square feet of new buildings and renovations scheduled in the next ten years to accommodate an additional 8,400 employees and students, our University has the potential to become an important model for sustainability among campuses and communities across the nation and around the globe. Here is a sampling of what the university has planned for a better tomorrow:

Buildings and Grounds: UNC’s libraries, halls, dormitories, offices, stadiums, auditoriums etc. are all in and of themselves important expressions of what values we uphold as individuals and as a community. Take a look at our buildings inside and out and you will begin to notice the trend towards greener technologies.

LEED Score Cards: Our University’s implementation of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system developed by the US Green Building Council will help ensure that new buildings and renovations are more energy, water, and materials efficient than their predecessors. Projects to be formally LEED certified include the addition to Carrington Hall, the high-rise Morrison residence hall renovation, the Global and International Studies Building and the Visitor Education Center at the NC Botanical Garden.

Lighting Upgrades: Lighting upgrades are taking place all across the campus as more energy-efficient fluorescent light tubes and ballasts result in a rapid five year payback. Also, the university is implementing day-lighting strategies which decrease dependency on artificial lighting during the day.

Water-free Systems: At the Undergrad Library and other buildings, 300 water-free urinals are projected to save 12 million gallons of water per year. Other (drinking) water-free systems are planned around campus such as an underground 70,000 gallon cistern at Carmichael Field to capture the rain-water runoff from the indoor track and School of Government buildings for irrigation of the playing fields. Rainwater will also be used to flush toilets at the new Grounds Building.

Green Roofs: Perhaps one of the more exciting green technologies to be introduced on campus is the vegetated roof systems at the Carrington Nursing School addition and the Rams Head Project. They will help control storm-water run-off, reduce energy consumption, extend the life-span of the roofing system and improve aesthetics around campus. At the Rams Head project the vegetated roof plaza will provide a green gathering place on south campus and at-grade walkway linking two ridge tops.

Management of Stormwater: The University has pledged not to increase the volume, rate, or pollutant load of stormwater leaving campus. This is a tall task considering the expansion underway at UNC. The goal is to improve water quality and reduce erosion and lessen downstream flooding. Carolina is employing multiple strategies to achieve this goal. They include green roofs, cisterns, and the introduction of porous asphalt and concrete at the new Friday Center and PR parking lots.

As you look around and admire the positive changes taking place throughout campus, ask yourself if you as an individual are helping Carolina reach its goal for a greener future.