This spring, our community worked together to develop and fund four sustainability grant projects, these projects are developed by students in collaboration with faculty and staff. Projects are reviewed, supported, and approved by the Smitty Sustainability Committee, then voted on by the student body. If you have a project idea of your own, or are interested in learning more, contact Sustainability Coordinator Kate Glenn or check out our Sustainability Grant website, to review past Sustainability Grant Projects.

Lower St. Regis Lake Shoreline Restoration Demonstration on Paul Smith’s College. Total Awarded: $5,360

Project Leader:: Craig Milewski, PhD, MFA. Co-participants: Ryan Novak, Julie Capito, Joshua Young, Patrick Mullen Mechtly, Jason Messenger, Matthew Merritt. Other participants will include students in the Ecological Restoration program, the Student Association for the Society for Ecological Restoration, and students from related programs, and others who have interests.

 

The overarching goal of the project: Create a shoreline restoration demonstration site that is educationally engaging, ecologically functional, aesthetically pleasing to the public; and in alignment with the mission of the college, the academic programs, and the faculty statement on our identity.

The specific objectives are:

  1. Remove the failing break wall, grade the slope to 30%, and restore natural vegetation at water’s edge.
  2. Create a meadow/pollinator plot between the shoreline and the sidewalk.
  3. Prevent geese use of the shoreline and the unhealthy accumulation of their fecal matter.
  4. Create an attractive pathway along the shore through the re-established natural vegetation and install 5 benches for shoreline visitors.
  5. Post educational signage that describes the ecological, social-cultural and economic benefits of a functional shoreline.
  6. Increase visitation and use of the shoreline by visitors and prospective students.
  7. Reduce lawn related labor, maintenance cost, and use of fossil fuels.

PSC Draft Horse Club Horse Trailer Proposal, Total Awarded: $5000

Proposed By: Madeline Roth- Draft Horse Club President, Tom Curiale- Draft Horse Club Secretary Addy Balliett,-Draft Horse Club Treasurer

Abstract: Recently it has been brought to our attention that the college’s horse trailer is getting unsafe for transporting our current team of horses (Dana and Dodge). A horse trailer is a necessary implement for owning and caring for live animals. Trailers are used for emergency transportation, events, and for regular transport between campus facilities. Purpose Statement: The purpose of this proposal is to (1) procure funding necessary to purchase a newer horse trailer for our team, (2) increase the financial sustainability of the PSC Draft Horse Program, and (3) enable the college draft horses to be utilized by multiple academic departments in off-site educational programs, intercollegiate events, logging / agricultural demonstrations, and community outreach initiatives.]

*Please note the following 3 proposals are in support of a NYSERDA Technical Assistance for Roadmaps Grant for 56k, PSC Cost Share total was $27,817

Preliminary Energy Analysis and Benchmarking (Task 1) Amount Awarded: $4,816

Project Leader: Katharine Glenn, Co-participants: Ryan Godfrey, Caitlin Reilly, Kyle Ruddy, Riley Prokop, Cody Liguori, Caden Belisle, and Michael Gaulin (SUS350 Alternative Energy)

Project Goals: We are requesting $4,816 to cover Paul smith’s colleges cost share to complete Task One of the proposed projects. Task one is entitled “Preliminary Energy Analysis and Benchmarking”. The first stage or task of this 3 task project is to collect and evaluate our current utility bills with help from L&S Energy Service professional engineers. L&S will then suggest what Paul Smiths College could do to help improve our utility billing. L& S will complete a campus wide greenhouse gas emissions report and benchmarking.

Campus Energy Assessment, (Task 2) Amount Awarded: $13,939

Project Leader: Katharine Glenn. Co-participants: Joshua Campbell,Connor Edmonds, Will Mason-Hill, Anthony Sena, Justin Shannon, and Chase Delisle. (SUS350 Alternative Energy)

Project Goals: The overall objective of this grant proposal is to conduct the necessary steps to complete a campus energy assessment and obtain data on the school’s use of energy and its efficiency. This goal will be achieved through three major components or Tasks that make up this energy assessment. The second Task is entitled, Campus Energy Assessment. Steps in this phase are to conduct a walk-through survey to gather building data for energy analysis, identify and analyze low cost or no cost efficiency measures, identify and analyze capital measures, and review mechanical and electrical designs, conditions, operations, and maintenance practices. All of these steps will provide invaluable data to be compiled into a comprehensive campus wide energy assessment.

Energy Master Plan Development and Sustainability Plan Updates. Amount Awarded $4,246

Project Lead: Katharine Glenn, Co-Participants Elliott Hoth, David Laframboise, Chris Robinson, Taylor Wise, Karly Romeo & Sean Jackson (SUS350 Alternative Energy)

Project Goals: Paul Smith’s college wishes to increase campus sustainability with assistance from L&S energy services with funding from the NYSERDA REV Campus Challenge Technical Assistance for Roadmaps Program PON 3438. This increase in the sustainability for the college would come from the development of an Energy Master Plan as well as updating the Climate Action Plan. The Energy Master Plan is a long‐term document that takes into account the multi‐year goals of Paul Smith’s College, the service life of equipment, and financial constraints.

The energy master plan will be presented to the climate action planning committee and new energy action items will be integrated into the 2020 Climate Action Plan, specifically outlining energy efficiency measures, renewable energy “Roadmap” strategic plan for reducing campus greenhouse gas emissions. These recommendations will also include cost estimates and recommended funding strategies. L&S also wishes to provide assistance to PSC to identify and apply for grants in support of implementing the Energy Master Plan and Climate Action Plan, including energy efficiency and green energy.

On-Campus Housing Composting Initiative, Amount Awarded: $485

Project Lead; Bethany Garretson, Co-Participants: Emily  Nelson, and Janey Rolfe

Project Summary: Currently Paul Smith’s College has a functioning composting program in the dining hall and in the culinary labs. This composting program has opened the doors to sustainable waste management on the Paul Smith’s College campus. However, many students living in the residence halls with a kitchen, whether private or communal, cook for themselves and are simply discarding compostable materials into the garbage. Since composting on campus is already available, we believe that making composting bins available for those living in dorms with a kitchen would be ideal.