Nipissing University is taking a lead in the charge to become greener and energy-leaner. Starting in September 2007, two student residence townhouses will be retrofitted to become the home to a pilot project, titled Ecovillage. The project will enable ecologically-conscious living and promote campus environmental sustainability.
Nipissing students, faculty and staff acknowledge the environmental degradation and mass consumption occurring in our culture and want to make a difference, starting on campus. The Ecovillage will provide sustainable living through the efficient use of energy and waste management.
For instance, to lower electricity consumption all light sources will employ highly efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. The energy consumption of appliances will be reduced by unplugging them when they are not in use.
Students will be reducing water waste by utilizing faucets with aerators and low-flow shower heads. Showers will be restricted to five minutes and members will avoid leaving water running while brushing their teeth or doing dishes.
To reduce waste, students will buy products with minimal packaging. Instead of using plastic bags and cellophane wrap, students will choose reusable containers and bags. Coordinators would like to see composting implemented which could save anywhere from one-third to a half of materials from the landfill.
The project received $10,000 for initial support through the Student Development Fund, including $5,000 from Nipissing and $5,000 from Nipissing University Student Union (NUSU).
Ecovillage residence applications can be picked up at the residence office. The deadline for applications is Friday March 30. Ecovillage residence spaces will be reserved for upper year students. An eco-board, comprised of faculty, administrative employees and students involved in the Ecovillage project, will oversee the selection process of new tenants. Residents will be selected based on compatibility with other Ecovillage members as well as their commitment to conservation.
The project will be overseen by at least one eco-guide, who will monitor the townhouses and oversee the tenants’ commitments to sustainable living practices. Students must apply for an eco-guide position to be eligible. An eco-guide will typically be an upper-year student who has displayed considerable knowledge and dedication to sustainable living practices. The guide will assume no power over the other residents, but will ensure that the students stay on task and remain motivated in accordance to sustainable practices.
Environmental Science student Melissa Lacey and a group of her fellow students are facilitating the Ecovillage project. “About 90 per cent of the funding for the first year will be spent on monitoring equipment that will be comparing gas, water and electricity use between eco-friendly houses and regular residences,” said Lacey.
The Ecovillage concept began last year when Lacey and a fellow student, Steve Disher, wanted to expand the university's existing ecological programs. They submitted a proposal to Nipissing University president, Dr. Dennis Mock, who supported the idea.
“This is a terrific opportunity for our students to engage in research in an active way and make a positive contribution to the environmental cause. It is exciting that Nipissing will be home to a living research tool that can be studied by students and faculty,” said Dr. Dave Hackett, professor of Environmental Science and Biology, and a member of the project development team.
For the initial year, one of the units will run as “normal” and will be monitored to provide base line data on consumption. The second unit will be outfitted with energy saving technologies and will be measured against the base line.
“The objective of the pilot project is to start with eco-friendly living in a town house. However, the eventual goal is to extend the sustainable living concept to the entire university community,” said Lacey.
