University of Utah Sustainability Open House

Thursday, December 3
5:30-7:00PM
Crimson View Room of the Olpin Union Building (4th Floor). 

In an effort to garner vital and necessary input and initiate participation from the neighboring community, the Office of Sustainability will be hosting a community open house on the Climate Action Plan on: 

In April 2008, President Michael Young signed the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment. In doing so, President Young committed the University of Utah to reaching climate neutrality. In accordance with the commitment, the Office of Sustainability (OS) has been tasked with generating a greenhouse gas inventory and creating a long-term Climate Action Plan. Energy efficiency and transportation solutions are two major topics, along with renewables, curriculum and research, and water, waste, and food. 

As we begin the process of creating a Climate Action Plan, we look forward to receiving input from the surrounding community, and are excited to hear your ideas on how the University of Utah can become more sustainable. All community members are encouraged to attend the forum to ask questions, receive information, provide ideas and input, and get involved.   

If you have any questions, email info@sustainability.utah.edu or contact Jen Colby in the Office of Sustainability at 801-585-9352. 

University of Utah Campus Map: http://www.map.utah.edu/index.jsp?xmax=428911&ymax=4513255&xmin=428259&ymin=4512748&find=53 

Union Floor Map: http://www.union.utah.edu/index.php?page=information&subpage=Building%20Maps

 

How to Winterize your Trees

Salt Lake City’s urban forest is part of what makes our City so great. Something people may not know, however, is that residents are responsible for keeping park strip trees in good health. Salt Lake City code 2.26.190 states:

            Any owner of private property, abutting city parking/planting strips upon which street       trees are located, shall have the following responsibilities:

A. Periodic watering and fertilization of street trees when necessary to maintain good health and vigor;

B. Protection of street trees against damage caused by lawn mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers and similar equipment. (Ord. 75-88  1, 1988)

It doesn’t take a huge amount of work to maintain our much appreciated neighborhood trees. In fact, right now is a great time to ensure that our trees are taken care of and ready for the winter. Except in severe and prolonged winter conditions, trees remain active and interactive with their surroundings.  Trees in urban settings experience real hardship because they have very few of the safeguards a natural forestland provides. 

Please remember that to help your tree through winter think, water, air, insulate and care.

·     Minimize winter dehydration by aerating the root zone of your tree in autumn and providing low volumes of water during periods of no or minimal precipitation.  One application per month during a mild winter should suffice.

·     A four-inch layer of mulch is also highly recommended. It will insulate the soil, conserve moisture and protect roots from cold injury.  Remember to keep mulch away from the trunk.

·     Proper pruning to remove dead, dying, or damaged branches is always a good treatment.  Thinning the ends of bowing laterals or removing low branches may also be a good winter precaution. Where the tree is very large, please contact the Salt Lake Urban Forester at 801-972-7818 for more information.

·     Use de-icing salts with care and as far from trees as possible.

 

Wondering what to do with the rest of your leaves?

Don’t send them to the landfill!
Dried leaves contain nutrients that are beneficial for your yard! 

Compost

·         Fall is a perfect time to start composting.  Leaves – mixed with grass from your last mow are ideal. Mix them into your existing compost bin or pile, or spread a six-inch layer of leaves throughout your gardens.

Donate

·         Contact your local community garden or ask a neighbor with a large garden if they want your extra leaves. 

City Collection

·          Put leaves (unbagged, of course) in your city-issued yard waste container.  We’d actually prefer to pick them up this way because it’s more efficient.  The last week of collection through the Yard Waste Program will be November 30 – December 4. 

·         Don’t have a yard waste container?  Sign up now.  We’ll deliver a container before you start to clean up your yard in the spring, and we won’t charge you for the service until pickup begins next season. To sign up on line:  https://dotnet.slcgov.com/publicutilities/billpayment/ (You’ll need your city water account number.) 

·         Bag your leaves and place them at the curb. To see the leaf collection schedule:  http://www.slcgov.com/publicservices/streets/leaf.htm 

Residents of Salt Lake County can find information about leaf removal services here: http://www.sanitation.slco.org/html/leafCollection.html
 

Salt Lake County Idea Book provides ideas for home improvements (energy efficiency, water conservation, outdoor plants, etc.)

Four Simple Steps to Reduce Your Waste

Ten Ways to Get More Out of Your Tank

Indoor Water Conservation Tips

Reduce Your Use of Plastic Bags

How to Save Electricity and Money

 

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