Founding Members:
Zoe Meletis, Leigh
Torres, Elliott Hazen
The Green Wave
135 Duke Marine Lab Rd.
Beaufort, NC 28516
Philosophy:
As part of the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences,
the Duke University Marine Lab (DUML) should be a leading force and
example of environmental consciousness and sustainability. As the
greening initiative at DUML begins, our goal is to improve not only
lab consciousness and the lab’s everyday practices, but also to ensure
a greener image for the Marine Lab. From students to staff, faculty
to the community, we aim to raise environmental awareness and improve
our standards, policies and facilities to attain the long-term goal
of a green Piver’s Island.
Videos of past seminars are available at http://www.ml.duke.edu/dvr/GreenWave.
You can hear about past seminars on Public Radio East’s Down East Journal online here >.
What’s been done to date:
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We use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies whenever possible to ensure a minimal environmental impact.
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Bike racks are scattered around the island. We are working on improving transportation options to the island including incentives for carpooling, biking, and walking to work.
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Recycling bins are widely distributed across the island making it an easy decision to recycle. Signage has been improved with information included in lab welcome packets as well.
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Using 100% recycled and unbleached paper towels as napkins, and 100% recycled paper in all copiers and printers.
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We’ve obtained a Clean Marina designation for our boat ramp and maintenance area (see link below) thanks to much help from the administration.
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Kimi Siegel performed an environmental audit of the Marine Lab and determined that we need a lot more infrastructure before we can perform a true audit. For example, we need electricity metering for each building independently for assessment purposes - this is underway.
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We received a Duke University Sustainability Grant ($2500) which has supported the course Green by Design and the Environmental Seminar Series described below.
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Green by Design: Implementing environmental sustainability – our first offering of a course that is taught jointly in Durham and Beaufort to teach students how to be successful stewards, managers and policy makers relative to the environment. We hope to secure funding to make this a yearly course.
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We are selling Green Wave Mugs to raise funds for greening of the Duke Marine Lab. Corn plastic mugs are for sale for $15 at the ship’s store in Beaufort. Email greenwave@duke.edu if you would like more information.
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Environmental Seminar Series – we are asking the speakers from the course to also give a seminar geared to the community on issues of environmental sustainability. We have placed ads around town in popular spots as well as in the local papers. Our first week was a success with about 40 members of the community taking part in the lecture and discussion.
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Dining Hall – Recently, facilities and maintenance have replaced the drafty single pane windows and have purchased solar panels to help power the Dining hall. Sustainable seafood Fridays is still in effect and is popular among community members as well.
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Transportation challenge – Gary Dickinson organized the transportation challenge where monthly tallies were taken of carpooling, biking, or walking into the lab. The winner from each week was given a prize as was the overall winner. Our goal is to institutionalize the program so that folks are constantly reminded to reduce transportation waste.
Green wave future projects
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Organic, local meats and produce
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Composting
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Tidal power
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Pesticide / herbicide alternatives
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Improved bike paths in Beaufort
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Native plants on island
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Improve energy efficiency on island
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Greening of our research vessel
Clean Marina Designation:
We are writing a DUML Clean Marina statement to ensure we have plans for
possible fuel spills, storage of gas, operating procedure for fueling
small vessels, hurricane plans to prevent pollution, and designate a boat
maintenance area for engine and bottom maintenance to eliminate water
pollution.
In addition, our goals are to improve the current boat ramp by including a drain to collect runoff before it enters the water and to use materials made from recycled plastics and wood for future dock repairs and construction.
Coming Soon:
Our primary goal for this year is the DUML summer course on environmental
sustainability in management and practice. We are working on a course
and seminar series that will teach individuals how to improve environmental
practices and enact change at home, work, and the community. The goal
will be to highlight environmentally sustainable technologies and practices,
discuss strategies for implementation, and invite activists from the community
and surrounding areas to share ideas. The course will consist of modules
allowing students the flexibility to focus on the issues most relevant
to them.
Links
Biking initiatives in Durham - http://www.greenways.com/pages/durham.html
Duke University Sustainability Office - http://www.duke.edu/web/ESC/
Clean Marina: <http://dcm2.enr.state.nc.us/Marinas/clean.htm>
Lawn Care: <http://www.whyy.org/91FM/ybyg/lawncare.html>
Recycled material for docks <http://www.trex.com/default.asp#sidenav>
Campus Greening: <http://www.c2e2.org/>
We still need people to help take on projects down at the lab. Please email greenwave@duke.edu if you would like to be a project leader.
If you would like to stay informed about green wave happenings or events, please email greenwave@duke.edu with subscribe in the subject line
last updated 10/22/07