Sustainability Tour

Find Food Pantries at the University of Wyoming: UW's Sustainability Coalition has created this virtual map identifying the locations of Food Pantries on campus. Every Poke Nourished is a campaign to fight food insecurity at the University of Wyoming. 

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UW Goes Green!

At the University of Wyoming, we are constantly thinking of new and creative ways to be more economical and sustainable. In the last few years, we have created opportunities to recycle, reduce waste, eat locally, and learn in brighter and healthier spaces. Follow this tour to learn about the new and exciting green features on the UW Campus.

Note: The following map is from 2013, to find the latest campus map, please view the Live Map of Campus.

 

Full size map/brochure.

1. Bim Kendall House (2010)

• LEED Gold certified and home to the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources (including its Academic Programs and Ruckelshaus Institute).

• Visitors can follow interpretive signs with smartphone-accessible videos during a self-guided tour of the Kendall House.

• Architects for the Kendall House repurposed and added on to an existing building. The original house was constructed in 1954.

• Native plants and xeriscaping reduce the amount of water needed for landscaping. Rain chains help the plants absorb more water by slowing down roof runoff (compared to traditional gutter systems).

• Solar panels supply ~30% of the building’s electricity.

• Operable windows are placed high and low to create a chimney effect for natural ventilation. No electricity is used to move air through the building.

• Virtual Tour of the Sustainability Features of the Bim Kendall House

2. Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center (2011)

• LEED Gold certified and home to the Biodiversity Institute, Stable Isotope Facility, Program in Ecology, and Vertebrate Museum.

• Green roof on the eastern side of the building (the “Berry Prairie”) houses 60+ native plants species including cacti, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers that act as natural insulation for the building. It is also used as a hands-on tool for students and the public to learn about plants, pollination, and planting techniques for 7,200 feet, Laramie’s elevation.

• During construction, 80% of waste was diverted from the landfill through recycling or repurposing.

• Low-VOC-emitting materials (paint, furniture, and carpets) are used throughout the building.

3. Energy Innovation Center (2013)

• Built to LEED Silver standards.

• Combines state of the art laboratory space for the School of Energy Resources with green design. Recycled construction materials used throughout the building, along with sustainably harvested wood, as seen in the main student area.

• The Center is slated to save 14% in energy costs and use 30% less water than an average building of its size.

• Brick and stone building materials were locally sourced.

4. Half Acre Gym 

• Home to the UW Outdoor Club and recreation facilities.

• Selected workout machines in the new gym will self generate power and even send electricity back to the grid.

• There is a bike maintenance station for tune-ups and repairs.

5. Pokes’ Spokes Bike Library (2005)

• Encourages alternative means of transportation on the UW–Laramie campus and in the Laramie community.

• Students ($25/semester), staff and faculty ($50/semester) rent bikes, helmets, and locks for healthy and environmentally friendly transportation. Currently, there are over 100 bikes available for rent.

6. College of Business (2010)

• UW’s first LEED Gold certified building.

• During construction, 95% of material from the old building was recycled and diverted from local landfills.

• Toilets use only one cup of water per flush, compared to one gallon in average toilets.

• Bike storage and shower facilities onsite encourage people to bike to work.

7. Washakie Dining Hall

• A source of local food and organically grown, fair trade coffee. Lettuce and other vegetables are purchased from ACRES Student Farm when available. Milk is sourced locally and UW Meat Lab meat is served during specialty dinners.

• Sends ~70–105 gallons of compostable waste to ACRES Student Farm each day.

8. Residence Halls

• Students recycle materials ranging from soda cans to clothing. In 2010–2011, 15,297 lbs of material were collected from residence halls—an average of 9 lbs of recycled material per student!

• During the 2010 move-in, UW students recycled 8,756 lbs of cardboard; from 2010–2011 students in UW residence halls diverted over 23,000 lbs of material from landfills.

9. Visual Arts Center (2012)

• Currently UW’s only LEED Platinum building.

• Energy-efficient design features reduce greenhouse gas emissions 54% from the national average.

• Sustainable features include: evaporative cooling, natural ventilation, exhaust air process control, and renewable energy from an on-site solar thermal array (the dark, angled structures visible on top of the building).

• Its architects received the Portland 2030 Challenge Design Award at the 2012 American Institute of Architects Green Champions Summit for the building’s innovative and sustainable design features.

• Note the great amount of natural light in the building, which is not only a “green” feature, but an asset to artists who work here.

10. ACRES Student Farm (2007)

• Organic student-run farm that does not use synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

• Sells goods at local farmers markets and has a successful Community Supported Agriculture Program; also donates unsold goods to Feeding Laramie Valley and gives at least 10% of its yield to the Laramie Soup Kitchen.

• Farmers wash and sort produce at the solar-powered harvest facility that is made of mostly recycled material.

• Community compost program allows community members to contribute to the compost pile and buy it for use in their own gardens.

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