Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth Leading by Example Council Meeting July 11, 2017
Agenda • Welcome & Introductions • Commonwealth Updates • Pollinator-Friendly Habitats and Sustainable Landscaping Options • LBE Updates • Policy Updates • LBE Updates • Massasoit CC Sustainable Gardens Tour Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
Massasoit Ma ssasoit Co Comm mmunity unity Colle Co llege Founded unded 19 1966 66 3 camp 3 ca mpus us loca cations tions – Brockton ton ca camp mpus us compl co pleted eted 19 1978 78 Enrollment En llment – 11 11,00 000 0 st student ents s an annually ually, 7, 7,50 500 0 fal all Programs Pr ams – both th tr tran ansf sfer er & ca caree eer/tec /techn hnical cal
Comprehensive Energy & Water Conservation Project • On track to save $12 million & reduce energy by 40% over 20 yrs. 370 kW solar PV array across 5 rooftops • 453,000 kWh generated annually, $55,000 savings + SRECs revenue
Sustainability Task Force Recycling for a cause Fighting food insecurity Supporting local farms & native habitats
Sustainable Landscaping Takes Root
Wildflower Meadow
Bioswale
Creating Habitat
Attracting Native Pollinators
Commonwealth Updates Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
Global Renewables Progress China USA Portugal Great Britain Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
US Climate Alliance • Gov. Baker joined Climate Alliance in June • MA reiterates commitment to go beyond Paris GHG reduction targets and to collaborate across states • 12 states have signed Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
DOER Peak Demand Reduction Projects • Awarded $4.6M in grants for 9 peak demand reduction projects looking at residential, commercial, and municipal sectors • Goal is to reduce electricity use at peak use hours, when power is most expensive, to limit need for new power infrastructure and reduce costs • Projects include: creating a replicable model for municipal building demand reduction designing peak electricity demand reduction model for big-box stores utilization of residential thermal storage http://www.mass.gov/eea/pr-2017/4-6-million-grants-for-peak-demand-reduction-projects.html Did you know? In MA, the top 1% of peak electricity demand hours account for 8% of electric energy costs, while the top 10% Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth of hours accounts for 40% of overall electric energy costs
1600MW Solar Target Achieved • 1600MW Solar Target Achieved 3 years ahead of schedule • 21+MW of solar at state facilities Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
Pollinator-Friendly Habitats and Sustainable Landscaping Options Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
The Problems Facing Honeybees Ilan Friedman Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
Why We Care About Honey Bees • 1/3 of U.S. plant food supply pollinated by honey bees, including: tomatoes, grapes, blueberries, cranberries, eggplant, pears, almonds, peaches, plums, cherries, avocados, beans, apples, cotton, strawberries, lemons, limes, carrots, cucumbers and… coffee and cocoa! • $16 billion annual value of agricultural products pollinated by honey bees in U.S. • Honey bees pollinate forage foods like alfalfa and clover, which support livestock Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
What is Happening to Honeybees? • 50% of hives die in the U.S every winter • Colony losses have been growing over last decade • Seemingly healthy hives get deserted for no reason • Imported pests, viruses, and fungi are increasingly infesting our hives Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
Key Causes of Honeybee Decline • Varroa mites • Pesticides (especially neonicotinoids) • Monoculture • Stress from commercial beekeeping • Foulbrood • Tracheal mites • Wax moths • Small hive beetles There are many more pests, viruses, diseases and more strains on honeybees around the world. Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
What We Can Do • Plant diverse and native wildflowers • Reduce pesticide use • Educate others • Keep bees • Support pollinator organizations like Xerces and Pollinator Partnership • Buy organic foods • Do not use chemical pest resources Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
Massasoit Community College STEM Research Interns Native Pollinator Research Project
UMass Plants for Pollinators UMass Amherst Landscape Management & Stockbridge School of Agriculture Interns
The Facts Pollinator Importance 90% of all plant species need pollinators Responsible for 1 out of every 3 bites of food Add $217 billion to the global economy
The Facts Pollinator Decline Drastic decline in pollinator populations caused by: Habitat loss & fragmentation Non-native species & disease Pollution & pesticides Climate change
The Question “What can we do to help?”
The Answer Create Habitat
The Benefits Ecologically viable habitat for local pollinators/wildlife Educational opportunity for campus and community Ability to make an impact and inspire others
The Process “Where do we start?”
The Species Target Pollinators
The Location Governors Drive
The Location Governors Drive Driving NW from rotary, Driving SE towards Computer Science bldg. rotary, Computer Science on left bldg. on right
The Location Selection Details Low foot traffic High visibility from road Parking lot for visitors Plenty of edge habitat Enhancement of naturalized area
The Research Plant Selection
The Details Garden Design
Site Preparation Bed Creation
Site Preparation Walkway Installation
Site Preparation Ready for Planting
Site Planting Nursery to Garden
Site Planting Nursery to Garden
Final Touches Garden to Habitat Garden meets all pollinator habitat requirements: Nectar & pollen sources Water source Sunny areas w/ wind breaks Native plants Continuous bloom Minimization of pesticides
Pollinator Presence Garden Visitors
Want to learn more? Our garden is registered with the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge. Check out the network’s website to learn more about how YOU can help save pollinators: millionpollinatorgardens.org
Thank you!
Partnering for Pollinators
Orange Sallow Moth Habitat Management
Partnering for Pollinators • “ Pollinators and their habitats play an important ecological and agricultural role in Massachusetts,” said MassWildlife Director Jack Buckley . “This interagency project will improve conditions of common and rare pollinators and their habitats and serve as a model and visual reminder to other Massachusetts land owners that by implementing simple landscape maintenance practices, they can improve the ecological value of our lands.” • "The Massachusetts Transportation Department is always pleased to partner with non-profits and other groups to undertake projects benefitting the community and the world we live in,” said District 5 Highway Director Mary-Joe Perry . “ MassDOT landscapes as part of its highway and bridge projects so it is a common sense and worthwhile step to take in creating habitats as we complete necessary construction work.
Thank You David Paulson Senior Endangered Species Biologist MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife David.Paulson@state.ma.us 508-389-6366
State Pilot Sites • DOC Bridgewater • Taunton State Hospital • 2 sites – 3.5 & 2.6 • 2.7 acres acres • Tilled & Planted this • Tilling this summer spring • Plant this fall • Used northeast seed • Used DFG specified mix northeast seed mix Creating A Clean, Affordable and Resilient Energy Future For the Commonwealth
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