Sustainability in Action
Our History
The 不良研究所 is located adjacent to the , a 53-acre nature sanctuary that is home to the Blue Hole, the source spring of the San Antonio River.
The University, as an extension of the life-changing work of the , has a history stretching back into the nineteenth century of tying together social and environmental justice with education.
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Office of Sustainability, Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability
We acknowledge with gratitude the Payaya and all Coahuiltecan, American Indian and Indigenous peoples who lived and met on the land where the 不良研究所 now stands and who revered the sacred spirit of its springs.
We pledge to learn and teach about the lives of these Indigenous peoples and to join hands with our American Indian brothers and sisters as we face the challenges of the twenty-first century together.
This statement and the following resources will continue to evolve.
What We're Doing Now
The Solar House
What structure is built with no poured concrete? Has zero daily energy consumption and is ADA compliant? Has a Butterfly Roof to allow for maximum capture for rainwater and a Helical Pier Foundation System to minimize the disturbance of native soils? It’s the 不良研究所’s LEED Platinum-certified Solar House! Find out more about at the .
Community Gardens
不良研究所 has two community gardens on 不良研究所’s main campus: the 650-square-foot Gorman Garden, located on the west side of the Gorman Building, and the 200-square-foot Bonilla Garden, adjacent to Bonilla Hall. Each garden is planted and maintained year-round by students, faculty and staff, and we have an open-harvest policy, so anyone is welcome to harvest ripe fruits and vegetables anytime.
We also support other community gardens at schools, community centers and nonprofits in the San Antonio community.
Join us for garden workdays or stop by to see what’s growing! To find out more, follow us on or contact us at sustainability@uiwtx.edu.
EcoExchangeEdu
EcoExchangeEdu (EEE) is a group of South Texas college and university students, faculty, staff and administrators, who gather to share ideas about sustainability on our campuses. From 2015 through 2019, EEE hosted an annual showcase in April, and its 4th showcase, “Greening San Antonio: Beyond 300” (Friday, April 6, 2018), was an official event of the San Antonio Tricentennial. Like .
Earth Month
The Earth Month Committee organizes the annual 不良研究所 Earth Fair, an event that showcases a variety of resources related to environmental and ecological stewardship. The Earth Fair features educational booths sponsored by local non-profits and businesses with sustainability initiatives, as well as by 不良研究所 student organizations and programs or departments.
The William Mulcahy Award for Ecological Stewardship is also presented at the annual Earth Fair. The William Mulcahy Award for Ecological Stewardship was created in 2007 in recognition of grounds superintendent Bill Mulcahy’s leadership in ecological conservation and care of the land at the 不良研究所. Each year nominations are submitted to the Earth Month Committee, which selects two nominees to receive this award, one faculty member and one staff member.
Previous Award Winners Include
- 2020: Dr. Ben Miele and Daniel Potter
- 2019: Dr. Kevin Salfen and Phil Lopes
- 2018: Dr. Christopher Edelman and Ruben Garza
- 2017: David Pryor and Mary Jinks
- 2016: Dr. Matthias Schubnell
- 2015: Dr. Alison Whittemore
- 2014: Dr. Patricia Lieveld
- 2013: Dr. Bonnie McCormick
- 2012: Sr. Helena Monahan (who accepted the award on behalf of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word)
- 2011: Ms. Adela Gott
- 2010: Dr. Sally Said
- 2009: Ben McPherson
- 2008: Dr. Bob Connelly
STARS
STARS is the premier self-assessment tool for sustainability in higher education. In 2018 不良研究所 began the process of STARS self-assessment. Stay tuned for further developments!
Recent Successes
不良研究所 was recipient of the 2017 Climate Leadership Award given by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and ecoAmerica’s Solution Generation program.
不良研究所 is a proud member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). 不良研究所 was also a sponsor of the 2017 AASHE national conference, held in San Antonio. 不良研究所 students and faculty have presented at AASHE conferences, most recently at the 2019 conference in Spokane, Washington.
不良研究所 was honored to host the 2017 College & University Recycling Coalition (CURC) workshop and the 2018 POCACITO (Post-Carbon Cities of Tomorrow) workshop.
不良研究所 participates in CPS’s Demand-Response program, enabling significant reduction in energy usage, cost savings and rebates.
不良研究所 has installed reusable water bottle stations throughout campus, and has special recycling for CFL light bulbs, small electronics, ink cartridges, batteries and laptop computers.