By Robert Smith
The Trinity University Community Garden outside the Storch building may not seem fancy, but has a significant purpose.
The garden is just one of the projects that are in the work as Trinity University embraces changes that would allow the university to run and grow in a more environmental friendly and sustainable way.
The garden has seen tremendous growth in past years, both in plants and popularity. “Other colleges and universities have begun to make use of urban space in the interest of sustainability and energy saving practices,” says garden director and senior student Nathan King. “We hope to use the garden as a vehicle to bring sustainability to the forefront.”
In February the Community Garden Club gained permission to expand to all of the beds in Storch plaza. With an additional 500 square feet of space, its water needs will double.
Currently the garden is the only landscape on campus that uses potable drinking water for irrigation. To remedy this, rain will be captured off the tennis stadium roof and stored in a tank along the south bed. A group of students and administrators are in talks with Momentum Bay, a sustainability consulting firm owned by a Trinity alum, to install a visible rainwater tank in the garden.
The tank installation will also include a repair of the flower bed, which is cracking at the concrete seams and poses a threat to pedestrians on the handicap walkway below. A gravity powered drip irrigation system will water the plants and reduce maintenance efforts; any surplus can be used on surrounding landscaping.
“Installing a rainwater tank in such a prominent area on campus will set an example for the San Antonio area,” says King.
The metal tanks can be painted or coated with a compound that causes moss to grow in patterns, resulting in literal green art. A large scale mural will be installed this summer against the east-facing exterior wall. Further ideas for solar charging benches and edible plants are in the works to turn the plaza into a gathering place instead of just a corridor.
The southeastern side of Center for Sciences and Innovation already has rainwater capturing system, which is used for the building’s toilets and landscape irrigation. However, the tank is buried in the ground and does not send a visible message about conservation.
Numerous additional measures are being implemented or discussed here on campus to meet the demands for an increasingly eco-conscious society. Among them are a B-cycle station and a farmer’s market here on campus.
A B-cycle station has long been discussed but it seems more practical than ever, where rental bikes are available for local transport. With more bike lanes being added around San Antonio, students can have a healthier way of transportation and access to exciting areas such as St. Mary’s and the Pearl Brewery.
The Trinity Market has already been a raging success, with the first market drawing well over 300 attendees. Local vendors from the San Antonio Area are featured, selling everything from dog treats to bottled rainwater.
“Dude this is so awesome,” said Trinity senior Evan Kelly. “I’m really pleased that sustainability is catching on. Good food, good music, good vibes, all supporting local vendors. Trinity is becoming a leader in the community and positioning itself to set the pace for other schools.”
Indeed, the university’s goal is to set an example for 21st century higher education by embracing growth and change. Trinity University President Danny Anderson said, “With the rise of services like Uber and Lyft, students may not need cars as frequently. For the master plan, we have to consider whether areas will be more efficiently used as parking garages or green space.”
In addition, with the recent completion of the state-of-the-art, LEED Gold Certified Center for Sciences and Innovation, the school is poised to become a community leader in best sustainable practices.
Trinity’s commitment to a greener campus resonates with the broader social change as going green is all the rage these days. Organic produce, line the shelves at Central Market, Starbucks now uses biodegradable coffee cups, and it seems everybody’s neighbor has a Tesla.
Georgetown, Texas is the first city in the country to commit to using 100% renewable energy. Still, creating a measurable change in the world requires a bit of hard work, a challenge the Trinity community is eager to take on.
“If you want to make money, invest in the stock market. But if you want a cleaner earth, invest in people and teach them to be green. It’s not just about adding state-of-the art equipment but growing a greener society and building a better tomorrow,” said Momentum Bay’s Mark Robinson, a Trinity alumni.
The garden is just one of the projects that are in the work as Trinity University embraces changes that would allow the university to run and grow in a more environmental friendly and sustainable way.
The garden has seen tremendous growth in past years, both in plants and popularity. “Other colleges and universities have begun to make use of urban space in the interest of sustainability and energy saving practices,” says garden director and senior student Nathan King. “We hope to use the garden as a vehicle to bring sustainability to the forefront.”
In February the Community Garden Club gained permission to expand to all of the beds in Storch plaza. With an additional 500 square feet of space, its water needs will double.
Currently the garden is the only landscape on campus that uses potable drinking water for irrigation. To remedy this, rain will be captured off the tennis stadium roof and stored in a tank along the south bed. A group of students and administrators are in talks with Momentum Bay, a sustainability consulting firm owned by a Trinity alum, to install a visible rainwater tank in the garden.
The tank installation will also include a repair of the flower bed, which is cracking at the concrete seams and poses a threat to pedestrians on the handicap walkway below. A gravity powered drip irrigation system will water the plants and reduce maintenance efforts; any surplus can be used on surrounding landscaping.
“Installing a rainwater tank in such a prominent area on campus will set an example for the San Antonio area,” says King.
The metal tanks can be painted or coated with a compound that causes moss to grow in patterns, resulting in literal green art. A large scale mural will be installed this summer against the east-facing exterior wall. Further ideas for solar charging benches and edible plants are in the works to turn the plaza into a gathering place instead of just a corridor.
The southeastern side of Center for Sciences and Innovation already has rainwater capturing system, which is used for the building’s toilets and landscape irrigation. However, the tank is buried in the ground and does not send a visible message about conservation.
Numerous additional measures are being implemented or discussed here on campus to meet the demands for an increasingly eco-conscious society. Among them are a B-cycle station and a farmer’s market here on campus.
A B-cycle station has long been discussed but it seems more practical than ever, where rental bikes are available for local transport. With more bike lanes being added around San Antonio, students can have a healthier way of transportation and access to exciting areas such as St. Mary’s and the Pearl Brewery.
The Trinity Market has already been a raging success, with the first market drawing well over 300 attendees. Local vendors from the San Antonio Area are featured, selling everything from dog treats to bottled rainwater.
“Dude this is so awesome,” said Trinity senior Evan Kelly. “I’m really pleased that sustainability is catching on. Good food, good music, good vibes, all supporting local vendors. Trinity is becoming a leader in the community and positioning itself to set the pace for other schools.”
Indeed, the university’s goal is to set an example for 21st century higher education by embracing growth and change. Trinity University President Danny Anderson said, “With the rise of services like Uber and Lyft, students may not need cars as frequently. For the master plan, we have to consider whether areas will be more efficiently used as parking garages or green space.”
In addition, with the recent completion of the state-of-the-art, LEED Gold Certified Center for Sciences and Innovation, the school is poised to become a community leader in best sustainable practices.
Trinity’s commitment to a greener campus resonates with the broader social change as going green is all the rage these days. Organic produce, line the shelves at Central Market, Starbucks now uses biodegradable coffee cups, and it seems everybody’s neighbor has a Tesla.
Georgetown, Texas is the first city in the country to commit to using 100% renewable energy. Still, creating a measurable change in the world requires a bit of hard work, a challenge the Trinity community is eager to take on.
“If you want to make money, invest in the stock market. But if you want a cleaner earth, invest in people and teach them to be green. It’s not just about adding state-of-the art equipment but growing a greener society and building a better tomorrow,” said Momentum Bay’s Mark Robinson, a Trinity alumni.
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