Updated October 20, 2008
Our Vision
The Big Green Initiative
Nichols School is implementing a wide-ranging approach to campus sustainability called the Big Green Initiative. The BGI focuses on campus energy, materials, land and water use by applying methods promoting environmental literacy, sustainability and education. The program involves all aspects of our school community, including capital, community and curriculum points of view.
Action Taken in the 2008 – 2009 School Year
Installation of new energy efficient boiler system and double-paned windows for Mitchell Hall this past summer; similar sustainability updates were completed for Albright Hall in Summer 2007.
Approval by the Board of Trustees to build a new math/science/technology building including the following green aspects: sustainable storm water management; low level; lighting to minimize light pollution; southern circulation corridor to maximize daylighting in building core; green roof; sustainable mechanical systems and more.
Nichols Students Participated in Apollo Alliance of WNY, October 4, 2008
Goodwill and Nichols Partner for Clothing Drive, October 1, 2008
Environmental Summit at Daemen College, September 27, 2008
Eighth graders participating in Students for Environmental Awareness and Action (SEAA) group with Upper School students.
Toaxnoes is eco-friendly and cost-effective...adopted a smaller, more standard paper size and moved to using recycled paper. Sterling Sommer...first local printing company to go green...fully embracing environmental responsibility in all phases of the printing process – from paper origin to merchant to print process.
Elimination of paper and plastic cups from the faculty room and ONLY using coffee mugs
Recycling of plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, electronic hardware and food scraps (used to produce organic matter for flower beds on campus via worm farms)
Reuse of ink cartridges
Websites to Consider
Gaiam - A Lifetstyle Company - www.gaiam.com
Clinton Global Initiative - http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/
Green Guide - http://www.thegreenguide.com/
Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills - October 20, 2008
The average home in Buffalo can expect energy bills of $2267 per year. An energy-efficient home in Buffalo will have much lower bills – only $1451 per year. That is a savings of $816. Here are some simple steps you can take to start saving money on your energy bills.
· Turn your water heater thermostat down to 120 F.
· Buy an insulating blanket for your hot water heater.
· Wrap pre-cut insulation around exposed pipes leading to you hot water heater.
· Use cold water to do your laundry.
· Install a water-saving 2.5 gallon/minute showerhead.
· Install water saving faucet heads in your kitchen and bathroom sinks.
· Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
· Keep lids on your pots when you cook.
· Don’t pre-heat your oven.
· Clean your refrigerator’s condenser coils once a year.
· In winter, open shades and drapes during the day and close them at night.
· Move furniture away from radiators and heating vents.
· Set your thermostat to 68 F when you’re home and down to 60 F when you’re out or asleep. Consider buying a programmable thermostat, which will do this automatically for you.
· Clean or change the air filter on your furnace once a year.
· Put weather-stripping around your windows and doors.
· Use caulk and spray-in foam to seal cracks and leaks around your windows, doors, and baseboards. Check for gaps around chimneys and where pipes enter your home. Pay special attention to your attic and basement.
· When you need to replace an appliance, such as a refrigerator or TV, make sure to buy one with an Energy Star label.
Fact Sheet prepared by the Cornell University Industrial Labor Relations (ILR) School, 237 Main St., Suite 1200, Buffalo, NY 14203.
For more information on the Big Green Initiative, please stay tuned to www.nicholsschool.org. For more information, please contact J. Tim Vanini, Ph.D. ’87 at tvanini@nicholsschool.org.