Museum Green Team
As an official University of Florida Green Team, this museum group works closely with UF's Office of Sustainability to involve their departments, and members of the campus community, in achieving a more sustainable university. The team supports the university's ongoing efforts to reduce unnecessary resource use and waste generation.
The Florida Museum Green Team's mission is to generate new ideas, offer feedback on existing campus programs and provide a mechanism for employees and friends of the Museum to share information and best practices.
Team members: Cathy Bester, Ichthyology; Tina Choe, Exhibits and Public Programs; Ann Cordell, Archaeology; Elecia Crumpton, Graphics; Sarah Fazenbaker, Office of Museum Technology; Mary Ferl, Budget and Human Resources; Jesse Grosso, Ichthyology; Andy Lievertz, Office of Museum Technology; Darcie MacMahon, Exhibits and Public Programs; Rob Robins, Ichthyology; and Griffin Sheehy, Directors Office.
Museum Green Initiatives
Green Team member Rob Robins (bottom) campaigning for bicycling at a rally on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
New lights in the Hall of Florida Fossils exhibit provide 75 percent energy savings over the original fixtures!
- Encourage staff use of alternative transportation to work
- Use "green" materials when developing new exhibits
- Design traveling exhibits that require as few trucks as possible
- Use more environmentally friendly paints with no volatile organic compounds
- Use recycled carpet for new and replacement installations
- Host Earth Day public programs to celebrate and highlight conservation
- Limit use of paper telephone directories
- Encourage recycling/reuse of packing materials
- Remind staff to turn off lights, monitors, printers and other equipment when not in use
- Add light switch decals to remind staff to reduce energy use
- Replace foam core signage with reusable signs
- Convert work orders from paper to electronic format
- Eliminate printed brochures when possible
- Print brochures with vegetable-based inks on Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper
- Use compact fluorescent and other energy-saving lighting in office and work spaces
- Re-lamp the Hall of Florida Fossils exhibit with energy efficient metal halide fixtures
- Participate in campus-wide group orders for green tableware products to be used for various museum functions
Event Involvement
- Hosted 2010 One Less Car Challenge Wrap-up/Reception
- Clean up of McCarty Woods/Green Pond Sink area during the Office of Sustainability's February 2011 REstore Campus Cleanup
Rooftop Solar Array
The Museum's rooftop solar array.
The roof of the Florida Museum's McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity was selected as a campus demonstration site for an innovative solar array developed by Solyndra.
Installation of the 75 kilowatt-hour system was completed in May 2010, and it now contributes power to the Museum's electrical and cooling systems. A renewable energy exhibit and companion web site are planned (opening November 2011) that will include real-time energy production data from the array.
University of Florida Campus Green Team Campaigns
One Less Car Challenge - Using alternative transportation saves money and reduces your impact on the planet, whether it be walking, biking, taking a bus, or carpooling. In the One Less Car challenge, students, staff and faculty join departmental teams and log their commutes and means of transportation. In 2009, the Florida Museum team placed second out of 106 teams and logged 21,973 miles using alternative transportation during the three-month challenge.
Think Before You Ink - As part of the University's cost-reduction efforts, professional communicators across campus are finding ways to reduce costs, consolidate messages and create a more sustainable marketing and publications environment. The Florida Museum is evaluating converting many of its paper brochures and newsletters to an online format and encouraging staff to reduce the amount of paper used in all areas of the Museum. From photocopying office memos to printing emails and newsletters, it is essential to be mindful of ways to conserve limited resources.
Learn more about other sustainability initiatives at UF
UF Green Guides
A Gator's Guide to Sustainable Living (PDF)
How to Go Green During School (PDF)
No Car...No Problem: How to get around Gainesville without a car (PDF)