Med center can bike into fall with free B-Cycle pass

 Posted on November 14, 2023 by

 349 Comments

Lauren Klingemann

 

Lauren Klingemann loves using Heartland Bike Share and wants other students and staff to experience the same joy she does riding the bikes around campus.

The second-year student and M1 wellness chair has been at UNMC since August 2022. She enjoys Heartland B-Cycle because she has easy access to a bike and can ride across campus or to different places around Omaha during the week.

“I really enjoy biking on different trails throughout Omaha,” she said. “But transporting my personal bike is often a hassle.”

The med center partners with Heartland Bike Share to offer free, annual passes to students, faculty and staff. At the beginning of the 2023 fall semester, Parking Services, the UNMC Office of Sustainability and the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory joined together to distribute more than 200 passes.

A limited number still are remaining, so sign up today to get a free pass. Click here to find detailed instructions for how to sign up for TravelSmart to get a promo code and activate a Heartland B-cycle membership.

By getting a pass, users have access to Heartland B-Cycle’s 400 electric-assist bikes and 80-plus stations, including several stations around the UNMC campus:

  • 40th and Leavenworth streets
  • 39th and Jackson streets
  • 42nd Street and Dewey Avenue
  • 45th and Emile streets
  • 44th and Farnam streets
  • 40th and Farnam streets

“Because B-cycles are widely available throughout Omaha,” Klingemann said, “having access to a free pass allows me to make the spontaneous decision to go on a bike ride basically anywhere I am at throughout the city.”

These interconnected stations throughout the city have been useful to Klingemann and even have helped her encourage her dad, a pharmacist on campus, to get a pass and ride B-Cycles all over Omaha. Omaha’s system of trails and bike infrastructure gives students, staff, faculty and colleagues another means of travel that is convenient, safe and more sustainable.

 Klingemann also wants to emphasize that biking is just a great time in and of itself.  

“My biggest advice would be to download the app and set up your free annual pass before you leave to ride the first time. I also strongly encourage you to go with friends. It makes biking even more enjoyable, and with the free pass, it gives you an opportunity to be active and have fun with your classmates or co-workers.”

Map of B-Cycle locations on the med center campus

Sustainability Month offers events, opportunities to take action

 Posted on October 17, 2023 by

October is Campus Sustainability Month, an annual celebration of sustainability in higher education. Campuses worldwide educate and take action during October through webinars, events, challenges and more. The med center is celebrating through some great events and educational opportunities.

Tree planting event – On Oct. 24, the UNMC Office of Sustainability and grounds office is hosting a tree planting event on campus. The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the green space near the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging (upper lot 16). Organizers will be planting an Autumn Blaze Mapletree and offer people a chance to learn more about the importance of trees on campus. Stickers will be offered to everyone who helps plant the tree. Submissions are open to offer ideas to name the tree. Attendees can submit name ideas at the event, and a winner will be chosen later this month.

Health and home performance – On Oct. 24 from 5-8 p.m. at the new Community Wellness Collaborative, located at 2120 N. 29th St., Suite 200, in Omaha, the Office of Sustainability will partner with community organizations to share knowledge and discuss the connection between health and home performance. Weatherization work can provide many health benefits, such as improved indoor air quality, less heat and cold related illness and reduced hypertension, which results in fewer hospital and medical visits. This event is open to the community and will have a variety of educational sessions. This event will have the following speakers and sessions:

  • Health care and sustainability – Jerrod Bley, UNMC Office of Sustainability
  • Lead poisoning prevention program – Anita Whitney, Douglas County Health Department
  • Home repair program – Sara Zivny, Habitat for Humanity
  • Natural gas safety and conservation – Julie Thacker and Ernie Bless, MUD
  • Residential energy efficiency and energy efficiency assistance program – Eric Bensalah and Eddie Clark, OPPD

EcoChallenge – Throughout October, participants can compete alongside peers to be the most sustainable, as well as learn what others at the med center are doing to better the environment. There are a variety of actions people can take to focus on health, education, transportation and more. Click here to get started.

Sustainability Summit – Continue celebrating sustainability into November with the Nebraska University System Sustainability Summit. On Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 1-4 p.m. at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, attendees can find out what is happening on all four campuses, learn from experts and help shape the future of sustainability at the University of Nebraska. To attend the event, register here.  

Also take action this October by:

Med center cuts down on waste at campus BBQ

 Posted on September 28, 2023 by

For the past three years, the UNMC Office of Sustainability has strived to make the annual BBQ event zero waste, which means at least 90% of waste by weight is diverted from the landfill.

While the event didn’t reach the 90% goal, the Office of Sustainability was able to save almost 200 pounds from going to the landfill, while also engaging, educating and raising awareness among the med center community about sustainability efforts on campus that directly contribute to the med center’s net zero waste and engagement goals.

On Aug. 23, the campus held the #WeAreUNMC BBQ, where students, staff and faculty could mingle, learn about various groups and enjoy a meal together.

To make this event more sustainable, the Office of Sustainability set up waste stations that included compost, recycling and Hefty Orange bags, along with traditional landfill waste. With the help of volunteers, attendees were instructed on how to correctly sort their waste at the stations.

After the event, the aggregated waste from each station was weighed and recorded. In all, 74% of all waste material was diverted from the landfill, a substantial increase from the 65% diverted in 2022.

The breakdown of waste streams was:

  • Compost: 93 pounds
  • Recycling: 41.7 pounds
  • Cardboard: 32.7 pounds
  • Hefty Renew Bag: 14.1 pounds
  • Landfill: 63.1 pounds

Julie Sommer, research facilities planner and a LiveGreen ambassador who volunteered at the BBQ, said: “I look forward to the UNMC Welcome BBQ every year. Volunteering to help sort waste is a great way to meet people and educate about sustainability on campus. The effort to make this a zero waste event is appreciated by many students and staff.”

Another volunteer, Emily Wiley, office associate for the medical laboratory science program, also had a great experience: “As someone who actively recycles, uses orange bags and composts at home, it was great to assist at this event and help to educate those who were in attendance. I hope that everyone learned something new or was inspired by what they saw to do more in their own home.”

Anyone interested in getting involved in sustainable events can sign up to be a LiveGreen Ambassador, send ideas for events that could go zero waste or sign up to volunteer for this event next year. With questions, email Jerrod Bley.

Med center offers benefits for ‘active commuting’

 Posted on September 18, 2023 by

The results of the 2022 sustainability engagement survey indicated 40% of med center employee commute trips are made in a way other than driving alone in a car. This means employees are taking the bus, biking, walking, carpooling or working from home — and it’s considered “active commuting.”

Active commuting has several benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing costs to the individual and improving individual and community health. 

In 2012, only 12% of trips were made to campus in ways other than driving alone by car, and the goal was set to increase this to 20%. Since then, the med center has worked to support active commuters, primarily through the TravelSmart program, and the 20% goal was met in 2018.

The new goal was set at 35% by 2030, and that was achieved far ahead of schedule in 2022 with the 40% result.

This success is primarily due to more employees working from home, alongside small increases in biking, walking and other forms of sustainable transportation. The 35% goal will remain in place for now to account for changes in remote work policies implemented after the survey results were collected.

Data from the next survey, scheduled for 2024, will be used to continuously evaluate this goal. To learn more, check out the sustainability dashboard. 

Anyone interested in getting involved can sign up for the TravelSmart program. When registering, choose from several modes of transportation and access benefits, including a free Omaha Metro bus pass, one-year Heartland B-cycle pass, reduced parking rates, emergency ride home program, access to secure bike parking, lockers and showers and more.

Important update: Another year of free Heartland B-Cycle memberships is available.

The Heartland B-Cycle program will offer a limited number of free one-year memberships to the med center community. This bike sharing system allows members to easily unlock, ride and return bikes at a network of more than 70 docking stations around the city.

Checking out a bike to travel across campus for meetings saves time and prevents the need to re-park a car. Bicycling also is a great way to reduce someone’s carbon footprint, support cycling infrastructure in Omaha and exercise, all at once. Heartland Bike Share even has electric-assist bicycles, which help with hills.

Click here to find detailed instructions for how to sign up for TravelSmart to get a promo code and activate a Heartland B-cycle membership.

Med center heals local landscapes with NET Prairie Grant

 Posted on August 28, 2023 by

In 2020, the medical center was awarded more than $40,000 to convert grass into native prairie through the Nebraska Environmental Trust’s Prairie Grant Program. This program empowers organizations to conserve and restore natural environments in Nebraska. The med center used this grant to transform 1.65 acres on the Omaha campus into native prairie and to educate the community on the importance of native planting.

Before the project, 1.65 acres of land were simply unused grass. While requiring a large amount of water, energy and maintenance, grass also does not support ecosystems and drains nutrients from the soil. Native plants, in contrast, require almost no maintenance while providing several environmental benefits, including:

  • Air quality: Prairie plantings sequester carbon while cooling and cleaning the air. 
  • Soil management: Deep-rooted, native prairie perennials prevent erosion, create a habitat for healthy soil microorganisms and make it difficult for weeds to thrive over time. 
  • Water quality: Mature stands of prairie plantings improve water quality by filtering pollutants and reduce runoff by capturing up to nine inches of rainfall per hour, which – on campus — is especially important in the inclined areas and near Lot 16L.
  • Improving ecosystems: Local animals and insects have increased access to pollen, food and other resources.

Studies suggest that visiting green spaces can reduce psychological stress compared to urban spaces. And finally, the flowers that bloom in these prairies throughout the growing season provide bright spots of color and joy.

Members of the med center community who are interested in supporting these efforts can check out native plants near Lots 16L, 64, and 54S on campus. Additionally, educational signage near Lots 64 and 16L provides more information about the impacts of native plants. To become more involved with sustainability on campus, consider becoming a LiveGreen Ambassador. 

UNMC certified as a ‘tree campus’ for 10 years

 Posted on August 16, 2023 by

    The med center has been certified as a “Tree Campus Higher Education” for 10 years. Offered through the Arbor Day Foundation, Tree Campus certification is given to higher education institutions that dedicate time, strategy, education and financing to maintain a diverse, thoughtful tree landscape and culture on campus.

    For the certification, the med center must create a tree campus advisory committee, maintain a campus tree-care plan, hold an Arbor Day celebration and conduct service-learning projects annually. The med center celebrated Arbor Day this year by planting a scarlet oak outside the UNMC College of Public Health.

    The Tree Campus certification shows the med center’s active efforts towards improving the environment and landscaping on campus. Proper landscaping and tree maintenance contribute to several environmental and health benefits, including:

    • Acting as a carbon sink and cleaning the air
    • Adding biodiversity and attracting various pollinators
    • Cooling the streets and city by breaking up urban heat islands
    • Preventing soil erosion and water pollution

    Adding trees to landscaping also can support positive health outcomes by reducing stress, supporting the immune system, creating cleaner air to breathe and more. Trees provide shade and cooler temperatures, which can protect both people and building infrastructure during extreme heat.

    To enjoy these benefits, consider walking through campus and green spaces on campus before taking a test or attending an important meeting to lower stress and regain focus

    Interested in learning more? Join the next tree planting event or sign up to be a LiveGreen Ambassador to participate in sustainability efforts year-round. With questions, contact UNMC sustainability manager Jerrod Bley.

    The importance of water conservation

     Posted on July 25, 2023 by

     17 Comments

    Water conservation is an important part of sustainability and climate resilience efforts.

    While water is relatively abundant and cheap in the Midwest today, droughts are becoming more frequent and severe.

    Jesse Bell, PhD, Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Water, Climate and Health at UNMC, said, “Drought is a constant issue in the United States, and it is often overlooked by health professionals. For example, many individuals might be surprised to learn that eastern Nebraska is facing extreme to exceptional drought conditions. Because drought is a significant threat to human health, more work is needed to understand local public health threats associated with drought events.”

    Dr. Bell’s team has created multiple resources related to this issue, including health impacts associated with drought and preparedness strategies for health departments.

    Water conservation is part of the med center’s sustainability plan. The med center has set a 2030 goal for net zero water — that means using the same amount or less water than the annual amount that falls on campus as rain and snow. Since 2012, the med center has saved approximately 349 million gallons of water — the equivalent of 529 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

    Strategies for reducing water use have been implemented within buildings and on grounds. Behavior changes through the Every Drop Counts campaign, along with improved landscaping and upgraded infrastructure, have helped the med center make progress toward its goal.

    Med center colleagues can support water conservation and the net zero water goal by:

    • Reporting all water leaks to facilities immediately. Here’s the link to submit a work order.
    • Talking with peers about water conservation efforts.
    • Making an announcement about water conversation at staff meetings.
    • Turning the faucet on part way and using only the pressure needed.
    • Avoiding splashing items when putting stuff down the drain. Pour directly into the drain hole, which saves water and time on rinsing.

    In research areas, conserve water by:

    • Establishing efficient labware washing practices, such as running dishwashers, autoclaves and cage washers only when they are full, and turning off equipment or putting them into standby mode when not in use.
    • Not unwrapping sterile glassware until needed.
    • Using the water from eyewash station flushing to water plants or rinse dishes.
    • Shutting the fume hood sash, which indirectly saves water by reducing cooling loads and decreasing the makeup water consumed in cooling towers.

    For questions or comments, reach out to Jerrod Bley.

    Energy Curtailment Days: take action to reduce energy consumption on campus this summer

     Posted on June 16, 2023 by

     10 Comments

    Energy curtailment is an effort to reduce the amount of energy used when extra stress is put onto energy systems, such as during periods of high heat or humidity. The med center uses energy curtailment days throughout the summer to ensure other systems can function. 

    During these days, the med center community is asked to reduce their energy usage in a variety of ways, including: 

    • Closing shades, blinds, and curtains whenever possible to reduce solar heat gain
      • If you are on campus, but your neighbors aren’t, please help by closing their window coverings and turning off any lights or equipment you can
    • Lowering lighting levels where possible, and turning off lights in unoccupied areas/when leaving a room
    • Turning off and unplugging all electrical equipment not in use (computers, coffee makers, printers, chargers, etc.)
      • Charging equipment after 7:00 PM
    • Shutting fume hood sashes when not in use (remember: “Shut the Sash!”)
    • Opening doors manually instead of using the ADA buttons, if possible
    • Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, if you are able
    • Reminding others to make these simple changes alongside you!

    Taking part in curtailment days is crucial for the med center because it:

    • Ensures the continuity of essential systems for critical hospital and research functions
    • Reduces pollution: lowering your energy usage reduces the amount of greenhouse gasses produced, which have harmful effects on people and the environment 
    • Improves the health of the entire community: creating more energy on the grid supports people receiving services they need and lowers the effects of health concerns caused by the burning of fossil fuels and other climate-related impacts
    • Saves money: reducing your energy usage can decrease the amount of money the med center spends on those utilities. If a large amount of energy is reduced, the med center may have more funds to spend elsewhere
    • Supports the med center’s sustainability goals: achieving Net Zero emissions requires all of the med center community to reduce energy consumption and create sustainable systems

    Some other important information related to energy curtailment at the med center: 

    • To report spaces colder than 66 degrees or warmer than 78 degrees, call 2-3347 (Nebraska Medicine) or 9-4050 (UNMC).
    • Patient care and research spaces are not affected by energy curtailment.

    To learn more about energy curtailment at the med center, please visit the LiveGreen guidance page. 

    Don’t forget: Parking permit renewals are due June 30

     Posted on June 6, 2023 by

     6 Comments

    UNMC and Nebraska Medicine faculty, staff and students who park on campus must renew their parking permits by Friday, June 30.

    The UNMC Parking Portal opened on May 1 for parking permit renewal or purchase.

    Parking rates for most lots for July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, will remain the same as current rates; rates will increase, as scheduled, in two of the med center’s 50 lots. Review parking options and monthly rates on this map.

    If a renewal isn’t completed by the June 30 deadline, the current permit will be cancelled, the med center colleague will need to cancel their payroll deduction, the assigned lot will be forfeited, and a new application must be completed. Renewals that occur after June 30 must be made in person, via fax (402-559-3500) or by emailing a completed application to parking services.

    To renew a current permit, log in to the UNMC Parking Portal with the user’s network login ID and password. All UNMC and Nebraska Medicine employees have an account. Anyone using the system for the first time will need to enter the primary vehicle information. Do not log in as a guest, as the user will not be able to access current parking information or save a vehicle information for future use.

    As part of the renewal process, users will be asked for the address so that a new parking permit can be mailed. Please note this permit is for a two-year renewal, so the price displayed includes the cost of parking from July 2023 to June 2024. This does not, however, guarantee the rate for two years. It simply calculates a two-year rate based on FY24 rates; FY25 rates are not set. The balance shown also will not be paid at one time. By selecting “pay now,” users will be authorizing prorated payroll deduction for payments.

    For people who park with a carpool parking pass, visit the UNMC Parking Services office in person. Parking services is located inside the Student Life Center at 3908 Jones St. on level two inside the UNMC Bookstore.

    To cancel parking, med center colleagues must notify parking services between May 1 and June 30; otherwise the parking payroll deduction will continue. Notify Parking Services via email or by calling 402-559-8580.

    Thank you for supporting the planet during April, learn about what happened!

     Posted on May 22, 2023 by

     95 Comments

    The med center hosted several events and opportunities throughout the month of April to celebrate Earth Month. Thank you to all who participated!

    The annual personal document shredding and electronic recycling event on April 18-19 was a big success this year. Thanks to the support from volunteers and those who donated, we diverted from the landfill:

    • 5,109 lbs of electronic waste
    • 2,402 lbs of personal documents
    • 261 lbs of alkaline batteries (approximately 4,000 batteries)
    • 140 lbs of assorted media (VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, and floppy disks)
    • 17 lbs of rechargeable/button batteries

    The med center community donated:

    • $612 and 200 cans of food to the Maverick Food Pantry
    • 43 pairs of eyeglasses to the Truhlsen Eye Institute
    • 24 lbs of pop tabs to Omaha’s Ronald McDonald House

    A big THANK YOU to the volunteers that were able to help out: Barb Wright-Kennedy. Julie Sommer, Sarah Maas, Jackson Schiefelbein, Pat Wortmann, Allison Anderson, Paul Baltes, Brenda Hatcher, Cathy Binstock, Stephen Peters, Euem Osmera, Emily Wiley, and Art Heires. The event wouldn’t have been as successful without you!

    All April, the Office of Sustainability hosted the EcoChallenge, an online platform that encourages participants to weave sustainable actions into their daily lives. As a team, we consumed 52 meatless or vegan meals, spent 3,703 minutes outdoors, and saved 37 gallons of water. The Office of Sustainability is continuing the challenge with a focus on biking through June 5 – sign up to log your biking miles here!

    The Office of Sustainability also hosted multiple cleanups around campus to collect litter. Teams collected a total of 2.3 lbs of Hefty Orange Bag materials, 3.5 lbs of recycling, and 11.7 lbs of landfill waste. Thank you to everyone who participated!

    Chad Kruse and Kelly Johnson joined Sustainability Manager Jerrod Bley to discuss how new development on campus incorporates sustainable design guidelines and impacts our sustainability goals. Thanks so much Chad and Kelly for the insights!

    At the Arbor Day tree planting event, students and staff had the opportunity to plant a tree and learn more about trees in Nebraska from Graham Herbst, Community Forestry Specialist for Eastern Nebraska. Visit our new Scarlet oak named “Treeth Urban,” located in the green space west of the Harold M. and Beverly Maurer Center for Public Health.

    Earth Month is a great way to participate in sustainability initiatives and activities, but you can join us all year round! Sign up to be a LiveGreen Ambassador and be a part of the core group of colleagues who are driving sustainable change at the med center.

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