Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Reedy Creek: Formal And Informal Policies Influencing The Stream Restoration, Emily Onufer

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

Many analyses, especially in the field of sociology, have debated the influence of informal groups such as nonprofits, coalitions, and consultants on formal policy-making bodies, mainly government agencies (see West 2004, Verloo2016). The Reedy Creek restoration project involved numerous policy-makers and stakeholders, all of whom influenced the project’s direction and outcomes in some way. Policy was a driving force behind the project from its inception. This analysis examines the roles and influence of the various stakeholders involved in the Reedy Creek restoration project, and attempts to analyze the influence formal and informal policy-making bodies can have on small-scale environmental management …

Food Security At The University Of Richmond, Kayla Sherman, Donald Edmonds, Yuncheng Liu

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

The University of Richmond’s Strategic Plan states the University’s goal to be “a leader in innovative practices that sustain our environmental, human, and financial resources” (Crutcher 2017). The University has also signed multiple national and global sustainability commitments such as the Talloires Declaration (2003), the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment, (2007) and the American Campuses Acton Climate Pledge (2015). These commitments set ambitious climate action goals and address the responsibility of colleges and universities not only to cultivate an environmental consciousness on campus but also to transform the conventional operation systems on which college and universities depend. While …

Environmental Management In Richmond, Virginia: A Case Study Of Reedy Creek, Emily Onufer, Jared Goldbach Ehmer, Andrew Loesch, Christie Marsh

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

This report analyzes the Reedy Creek restoration project through four distinct lenses and aims to achieve a fuller understanding of the factors influencing the project’s success or failure. We hope this report contributes to a greater appreciation of the complex and vast amount of decisions both cities and stakeholders make when complying with environmental regulations. Moreover, we hope to provide invaluable learning opportunities for future environmental projects undertaken in the City of Richmond.

Paper prepared for the Environmental Studies Senior Seminar/Geography Capstone.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Salisbury

The Trayless Dining Movement And The University's Future Transition, Jacquelyn Pearlmutter, J. R. Mastro

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

Across the globe, and in the United States, food waste causes negative financial, environmental, and social impacts (Plano, 2016). At the United States retail and consumer level, 90 billion pounds of food are wasted each year, which is equivalent to $161.6 billion annually (Plano, 2016). More than 50% of waste is diverted to landfills where the organic matter contaminates soil and groundwater, decomposes, and produces methane (Lopez et al., 2016). Methane, a greenhouse gas, is more potent than CO2 as it traps 25 times more radiation than CO2 (Lopez et al., 2017).

Poster prepared for the Environmental Studies Senior Seminar/Geography …

Reedy Creek: A Stream Science And Spatial Statistics Approach, Jared Goldbach Ehmer, Andrew Loesch

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued updated rules regarding Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) levels for three primary pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay: nitrogen, phosphorus, and total suspended sediment (TSS). The EPA required Richmond to draft Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) detailing individual pollution reduction goals and specific actions required to achieve those goals. The City of Richmond intended to complete stream restoration projects on five urban streams, including Reedy Creek. The City of Richmond commissioned Timmons Group to complete erosion analyses and recommend stream sections for restoration. The following (1) examines the relationship between spatial stream statistics …

Achieving Waste & Emissions Reduction Goals On University Of Richmond Campus: The Biodigester Approach, Joe Walderman, Alexa Williams

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

This project proposes the installation of a small-scale anaerobic digester (biodigester). This is a reactor that breaks down biodegradable organic waste producing biogas. Food waste is considered one of the most efficient for producing biogas of typical biodigester feedstocks (Poschl, 2010). The UR Dining Hall produces 614 lbs of food waste per day to be used as feedstock, with landscaping scraps available for additional feed. The University boiler plant is capable of using biogas for heat production, making the plant a suitable destination for the digester's waste output. The digester may allow for waste diversion and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions …

A Proposal For Geothermal Heating & Cooling At The University Of Richmond, Zachary Snelling, Coleman Harris, Chelsea Wilson

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

This poster explores the viability of installing a geothermal heat pump at the University of Richmond. By analyzing geothermal reports, interviews with key informants, and installation requirements, we conclude whether the instillation of a geothermal heat pump is feasible at the University of Richmond. In addition, we explain the environmental and economic benefits of installing a geothermal heat pump.

Poster session for the Environmental Studies Senior Seminar/Geography Capstone.

Reedy Creek: Values Constraining The Adaptive Capacity To Environmental Regulation In The Forest Hill Neighborhood, Christie Marsh

Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2014, 1) defines vulnerability as, “The extent to which a natural or social system is susceptible to sustaining damage from climate change.” Vulnerability is a function of both the physical system’s sensitivity to changes in climate and the ability of the societal system to adapt to said changes. Recently, organizations formed to produce assessments that define regional vulnerabilities to environmental issues for the sake of informing adaptation policies. With the increasing threat of a changing climate, adaptation policies are both a necessary and urgent response for successful adapting (Adger 2009). The majority of …

An Analysis Of Science Instruction And Environmental Education In Virginia And Oklahoma, Megan Wing

Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects

Through this project, I hoped to understand how scientists, politicians, and educational experts view climate change education for elementary students, organize current learning standards that relate to climate change education in Virginia and Oklahoma, highlight specific ways to incorporate climate change education in the classroom, and provide resources for teachers to use in the future.

Poster prepared for the Environmental Studies Senior Seminar.

Environmental Education At The University Of Richmond And Proposal For A Stewardship/ Sustainability Themed First Year Experience, Janet Goldbach Ehmer, Minyao Li

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

In the University Strategic Plan 2017: in the fifth value, Stewardship in A Changing World, The University of Richmond has set the goal to be a leader in innovative practices that sustain our environmental, human and financial resources in response to emerging environmental and financial challenges globally. The University Strategic Plan 2017 proposes three key initiatives aiming to help the community to achieve the goal of sustainability. First, the University and the Office of Sustainability will complete a Sustainability Strategic Plan that guides the University to build a more sustainable and environmentally friendly campus through the development and implementation of …

A Proposal For Geothermal Heating & Cooling At The University Of Richmond, Zachary Snelling, Coleman Harris, Chelsea Wilson

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) offer a more efficient and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. Using the earth’s constant subsurface ground temperatures to generate heating and cooling, GSHPs allow for a decrease in fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. Higher education institutions, such as the University of Richmond, have a responsibility to model sustainability for their students when expanding and developing their campuses. Environmental, educational, and economic factors must be evaluated when considering new and replacement heat and energy installations. The viability of a GSHP installation on the University of Richmond’s campus should weigh current …

Waste Reduction At The University Of Richmond: Recommendations For A Greener, Cleaner Campus, J. R. Mastro, Jaquelyn Pearlmutter, Joe Walderman, Alexa Williams

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

Connecting with the University of Richmond goals of stewardship and academic achievement both in and outside the classroom, we have constructed a plan for making the University campus more sustainable. By applying knowledge acquired throughout our Environmental Studies education, and understanding its connection to global issues, we hope to make a positive, lasting impact on our campus community. In the 2017 Strategic Plan, the University describes a vision of "modelling the way that colleges and universities can effectively meet the challenges of our time" (UR Strategic Plan, 2017). Although there is a broad range of environmental issues that can be …

Food Systems And Security At The University Of Richmond, Kayla Sherman, Donald Edmonds, Yuncheng Liu

Geography and the Environment Capstone Projects

In the past fifteen years, the University has signed multiple national and global sustainability commitments, such as the 2003 Talloires Declaration, the 2007 American College and University President’s Climate Commitment, and the 2015 American Campuses Act on Climate Pledge (OFSb 2017). These commitments set ambitious climate action goals and address the responsibility of colleges and universities not only to cultivate a culture of environmental stewardship on campus but also to transform their conventional operational systems into sustainable systems. The University of Richmond’s 2017 Sustainability Report highlights the steps the University has taken to achieve these goals and identifies areas in …

International Environmental Law And American Leadership, Chelsey Davidson

Student Publications

The purpose of this paper is to detail and explore both the ethical and pragmatic implications of aggressive climate change mitigation on a coordinated international level. Particularly, this paper attempts to assess the extent to which the leadership of the United States influences the relative success and failure of international agreements, and the agreements, structures and mechanisms themselves. A secondary assessment is the extent to which the United States has incurred additional responsibilities to mitigate beyond those shared by the world, from both a harm-based and special responsibilities standpoint. In this paper, I will ultimately argue that the United States …

An Analysis Of Science Instruction And Environmental Education In Virginia And Oklahoma, Megan Wing

Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects

In order to understand how science instruction, and specifically instruction targeting environmental and climate change science, in K-5 classrooms can help form students into responsible and conscientious global citizens, I looked specifically at science education in K-5 curriculum. I explored how the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) currently include environmental education and climate change education and how the SOLs provide the potential for future climate change education. For comparison, and to understand how states other than Virginia value environmental science education in the elementary grades, I considered the current Oklahoma Academic Standards (OASs) for K-5 students. In this paper, I …

University Of Richmond Sustainability Report, Robert Andrejewski

Reports

The 2016 University of Richmond Sustainability Report represents where we are now, recognizes significant accomplishments, and provides a launching point for future endeavors. We all have a role to play in the continued stewardship of this great place.

This document presents a summary of the data we collected. It serves the dual role of providing information on the considerable sustainability efforts underway and establishes a benchmark for our efforts as we move forward. There is much to be celebrated, and there is much to be done.