Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

Current Sustainable Practices

Below are the initiatives Raven Run has completed on the Green Check scorecard.

Sustainability Management and the Green Team

• Designate a Sustainability Coordinator or Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.

Awareness, Education, and Outreach

• Include sustainability tips in a monthly newsletter.
• Include a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
• Highlight sustainability efforts or initiatives at career fairs or career days.
• Provide volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
• Host an environmental event at your location.
• Sponsor an environmental booth at an existing community event.
• Participate in, present at or attend a sustainability workshop.

Energy Efficiency

• Establish a power-down policy and checklist that includes items such as shutting off lights at night.
• Set water heater thermostats to a maximum of 120 degrees or install an inline water heater.
• Replace incandescent or CFL lights with LED lights (25-50% replacement).
• Establish a regular filter maintenance policy for your HVAC system.
• Have your HVAC system evaluated every 2 years by a certified service provider.
• Establish a policy for purchasing that requires Energy Star rated appliances and electronics.
• Establish a dress code that encourages employees to dress for thermal comfort.
• Install power strips for computers and equipment to power down during non-business hours.
• Install programmable thermostats and use them to adjust temperature during unoccupied hours.
• Install occupancy sensors in bathrooms, meeting room, and other infrequently used areas.
• Install or upgrade to energy efficient fans.
• Install energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.
• Insulate roof to control energy loss.
• Take measures to insulate HVAC system and ductwork to minimize heat loss.
• Assess building envelope and address any leaks.
• Perform external lighting audit.
• Daylight work spaces wherever possible.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

• Implement a basic recycling program.
• Provide clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas. Recycling bins must be paired with a waste bin.
• Train and require janitorial service or staff responsible for cleaning to segregate waste and recyclable materials.
• Use reusable mugs and dishware instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
• Establish a policy for environmentally friendly printing such as two-sided printing, reusing copy paper, and electronic document sharing.
• Establish an electronic waste policy that diverts all e-waste away from landfill.
• Create a landfill diversion goal.
• Replace at least 50% of paper stock with post-consumer recycled paper.

Water Conservation

• Conduct a water audit within the last three years. Monitor and record water usage, check indoor and outdoor pipes and fixtures for drips and leaks.

Water Quality

• Establish a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
• Perform a stormwater pollution survey on your property with BGGS staff or other qualifies professional.
• Establish preventative maintenance program for sanitary sewer lateral lines on your property.
• Coordinate or participate in a community litter clean-up.
• Install outdoor ash trays to prevent cigarette litter, and make pocket ash trays available to staff who smoke.

Urban Forestry and Landscapes

• Participate in a community reforestation project.
• Assess the ecosystem services of trees on property using the National Tree Benefits Calculator.
• Establish a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting.
• Remove all invasive species from property.
• Establish an Integrated Pest Management policy to reduce use of pesticides in the landscape.
• Establish environmentally friendly lawn care policies to reduce chemical pesticide and fertilizer use.
• Plant a pollinator garden.
• Plant a rain garden.

Sustainable Purchasing

• Establish a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in your workplace.
• Establish a policy to purchase non-Styrofoam cups and plates for use at the workplace or at events.
• Establish a policy for purchasing locally, if available.

Transportation Efficiency

• Establish and implement a no-idling policy.
• Conduct a commuter or employee transportation survey.
• Adopt a telecommuting option and make it available to employees.
• Install a bike rack with sufficient space for at least 10% of your employees.
• Place bicycle storage closer than any other designated parking spot.
• Provide employee shower and dressing room facility.

Innovation

• Install a 300-gallon or above water catchment system.
• Generate energy from renewable resources such as solar or wind power on-site.
• Agroforestry demonstration with KSU.
• Chimney swift tower for bird habitat.
• Bat boxes.
• Tons of native planting.
• 104 environmental education events.