By Kaycee Toller and Greg Richards
With its “gray to green” theme, Texas State’s Ten Year Master Plan promises a more environmentally sustainable campus in the future.
Implemented in 2005, the Plan includes environmentally friendly measures such as planning for energy efficiency as well as converting impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt into green areas.
Nancy Nusbaum, project manager for the master plan, said that Texas State hopes that all new buildings will qualify for Silver level certification through the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED.
To meet this certification standard, university buildings need features that allow them to be more energy efficient, such as lights that run on motion sensors and digital temperature controls.
Coyle Buhler, director of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction said that meeting LEED standards is an important part of the Ten Year Master Plan.
“By building environmentally sensitive buildings, we put our campus in a better position for the future,” said Buhler.
Converting “gray” parking areas into “green spaces” containing natural vegetation is another integral part of the plan.
“It’s about maximizing the use of land,” said Buhler, “We can turn surface lots into something more environmentally friendly such as green spaces and parking garages.”
“Parking garages have less of a footprint than surface lots,” said Nancy Nusbaum.
Buhler said that storm water runoff can be collected from parking garages and buildings to be treated before running into the river.
“Texas State is doing a good job in trying to minimize the negative impact on natural areas such as the San Marcos River,” said Dr. Brock Brown, an associate professor in the department of geography.
Storm water runoff will also be redirected into green spaces that are added across campus.
“We currently have a substantial amount of campus covered with impervious surfaces,” said Buhler, “We’re trying to replace these with green areas.”
Brown said that green spaces improve the environment by clearing out air pollutants and moderating high temperatures.
“We’ve already added a green area on Concho Street, and will soon renovate Bobcat Trail to become green space in front of Commons,” said Nusbaum.
Maintaining the sustainability of the local river and aquatic environments has been another crucial point of the plan, said Michael Abbott, associate director of the River Systems Institute.
“The university has made it clear to the community that it wishes to protect one our important natural resources,” said Abbott. “More green spaces directly affect the river by recharging the aquifer more efficiently. Pollutants are filtered out through the ground, which enhances the water quality.”
Implemented in 2005, the Plan includes environmentally friendly measures such as planning for energy efficiency as well as converting impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt into green areas.
Nancy Nusbaum, project manager for the master plan, said that Texas State hopes that all new buildings will qualify for Silver level certification through the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED.
To meet this certification standard, university buildings need features that allow them to be more energy efficient, such as lights that run on motion sensors and digital temperature controls.
Coyle Buhler, director of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction said that meeting LEED standards is an important part of the Ten Year Master Plan.
“By building environmentally sensitive buildings, we put our campus in a better position for the future,” said Buhler.
Converting “gray” parking areas into “green spaces” containing natural vegetation is another integral part of the plan.
“It’s about maximizing the use of land,” said Buhler, “We can turn surface lots into something more environmentally friendly such as green spaces and parking garages.”
“Parking garages have less of a footprint than surface lots,” said Nancy Nusbaum.
Buhler said that storm water runoff can be collected from parking garages and buildings to be treated before running into the river.
“Texas State is doing a good job in trying to minimize the negative impact on natural areas such as the San Marcos River,” said Dr. Brock Brown, an associate professor in the department of geography.
Storm water runoff will also be redirected into green spaces that are added across campus.
“We currently have a substantial amount of campus covered with impervious surfaces,” said Buhler, “We’re trying to replace these with green areas.”
Brown said that green spaces improve the environment by clearing out air pollutants and moderating high temperatures.
“We’ve already added a green area on Concho Street, and will soon renovate Bobcat Trail to become green space in front of Commons,” said Nusbaum.
Maintaining the sustainability of the local river and aquatic environments has been another crucial point of the plan, said Michael Abbott, associate director of the River Systems Institute.
“The university has made it clear to the community that it wishes to protect one our important natural resources,” said Abbott. “More green spaces directly affect the river by recharging the aquifer more efficiently. Pollutants are filtered out through the ground, which enhances the water quality.”
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