Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Rice U Holistic Garden Sees Sustainability Upgrades

  • By Matt Jones
  • 05/05/21

At Rice University in Houston, Texas, the Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden recently received a solar upgrade and other improvements courtesy of the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. The club awarded the university a $77,000 grant to add an on-site solar array, a greenhouse, rainwater harvesting systems, and composting capabilities, as well as a butterfly garden, an apiary (beekeeping facility), and a chicken house project.

“Improvements supported by the gift from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club have made the garden a leading example of sustainability and will benefit diverse communities at the University and in the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Rice University’s dean of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences, Thomas Killian. “This reinforces our commitment to strengthening connections with the environment and the broader community.”

The garden was built in 2018 and covers 2.5 acres. It falls under the umbrella of the Biosciences Department, and its original purpose was to teach and promote gardening techniques. It’s open to Rice students and members of the larger Houston community—anyone with an interest in horticulture and improving their gardening technique. Workshops on how to organically produce vegetables, fruits, and herbs lead up to a twice-annual vegetable and herb plant sale.

The Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, established in 2002, serves as the sustainability initiative for electricity provider Green Mountain Energy. Its goal is to promote energy efficiency and sustainability, as well as resource conservation and environmental stewardship, through grants and nonprofit partnerships.

“By supporting Rice University’s sustainability efforts, Green Mountain Energy is helping scale the use of renewable energy while supporting a teaching garden that is improving our city and our lives,” said Mark Parsons, Green Mountain Energy’s vice president and general manager.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • Wyoming District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    Laramie County School District #1 in Cheyenne, Wy., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Mountain View Elementary School, according to a news release. The facility has an estimated completion date of summer 2028, and it will have the capacity for 650 students in fifth and sixth grade.

  • Amazon Expands Lockers to More Than 500 College, University Campuses

    Amazon recently announced that its Locker Network now totals more than 750 locations at more than 500 college and university campuses around the United States, according to a company news release.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.