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May 20, 2020

Attendance:  Lauren Dykman, Dina Pandya, Sebastien Bigorre, Stephanie Madsen, Megan Amsler, Kelsey Perry + Maggie Paul (CEC Interns)

#1   Solar Update

  • Clark and Clark South roof solar arrays (100 kw system) are expected to be installed in July, 2020
  • Roof reinforcement and sealant are being applied by Tremco prior to solar installation.
  • Walkway leading to the test tank on Clark So. roof is being rebuilt

Action:

  • Request ReVision supplies a porta-potty for Covid safety reasons (SM)

#2  CEC Interns Maggie Paul + Kelsey Perry were introduced. Along with Megan Amsler, their Supervisor and Executive Director of Cape + Islands Selft-Reliance, we discussed possible summer projects including:

  • Research composting grant for Buttery Cafe - ~$3,000/year needed
  • Create ShareWare bin (there may be a microgrant with MassDEP for this)
  • Update energy data in Energy Star Portfolio Manager
  • Update WHOI’s 2017 Climate Action Plan
  • Generate Sustainability communication strategies geared towards scientists
  • EV flyers for WHOI employees (to encourage purchase of EV)- work with MassEVolves
  • Create How to fight climate change during Covid flyer (CES suggested we check with EH+S regarding air exchanges)
  • Advertise Black Earth Compost as new Falmouth/WH commercial composting vendor

Action:

  • Follow up with Megan, Maggie and Kelsey regarding project scope and interests (SM)
  • Add Kelsey to STF Garden list and Instagram social media working group (SM – done)
  • Contact Black Earth Composting (SM)

#3  Beekeeping Update - The Beekeeping team is making great strides with a beehive/box setup. The hive is located behind the Carpenter Shop in Quissett North and the Bees arrived in April.

Action:

  • Contact Danie Kinkade dkinkade@whoi.edu if you’d like to volunteer and to be added to the beekeeping list serve.
  • Fill out the liability waiver
  • Sign up to volunteer on the Google Calendar

#4 Garden Plot -  STF now has Plot #23 in the Village Gardens. Next Garden working group meeting is May 29 at 11:00 am

  • Notify Seb Bigorre sbigorre@whoi.edu if you want to help the STF Garden Team. (you’ll have to fill out a waiver)
  • We’ll need help watering the garden throughout the summer – thank you Helen, Taylor, Kelsey and Amanda for volunteering!

Action:

  • Update the garden planting map (SF or SB)
  • Create watering schedule (SM)

#5  Composting at the Buttery – expand what we already do (aka veggie scraps behind the counter)

  • Mary Ryther, with input from the Woods Hole Community, selected Black Earth Compost as the vendor of choice.
  • New link and price sheet on our STF website

Action:

  • Call Black Earth Compost Inc to get price sheet + add to website(SM)
  • Investigate grant possibilities to cover Buttery costs (SM + CEC Interns)

#6   STF Instagram Account –we received approval from WHOI’s Communications Dept to start a STF Instagram account (Mai + HH)

Action:

  • Create working group – thus far participants include Stephanie, Helen, Mai + Kelsey
  • Zoom call scheduled for Thursdays, May 28th at 1:00pm

# 7   WSS Events

  • Events are on hold because of Covid
  • Repair Café – (postponed tbd) scheduled for Thursday, May 7 4:00-6:00.

#8  New Business

  • Divesting from Carbon discussion – when to present to Trustees – Lots of discussion regarding timing ensued; wait til Covid is resolved or start discussions soon?  Varied opinions emerged.
  • Headlines – It was suggested that we add sustainability reminders in Headlines more regularly (SM)
  • WHOI’s Presidential Search – and the importance of sustainability.

Action:

  • Send Presidential Search link to STFers (LD + SM)