Parking lots generate many different types of automotive pollutants, namely gasoline, oil, antifreeze, heavy metals, nutrients, etc. RIT's parking lots are paved using traditional impermeable asphalt, which allows rainwater or melted snow to run off and dump pollutants directly into the creek. This pollution can have damaging effects on the water quality and ecology of the creek and surrounding environment. The Genesee River is largely polluted by urban Rochester and decades of industrial pollution, but we want to minimize the direct impact that our campus has on our community's local ecosystem. The project addresses the problem of pollution runoff into Red Creek from K Lot.
This project aims to find a way to create a hydroponic and/or aquaponic farming process that allows for practical autonomy while also being compatible and just as effective with other sustainable practices (no-waste, beekeeping). Our goal is to successfully create a self-sustaining farm system that grows healthy and nutrient-rich produce with little to no human intervention.
The ESW community greenhouse was created in 2016 to raise awareness of sustainable alternatives to food production. It is currently in disrepair, but we've made great progress! We are also building a rainwater catchment system for community garden use.
Dr. Alan Smerbeck is working with outreach groups in Rochester to build heaters for the homeless, and has asked us to help with the technical side of things. The heaters are safe and extremely low cost.
