The CAUSES Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) recently announced a number of certification courses, workshops and classes that will be offered in 2015. CSD provides relevant and innovative applied research and education to students, District residents and the world in the areas of sustainable infrastructure, sustainable spaces, urban economics and entrepreneurship and behavioral and social change:
Integrating Urban Agriculture & Urban Stormwater Management: For the first time in recorded history, in 2008, more people began living in urban areas than rural. Simultaneously, many studies show that the millennial generation and other consumers prefer to live in urban environments with access to local foods. This movement has created a dilemma where more people in urban areas rely on a declining farm population. It has also created an increased interest in urban agriculture. Associated with the rise in the popularity of urban agriculture stems a need to mitigate the impact of urban stormwater runoff. This workshop will highlight the University of the District of Columbia's Sustainability Program, which in part, aims to integrate urban agriculture and urban stormwater management. The workshop will highlight green infrastructure, low impact development, federal, state, non-profit and for profit partnerships, and a unique partnership with the DC Housing Authority. It will also include an evaluation of economics and social impacts. Participants will engage in a design charette for an integrated urban agriculture/urban storm water project in DC. The course will be offered Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and repeated on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The course will be held at the UDC Van Ness campus. There is a $50 fee. For more information, contact Dwane Jones, Ph.D., at dwane.jones@udc.edu or (202) 274-7182.
Innovative Rainwater Harvesting Workshop: Rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems are extremely useful practices for supplementing and replacing potable water resources; however, if designed appropriately, these systems can also be used to meet stormwater management goals. This workshop describes the different types of RWH systems and presents innovative design modifications for increasing the stormwater management benefits of these systems. These modifications include passive and active release mechanisms, excess irrigation and water usage adjustments. The NCSU Rainwater Harvester Model will be demonstrated and participants will learn how to use the new version of the model to design systems and estimate stormwater management benefits. Held at the UDC Van Ness campus, the course will be offered Tuesday, March 3, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and has a fee of $150. Taught in conjunction with North Carolina State University. For more information, contact Dwane Jones, Ph.D., at dwane.jones@udc.edu or (202) 274-7182.
Swale and Filter Strip Design: Swales and filter strips are an important, but often overlooked, part of stormwater management and Low Impact Development. Being simple to construct, however, does not translate into minimal benefits. Swales "out-punch their weight" with respect to removal of certain pollutants. Recent research has led to new design guidance for swales that allows engineers and other designers to "tailor" swale design to specific water quality goals, while still conveying needed flows. By making relatively simple adjustments to swale cross-section, length and grass height, swales can be very effective. This workshop will review the most innovative designs for swales. Design for urban areas will be emphasized. Additionally, a new swale concept, the regenerative stormwater conveyance, which is a step pool conveyance system incorporating specially-designed media focused on nutrient removal, will be discussed. Research has shown potential hydrologic and water quality improvements. The course will be offered Monday, March 2, 2015, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the UDC Van Ness campus and has a $150 fee. Taught in conjunction with North Carolina State University. For more information, contact Dwane Jones, Ph.D., at dwane.jones@udc.edu or (202) 274-7182.
Social Entrepreneurship Training: In partnership with Washington Parks & People (WPP), this workshop course will cover social entrepreneurship, financial literacy and green jobs for the Cohort 10 group for the DC Green Corps, a training program that provides trainees with valuable job skills, self confidence, contacts/resources for job placement, and mentoring. The course will be offered from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., March 16, 2015, at 2457 15th Street, NW. Free for DC Green Corps participants. For more information, contact Wayne R. Curtis, Ph.D. at wayne.curtis1@udc.edu or (202) 274-7159.
Emerging Urban Farmer Business Development Training: Coming this spring is a “free” workshop targeting “Specialty
Crop” farmers in the District of Columbia. If you are a specialty crop
farmer and want to take advantage of an eight –week workshop, and at the end of
which you will have the foundation for a business plan, this workshop is for
you. Financial prizes will be given to the top three workshop
participants. The course date and time is still to be announced. For more information, contact Wayne R. Curtis, Ph.D. at wayne.curtis1@udc.edu or (202) 274-7159.
Aquaponics Workshop for High School Students: In this collaborative workshop with the Center for 4-H and Youth Development, students will become familiar with food production opportunities in urban areas, especially aquaponics. Students will see how an aquaponics system can reduce agricultural waste and enable us to produce food in very small areas. They will also learn about the importance of healthy food and its impact on their life. 4-H students only. Free. Held at the UDC Muirkirk Research Farm, with dates to be announced. For more information, contact Kamran Zendehdel, Ph.D., at Kamran.zendehdel@udc.edu or (202) 274-7166.
Environmental Sustainability Workshop at Coolidge High School: This workshop will help Coolidge students understand the importance of environmental protection through classroom and experiential learning opportunities. Coolidge students only. Free. Dates to be announced. For more information, contact Kamran Zendehdel, Ph.D., at Kamran.zendehdel@udc.edu or (202) 274-7166.
Beginning Beekeeping Certificate Course:
This introductory
beekeeping course provides the resources and knowledge needed to successfully
and responsibly keep bees in the District of Columbia. Taught by active
beekeepers, this course will cover: beekeeping equipment; colony dynamics;
diseases, parasites, and pests; how to get started in your first year; floral
sources; and what to expect seasonally. Students attending all eight classes
will receive a certificate of completion. There are two sections of this
course: the Tuesday evening section meets at the UDC Van Ness Campus from
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. from Jan. 27 - March 17; the Saturday morning section meets at the Community College from 10:30 a.m. -
12:30 p.m. from Jan. 31 through March 21. The course is full, but to be waitlisted, contact
Volunteer
Invasive Plant Removal Workdays: Winter is a great time of year to
remove the harmful, invasive vines that threaten to topple the trees of Rock
Creek Park and Dumbarton Oaks Park. These volunteer events bring together
stewardship-minded individuals to protect our city’s tree canopy while teaching
basic invasive plant identification and management skills —all while enjoying a
day out in our beautiful National Parks! The Ivy Removal on Rock Creek Parkway with Rock
Creek Conservancy, will be offered Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, for the MLK Jr. Day of Service, and again on Saturday, March 7, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. A removal with Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy will be held Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Contact
Professional
Food Managers Certification Training (Food Handling): The 16 hour course prepares food handlers for
any of the nationally accredited food managers’ examinations including
Prometric, ServSafe, and the National Registry of Food Safety
Professionals. Topics include danger
associated with foodborne illness, risk factors that contribute to foodborne
disease outbreaks, characteristics of potentially hazardous foods, employee
health and personal hygiene, safe food handling, equipment, facilities, and
Hazard Analysis Critical Control points (HACCP). Individuals successfully
completing the course will take a nationally recognized certification
exam. Upon passing the exam,
participant will receive a national certificate. The certification will be offered at the UDC Van Ness campus from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. on the following dates on an M/W/F/M/W schedule:
- Monday, Jan. 5 - Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015
- Wednesday, Jan. 21 - Friday, Jan. 30, 2015
- Monday, Feb. 2 - Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
- Monday, March 9-Wednesday, March 18, 2015
The certification will be offered at the UDC Van Ness campus from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on an M/W/F schedule on the following dates:
- Monday, Feb. 23, Wednesday, Feb. 25, and Friday, Feb. 27, 2015
- Monday, March 23, Wednesday, March 25, Friday, March 27, 2015
For information about Food Managers Certification, please
contact Paul Brown, Jr. at pbrown@udc.edu
or on (202) 274-6490 or 202-841-1296.
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