Aug/Sept 2013: Campus Rainworks Challenge

The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced the second annual Campus Rainworks Challenge.

The Illinois Institute of Technology won first prize for the small institution category in 2012. Click to see award-winning designs from last year’s contest.

The contest has been expanded to include Master Plan and Site Design categories, but the premise remains: college and university students are invited to “design an innovative green infrastructure project for their campus showing how managing stormwater at its source can benefit the campus community and the environment.”

Cash prizes are included, along with the opportunity for Site Design winners to apply for grant funding for a demonstration project. Registration opens September 9 and closes October 7, 2013.

Bring HOG to Your School! Our offer to participating student teams: incorporate Rainwater HOG tanks into a winning entry, and we will give you three HOG tanks.

The Whole HOG: September 2012

Water-centric Green Design News

“Water is fundamental to our economic vitality and overall quality of life, not to mention our very survival. And, at about a penny a gallon (far less than the cost a gallon of milk – or bottled water), this precious resource is also an exceptional value; especially considering how often we use it every day.”
– Randy A. Moore, President of Iowa American Water

This September, when it comes to water, we’re taking problem-solving seriously. Doctor HOG helps brainstorm solutions for Frank Katz’s two-HOG installation in New Mexico, and we get real-world perspectives on America’s water crisis from a clean energy economy advocate in California and from the president of Iowa’s largest investor-owned water utility.

We also feature an award-winning, student-designed hybrid. Read more about the water-saving Washit in our B.U.G. Design section. And speaking of student-powered solutions, registration is now open for the EPA sponsored Campus Rainworks Challenge!

September 2012: Register Now for Campus Rainworks Challenge!

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is now registering student teams for the Campus Rainworks Challenge! The design contest for college and university students raises awareness of green infrastructure alternatives for stormwater management.

Omaha North High School students install two HOG tanks as part of their 2011 school renovation.

To participate, student teams, working with a faculty adviser, must submit design plans for a proposed green infrastructure project on their campus.

Teams must register by October 5 and submit their entries by  December 14, 2012. Winning entries will be selected by the EPA and announced in April 2013.

Our offer to participating student teams: incorporate Rainwater HOG tanks into a winning entry, and we will give you three HOG tanks.

Winning teams will earn a cash prize of $1,500 – $2,500 as well as $8,000 – $11,000 in funds for their faculty adviser to conduct research on green infrastructure.

The Whole HOG: August 2012

Water-centric Green Design News

This August we’re offering a modern take on tradition, from the traditional facade that disguises the modern sensibility of a LEED Platinum home in Glencoe, Illinois to modular solar leaves redefining the ivy league at the University of Utah. Farther afield, the Ito Yogyo Co. is bringing acclaim to Rainwater HOG tanks in Japan by capitalizing on the country’s narrow footprint allotted for homes.

Also, we have a reminder about the Campus Rainworks Challenge and our 3-HOG giveaway in tandem with the EPA’s student design contest. Happy hogging, readers!

August 2012: Campus Rainworks Challenge

Omaha North High School students install two HOG tanks as part of their 2011 school renovation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has launched Campus Rainworks Challenge, a student design contest engineered to raise awareness of green infrastructure alternatives for stormwater management.

Our offer to participating student teams: incorporate Rainwater HOG tanks into a winning entry, and we will give you three HOG tanks.

Registration opens September 4 and ends December 14, 2012. Winning entries will be selected by the EPA and announced in April 2013.

July 2012: HOG(podge) of recent & upcoming events

Recent events
               
1) Permascape Designs brought       2) The City of Petaluma
HOG to the 1st Annual Long              sponsored a three HOG
Island Green Infrastructure Expo      giveaway at the Sonoma-
on June 21, 2012.                              Marin Fair held in Petaluma,
CA from June 20-24, 2012.

     Upcoming Events

3) GreenBuild in San Francisco  Meet Rainwater HOG’s Sally and Simon Dominguez at GreenB,uild, the largest green building show in the USA. The event will be held from November 14-16, 2012 at the Moscone Conference Center in San Francisco.

 

The Green & Main Pilot Project in Des Moines, Iowa.

4) Campus Rainworks Challenge   The United States Environmental Protection Agency has launched Campus Rainworks Challenge, a student design contest engineered to raise awareness of green infrastructure alternatives for stormwater management.

Our offer to participating student teams: incorporate Rainwater HOG tanks into a winning entry, and we will give you three HOG tanks.

Registration opens September 4 and ends December 14, 2012. Winning entries will be selected by EPA and announced in April 2013.

    Extra, Extra

5) Hey Bay Area, click on this coupon for 20% off WaterSense smart irrigation controllers from one of our California distributors, the Mill Valley branch of The Urban Farmer Store!

The Whole HOG: June 2012

Water-centric Green Design News

This June we’re finding inspiration in unexpected places, like the toy race car featured in B.U.G. Design powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology.

But we’re also inspired to see how the concepts of rainwater harvesting and stormwater management are moving into the mainstream. The Campus Rainworks Challenge, sponsored by the EPA, is a great illustration of this.

So, if you’re looking for inspiration this summer, you’ve come to the right blog. We also have giveaways and good design (see: Australian beach eco-renovation at Bondi Beach) inside to sweeten the deal.

June 2012: Campus Rainworks Challenge

A Green Infrastructure Design Contest for Colleges and Universities

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has launched Campus Rainworks Challenge, a student design contest engineered to raise awareness of green infrastructure alternatives for stormwater management.

Let’s pause a moment before we go into more detail. At HOG, we love this idea! In fact, we’d like to make an offer to participating student teams. Incorporate HOG tanks into a winning entry, and we will give you three HOG tanks.

Student teams, working with a faculty adviser, will submit design plans for a proposed green infrastructure project for their campus. Entries will be judged on:

• Analysis and Planning
• Preservation or Restoration of Natural Features
• Integrated Water Management
• Soil and Vegetation Management
• Value to Campus
• Likelihood of Implementation

And what’s the prize? Winning teams will earn a cash prize of $1,500 – $2,500, as well as $8,000 – $11,000 in funds for their faculty adviser to conduct research on green infrastructure.

Registration opens September 4 and ends December 14, 2012. Winning entries will be selected by EPA and announced in April 2013.

In other words, boys and girls, there’s plenty of time to devise an award-winning, money-making, campus-improving stormwater management plan for your school.

Looking for Inspiration?

An 8-HOG catchment system provides an on-site reserve of water for the Green & Main Pilot Project. Workers install a bioswale in the foreground.

Check out the Green & Main Pilot Project in Des Moines, Iowa. Eight HOG tanks were incorporated into the ambitious greening of a mixed-used commercial building. Their comprehensive
stormwater management plan is part of their bid to achieve LEED Platinum status.