Rainshadow’s Sustainability Plan

1. Rainshadow’s Sustainability Plan Presented to GREENevada April 22, 2011

2. Section 1: Statement of Need Meet our needs without inhibiting the future generations to meet their needs Future public school funding uncertain Rainshadow as a model for sustainable practices Self-reliance Funding, food, water, energy, supplies, community support, people Address 3 needs: funding, food, energy

3. Section 1: Statement of Need Why charter schools? Food prices and footprint Local food, animal habitat Clean, renewable energy sources Reduce energy demand Empowering our community “We believe that Rainshadow Community Charter High School is the perfect place to serve as a model for sustainability education resources.”

4. Section 2: Goals & Objectives Goals Overall: Complete self-reliance Immediate: #1: On-campus food growing facilities to feed our population #2: Reduce school energy consumption by 30% #3: Increase school funds / financial sustainability

5. Goal 1 Objectives : Food Growing Facilities Organic, sustainable, local Composting & vermicomposting Rooftop greenhouse / aquaponics system (fish and vegetables) Fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines Seasonal gardening (raised beds, hoophouse, seasonal aquaponics) Reduce our carbon output & create carbon sinks Reopen the Rainshadow Pizzeria!

6. Goal 2 Objectives : Reduce Energy Consumption Existing 30 kWh solar array! Focus on energy (and money) saving! Smart strips in the computer lab Motion sensor lights & hand dryers in restrooms Adjust thermostats seasonally Passive solar heating Student energy “police” Minimal energy drain when not in session

7. Goal 3 Objectives : Financial Sustainability Ultimately, school financial self-reliance Sell extra compost / worms to local growers Sell extra fish / vegetables to local restaurants Sell fruit jams, jellies, preserves (value added products) to the community Sell extra seasonal vegetables at local farmers markets Rainshadow Pizzeria (pizza with a local ingredients focus) Energy / money savings (30% initially)

8. Section 3: Project Activities School support (administration & teachers) Sustainability in the school’s core curriculum! Community Volunteers (Thanks!) Joanna Furgiuele & Sean Hill (Sierra Nevada Journeys) Mark Herbert (Aquaculture) David Gibson (Envirolution) Lynnae Fischbach (Urban Roots Garden Classrooms) Neil Bertrando (Permaculture) Jana Vanderhaar (School site plan) Marnee Benson (Black Rock Solar) Rebecca Anderson (Alliance for Climate Education)

9. Section 3: Project Activities Timeline 4/25/11 - 5/10/11 – Greening of the Rainshadow kitchen and café 5/10-20/11 - Implement & install energy saving program. 5/15/11 - 6/1/11 – Begin campus-wide food production. 6/1/11 - 9/1/11 – Obtain materials and plan for rooftop greenhouse. 9/1/11 - 11/1/11 – Students construct rooftop greenhouse and aquaponics system as part of Rainshadow’s fall interdisciplinary curriculum. 11/1/11 – Re-open Rainshadow’s student-run pizzeria with local / organic focus. 2012 and beyond – Rainshadow moves toward complete self-reliance.

10. Section 3: Project Activities Site Plan Fruit trees on south side on building: wind block, fruit production, carbon sink Fruit trees around south parking lot: fruit production, carbon sink Grape vines & vermicomposting on west side of building: fruit, summer heat block Greenhouse on north side of rooftop: Maximum sun, aquaponics system Seasonal aquaponics system on north side of building Fruit trees on north side of building Seasonal garden / hoophouse northeast corner of lot Berry bushes on east side of north parking lot

11. Section 4: Budget Be as resourceful as possible Ask for donations from our community (materials, time, etc.) Utilize reusable / repurposed materials Expenses Associated with Goal 1: Food Sustainability Composting Supplies: $250 Fruit Plants / Irrigation: $1200 Seasonal Agriculture: $450 Rooftop Greenhouse: $5000

12. Section 4: Budget Expenses Associated with Goal 2: Energy Sustainability Motion sensor lights: $275 Motion sensor hand dryers: $1425 Smart power strips: $400 Total Expenses $9000

13. Section 4: Budget Revenues Rainshadow Foundation Fundraising: $1000 Repurposed window panes: ($2000 value) Vegetable / fruit / etc. sales: $1000 Rainshadow Pizzeria profits: $1000 Subtotal: $3000 GREENevada Project Request: $6000 Total Revenues: $9000 Savings created by our project Energy Savings: $12,000 / year (30% of our annual power bill)

14. Section 5: Impact Analysis Great positive impacts Educate our community about sustainability Educate future Rainshadow students Help fix our world for future generations Produce food locally Reduce fossil fuel dependence An example of sustainable design and enterprise A model for other schools Eventually have financial autonomy

15. Section 5: Impact Analysis Minimal negative impacts Making change is difficult and costs money upfront We won’t see instant results It will be a long time before Rainshadow sees the full benefit of our food forests, greenhouse and aquaponics system, and the energy savings We are graduating seniors! Rainshadow must keep up the tradition of sustainability

16. Thank You!