Letter of Intent
Estimated Amount to be requested from the CSF: 
$43,603
Letter of Intent: 

Brief Summary:

UW Grounds Management and UW Facilities Construction (Facility Services) seeks to create the necessary infrastructure to augment the products from trees that are removed from the campus landscape. Currently wood chips and limited lumber pieces are the only products that are produced with campus trees. This project will create the infrastructure to process trees creating lumber to be utilized across campus for a variety of users; student, staff, and faculty. Any product made from University lumber will hold more value than the product itself since it will also include the story and history of that tree. This would result in a reduction of costs associated with disposal of tree, reduction of cost associated with purchasing building material for certain projects, and an increase of waste diversion by keeping these out of the waste stream. In addition, this project seeks to protect the investments and maintain the value that the trees have, as assets of the University of Washington.

Define the campus environmental problem that you are attempting to solve:

The University of Washington Seattle campus grounds management staff manages about 10,000 trees. At some point in time these trees will be removed as a result of natural decline or death, due to disease issues, as a preventative measure to avoid potential hazards, or as part of a construction/capital project. The problem of removing and disposal of campus trees is twofold.

Currently, trees that are removed from the campus landscape are either chipped or reduced in size, so it can be disposed of in a green waste container. Any tree material being disposed of in the green waste container represents a cost to the University without any benefit. The costs of this disposal system are both monetary and environmental: the university spends thousands of dollars annually on removal of campus tree material and purchasing lumber for projects. Transportation of these materials to and from Cedar Grove uses of fossil fuels and causes carbon emissions.

Grounds Management is charged with the task of protecting campus assets in the landscape.  Campus trees are a significant asset in both actual value and investment over time. In 2008 the total annual benefits provided by tree on campus was $736,385.00 and the total annual cost of those trees were $265,100.00. (Vale 2011) The net benefit in dollar value is then approximately half a million dollars, in which a portion is lost when a tree in cut up and removed from campus.

The current infrastructure can only process a small number of trees using the chainsaw mill to cut wood for air drying utilizing our outside facilities. However, most of the tree material that is small enough, is processed using the wood chipper for mulch that can be utilized on campus. Still, with both of these items, Grounds Management is sending 50% of the accumulated tree material off campus for disposal. In addition, to produce wood that can be used for indoor applications, the wood needs to be under a certain moisture content, which is often lower than the relative humidity. The preferred moisture content is hard to achieve when air drying the milled limber in our outside facilities, given the marine climate of this area. A drying facility, most commonly a kiln, is used to achieve the target moisture content.

Describe your proposed solution to this problem:

Facilities Maintenance & Construction seeks to obtain and build infrastructure that increases the capacity for staff to process tree material in ways that protect University assets and investments related to our campus trees. This infrastructure will include a portable lumber mill and the design and construction of a solar powered kiln for drying the lumber in order to make it usable for wood working products. The processed wood material will be used for student, faculty and administration projects, with emphasis on the College of built Environments programs, requests related to Capital & Facilities Construction projects, and the potential for Annual Giving donor gifts. These requested items compliment already purchased items of a wood chipper and chainsaw mill to process tree material on campus. By keeping the tree material on campus, money is saved in disposal cost, less energy is used in waste transportation, some of the asset value of the tree is retained by being incorporated into campus projects and the investments made into that tree over time is preserved, especially if the final product becomes a permanent feature on campus.

What form and amount of student leadership will your project involve?

  • A graduate appointee (The Integrated Pest Management and Sustainability Coordinator) will coordinate with Grounds Management, Facilities Construction staff, and faculty from the College of Built Environments to develop and implement this program.
  • The student will develop the educational and outreach components of the program.
  • The student will also be responsible for records keeping, tracking costs, quantities and procedures related to this project.
  • The student will be work with multiple partners (including other students) to ensure products from campus trees that are benefiting students, staff, and faculty.

What type and amount of outreach and education will your project involve?

  • Grounds Management will feature this Salvage Wood program on their website and at outreach events.
  • Outreach and education through partners in the College of Built Environments will involve numerous student projects over time.
  • Any products created from this project could potentially be branded with the Campus Sustainability Fund logo creating a lasting outreach impact. 
  • As trees are removed from the campus landscape and incorporated into campus-wide projects, the story of that tree (its narrative) will hopefully become part of the project narrative.
  • Through education and outreach efforts, the perception of trees on campus and urban trees in general will change to reflect the understanding that they have value beyond their time in the ground.

Feasibility, Accountability, & Sustainability

  • Several demonstration products have been produced including a conference table and outdoor benches.
  • Both Grounds Management and Construction operate within the Facilities Services department of University of Washington. These entities have oversight mechanisms in place already to ensure projects are completed. The student position is supervised by the Manager of Ground Operations and will work closely with the Facilities Construction Lead carpenter to ensure project success.
  • Implementation of this project will demonstrate several sustainability practices including narrowing the waste stream by keeping more wood material on campus and creating the opportunity for locally grown wood to be utilized on campus.

What amount of funds do you anticipate your project will require from the CSF? :

Portable mill: $50,000.00

In-house design/build solar kiln: $6,000.00

Outreach and educational materials: $1,500.00

Total funding amount request:  $57,500.00

Cited

Vale, Karen. 2011. University of Washington Seattle Campus Forest Resources Analysis.  Master’s Project, University of Washington Botanic Gardens. Seattle Washington.

Contact Information
Primary Contact First & Last Name: 
Daniel Sorensen
Email: 
dgs7@uw.edu
Full Proposal
This will display after the CSF committee has reviewed and approved your LOI, and after you have received the link to edit your application.
Executive Summary: 

UW Grounds Management and UW Facilities Construction (Facility Services) seeks $43,603.00 to obtain the necessary infrastructure to augment the salvage wood program which creates products from trees that are removed from the campus-wide landscape. By keeping the tree material on campus, money is saved in disposal cost, less energy is used in waste transportation, some of the asset value of the tree is retained by being incorporated into campus projects and the investment made into that tree over time is preserved, especially if the final product becomes a permanent feature on campus.

The University of Washington Seattle campus grounds management staff manages about 10,000 trees. At some point in time these trees will be removed as a result of natural decline or death, due to disease issues, as a preventative measure to avoid potential hazards, or as part of a construction/capital project. Grounds Management is charged with the task of protecting campus assets in the landscape. Campus trees are a significant asset in both actual value and investment over time. In 2008 the total annual benefits provided by tree on campus was valued at $736,385.00 and the total annual cost of those trees were $265,100.00. (Vale, Kava. 2011. University of Washington Seattle Campus Forest Resources Analysis. Master’s Project, University of Washington Botanic Gardens. Seattle Washington.) The net benefit in dollar value is then approximately half a million dollars, in which a portion is lost when a tree in cut up and removed from campus. Facilities Maintenance & Construction seeks to obtain and build infrastructure that increases the capacity and safety for staff to process tree material in ways that protect University assets and investments related to our campus trees. The salvage wood program is a collaborative partnership between Facility Services Grounds Management and Facilities Construction. The processed wood material will be used for student, faculty and administration projects, with opportunities available for the College of built Environments programs and the needs related to CPO& Facilities Construction projects.

As trees are removed from the campus landscape and are incorporated into campus-wide projects, the story of that tree (its narrative) will hopefully become part of the project narrative. Through education and outreach efforts, the perception of trees on campus and urban trees in general will change to reflect the understanding that they have value beyond their time in the ground. Outreach and education through partners in the College of Built Environments, School of Art, Art History, and Design, and the UW Botanical Garden and Arboretum will also create opportunities for telling the story of a tree beyond the day to day campus audience. From conference tables to outdoor structures, wood from campus trees one day could be found all throughout campus each with a story, a story of a tree that grew on campus and still lives there in a tangible way.

Total amount requested from the CSF: 
$43 603
This funding request is a: 
Grant
Budget: 
ItemCost per ItemQuantityTotal Cost
Wood Mizer LT40 Super Hydraulic 35 HP Gasoline Hydraulic Sawmill (baseprice)34,995.00 134,995.00
Mill Additions: Waterproof engine and carriage cover 274.001274.00
Mill Additions: lube mizer system750.00 1750.00
Solar Kiln Materials1000.0011000.00
Solar Kiln Construction:Labor for Facilities Construction staff 80 hours at $68.56 per hour2742.0025484.00
interpretive signs 800.00 800.00
custom wood brand300.00 1300.00
Non-CSF Sources: 
SourceAmount (dollars)Comments
Project Completion Total: 
$43 603
Sustainability Impact: 
Waste
Environmental Justice
Sustainability Challenge: 

The University of Washington Seattle campus grounds management staff manages about 10,000 trees. Campus trees are a significant asset in both actual value and investment over time. At some point in time these trees will be removed. Currently, trees that are removed from the campus landscape are either chipped for use on campus or cut up, so it can be disposed of in a green waste container. Any tree material being disposed of in the green waste container represents a cost to the University without any benefit. The costs of this disposal system are both monetary and environmental: the university spends thousands of dollars annually on removal of campus tree material and purchasing lumber for projects. Transportation of these materials to and from Cedar Grove requires the use of fossil fuels and produces carbon emissions.

Facilities Maintenance & Construction seeks to obtain and build infrastructure that increases the capacity and safety for staff to process tree material in ways that protect University assets and investments related to our campus trees. This infrastructure will include a portable wood mill and the design and construction of a solar powered kiln for drying the lumber in order to make it usable for wood working products. A proper wood mill will create a safer working environment for staff than the current chainsaw mill. Also a two person team could process a log more efficiently. Having this machine could be the difference of a tree being sent to Cedar Grove or being kept on campus. The Facilities construction staff are just as constrained for time as most are so processing the logs with a wood mill is the “game changer” that could turn the salvage wood program into a bigger more integrated part of the campus.  The processed wood material will be used for student, faculty and administration projects, with opportunities for the College of built Environments programs and the needs related to CPO & Facilities Construction projects. These requested items compliment already purchased items of a wood chipper and chainsaw mill to process tree material on campus. Still, with both of these items, Grounds Management is sending 50% of the accumulated tree material off campus for disposal. Most of that material is usable wood, even diseased trees can be used if dried properly. The Gerberding Hall elm had succumb to the fatal Dutch elm disease but was used to make a conference table. By keeping the tree material on campus, money is saved in disposal cost, less energy is used in waste transportation, some of the asset value of the tree is retained by being incorporated into campus projects and the investments made into that tree over time is preserved, especially if the final product becomes a permanent feature on campus.

Explain how the impacts will be measured: 

Each tree that is a candidate for the salvage wood program has been tagged. This is our current tree inventory practice, and that tag will follow the usable wood/lumber derived from that tree, up until the final completed product. In that way, an inventory of products is created. We will be able to provide both quantitative (i.e. number of trees salvaged, projects produced) and qualitative data (i.e. species of trees, types of lumber, diversity of projects) about this project. The impacts can also be measured by counting the amount of lumber/wood milled and potentially differences in cost (as a proxy for volume) associated with Cedar Grove hauling of green waste, comparing before and after the implementation of an augmented salvage wood program.

Education & Outreach: 

As trees are removed from the campus landscape and are incorporated into campus-wide projects, the story of that tree (its narrative) will hopefully become part of the project narrative. Through education and outreach efforts, the perception of trees on campus and urban trees in general will change to reflect the understanding that they have value beyond their time in the ground. Outreach and education through partners in the College of Built Environments and the UW Botanical Garden and Arboretum will also create opportunities for telling the story of a tree beyond the day to day campus audience. From conference tables to outdoor structures, wood from campus trees one day could be found all throughout campus each with a story, a story of a tree that grew on campus and still lives there in a tangible way.

Grounds Management already features the Salvage Wood program on their website and at outreach events such as the Sustainability Summit in October and Earth Day in April. More attention will be given to this program once the augmented infrastructure and products are available to highlight. Any products created from this project could potentially be branded with the Campus Sustainability Fund logo creating a lasting outreach impact. This project presents a unique opportunity to create a long lasting outreach tool. When deemed appropriate, products from University trees could be branded (literally burned) with CSF logo or a novel brand specifically for this salvage wood program. Interpretive signs would explain the logo brand where the product is in permanent or long term location. Additionally when a tree of significance is scheduled for removal and that tree is a candidate for the salvage wood program, signs will be installed explaining that the tree, while gone from the ground, will live somewhere else on campus in another form.

Student Involvement: 

There are numerous ways that this project will connect with students. The project is currently being facilitated by a graduate student research assistant from the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. This student position, the Integrated Pest Management and Sustainability coordinator for Grounds Management, will develop the educational and outreach components of the program and also be responsible for record keeping, tracking costs, quantities and procedures related to this project. This student will be working with multiple partners (including other students) to facilitate students, staff, and faculty use of wood from the salvage wood program. The salvage wood program has already benefited the UW chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration by providing benches for the Whitman Walk restoration area and the Kinkaid Ravine (planned for 2015). With support from faculty from the College of Build Environments and interests from the School of Art, Art History, and Design, there will be numerous ways to outreach and involve students.

Timeline: 
TaskTimeframeEstimated Completion DateComments
Purchase of Wood Mizer LT40 Super Hydraulic 35 HP Gasoline Hydraulic Sawmill3-6 monthsSeptember 30 2015
Design and constrution of solar kiln6-12 monthsJanuary 31 2016Any wood cut will need to by air-dried prior to being processed in the kiln. This process can take anywhere from six weeks to 1.5 years depending on the thickness of cut and species of tree.
Operation of sawmillongoingOnce the saw mill is obtained the process of milling the tree into dimensional wood can begin. This is expected to be an ongoing process as existing trees that already in the inventory are milled, new trees are added. Currently the trees in the salvage wood inventory (20) are about 15 feet in length and range from 15-20 inches in diameter. To process the average tree currently in our inventory is estimated to take 2-3 hours with a staff of two.
Drying of woodongoingAny wood cut will need to by air-dried prior to being processed in the kiln. This process can take anywhere from six weeks to 1.5 years depending on the thickness of cut and species of tree. Air drying prior to being put in the solar kiln allows a more even drying process, reduces splitting and results in more wood being utilized.
Supplementary Documents : 
PDF icon Letter to CSF Committee_0.pdf
PDF icon Letter to committee_0.pdf
PDF icon D. Sorensen_Salvage Wood Program AARF_0.pdf
PDF icon D. Sorensen_Salvage Wood Program Project Approval Form_0.pdf
PDF icon csf_UWSalvageWoodPrjct_UWBGapproval010714.pdf
PDF icon SalvageWoodProgram_PAFWinterbottom_Jan2015.pdf
PDF icon SalvageWoodProgram_PAF_SShores_0.pdf
PDF icon SalvageWoodInitiative_CBE_1.pdf
PDF icon SOA_email_0.pdf
PDF icon Student_support_email.pdf
PDF icon Student_support_email_2_0.pdf
Year: 
2014-2015
Amount Awarded: 
$43,603
Potential Funding Reductions: 
At a 5%, 10% or 20% reduction, a less costly mill could be purchased. In general this would reduce the tree capacity size (diameter, width, and length. (i.e. only handle smaller trees) and a less powerful engine (23 horse power vs 36hp). Although models of Woodmizer and other brands have smaller engine sizes most of the have a 36” max cutting diameter. An example of this is the Norton Lumber Pro HD 36 (23 HP gasoline engine) was quoted at $21,513.15 which includes shipping to the UW Seattle campus. A reduction in capacity size will limit the size of tree that can be incorporated into this program and reduce staff efficiency during the milling process. A reduction in funds will impact staff efficiency resulting in less wood processed at a time. Additionally the solar kiln design can be resized to hold less wood (usually measured in board feet) from a 1000 board feet to 500 board feet capacity. If no funds are awarded then a few trees will still be processed with the chainsaw mill and products made like the benches at the Whitman Walk restoration area. However this will only capture a small amount of the potential usable wood and limited applications since the air drying process will not achieve a moisture content desired for certain indoor products.
Project Longevity: 

The operation and maintenance of both the mill and solar kiln will be the primary responsibility of Facilities Services (Grounds Management and Facilities Construction). Both groups will share the costs associated with maintenance of both items. The documentation of trees will be primarily an exchange between the campus arborist and the lead carpenter for Facilities Construction. The graduate student appointee for Grounds will be responsible for record keeping, tracking costs, quantities and procedures related to this project and future developments of the salvage wood program.

Project status: 
Completed