02/22/2022
Since 1997, the Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count, led by the Xerces Society, has been cataloging the rapid decline of the Monarch Butterfly. This past winter, there was a surprising increase of 247,237 monarch butterflies observed across the western United States, over a 100-fold increase from last year. In LA county, over 4,000 butterflies were reported by volunteer observers, the highest Thanksgiving Count in the area in over 20 years. However, the population remains more than 95% below its size in the 1980s. This drastic decline is attributed to habitat loss, climate change, wildfires, and pesticide use.
To read more, click the link in our bio for the February edition of The Footprint.
02/21/2022
Happy ! This vegan Mango Curry Chickpea recipe can be made in 30 minutes. This is a great alternative to any curry dish. Let us know if you try it out!
Ingredients:
3/4 cup (105 g) chopped red onion heaped
1 inch k**b of ginger
3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon safflower or other neutral oil
¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) cumin seeds
1 bay leaf
3 cloves
¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) or more Garam Masala or use 1/2 tsp ground coriander and generous pinches of ground cloves, cardamom and black pepper
¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) or more cayenne
1¼ cups (282.5 ml) canned or culinary coconut milk
¾ cup (177 g) ripe mango pulp or puree unsweetened or lightly sweetened canned
½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) or more salt depends on if the chickpeas are salted
1.5 cups (246 g) cooked chickpeas drained if canned
1 tsp apple cider vinegar optional
Generous dash of cayenne Garam Masala, chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a blender, combine the onion, ginger, and garlic and blend into a smooth puree with 2 tablespoons or more of water. Alternatively, mince the onion, ginger and garlic and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and cook for 1 minute or until the seeds change color. Add bay leaves, and cloves and cook until the bay leaf changes color.
*To view the rest of the instructions, please visit: https://bit.ly/MangoCurryChickpeas
02/21/2022
CSUN is currently expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on campus from. EV drivers will soon have access to 88 convenient charging stations in total, as all existing 29 EV chargers are being replaced with new “smart” chargers. All you will need to access the new EV charger network is a smartphone, the Chargie App and your valid CSUN Parking Permit.
You can find more information about the new program at: csun.edu/sustainability/ev-charging.
02/14/2022
Want to try this vegetarian pot pie for your Valentine's Day dinner or snack? Keep reading below for the ingredients and instructions.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
3 tbsp chickpea flour (can sub regular flour)
3/4 cup almond milk
1 cup vegetable broth
1 potato, peeled and chopped into cubes
1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped into cubes
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 cup cooked lentils
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp herbs de Provence
salt & pepper to taste
1 sheet of puff pastry (vegan if needed)
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat, then add the onions and let cook for 2 minutes until translucent.
2. Next, add the garlic, carrot and celery and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add the chickpea flour and milk, mixing until everything is combined.
4. Add the vegetable broth, potatoes, peas, lentils and seasoning and mix everything together.
5. Cover and let simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
7. Cut the puff pastry into circles large enough to cover the top of the ramekins. (You can use a knife, a round cutter, or the rim of a glass to cut the pastry)
8. Fill little ramekins, or a big baking dish 3/4 of the way full with the filling, and then top with puff pastry.
9.Bake for 30-35 until golden brown.
Visit this page for more details: https://choosingchia.com/veggie-pot-pies/
02/14/2022
The 3rd Western Monarch Mystery Challenge is going to start TODAY! The Challenge will run from Valentine’s day (Feb. 14) to Earth day (Apr. 22). A lucky participant will be selected to win a $50 REI gift card each week – that could be you! The rules are simple, if you see a monarch, take a picture, and send it using any of the following methods:
1.) Email [email protected]
2.) iNaturalist (app is free)
3.) Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper
"This project is designed to help scientists gather information on monarch and milkweed locations throughout the west. This information will be provided to the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper (www.monarchmilkweedmapper.org) and help guide future monarch conservation efforts. Please join our project and help us learn more about monarchs and the milkweed on which they depend!"
Visit this link for more information: https://bit.ly/WesternMonarchMilkweedMapper
02/14/2022
Happy Valentine's Day, Matadors! There are many ways you can be sustainable in celebrating today with your loved ones. Check these ideas out!
1. Bake some goods
2. Have a staycation at home
3. Gift houseplants
4. Use recycled gift wrapping paper
5. Write a homemade card
6. Cook dinner at home
7. Have a picnic
8. Create crafts together
9. Go stargazing
10. Buy locally produced flowers
02/10/2022
The Sustainability Center is partnering with the Public Art class at CSUN on a new wearable art project. We are looking for clothes that will be used for this project. Students will use recycled materials to create beautiful cyanotype prints on donated clothing.
What they need from you: gently used shirts in light colors and natural fibers (100% cotton or linen, no prints or logos). Students will use sunlight to create blue-toned prints of recyclable food packaging that often ends up in landfills. This artwork will be showcased during Earth Month and at our fashion event in May.
Donations can be brought to the Sustainability Center from February 3 - February 14, Mon- Fri 8 am -4 pm. Please contact [email protected] for any questions.
02/09/2022
Call for CSU Faculty and Student Presentations!
WRPI is currently planning its 2022 Annual Conference, which will be held on April 7, 2022, at CSU Northridge.
We are seeking CSU faculty, staff, and students interested in presenting their research and/or discussing their expertise as panelists in topics related to our conference theme, “Water Connects! Justice, Innovation and Resilience.”
Proposals will be accepted for:
Presentations - Team or individual proposals accepted from faculty, staff, and/or students. Presentations will be a max of 15 minutes and might be in the form of panels, lightning talks, and/or PechaKucha.
Posters: Team or individual proposals accepted from faculty, staff and/or students to present their poster.
Presentation Topics
As water connects, we encourage all proposals to be interdisciplinary and/or intersectional.
Topics include (but are not limited to):
1. Justice in Water Policy Initiatives and Regulations
2. Innovation and Technology (applied to water)
3. Water Sustainability and Resilience
4. Water Resource Management and/or Engineering
Please submit your Abstract and Title to the committee at https://forms.office.com/r/pcU6Fz9iqK by 5:00 pm on February 11th 2022.
01/24/2022
Welcome back. Matadors! The Institute for Sustainability wishes you safe, amazing, and successful Spring 2022 Semester! What will you do this semester to be more sustainable? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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01/10/2022
! Want something light and relatively quick to make? Feel free to try this recipe on Vegetarian Stuffed Green Peppers by The Rebel Chick! Let us know if you will try it out! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Ingredients:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
6 large green peppers⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1 cup dry quinoa⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
water to cook quinoa⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1 can, 15 oz, black beans, drained and rinsed⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1 jar, 16 oz, salsa (mild, medium or hot), reserving 1/4 cup⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1/2 cup cottage cheese⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3/4 cup pepper jack cheese, divided⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Instructions:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1. Cook quinoa in water, according to package directions and place in a large mixing bowl.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2. Slice tops off green peppers, remove seeds and discard.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3. Place peppers, cut side down onto a greased microwave safe plate or dish and heat for 3 minutes. Remove from oven, cool for a few minutes before flipping over. Set aside.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Preheat oven to 400.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
4. In the large mixing bowl of quinoa, add beans, salsa, cottage cheese and 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese. Mix well.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
5. Spoon into peppers, pressing into each cavity. T⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
op with remaining pepper jack cheese.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until filling is hot. Broil for 1-2 minutes until cheese is bubbly.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
7. Serve topped with remaining salsa.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Link: https://bit.ly/StuffedGreenPeppers⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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12/25/2021
Want some tips on how to be sustainable during the holiday season? Here are a few you can try out!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Eat with the seasons! This includes potatoes, sprouts, carrots, leeks, and parsnips.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Eat your leftovers to reduce food waste.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Use energy efficient lights. LEDs use 70% less energy as conventional holiday lights, and last years longer.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Try recycled content for gift wrapping. Such as newspaper, old gift bags.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Re-gift or make DIY gifts.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Shop responsibly. Keep the waste to a minimum and look for gifts with minimal or reusable packaging.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Considering sending e-gift cards or purchase cards with recyclable content.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Shop locally.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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02/14/2022
02/10/2022
02/09/2022
01/24/2022
01/10/2022
12/25/2021