We've completed a few projects recently, and we figured we should share them with you guys.

   First and foremost, there are now data loggers on the solar panels! They log temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, and the current generated by the panels. (The current sensor is not pictured, as it's in the battery box.) Their original purpose was to evaluate the panels' efficiency; there are plans to eventually build a greenhouse (called the Living Lab--see left) near the panels' current position, and we want to know if a solar array would be a feasible way to power it. 

   The weather-related loggers will also effectively serve as a mini weather station for Olin! We can use it to contribute to weather databases, for projects, and maybe have it update a website so there is always accurate weather information specific to Olin.

   Lastly, with the data loggers in place we'll be able to tell how often they are used--and if our attempts to make the area a more attractive place to plug in your laptop/electric razor/speakers are being met with success or failure. An example of what happens when you plug in two laptops and an iPod dock can be seen on the right.

   A second project we've finally been able to complete is dorm composting. As of yesterday, there is now a clearly-labeled bucket in the East Hall kitchen designated for compost. The two of us (and any volunteers) will be responsible for taking the compost down to the pile by the garden every time the bucket gets full. We will also be recording the weight of the compost so that we can tell how much food waste is being diverted from landfills. Please contact us if you wouldn't mind helping us out with the emptying and weighing!

   We have recently discovered that we can do a bunch of cool things with our site that might make it more enjoyable to read! Therefore, we've updated a few things in the past 24 hours. 

   First, we added Facebook like buttons for each page, so you can show your appreciation. We're not sure if we did that for you or if we did it just because we learned that we can, but either way, click those like buttons! :)

   Second, we've added polls to each of the project pages to facilitate the feedback process. We've realized that  people often don't have something specific to say, so they can't fill out a "contact us" form; however, we still value everyone's opinion, regardless of whether it's specific feedback or not. The polls allow us to gauge interest and viability of our various projects, so if you've got a few minutes, fill out the polls to let us know what you want us to pursue!

   If you *do* have specific feedback, though, that is welcome, as always. We're trying to facilitate this process, so we have created a forum for any ideas, feedback, support, or constructive criticism. A forum will hopefully be more convenient and will allow peers to see each others' words, leading into discussions. We think discussion will be far more valuable, in general. That said, the contact box is still available for any feedback that you prefer to be private.

   The website now has a calendar, too. It's a bit empty right now, but we'll be updating this calendar with any events we organize and with projected completion dates of our projects so you know what to expect and when.

   Lastly, the site has a customized search engine. The search bar should appear on every page and will search through our site to help you find what you want. Unfortunately, Google is apparently still indexing our site, meaning that the engine currently turns up no results. This should be fixed within a week, at which point, search all you want.

Thanks for reading! We hope this changes are helpful!

   We've taken on a new, exciting project! We have been recruited by Andy DeMelia and Ben Linder to help plan new landscaping for a small section of campus, with the intention of making it more sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and bee-friendly. The area we will be modifying is the grassy area in front of the treeline on the west side of the road below the Great Lawn. This is the area with the drainage ditch, across the road from the Meditation Spot, and across the drive to Lot B from the field. Below, you can see the area as it is currently.
                      Ben originally hoped to see the addition of some blueberry bushes, which are native, attractive, and bee-friendly. We hope to take this project a bit further to add some color, reduce the need to maintain the area, and smooth out the curve of the area as well as the transition into the treeline.

   We have done some research on all kinds of different plants and have developed a list of criteria for the plants that will be introduced. We want them to be:

• Native to the area (i.e. not invasive species)
  
• Valuable to bees and/or other wildlife
  
• Low-maintenance
  
• Non-poisonous to humans and pets
  
• Attractive all year
  
• Tolerant of slow drainage, but also to not need significant watering
  
• Sun and shade tolerant, as the area receives a mixture of both
  

    
    So far, the perfect plants have been eluding us, but we have found many that may thrive. A few of the more promising ones currently include: Foxglove Beardtongue, Red Bergamot, Wintergreen, and Scarlet Catchfly. 

   Our tentative plan is to cut back some of the undergrowth that has spilled past the treeline, and then put the blueberry bushes (the blue dots in the picture on the right) in along that line. We will then choose a slightly smaller plant (signified by the yellow dots) to sow in front of the blueberries. Lastly, a line of very small flowers or herbs (the white dots) will run in front of everything and fill in any gaps. The spacing between rows will change as we follow into straighter sections of the treeline; ideally this will transform the scraggly, sharp line into a gradual, sweeping curve. 

   We hope that everyone approves of our work! If anyone has suggestions to improve the layout or is interested in helping us choose plants, please contact us!