2010 TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

Architectural Nexus

It is a fact that a regional architectural firm travels. But that doesn't stop Architectural Nexus from being TravelWise . As the largest firm in the Intermountain West, the firm has taken their responsibility to help improve the air quality along the Wasatch Front very seriously.

"The 2010 Clear the Air Challenge has quickly captured the spirit of our organization, offering a competitive outlet in which to hone TravelWise strategies," said Team Leader Kenner Kingston. This year, the Architectural Nexus Team clocks in at over 50 members, more than doubling their 2009 stats.

Since delivering Utah's first LEED Silver Certified project in 2004, Architectural Nexus has been dedicated to increasing awareness of the direct relationship between air quality and corporate/personal behavior, while showing that many small incremental improvements can have a significant long-term impact.

Fair Credit Foundation

A relative newcomer to the Clear the Air Challenge, the Fair Credit Foundation has quickly distinguished themselves as a team on the move. By seamlessly integrating the Clear the Air Challenge into a larger company effort to encourage healthy lifestyle initiatives among their employees, the Fair Credit Foundation team has logged some impressive savings.

"The Clear the Air Challenge has a lot of benefits to Utah, the environment, residents and local companies," said team leader Jennifer Rohn. "Many companies are looking for ways to implement health and wellness programs and policies into their corporate environments, however the cost is often a barrier to being successful. This challenge is an excellent - and free - way for companies to accomplish this goal."

Rio Tinto

As one of the largest employers in the Salt Lake Valley, Rio Tinto believes in leading by example. During the 2009 Clear they Air Challenge, Rio Tinto employees eliminated 3,360 trips, 54,831 single-occupant vehicle miles and saved 93,996 pounds of emissions. This year they are out in force and have committed to reducing over a hundred thousand pounds of emissions!

To reach this goal they have expanded their company team and are rewarding employees that save the most trips and miles every week. Rio Tinto employees are doing their part utilizing a variety of emission-reducing TravelWise strategies like trip chaining, ride sharing and teleworking, when jobs allow.

"Last year taught us that together, we can make a difference. By making small adjustments to our schedules, we were able to save vehicle trips - and reduce overall vehicle miles - throughout the day," said team spokes woman Debbie Thacker. "We are confident that even more employees will have developed new habits that will continue after this year's challenge is complete."

Rio Tinto's commitment to sustainable development and air quality does not stop there. They participate in the TravelWise program, established an I-Carpool program and addressed emissions issues within their own company operations with idle management projects and the purchase of more fuel efficient machinery.

"At Rio Tinto, 'We are part of something bigger' is not just something we say, but rather something we live," said Thacker.

KUED

As Salt Lake City's local PBS affiliate, KUED made it their mission to be "Utah's best story teller." This summer, Team KUED Channel 7 is not only telling the story - they are a part of it. "We all know we can do our part to reduce unnecessary travel and be part of the solution, so we encouraged every member to participate," said General Manager and Team Leader Michael A. Dunn.

Dunn was determined to set a positive tone for the station when he first registered the team and encouraged his employees to do at least one small thing to help clear the air. It worked! Since July 1st, over 30 team members have been driving down their miles by utilizing public transit, telecommuting, walking and cycling.

The team of enthusiastic TravelWise advocates has already inspired some of their fellow employees to give alternative transportation a try. And with easy access to TRAX, buses, bike and walking trails, and a variety of "Drive Smarter" strategies at hand, Dunn told his team there is no excuse not to participate, no matter where you live.

Team KUED Channel 7 sees the Clear the Air Challenge is an opportunity to be part of an important community effort that will increase alternative transportation awareness and utilization, and overall health. As an important member of Utah's community, Team KUED is leading by example.

UofU Biochemistry

The U of U Biochemistry Team is always up for a challenge. In their lab, they grapple with macromolecule research that ranges from the structure of the HIV virus to the regulation of DNA. Outside of the lab, they don't shy away from the Clear the Air Challenge. For the second year in a row, the Biochemistry Team has enthusiastically accepted the Challenge, already amassing one of the largest University of Utah teams to date.

Students and faculty team members alike ride their bikes, walk or take public transportation to work/school, demonstrating the importance of everyone doing their part to help clear the air.

The team benefits from University-related programs that encourage air-friendly transportation, including the popular Ed Pass program with UTA. "We challenge other departments to make the most of this generous benefit provided by the University, because we can all make a real difference in our local air quality," said Heidi Schubert, Biochemistry Team Captain.

And because bike commuting is such a popular (and healthy!) mode of transportation, the department supports its bike commuters by providing bike racks, interior bike lockers and showers in the Emma Eccles Jones Medical Research Building.

The U of U Biochemistry Team believes the Clear the Air Challenge is a step in the right direction. "We are a very green-minded department and this is another way we're raising the consciousness of our staff," said Schubert.

As experts of biological processes, the Biochemistry Team knows how individual health and the health of the environment are closely interrelated, and they are committed to doing their part in keeping both hale and hearty!

Fourth Street Clinic

As employees of a nonprofit organization working to end homelessness, members of the Fourth Street Clinic Team are no strangers to working hard for positive community change. As health care providers, they understand what an integral part the environment plays in community health. According to team captain Joseph Dane, "Asthma and obesity are rampant in Salt Lake County...[and] biking and walking are ideal ways to clear our air and get daily exercise"

The Fourth Street Clinic Team has committed to reducing their carbon footprint and educating others about the importance of a healthy lifestyle during the 2010 Clear the Air Challenge. Team members are already familiar with TravelWise strategies to reduce vehicle emissions and improve the air we breathe. To prepare for the challenge, Fourth Street has created an interdepartmental competition, organized an employee carpool, and implemented incentives to walk, bike and use public transit - all of which they hope continue long after July 31st.

In addition to their employees participating in the challenge, the Fourth Street Clinic encourages healthy transportation behaviors among their patients. They recently partnered with Fisher Bikes to provide patients in need of transportation with a free bike, helmet and lock. This program encourages patients to take responsibility for their health outcomes and gives them a transportation resource to get to and from work and important appointments.

The Fourth Street Clinic is setting an outstanding example for community and environmental health, making them a model organization and a key part of the solution to clearing the air.

The Salt Lake Chamber

The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah's largest business association, is making a big commitment to clearing the air. This year the Salt Lake Chamber has pledged to double its team size and collectively save at least 13,000 pounds of emissions during the 2010 Clear the Air Challenge.

The Chamber knows that air quality is important to our health, quality of life, and economic well-being and is dedicated to improving all three. To this end, they have formed the Clean Air Committee to build a business partnership for clean air and help educate Utahns about the role they play in both the problem and the solution.

The Chamber's Clean Air Committee meets monthly to share best business practices, educate the business community about air quality, discuss the economic impact of clean air and work with the Chamber's policy team to enhance the business voice with local governments.

As the voice of the local business community, the Salt Lake Chamber recognizes the importance of leading by example and has already been a critical resource for generating business support for the 2010 Clear the Air Challenge.

Best summed up by Salt Lake Chamber president Lane Beattie, "The Salt Lake Chamber is proud to accept the Clear the Air Challenge - and we're anxious to do our part."

2009 TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

A Great Part of the Solution

ARUP may operate as a national reference laboratory, but they will always be devoted to their local community. As a company dedicated to service, education and research in daily life, the Challenge fit in perfectly with the participants at ARUP. The competitive aspect of the Clear the Air Challenge was sure to heat up when they cleverly used the letters of their own name and created the AR U Part of the Solution? team, which includes employees, family and friends.

ARUP has utilized several strategies to benefit the air we breathe, including compressed work schedules, work-from-home options and assisting in the purchase of annual UTA passes for employees. They even provide large vans for groups to commute to work from areas not easily accessible by the UTA system.

"Many team members are just busy individuals who chain errands together and help clear the air for the Salt Lake Valley," said Bruce Collins, team captain.

While ARUP may think chaining errands and getting creative to decrease their carbon footprint is simply "doing their part," we know it is much more. ARUP has accepted the Challenge, actively participated and made our air clearer.

Self-Starters in Their Own Right

Bright people. Right solutions. The company whose vision focuses on the well-being of employees, clients, and the community has also contributed great success to the Clear the Air Challenge.

The company Kleinfelder created a sustainability committee years before the Challenge to promote environmentally conscious habits in the office and home. Some of the goals included bringing bags to the grocery store, switching to more efficient light bulbs and instigating a "No Cars in the Parking Lot" Day where employees commuted through public transit, telecommuting, biking, or carpooling. They experienced great success with personal goals, but were looking for a way to track their success. When they received a pamphlet about the Clear the Air Challenge, they dove right in.

The Challenge has been a hit in the office since day one. "It's everyday problem solving, and for an office with engineers, geologists, and so on, the tracking system is motivation in itself," said Jenny Esker, team captain. "The whole contest aspect doesn't hurt either."

The self-starter personalities at Kleinfelder have exceeded expectations through the desire to decrease their impact on the environment while helping the community they serve.

Pushing Limits to Clear the Air

For members of the Black Diamond team, life is about the extreme: conquering mountains, carving snowy slopes and pushing limits. The team provides climbers and skiers of the world with gear, and they understand that their business is directly affected by the condition of the environment.

"We are very aware of the environmental effects because a good portion of our business is in the ski industry," said Nick Rueff, team captain. "We recognize things like global warming have a direct effect on our business." The Black Diamond team also cited friendly competition as a point of motivation.

Black Diamond goes beyond encouraging bike commuting - An extensive renovation project including showers and changing rooms was completed on-site in the spring to provide amenities for employees after a trip of skiing or climbing, and the new addition quickly evolved into accommodations for employees who ride their bikes to work. Black Diamond's efforts have led others by example in pushing limits to help the environment.

Learning to Conserve

The three R's of education used to consist simply of reading, writing, and arithmetic, but at the University of Utah, it seems they've added three more R's to their vocabulary--reducing, reusing and recycling. At least that would explain the six Clear the Air Challenge teams formed by University of Utah administration, professors, staff members and students.

One of those teams, the U of U Student Affairs Division, sprung from an already established group called the Student Affairs Sustainability Committee (SASC). The SASC was established in 2007 with the objectives of educating staff on sustainability issues, organizing behavioral-change initiatives, supporting sustainable events, and serving as a resource on sustainability issues. When the Clear the Air Challenge was discussed in one of their committee meetings, they welcomed the chance to support something that fit so well with their own goals.

Even though many members of the team coming from the SASC, and others are staff members at the University, this already environmentally conscious group is still managing to find ways to reduce their trips. Jay Wilgus, co-captain of the team, likes that he is forced to think about travel. He says he has been walking and taking transit more and planning his routes better in general. Whether you're involved with the University or not, that's something we can all learn.

Appreciating the Environment is Everyone's Business

Appreciate. This simple theme seems appropriate for a company that specializes in making recognition awards. But for O.C. Tanner, appreciation is more than a business--it's a way of life. Their commitment to this theme is exemplified by their yearlong focus on appreciating the environment.

When one considers the 11 company teams O.C. Tanner has participating in the Clear the Air Challenge, no one can doubt their level of commitment. The Challenge was first introduced at the O.C. Tanner Earth Day celebration in April, and employees were further encouraged to form teams and participate through a write-up in the company newspaper and the development of an internal competition.

Throughout the Challenge, team members have used telecommuting, trip chaining, carpooling, cycling, transit, and more to reduce their trips and ease their impact on the environment. But the environment isn't the only benefactor, by participating in the Challenge, O.C. Tanner employees have developed an increased sense of pride for their company and for their contributions to something we can all appreciate--better air quality in Utah.

Better Air Quality is a Matter of Faith

For members on Utah Interfaith Power and Light's (UIPL) Clear the Air Challenge teams, faith is leading to action. Driven by what they refer to as a "whole earth covenant," or in other words, a commitment to take responsibility for the earth, team members are implementing TravelWise strategies to meet the fairly aggressive goals they've set for themselves.

While many UIPL Clear the Air Challenge participants are competing as individuals, or on various teams, they are united in their desire to make a difference. Using the Internet and the organization's e-newsletter, UIPL continuously encourages involvement. Donations totaling $1000 have allowed UIPL to further promote the Challenge and award prizes to all of their Challenge participants who make an effort.

In the end, UIPL hopes team members will look at the Challenge as a sort of "transportation diet" and become more aware of the energy resources they consume. That increased awareness, coupled with the faith-based desire to make a difference, will result in cleaner air that everyone can enjoy.

If UPS Can Do It, You Can Too

It may seem like an impossible task to save trips or reduce miles when you drive for a living, but that's exactly what some of the employees at UPS are doing. Inspired by the high-tech mapping software used to efficiently plan their delivery routes, UPS drivers and office staff are incorporating environmentally friendly practices into their personal lives.

By participating in the Challenge, the UPS team wanted to reach beyond simply reducing trips over the course of six weeks. Instead, their goal has been to encourage eco-friendly behaviors that will become habits. Their approach ranges from the traditional trip chaining, to the less conventional method of planning trips to eliminate left turns and thereby decrease idling time.

With weekly team meetings and e-mail reminders, as well as posters and internal contests, the UPS team has had great success with keeping team members motivated and proving that improving the environment is something we can all do.

Not Just Another "Rat Pack"

Not just another "rat pack," the Feral Chihuahuas are serious about conservation. Group member Jen Milner describes her team as "a big group of friends who feel passionate about reducing our impact." That passion shows, as each team member looks for ways to reduce the need for vehicle use.

As group members meet together for dinner or other activities, they are quick to encourage each other to bike, walk, carpool or use transit. The team has even discovered that riding to an event is easier than coordinating meeting spots and parking spaces, and with a backpack and a little preparation, biking to the grocery store and even the Laundromat is fairly easy.

While many team members were already implementing TravelWise strategies long before the Challenge began, they are quick to admit that logging their miles has been fun and has made them think harder about how they can reduce trips even more.

As for the team name, well, that comes from their two mascots--actual feral Chihuahuas. There's no word on what the mascots are dong to reduce their trips.

Utah's Hogle Zoo

As a community leader in conservative efforts, it's only natural that Hogle Zoo participates in the Clear the Air Challenge. Zoo employees, the Zoo Crew, bike, walk, carpool, take public transit and even ride their scooters to and from work. A lot of employees are biking this year, more than usual.

In addition to participating in the Challenge, the Zoo hosts their own annual competition, the Ultimate Alternate Transportation Challenge. The Zoo Crew tracks their miles saved driving during work hours, every two weeks they submit their results online and are entered in participation drawings. At the end of the summer there is a grand prize for the most points, most improved, most walked/biked and more. The goal is to figure out how Zoo employees can challenge themselves to make lifestyle changes in the ways they get around during work hours while reducing emissions for improved air quality.

Hogle Zoo offers excellent support and motivation for their employees to drive less and drive smarter. Hogle Zoo believes that everyday actions can have a big effect on our surroundings. And the Zoo is committed to promoting respect and appreciation for the environment with conservation efforts both on- and off- Zoo grounds. This commitment to conservation is a key part of the Zoo's mission statement.

Clear the Air Team Pulls Clubs to Introduce Green to Golf

Golf and cycling are two words rarely seen in the same sentence but on June 18th, one Clear the Air Challenge team will begin pulling for a change. Team TowCaddy will use their combination bike trailer/golf carts to pull their clubs over 40 miles from Salt Lake City's Uinta Golf to Midway, Utah to participate in the Golf Wasatch Long Day Challenge.

"We wanted to ride to the tournament as a way to encourage a greener lifestyle, but as part of the Clear the Air Challenge, we have a bigger venue to promote alternative means of transportation." Said Howard Fullmer, team captain. "Plus, with the four of us biking to the tournament, we can really rack up the miles." This will not be a one time event. In fact, the foursome plans on riding to the tournament each year and will challenge other golfers to bike a longer distance.

The ride begins June 18th at 10:30 at the 560 E. 2100 S. location of Uinta Golf. It will wind it's way up Parley's Canyon (with a stop for 18 holes at Mountain Dell Golf Course) on the way to Park City where they will stop for the night. A self proclaimed wimp, Fullmer hopes that others will join their ride for at least part of the way, particularly up Parley's "where I can hold onto them up the canyon. I was pulling for the Mayor in the last election. Maybe I can get him to pull for me!"

Zions Bank

In support of the Clear the Air Challenge, Zions Bank is encouraging its employees to consider mass transit, walking to work or biking, like members of the Z-Team employee cyclists. Zions offers up to 50 percent discounts on UTA transportation for its employees. In the drive-thru lanes at its locations across Wasatch Front, Zions posts stickers on the machines and canisters to remind customers to turn off car engines while making bank transactions. Zions Bank has also distributed thousands of fliers to help customers understand the benefits when they turn the key to be idle free.

"We haven't forgotten who keeps us in business" is Zions' formula for success. Working hard to maintain strong ties with the communities it serves, Zions participates in the Clear the Air Challenge as only one of the many efforts made to support conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for Utah residents and valued employees.

Lochner

To get the entire team fired up for the Challenge, Lochner is hosting an internal competition. Every employee is on a team competing against each other. Participants are motivated to win a half-day off and a cash prize to spend with their team. Lochner has even created a private Challenge site so that each team can keep tabs on one another throughout the week.

Lochner is an authority in the transportation industry, specializing in design, engineering and consulting services, exclusively related to transportation disciplines.

The extra boost the management team has given in the form of the internal competition has encouraged everyone to participate. The competition is fierce as teams have set up carpooling groups and are running and biking to work. What Lochner team will win the half day off and money reward?

Bonneville Cycling Club

Promoting bike commuting 365 days of the year, the Bonneville Cycling Club (BCC) is one of the Challenge's most active teams. As Utah's oldest recreational bike club, there are 500 members around the state. The BCC provides opportunities for every cyclist's interest from recreation, fitness, touring, commuting, racing and for fun.

The BCC is not only participating in the Clear the Air Challenge encouraging commuting by bike, they have also organized their own commuter challenge. The BCC commuter challenge runs from May 1st through October 31st and promotes the fun, easy and healthy reasons for commuting by bike plus the benefits to the environment.

Members of the BCC teach classes, volunteer for events and serve on bicycle committees for the state, all ways of sharing their knowledge with others. The BCC will be teaching Challenge educational course on bike safety June 11th at 6PM. The course will teach you the confidence needed to feel safe and comfortable riding in traffic.

The BCC is a major advocate of the Challenge and the long-term effects that commuting by bike will have on the environment and on each individual's health.

A Clear the Air Challenge Role Model

If you're looking for a Clear the Air Challenge role model, look no further than Salt Lake City Councilman Soren Simonsen. The father of two is championing the cause by doing all he can to not only eliminate his own vehicle trips, but also trying to recruit 1,000 participants to the Challenge.

By simply walking, biking, using public transportation, carpooling or teleworking as many days as possible, Simonsen has been able to average less than four personal automobile trips per week. "When thinking about alternate transportation choices," says Simonsen, "start with the lowest-impact option first. Walk, bike, take the bus or TRAX, or carpool before you consider driving."

Simonsen is directly encouraging residents in his district to take the challenge by including information in his weekly e-mail newsletters and in the June edition of his biannual mailer. His goal is to recruit 1,000 people to take the Challenge through these efforts. Simonsen's enthusiasm inspires us all to find unique ways to reduce emissions and recruit our friends, family members and coworkers to participate in the Clear the Air Challenge.

How does your employer reward you for improving air quality?

As a creative communications firm in Salt Lake City, Penna Powers Brian Haynes is encouraging all of its employees to put their creative talent to use by practicing alternative means of transportation during the Clear the Air Challenge. PPBH supports its employees as they participate by providing them with resources and services that will make the Challenge easier and more rewarding.

During the Challenge, PPBH is reimbursing UTA passes for employees who use public transit at least 3 days per week. To promote active transportation, the company is initiating a bike-sharing program, providing indoor bike parking and offering amenities baskets for employees to "freshen-up" after biking or walking to work. PPBH is also providing its employees with a carpooling map, which shows each employee's residence and the proximity of co-workers with whom they can carpool.

PPBH employees also have the option of teleworking during the Challenge. By using web-based Adobe Acrobat Connect on its computers, the firm now provides for online client meetings, which save client and agency time while helping clear the air.

As lunchtime often means increased travel for employees, PPBH is subsidizing a catered lunch once a week during the Challenge. The agency is also initiating a daily lunch delivery program, providing a list of nearby restaurants within walking distance and asking local restaurants to provide a discount to PPBH employees during the Challenge.

With all of these services and benefits, it's almost easier for employees to participate than not to participate. PPBH is a committed supporter of the Clear the Air Challenge and motivates us all to modify our travel behaviors to keep the air clean in Utah. Whether you're an employee or an employer, find out what your business is doing or can do to help improve air quality.