Forward to Net Zero
Senior Living Communities Living Sustainably
Key to SSAFE’s mission is to take action using science-based and professionally guided best practices, setting our own communities on the pathway to 50% greenhouse gas reductions by 2030 and carbon net neutrality by 2050. ‘Greening Our Campuses’ is the SSAFE project team responsible for guiding senior living communities on the path to Net Zero.
Below is a collection of senior living community sustainability projects and case studies from participating SSAFE members.
Click on the gray boxes to view posts by category:
- All
- Biodiversity
- Buildings
- Carbon Footprint
- Case Study
- Chapter Projects
- Diet and Food Systems
- Educating Residents
- Energy
- Energy Audits
- Landscape & Plants
- Lighting
- Peak Energy Shaving
- Plastics
- Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- SSAFE Board, Committees, Project Teams
- Transportation
- Unit Turnover
Case Study: Sustainable Food Program at Wake Robin
November 22, 2024
Eating sustainably helps fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production, transportation, and waste. Read about Wake Robin's unique approach.
Case Study: Plastic Free July
November 22, 2024
Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?
What’s a Watt? Learn how electricity is measured from Watts to Terawatts!
November 12, 2024
At the October SSAFE Greening Our Campuses meeting, George Alexander, a SSAFE Board Member and Longwood resident presented an overview of electricity measurement. The presentation covered scaling from watts to terawatts, with practical examples to illustrate the concepts. Watch the video here.
New: Recommended Viewing Listings
November 2, 2024
Looking for engaging ways to learn about the environment? Check out SSAFE’s curated list of impactful movies, TV series, and videos on environmental topics, handpicked by our members.
Reducing Single-Use Plastics
October 9, 2024
Reducing single-use plastics is a crucial step toward creating more sustainable communities and reducing environmental harm. This blog post explores practical strategies to minimize plastic waste, with insights and recommendations from Beyond Plastics to help you make a positive impact in your own community.
New: Categorized Recommended Reading
September 21, 2024
Our recommended reading list is now searchable by category, title keyword, publication date, and author. Click on Resource Hub in the menu above, then click on Recommended Reading. Or, click on the image to learn more.
Lathrop Leaves its Leaves
September 6, 2024
For generations, nature has always left the leaves, allowing ecosystems to thrive. Fallen leaves enrich the soil, regulate moisture, provide winter insulation, and create habitats for crucial wildlife. Yet today, concerns over safety and aesthetics drive many senior living communities to remove them. See how Lathrop is "leaving its leaves!"
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Audit Explainer Video
July 29, 2024
🎞️ Video: You've likely heard of an energy audit, but have you heard of a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Audit? What is the difference? SSAFE member, Stu White from Kendal at Hanover explains this new type of audit!
2024 Cross-Campus Campus Sustainability Chart
July 1, 2024
♻️ Have you ever wondered about the sustainability projects going on at each SSAFE Chapter community? Now you can see them summarized on the 2024 Q1 SSAFE Cross-Campus Sustainability Chart. See projects in progress or planned on each campus!
Education: “Heat: Effects on the Elderly and Other Vulnerable Populations”
May 24, 2024
SSAFE is fortunate to have so many knowledge experts among our ranks. One of them, Dr. Alan Lockwood, resident from Kendal at Oberlin, would like to remind us that the increase in temperatures poses a greater risk for the elderly and vulnerable populations.
📄 Click here to download this informative pamphlet.
Case Study: Countersett Court Landscape Renovation
May 16, 2024
The Countersett project attempts to change the 50-year-old landscape of one of the neighborhood courtyards at Kendal at Longwood into a model for our larger community in its second 50 years. 📑 Download the case study in PDF format by clicking here.
Collington Sustainability Plan 2.0
May 2, 2024
The Collington Sustainability Plan 2.0, 2024-2026, is ready to download. Focusing on five goals, the plan is masterfully organized, concise, and tactical. 📑 Download the full plan in PDF format by clicking here.
Larval Landings to Collect Leaf Litter
April 12, 2024
At the April 4th, 2024 SSAFE General Committee Meeting, our guest speaker, Doug Tallamy, mentioned a way to protect pollinator habitat while maintaining a manicured appearance. Click the link above to read more, see photos, watch a video, and down the instructions for Larval Landings developed by Peter Keilty from Bees for All.
Case Study: Collington Peak Energy Use Pilot
March 22, 2024
🏔️ "Peak shaving" is an odd term! You may start to hear this term more often in your community. It is a handy and catchy term to describe saving energy on high-demand days. Learn why we use this term and more importantly, how Collington organized resident volunteers to conduct a peak shaving pilot program.
📑 Available for download: Collington Peak Energy Use Pilot Case Study [PDF]
📑 Available for download: Collington Peak Energy Use Pilot Case Study [PDF]
2023 Mike Burke Excellence in Advocacy Award Annouced!
March 14, 2024
In recognition of Mike Burke's exceptional contributions to the SSAFE Advocacy Team and the SSAFE Board of Directors, SSAFE has established an annual award in his honor for excellence in Advocacy. And the award goes to....
General Committee Meeting Flyers
March 12, 2024
🦋 Help spread the word about the April 4th SSAFE General Committee meeting on Zoom. Doug Tallamy, renowned entomologist, ecologist, and author of several publications, will present on Thursday, April 4th at 11 AM Eastern / 10 AM Central / 9 AM Mountain / 8 AM Pacific time on Zoom. Click the link or image above to find colorful flyers to share at your SSAFE Chapter campus!
Case Study: Collington Campus Carbon Footprint Calculations
January 23, 2024
👣 Learn how one senior living community calculated their carbon footprint. Why is this so important? Have you heard the term: "net-zero"? Your community’s carbon footprint represents its current emissions, a number such as “2000”, using a standardized set of guidelines. Once you know your number, you can then aim for “0”!
📑 Available for download: Collington Carbon Footprint Case Study [PDF]
📑 Available for download: Collington Carbon Footprint Case Study [PDF]
Unit Turnover Guide Published
January 12, 2024
Another major SSAFE achievement from the Greening Our Campuses project team! You are invited to download and incorporate the residential unit turnover recommendations to use at your senior living community. When a residential unit is vacated and made ready for the new occupant, SSAFE recommends we change our focus and prioritize energy and water-saving upgrades.
Click to Download the SSAFE Unit Turnover Guide here. [PDF]
Click to Download the SSAFE Unit Turnover Guide here. [PDF]
Sustainable Giving
December 1, 2023
🎁🌎The SSAFE Education Team polled SSAFE members to submit their ideas for zero-waste and sustainable gift ideas. The resulting comprehensive list exceeded our expectations! Click below to download this superb gift guide to circulate in your community at any time of the year.
Click here to download the SSAFE Sustainable Holiday Gift Suggestions [PDF]
Click here to download the SSAFE Sustainable Holiday Gift Suggestions [PDF]
Case Study: Monthly Climate/Sustainability Film Series
November 8, 2023
🎞️Learn how to hold a successful film series! Joel Brody, a SSAFE member from Collington, a Kendal Affiliate in Bowie, MD, shares his methodology and lessons learned from his overwhelmingly successful monthly film series at Collington.
📑 Available for download: Monthly Climate/Sustainability Film Series . [PDF]
📑 Available for download: Monthly Climate/Sustainability Film Series . [PDF]
Early Results Look Promising from the Kendal at Lexington Peak Usage Evaluation
August 30, 2023
“Peak Usage Program” or “Peak Energy Shaving” - Have you heard these terms around your campus yet? Some very savvy residents have realized that their communities can save a significant amount of money by carefully predicting days when energy use will be highest. Saving money is only one benefit. Preventing the dirtiest energy from being used during high demand days goes a long way to keeping pollution and greenhouse gasses out of the environment.
LED Lighting & NEST Thermostats for $0 in Costs at The Admiral!
August 28, 2023
The vigilant residents and staff at The Admiral uncovered not one, but two programs that will allow them to zip ahead in their sustainability efforts, for free! Learn about their LED light and Nest thermostat replacement programs. Perhaps there are similar programs offered from your utility provider!
Wake Robin Named 2023 Sustainability Leader!
August 27, 2023
🎞️ Video: SSAFE Chapter community, Wake Robin, located in Shelburne, VT has been honored for their outstanding waste program by Casella Waste Systems.
Lawn Care Equipment Case Study
July 5, 2023
Residents wanted noisy and polluting gasoline-powered lawn care equipment replaced by battery-powered models.
📑 Available for download: Lawn Care Equipment Case Study [PDF]
📑 Available for download: Lawn Care Equipment Case Study [PDF]
Energy Audit Request for Proposal Template Published
June 21, 2023
A major SSAFE achievement from the Greening Our Campuses project team! You are invited to download and utilize this highly effective Request for Proposal (RFP) template to use at your senior living community. This template has been effectively utilized for the first Kendal at Hanover deep energy retrofit audit.
Click here to learn more.
Click here to learn more.
Case Study: Energy Audit at Hanover
June 7, 2023
📑 Available for download: Energy Audit at Hanover Case Study [PDF]
Kendal at Hanover is wrapping up their first deep energy retrofit audit. Learn how residents and SSAFE members lobbied fellow residents and administration to conduct this important step in achieving net neutrality.
Kendal at Hanover is wrapping up their first deep energy retrofit audit. Learn how residents and SSAFE members lobbied fellow residents and administration to conduct this important step in achieving net neutrality.
Case Study: Recycling Plastic Film for TREX® Benches
May 18, 2023
📑 Available for download: Recycling Plastic Film for TREX® Benches [PDF]
Learn how to recycle plastic film that would otherwise end up in the landfill. TREX® corporation offers a 48” “Yacht Club” bench in exchange for the recycling of targeted plastic film within a six-month period.
Learn how to recycle plastic film that would otherwise end up in the landfill. TREX® corporation offers a 48” “Yacht Club” bench in exchange for the recycling of targeted plastic film within a six-month period.
Pilot Project Case Study: Determine the Feasibility of Installing a Solar Panel Field at Kendal
May 10, 2023
📑 Available for download: Determine the Feasibility of Installing a Solar Panel Field at Kendal [PDF]
SSAFE members explore the feasibility of Kendal at Oberlin building a large solar field in the vacant field to help supply the energy needs first of our low-income neighbors and then of our Kendal campus. (Oberlin, Ohio)
SSAFE members explore the feasibility of Kendal at Oberlin building a large solar field in the vacant field to help supply the energy needs first of our low-income neighbors and then of our Kendal campus. (Oberlin, Ohio)
Case Study: Updating Plastic Recycling Practices at Kendal at Oberlin
May 10, 2023
📑 Available for download: Updating Plastic Recycling at Kendal at Oberlin [PDF]
Kendal at Oberlin’s Recycling Group adjusted their plastic collection policies to be in sync with the reality of the current recycling industry’s practices.
Kendal at Oberlin’s Recycling Group adjusted their plastic collection policies to be in sync with the reality of the current recycling industry’s practices.
Case Study: Kendal at Hanover LED Bulb Initiative
May 10, 2023
📑 Available for download: Kendal at Hanover LED Bulb Initiative [PDF]
Kendal at Hanover SSAFE members set out to support climate change compliance targets by encouraging fellow residents to switch to LED light bulbs. Learn how they did it!
Kendal at Hanover SSAFE members set out to support climate change compliance targets by encouraging fellow residents to switch to LED light bulbs. Learn how they did it!
Case Study: Low-Mow Grass
May 8, 2023
📑 Available for download: Low-Mow Grass Case Study [PDF]
Read about the successful trial of replacing a small area of lawn with Low-Mow grass at Kendal at Oberlin, in Oberlin, Ohio.
Read about the successful trial of replacing a small area of lawn with Low-Mow grass at Kendal at Oberlin, in Oberlin, Ohio.
Earth Day Resources! 🌎
March 27, 2023
NEW flyers and ideas for your Earth Day tables and displays. Learn what other Kendals have done in the past and are planning for Earth Day 2023 by following this link: SSAFE.org/earthday 🌎🌳
SSAFE Board Retreat
March 18, 2023
NEW flyers and ideas for your Earth Day tables and displays. Learn what other Kendals have done in the past and are planning for Earth Day 2023 by following this link: SSAFE.org/earthday 🌎🌳
SSAFE Project Team Updates
July 27, 2022
Watch this quick presentation to see what SSAFE project teams have been up to in the first half of 2022! Project team leaders highlight accomplishments, review goals, and share wish lists.
![Electrical Grid Basics [Video]](https://ssafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SSAFEIntroSlide-1024x576.jpg)
Electrical Grid Basics [Video]
April 15, 2022
As Senior Stewards, we are most effective when we have a basic understanding of the electrical grid. Beef up your understanding by learning the basics of the electrical grid as presented in this video by George Alexander from Kendal at Longwood. Click to watch the video and learn more!
![The Energy Audit – Step One on the Path to Net Zero [Video]](https://ssafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Intro-Slide.png)
The Energy Audit – Step One on the Path to Net Zero [Video]
March 23, 2022
Many communities have set a goal to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. The key to building a roadmap to net-zero is identifying the how to make changes that will lower your carbon footprint to 0 by 2050. The necessary first step is conducing an Energy Audit. Watch this video to understand what an Energy Audit can do for senior living communities.
Carbon Footprint & Energy Audit – What’s the Difference?
February 17, 2022
With input from the newly formed Carbon Footprint and Energy Audit working groups and members of the SSAFE Greening our Campuses Project Team, we have assembled an infographic to visualize the difference between a carbon footprint and an energy audit (and, how they can work together.) Read more to see the full image and find a printable version.
![Senior Living Communities Leading the Way [Video]](https://ssafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/kendal-e1708391777876.png)
Senior Living Communities Leading the Way [Video]
February 7, 2022
How Senior Communities are Uniquely Positioned for Net-Neutrality (Video)
By: George Alexander, Kendal at Longwood
Recorded on February 3rd, 2022 as part the SSAFE General Committee Meeting. Learn more by watching the video here.
![Why Buildings? The Role of Buildings in Seeking Climate Solutions [Video]](https://ssafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SSAFESlideTemplate.png)
Why Buildings? The Role of Buildings in Seeking Climate Solutions [Video]
February 1, 2022
Guest Speakers: Paul Leveille and Andrew Hatch from Resilient Buildings Group, Concord NH. Recorded on October 28th, 2021 as part of the Kendal at Hanover Speaker Series on Climate Action. Click here to watch this video.
Crosslands Mailbox Energy Display
January 26, 2022
An excellent and creative method to educate Kendal at Crosslands residents about weather, climate, sustainability, and SSAFE! This display was made possible by the resident-led Kendal at Crosslands Energy Committee.
Urban vs. Boreal Forest and the Value of Trees in Sequestering Carbon Dioxide
December 22, 2021
Presented by Dr. Alan Lockwood, MD, resident and Chair of the Arboretum Committee of Kendal at Oberlin. Learn more about Dr. Lockwood and watch the fascinating presentation.
Car Survey for Energy Demand
December 21, 2021
Watch a short presentation at the 12/16/21 SSAFE Greening our Campuses project team meeting about the Kendal at Crosslands Car Survey including the tabulated results. The report is also available for download.
Collington 3-Year Sustainability Plan
December 21, 2021
Residents from Collington, a Kendal affiliate, and their management team developed a three-year Sustainability Plan for their campus. Read more and download the completed report.
Kendal at Crosslands Arboretum Report
December 2, 2021
The following arboretum report was presented at the December 12th SSAFE General Committee meeting by Ben James, Vice-Chair of SSAFE from Kendal at Crosslands.
The Case for an Arboretum
December 2, 2021
Several Kendal senior living communities have thriving arboretums while some are in the initial application process. Learn more by reading this fact sheet (downloadable PDF available.)
Low or Zero-Waste Gift Ideas
November 1, 2021
Just in time for holiday shopping, we have cultivated a fun list of low or zero-waste gift ideas with help from Kendal at Hanover resident, Cynthia Rand.
