Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.52
Liaison Ruairi O'Mahony
Submission Date Aug. 10, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Massachusetts Lowell
IN-27: Innovation D

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Ruairi O'Mahony
Executive Director
Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy
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Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Yoro Biological Corridor: Renewable Energy Technology for Coffee Processing and Export and Forest-Friendly Production

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
The Yoro Biological Corridor Initiative is a collaboration of the University of Massachusetts (UMass) and the Mesoamerican Development Institute (MDI). The program is designed to scale-up MDI's innovations in agro-industrial processing using renewable energy technology and forest-friendly coffee production in harmony with threatened cloud forests and national parks. This program is creating new employment opportunities for rural populations to directly export sustainably processed coffee to international markets: US, Canada, Sweden, and Ireland. University of Massachusetts Lowell is providing technology that allows local communities to industrially process coffee without the burning of firewood, a first for the industry world-wide. Faculty and students are directly engaged in applied research to benefit the Yoro Biological Corridor to assist in meeting the most pressing environmental challenges before us. Students can also enjoy sustainably processed coffee from the Yoro Biological Corridor in the cafeterias and cafes on campus.

Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Research
Public Engagement
Food & Dining

Optional Fields

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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