Weekend Highlight: Bill Walton talks sustainability with campus champions

January 29, 2018
Former NCAA Champion and NBA Hall-of-Famer checks out UCLA’s solar EV charging stations by Murphy Hall.
UCLA

Several campus units had the honor of escorting sustainability champion, former Center for the Clippers, and UCLA basketball legend Bill Walton on a UCLA sustainability tour on Saturday, January 27, 2018. Present were members from the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge, Campus Sustainability and UCLA Recreation and Sports Venues. These representatives were selected because each group is making its mark in moving UCLA and, in some cases, Los Angeles to greater sustainability.

Tour stops included the herb and green garden referred to as UCLA Dining Tower Gardens that provides fresh produce for certain facilities, the bioswale at the molecular garden, the Smart Grid Research Center EV charging stations on top of Structure 9, and solar EV charging stations by Murphy Hall. During the tour, campus staff had the opportunity to share various campus initiatives most notably the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge—UCLA’s effort to transition Los Angeles to 100% renewable energy, 100% locally sourced water and enhanced ecosystem and human health.

As one would expect, Walton thoroughly engaged in the tour and shared that UCLA’s actions and commitments give him hope for our future. He views sustainability — specifically access to clean air and clean water — to be one of the most pressing issues of our time.

Listen in to Bill Walton on ESPN during this season’s Bruin Basketball games—he’ll be sharing more about what he’s learned about UCLA’s work in this space.

Additional coverage: 

Bill Walton highlights UCLA Sustainability during basketball telecast UCLA Newsroom, 02 Feb 2018