The Association For The Advancement Of Sustainability In Higher Education (AASHE) is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future.  It is a member-driven, independent 501(c)(3) corporation, providing resources, professional development and a network of support to institutions of higher learning to enable them to model and advance sustainability in everything they do. 

In 2001, the Education For Sustainability Western Network (EFS West) was established thanks to funding from the Compton Foundation and support from Second Nature.  EFS West served college campuses in the western US and Canada. 

In 2004, EFS West held its first North American Conference On Sustainability In Higher Education in Portland, Oregon.  The success of this conference, coupled with increasing demand for EFS West’s resources, led to the creation of AASHE.  

In 2006, AASHE held its first conference in Tempe, Arizona.  Over 650 people attended.  By the time AASHE held its next conference in 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina, attendance had grown to 1700.  Even more people are expected to attend the 2010 conference, scheduled for October in Denver, Colorado. 

AASHE sponsors activities designed to make sustainable practices the norm in higher education; facilitate institutional efforts to integrate sustainability into teaching, research, operations and other areas; educate others regarding best practices and resource sharing; support all campus sectors in meeting sustainability goals; increase dialog among individuals, institutions and external partners to speed the adoption of sustainable practices; and influence education policy so that sustainability is a priority at the local, state and national levels. 

Through their business and membership office in Lexington, Kentucky and their executive office in Denver, Colorado, AASHE continues to advance the cause of sustainability across US and Canadian college and university campuses.  If their members continue to make sustainability a priority in their lives after graduation, they will certainly make this world a cleaner and greener place for all of us in the future!  We at GatorMoto Utility Vehicles applaud their efforts and urge colleges and universities that are not members to look into all that AASHE has to offer. 

For more information, visit their website at http://www.aashe.org.

Not many successful businesses can say that they were founded by a teenager, but Aqua East Surf Shop in Atlantic Beach, Florida is one of them. Surfer/skater Sandy Forsyth was 19 years old at the time that he opened his first surf shop in 1973.                                                                       

He learned to surf during the summer of his eighth grade year on a 9′6″ Velzy board that he purchased from a department store. Surf shops, as we know them today, were few and far between. 
 
A few years later, he began building surfboards in his parents’ garage and on April 1, 1973, he opened his first Aqua East Surf Shop in a small store about the size of his bedroom. After a while, he found that building boards and running a store didn’t leave him much time for the things he really loved – surfing and skating. He gave up building surfboards and concentrated on making his store the best possible, leaving him time to surf, skate, and test product.  
 
Aqua East Surf Shop grew in popularity, largely because its owner knew first hand what surfers and skaters wanted, since he was both. Soon the shop doubled in size and in 1983, Sandy built his own 5,000 square foot building. While a lot of people thought he was crazy, his customers appreciated the fact that the additional space allowed him to bring them more clothing (especially women’s), more surfboards and more accessories.  
 
In 1988 he opened his first superstore in Neptune Beach, Florida, giving him the chance to expand his inventory to not only include surfboards and clothing, but also skateboards, swimwear and equipment for other sports he really loved. In 1999, Sandy opened a second superstore in St. Augustine.  

Aqua East Surf Shop now carries not only items for surfing and skating, but also snowboarding, kayaking and wakeboarding. Every year, Aqua East’s employees go to a snowboard demo where they get to try out next year’s boards, bindings and boots to decide what to carry the next year. 
 
Aqua East has its own Surf, Skate and Wakeboarding teams, and many of the competitors have done well. Some have even won the USSC, the NSSA, the ESA, Pro Contests and other contests. The first female joined their team in 1974. 
 
Aqua East has always supported the sports they love through ESA, SurfRider Foundation, Wave Masters, public skate parks, beach access, and other environmental concerns.   They also sponsor surf contests, skate contest, wakeboard contests, and kayaking tours.                                           
 
Sandy is gone now, “surfing the perfect wave”, but his love of the outdoors, particularly the water, lives on with his stores and employees. Sandy believed that these sports were good to him and his “crew” and that it was their obligation to give back.

Sandy’s daughters Shauna and Andrea, and Shauna’s husband Adam, take very seriously this commitment to preserve and protect the environment and recently purchased a GatorMoto Utility Vehicles 6 passenger Electro Bubble Buddy, which Shauna and Andrea use to commute between home and the store. They have even equipped the back seat with child safety seats for Shauna and Adam’s two young sons, Austin and Colton! They hope that they can serve as an example to others and raise awareness about the ecological issues that face us all. As their website says, “We did not inherit the Earth, but instead we borrow it from future generations. Let’s leave it a better place than we found it.”

Gary Rhodes of GatorMoto Utility Vehicles recently attended the Florida Sheriffs Association 2010 Administrative Management & Jail Conference at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida.  

The four-day event included a trade show, featuring products for use in criminal justice and jail applications and many opportunities were provided for the attendees to view and learn about existing and new technologies to help them perform their jobs faster, better, and more safely. 

Seminars were also held, covering many diverse topics including Ethics, Leadership Training, the ADA and its applications in a jail environment, and Crisis Intervention.  There were also round table discussions regarding Finance, Human Resources, SWAT Liability and Hot Topics In Corrections.    

This event drew more than 150 representatives of Florida Sheriff’s Departments and Crime Labs, as well as Corrections Officers and members of various County governments.  It provided a chance to learn new information, explore new technologies and ideas, and share experiences with other members of law enforcement.  

GatorMoto Utility Vehicles introduced the attendees to our 4 Passenger Low Speed Electro Enclosed Police Vehicle.  We thank the Florida Sheriffs Association for the opportunity to attend this informative event and we look forward to attending the next conference in Ft. Lauderdale in July.

Florida Statute Title XXIII (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 316 (State Uniform Traffic Control), Section 2122 provides for the operation of low speed vehicles and mini trucks on certain Florida roadways. 

•  A Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) or mini truck may be operated only on Florida streets where the speed limit is 35 mph or less.  This does not prohibit an LSV or mini truck from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 mph.
• A Low Speed Vehicle must be equipped with head lights, stop lights, turn signals, tail lights, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rear view mirrors, windshields, seat belts and a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
• A Low Speed Vehicle or mini truck must be registered and insured in accordance with Florida law.
• Anyone operating a Low Speed Vehicle or mini truck must have in his or her possession a valid driver’s license.
• A county, municipality, or the Florida DOT may prohibit the operation of these vehicles on any road under their respective jurisdictions if they determine that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

For the complete text of the Florida law, visit the Florida Senate’s website at  http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC2122.HTM&Title=-%3e2008-%3eCh0316-%3eSection%202122

GatorMoto Utility Vehicles is pleased to introduce its Paramedic Buddy Low Speed Vehicle.  Seating 2 passengers and accommodating a full-size stretcher, it is the perfect vehicle for a first aid facility, college campus, stadium, park, beach, public event or anywhere else where fuel spills could be a concern. 

This street legal vehicle features head lights, tail lights, brake lights, windshield wiper, parking brake, turn signals, horn, back up alert signal, on-board charger, Curtis controller, Trojan batteries, hydraulic braking system, rack & pinion steering, independent suspension, and full dashboard instrumentation.  

The EMS package features Whelen flashing lights, Whelen PA system, Whelen siren, first aid kit, backboard holder and storage, aluminum cabinets for supply storage, aluminum deck for easy maintenance, stretcher lockdown, and fire extinguisher.  It even has provisions for a medic to do whatever is necessary while en route! 

This rugged vehicle is constructed of fiberglass with a steel frame and will run up to 40 miles on a full charge and maintain speeds of up to 25 mph.  It boasts a 12:49:1 axle ratio for climbing and will carry a maximum load of 1500 lbs.  

Options include custom graphics, custom body color, storage cover, quick charging system, full weather enclosure, DVD player with monitor, heating system and back up cameras.                                                                                               

With a price of $16,995.(plus shipping and handling where applicable), this vehicle is economical to purchase as well as to run.  And the best part is that it is eligible for the federal 10% tax credit — up to $2,500!  Flexible lease/loan programs are available, and can be delivered nationwide. 

Visit our website at  http://www.gatormotoutilityvehicles.com/low-speed-vehicles-6.php for more details.

A Final Thought:  With Memorial Day coming up this weekend, the management and staff of GatorMoto Utility Vehicles wish to honor those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States Of America and her allies.  Your dedication and sacrifice make it possible for all of us to enjoy the privileges of living in “The Land Of The Free And The Home Of The Brave”.  We will never forget ….

We would like to introduce you to our client, Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin.  This beautiful place is owned and operated by the City Of Madison Parks Division in partnership with the non-profit Olbrich Botanical Society.

In 1921, Michael B. Olbrich purchased the first parcel of land along Lake Monona which would eventually become Olbrich Park.  In 1952, the first structures were constructed in what is now Olbrich’s Sunken Garden.  Today, Olbrich Botanical Gardens is comprised of 16 acres of outdoor display gardens and the indoor tropical Bolz Conservatory. 

Much of the Botanical Gardens’ focus is on sustainability, which they teach by example, conserving resources and using environmentally friendly gardening methods.  By growing plants appropriate to the specific location in which they are planted, the plants need less water, less chemical pesticides, and less chemical fertilizer to flourish.  Beneficial insects are introduced to provide protection from destructive insects and their damage.  Staff and volunteers pull weeds by hand to minimize the use of chemicals.                                                            

Olbrich Botanical Gardens has won numerous awards including the Award For Garden Excellence in 2005, The American Hosta Society Display Garden Award in 2004, The Honor Award for the Sunken Garden from The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society Of Landscape Architects in 1998 and was named one of Horticulture Magazine’s 10 Most Inspirational Gardens In North America in 2004. 

The Gardens are open to the public for tours every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and June 19th for “Rhapsody In Bloom”.  Outdoor garden admission is free, while admission to the Bolz Conservatory is $1, with children under five being free.  They also offer many special events throughout the the year.                                                               

Olbrich also provides a 12-passenger electric tram (purchased from GatorMoto Utility Vehicles) which has been modified to accommodate a person in a wheelchair.  The tram travels a circular route around the Gardens, allowing riders to get on and off at a number of stops to enjoy various areas.  During the ride, passengers hear an interpretive message about Olbrich’s history, gardens and sustainable gardening practices.

To learn more about Olbrich Botanical Gardens, visit their website at: http://www.olbrich.org/.

GatorMoto Utility Vehicles is proud to support Olbrich Botanical Gardens in their sustainability program.  We urge you to pay them a visit if you are in the Madison, Wisconsin area.  It is sure to be a family outing you will not forget!

In keeping with GatorMoto Utility Vehicles’ commitment to “green” technology, we are pleased to announce our latest eco-friendly product — our Golf Cart Solar Roof Kit! 

Our Golf Cart Solar Roof Kit and smart controller are manufactured by SunGo Power Systems of Gainesville, Florida. Designed by researchers from the University Of Florida and manufactured in the USA, the kit includes the solar panel top, side supports, smart controller, battery gauge, stainless steel hardware, cables and easy-to-follow installation instructions.

This kit produces 30% more power to the golf cart than any other brand of solar kit on the market.  Sun-Go uses photovoltaic panels which produce 3-4 times more output than competing kits using film technology. Our SG187 kit will increase your driving time by 4 to 12 miles per day.  Of course, the amount of increase depends on the time of year, driving conditions, time of day, etc.  Depending on how often you need to use the cart, and how much sun your solar panel receives, you may never again have to plug your golf car in for recharging!  

Our kit is both a roof and a solar panel, and can be custom fit to any of our electric vehicles or golf carts using our universal mounting system, as well as other well-known models such as EZ-GO and ClubCar. (Please note that some of our larger vehicles may require more than one kit.) You just replace your roof with this 187-watt crystalline photovoltaic solar panel and roof kit, which then attaches to your battery pack with the cables that are supplied with the solar roof kit. 

 The Smart MRRT Controller is able to constantly adjust the solar panel operative voltage to obtain the maximum power available. It then converts this power to the proper multi-stage charge voltage, based on the state-of-charge and ambient technologies. This allows for the use of the panel’s full potential and maximizes battery life.

 From an environmental perspective, the use of this kit can eliminate the use of up to 350 pounds of coal a year (used for generating the electricity to charge the vehicle by plugging it in) and the emission of 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (based on using the cart to its maximum potential of 5 sun-hours of peak sun.) 

From an economic perspective, this conversion also makes good sense.  The base cost (not including custom fitting, if necessary) is only $1,995.00 (plus shipping and handling as required) — and up to 30% of the purchase price can be applied as a Federal Tax Credit on IRS Form #3468!  

We will soon be delivering two solar-powered 6 passenger, forward facing, street legal NEV’s to Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia!                                    

With a full nationwide warranty, nationwide delivery available, and flexible lease/loan programs, this state-of-the-art technology makes both environmental and economic sense for your GatorMoto Utility Vehicle.  Call us today at (904) 247-1818 to find out more, or visit our website at

http://www.gatormotoutilityvehicles.com/accessories-golf-cart-solar-roof-kit.php.

The recent explosion and sinking of BP’s Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig in the Gulf Of Mexico, and the resulting pollution of miles of coastline, should give everyone a reason for reconsidering our national dependence on oil and other fossil fuels.

The area threatened near the mouth of the Mississippi River is responsible for the production of nearly 1/3 of the nation’s seafood, and the breeding ground for hundreds of other types of wildlife.  Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, has called this an event “of National significance” and President Obama has halted all offshore drilling for oil at this time.

While BP is responsible for cleaning up the leak, which is spilling 210,000 gallons per day of crude oil into the environmentally sensitive area, US government agencies and the Coast Guard are heavily involved in the clean up.  Even if the clean up is successful, it will have a decades-long impact on the ecology of the area.

This seems like a good time to look at alternative energy sources, including solar, wind power and natural gas, which can all be used to produce electricity.  Electric-powered vehicles are not only quiet and clean to operate, but widespread use of them would mean no new drilling for oil … ever!

Curtis Instruments, founded in December, 1960, began in a one-room office in Mt. Kisco, New York. Today, fifty years later, with locations in New York, California, The United Kingdom, Puerto Rico and France, they are world renowned as a technology leader in electric vehicle instrumentation and controls, serving a global marketplace. Curtis Instruments is an ISO 9001:2008 registered company, actively working toward ISO 14000 certification.
 
The company’s commitment to quality subjects each component to a series of stress and reliability tests. Components undergo severe stress, shock, vibration, temperature and humidity tests and in case of defect, they subject all in-warranty returns to an exacting Failure Analysis and Root Cause Analysis allowing systematic corrective action to prevent future failures.
 
GatorMoto Utility Vehicles chose the Curtis PMC Model 1268 SepEx (Separately Excited) Electronic Motor Speed Controller for use in most of their electric vehicles because of their reputation for quality and the thoroughness of their testing programs.  This controller is specifically designed for use in heavy-duty golf/utility vehicles and is programmable and microprocessor-based, with an advanced MOSFET power section for smooth and seamless control of separately excited motors.  
 
MOSFET technology provides smooth, silent, efficient and cost-effective operation. Adjustable parameters allow custom optimization of speed, torque and braking control. The system uses a Hall effect speed sensor on the motor or drive train to control vehicle speed. There is also a tow switch to enable free rolling during towing . The anti-rollback function provides improved control when throttle is released on hills and the anti-stall function helps prevent motor commutator damage. 
 
This controller also provides extensive fault detection and diagnostic reporting using a Curtis Programmer (not available in shuttles), including (partial list): main contactor weld check and driver check; throttle and wiring faults; open or shorted motor field winding; over-temperature; missing or failed speed sensor; armature drive failure; battery voltage; throttle input; direction and throttle switch operation; motor field and armature currents; and controller heatsink temperature.
 
For more information, data sheets and an online manual can be found at their website at:  http://curtisinstruments.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cProducts.dspProductCategory&cat

GatorMoto Utility Vehicles is pleased to announce something new in the Low Speed Vehicle world … The Electro Bubble Buddy Mountaineer LSV!

Designed to look like a classic sport vehicle, it is rugged and extremely powerful — perfect for rough and hilly terrain.  With an optional 6.3 kW motor, it can handle more inclined surfaces than any other electric vehicle!  Street legal up to 25 mph, it will climb up to a 20% incline effortlessly. 

With a 72 volt engine with DC converter to 12 volts, 5 speed electric transmission, front axle independent suspension, integrative rear axle with leaf spring and vibration absorber, rack and pinon steering with automatic rocker compensating function and front disc brake and rear drum brake with hydraulic system, this vehicle is the choice of municipalities, police, EMTs, fire departments and other applications which require more torque in the engine.  It can also be ordered with optional LED emergency light bars.  Other available options include custom graphics, custom body color, storage cover, quick charging system, DVD player with monitor, and back up cameras.

The Electro Buddy Mountaineer LSV features a Curtis Controller, Trojan 105 batteries, 12:49:1 axle ratio for climbing, AM/FM/CD with speakers, two-tone paint scheme, rear lockable trunk, DOT approved seat belts, AS-1 certified windshield, and 2 on board charger units.  Black vinyl captains chairs with adjustable backs and adjustable formed arm rests provide comfortable seating for up to four passengers.

The price for this amazing vehicle is only $17,900.00 plus shipping and handling, if required, and the 5 kW model is eligible for the federal 10% tax credit!