JOHNSON SPACE CENTER 

2017-2018 ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 3

Update From the 

Sustainability Team

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword: Update from Sustainability Team

Section 1: Sustainability at Johnson Space Center

Section 2: Sustainability Score Card

Section 3: Vision Workshop

Section 4: Hurricane Harvey

Section 5: Success Stories

Section 6: How Sustainability Links to Climate Change

Cover Photo: Earthrise shot by Apollo 8 mission astronaut Bill Anders on December 24, 1968. This image has become one of the most popular 

photographs ever taken and was iconic to the environmental movement. Credit: NASA

Background Photo: Acaba, Vande Hei, and Misurkin return to earth after 168 days in space. Credit: NASA

The Johnson Space Center (JSC) is committed to Sustainability. This is 

apparent in Center Operations’ projects that make better use of our 

resources, such as LED lighting installations and the Combined Heat and 

Power plant, while maintaining a safe and enjoyable workplace.

This year, JSC, Headquarters, and Marshall collaborated in a workshop to 

decide the goals that reflect a JSC vision for sustainability. Mentioned in that 

workshop was the Space Act of 1958 which states the founding purpose 

and function of NASA. It emphasizes a spirit of cooperation and peaceful 

objectives, none of which are lost in pursuit of sustainable operations. Here is 

a glimpse of those foundational goals from the original NASA charter:

DECLARATION OF POLICY AND PURPOSE Sec. 102. 

(a) The Congress hereby declares that it is the policy of the United States that activities in space should be 

devoted to peaceful purposes for the benefit of all mankind. (c) The aeronautical and space activities of the 

United States shall be conducted so as to contribute materially to one or more of the following objectives:

(1) The expansion of human knowledge of phenomena in the atmosphere and space;

(5) The preservation of the role of the United States as a leader in aeronautical and space science 

and technology and in the application thereof to the conduct of peaceful activities within and outside 

the atmosphere.

(8) The most effective utilization of the scientific and engineering resources of the United States, with 

close cooperation among all interested agencies of the United States in order to avoid unnecessary 

duplication of effort, facilities, and equipment.

This compliments the myriad ways we can pursue projects and infrastructure and the importance of 

connecting with the surrounding community. We are guided by the principles of sustainability to engineer 

the most effective facilities and equipment for our purposes, and to reduce the duplication of efforts. 

This endeavor is the responsibility of each one of us, to identify in our work the ability to eliminate 

unnecessary expenditures of energy. We must persistently create a culture of responsibility to the planet 

in order to sustain the resources that help us meet our mission. 

-Stacy Shutts, JSC Sustainability Coordinator
4 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018

5

Johnson Space Center strives to maintain a sustainable campus 

environment through implementing 

policies that improve air, energy, 

land, water, and material/waste 

resources in order to promote the 

health of the planet and operate in 

a way that benefits our neighbors. 

Building from NASA’s agency 

sustainability policy to “execute 

the mission without compromising 

our planet’s resources so that 

future generations can meet their 

needs,” and the Agency Strategic 

Sustainability Performance Plan 

(SSPP), Johnson Space Center hopes 

to promote a future where the 

environment and living conditions 

are protected and enhanced. 

“execute the 

mission without 

compromising our 

planet’s resources 

so that future 

generations can 

meet their needs”

This Annual Sustainability Report 

documents efforts which advance 

the sustainability of the Center and 

serve as an example of how NASA is 

playing an active role in our planet’s 

continued conservation. 

Each section of this report describes 

the roadmap for how sustainability is 

approached at JSC through detailing 

the applicable sustainability goals, 

interesting facts about the resource, 

and what individuals can do to 

help. This report is by no means an 

exhaustive list of current projects 

and more information is available 

on the JSC Sustainability Website 

at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/

johnson/about/sustainability.

Johnson Space Center strives to 

follow sustainability guidelines 

that will ensure the continued 

environmental health of our campus, 

surrounding community, and world. 

The standards which we strive to 

follow are outlined in the Executive 

Order (EO) 13693- Planning 

For Federal Sustainability in the 

Next Decade. Aimed to mitigate 

greenhouse gas emissions and 

promoting resource conservation, 

EO 13693 sets efficiency marks for 

ten different metrics concerning 

topics such as water sustainability 

and waste management. 

- Matthew Strausser, JSC Wildlife Biologist

- Cadan Cummings, JSC Planning & Integration Intern, Spring 2018

Photo: Wildflowers bloom near rocket park. Credit: NASA 

1. Sustainability at Johnson Space Center
6 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 7

Functional Area Criteria Status JSC’s Overall Score

1. GHG Emissions Reduction

1) Reduce Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 18% in FY 2017 compared to a FY 2008 baseline. Total 

reduction target is 47% by FY 2025. These emissions pertain to sources owned or controlled by 

the government (e.g. government fleet, stationary sources) and purchased electricity, heat or steam.

2) Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions by 12% in FY 2017 compared to a FY 2008 baseline. Total 

reduction target is 32% by FY 2025. These emissions pertain to activities not directly controlled by 

government such as emissions from non-government vehicles (e.g. employee travel, commuting).

2. Sustainable Buildings

Meet the following targets: 1) reduce energy intensity in JSC goal subject (GS) facilities by 5% in 

FY 2017 compared to a FY 2015 baseline; 2) identify strategies to evaluate existing buildings for 

future compliance to the revised Guiding Principles, and achieving energy, waste or water net-zero 

status in GS facilities; 3) identify strategies to evaluate new buildings designs for incorporation of 

climate-resilient design elements.

3. Renewable Energy

Have at least 10% of JSC’s FY 2017 electricity consumption come from renewable sources. These 

sources include renewable energy generated and used on JSC, renewable energy generated on JSC 

but used off-site, and the purchase of renewable energy certificates from non-JSC sources.

4. Potable Water Intensity Reduction

Reduce Johnson Space Center’s water intensity by at least 20% in FY 2017 as compared to a FY 

2007 baseline.

5. Fleet Management Emissions Reduction

Meet the following targets: 1) reduce JSC’s fleet per mile emissions by 4% as compared to an FY 

2014 baseline; 2) ensure purchased or leased vehicle acquisitions are at least 75% EPAct Alternative 

Fuel Vehicles.

Green: Meets both goals

Yellow: Meets one of the goals

Red: Does not meet either goal

Green: Meet all three targets

Yellow: Meet two of the three targets

Red: Meet fewer than two targets

Green: Source at least 10% electricity from 

renewables 

Yellow: Source at least 7.5% but less than 10% 

electricity from renewables

Red: Did not source at least 7.5 % electricity from 

renewables

Green: Reduce water intensity by at least 20%

Yellow: Reduce water intensity by at least 18% 

but less than 20%

Red: Reduce water intensity by less than 18%

Green: Meet both targets

Yellow: Meet one of the two targets

Red: Did not meet either target

GREEN

1) Yes, 27% (-49K MtCo2e)

2) Yes, 19% (-4K MtCo2e)

YELLOW

1) No, -4.9% (-11K Btu/gsf)

2) Yes

3) Yes

GREEN

14% (21M Kwh)

RED

16% (-12.7M gal/gsf)

YELLOW

1) Data Not Available at Center level

2) Yes

Agency Sustainability Goals 2. FY2017 Scorecard
8 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 9

Functional Area Criteria Metrics Does JSC Meet Metric?

6. Sustainable Acquisition

1) Ensure sustainable performance and sustainability factors are considered to the maximum 

extent possible for all applicable procurements, 2) Meet statutory mandates that require purchase 

preference for sustainable acquisitions programs.

7. Pollution Prevention and Waste Management

Meet the following targets: 1) divert at least 50% of non-hazardous, non-Construction and Demolition (C&D) solid waste; 2) divert at least 50% of C&D waste.

8. Energy Performance Contracts

Maintain at least two energy performance contracts. Performance contracting allows the government to partner with private industry on energy and water conservation projects and pay for them 

with the resulting cost savings.

9. Electronic Stewardship

1) All computers and electronics have power management features, 2) Follow environmentally 

sound methods for disposal.

10. Climate Change Mitigation

Determine long- and short- term mission criticality to inform 1) design of new construction and 

modernization to increase climate resilience, 2) evaluation of new construction for floodplain considerations, 3) determine design parameters that balance options to address climate change, cost, 

and security with low and no cost resilience measures, and 4) take actions to mitigate risk, cost, 

climate impacts, and phased adaptation over time.

Green: Meets target

Yellow: Meets 50% of target

Red: Meets less than 50% of target

Green: Meet both targets

Yellow: Meet one of the two targets

Red: Did not meet either target

Green: Initiate two energy performance contracts

Yellow: Initiate one energy performance contract

Red: No energy performance contracts initiated

Green: Meet both targets

Yellow: Meet one of the two targets

Red: Did not meet either target

Green: Progress in all four areas

Yellow: Progress in three areas

Red: Progress in two or fewer areas

YELLOW

1) Yes

2) No, 77% compliant purchases 

(Improvement from 2016)

YELLOW

1) No, 48% diversion (Harvey impacted)

2) Yes, 83% diversion

GREEN

Yes, Honeywell and CHP

GREEN

1) Yes

2) Yes

GREEN

1) Yes

2) Yes

3) Yes

4) Yes

Agency Sustainability Goals

FY2017 Scorecard
10 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 11

Johnson Space Center conducted a Sustainability Workshop in February 2018 to update the center sustainability vision and mission to serve as guidance for present and future projects. As part of the 

workshop, participants performed a SWOT-VP analysis which highlights Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, 

Threats, Vision, and Purpose of Sustainability. In addition to drawing themes from participant responses, the 

workshop served as an opportunity to benchmark other federal centers and public institutions to learn 

how JSC can improve with sustainability efforts. 

Using the information collected from the SWOT-VP analysis and document review sessions, workshop 

participants developed sustainability vision and mission statements that will act in guiding future sustainability 

efforts. 

Sustainability Mission Statement

“Enable a better NASA by being a leader in good stewardship of our JSC 

Center, community, and planet for future generations.” 

Sustainability Vision Statement

“Empower a culture of responsibility to sustain a fiscally & environmentally 

resourceful campus in support of the Agency’s goals.”

3. SustainabilityVision Workshop

Focal Points of Sustainability

Partner with community groups • Alternative Transportation 

Reduced GHG Emissions • Net-Zero Buildings • Alternative 

Uses for Existing Resources • Foster Culture Change • 

Prioritize Energy-Efficiency • Maintain a Relevant Vision 

Plan • Foster Resilient Campus • Work with Local & 

Federal Regulations • Prioritize Water Sustainability 

Maintain a Sustainable Business Image • Manage an EnergyEfficient Fleet Prioritize Recycling • Sustainable Campus 

Landscaping • Optimizing Building Efficiencies • Pursue 

Renewable Energy Opportunities • Prevent Pollution • Be 

Leader in Educational Publications • Technology Stewardship

2018 Sustainability Workshop Brainstorming Session. Credit: NASA

JSC Sustainability Logo

These 10 goals are combined by the resource they 

most directly impact- air, water, land, energy, materials, 

and people. This provides JSC employees another way 

to connect with the goals of the Executive Order and 

understand what it is we are sustaining for center 

operations and the NASA mission.
12 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 13

4. SustainabilityHarvey and Resiliency Planning

Photo: Bicycle pedestrian crossing boulevard in central campus. Credit: NASA

Hurricane Harvey Rainfall, Building 30 Mission Control Center

Successful Hurricane Mitigation Efforts

Hurricane Harvey

JSC was hit with record rainfall in August 2017. 

Although Mission Control stayed operable 

during this period, the rest of the Center was closed. 

The rainfall approximated the 250 year exceedance 

value for rainfall. JSC received funding to repair and, 

in some cases, improve and plan for more resilient 

infrastructure. 

Projections from the NASA Climate Adaptation 

Science Investigators (CASI)Workroup that closed 

in 2016 show that sea level rise will incrementally 

increase in the next 60 years, which may exacerbate 

the effects and level of storm surge experienced. In 

the past, responding to Ike storm surge, JSC made 

various improvements to infrastructure including 

flood resistant doors, equipment flaps and increased 

intakes. Currently, Center Operations is working 

to incorporate raised guard shacks as one measure 

of improvement to reduce flooding. 

JSC Resiliency Planning

Funding provided for recovery and improvements 

post-Hurricane Harvey includes development of 

a resiliency plan. This is an opportunity to improve 

existing emergency plans and risk assessments 

of the JSC site during worst case and emergency 

scenarios. Although climate risks are both top-of 

mind and contextually relevant, other risks- such as 

cyber or chemical attacks- are important to assess 

as well in a resiliency plan.

This summer, Center Operations intern, Natalie 

Zimmermann, compiled a Situational Awareness 

and Trends document. This review of historical and 

projected trends from data such as temperature, 

precipitation, and sea level rise, will be used as a 

baseline for stakeholders to review and assess 

critical infrastructure needs based on worst 

case scenarios and future predictions. It will also 

contribute to the NASA HQ Agency Climate Risks 

Assessment. Statutory authority for assessment of 

risks and climate awareness includes:

a) 31 USC §1115 Helps in managing a high-risk 

management challenge identified by the Government 

Accountability Office, specifically NASA-Johnson 

Space Center’s financial exposure to climate change.

b) 31 USC §3512 References safeguarding funds, 

property and other assets at NASA-Johnson Space 

Center.

c) 15 USC §2938 Agencies are mandated to use U.S. 

Global Change Research findings pursuant to their 

statutory obligations and responsibilities.

d) 51 USC §60506 NASA is mandated to share 

climate information.

An example of the historical data for division 8, 

Houston’s division, shows drought conditions. 

Upward trends in drought conditions have proven 

most drastic during the fall season. Data like this will 

help inform JSC stakeholders of risks that hold the 

potential for affecting employees or infrastructure. 

Planning for these risks will help JSC prepare and 

plan for resiliency in the face of likely or worst case 

scenarios.

-Stacy Shutts, JSC Sustainability Coordinator
14 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 15

Sustainability Success Story

Fuel Efficient and Vanpool Parking

Photo: Bicycle pedestrian crossing boulevard in central campus. Credit: NASA

5. SustainabilitySuccess Stories

I

n 2018, there were many JSC sustainability successes. On the following pages, we outline the following 

notable accomplishments, many of which are ongoing:

• Ride Sharing

• Free Range Bike Program

• Building 21 Construction

• Living Lab

• Prairie Chickens

• Biobased Products

• Combined Heat and Power Plant

• JSC Landscape Standards

• Bike to Work Day

This report by no means presents an exhaustive list of current projects and more information is available 

on the JSC Sustainability Website. E-mail JSC-Sustainability@mail.nasa.gov to share your successes or ideas for 

improving sustainability at JSC.

Warnecke Miller, from JSC’s legal 

office, and her children helped 

out at the 2018 Volunteer 

Wetland Planting Day at 

Exploration Green. Pictured 

with Mary Carol Edwards, Wetlands 

Coordinator for the Texas 

Watershed Community Partners.

Did you know Another 

way to receive reserved 

parking, save on gas, and 

vehicle maintenance is the 

MetroStar Vanpool. Report 

this cost of transportation 

quarterly in the JF220 form to 

bridget.l.broussard-guidry@nasa.

gov. Your taxable income will be 

reduced by the amount that you 

paid that year.

Low-Emitting / Fuel-Efficient Parking 

Decals

Building 21 presented an opportunity for JSC to get rewarded 

for decreasing its transportation footprint. The United States 

Green Building Council (USGBC) makes standards and certifies Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 

buildings. The “Location and Transportation” category intends 

to reduce (GHG) from vehicles. An entity can achieve credits 

by designating low-emitting/fuel-efficient vehicle parking.

Data from the EPA shows that of the total U.S. greenhouse 

gas emissions (GHG) in 2016, transportation accounted for 

nearly 28.5% from combustion of petroleum-based fuels. According to the USGBC Reference Guide, the intent of incentivizing the purchase of green vehicles is to decrease public 

health risks and emission of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and 

particulate matter.

To qualify, green vehicles must meet third-party standards that 

comprehensively measure both fuel efficiency and emissions. 

Greenercars.org provides a current list of such vehicles. A 

Building 21 occupant with a qualified vehicle (correlating vehicle make, model, and year) may request a “green leaf” decal 

from the Building 21 Facility Manager. This decal is placed on 

the driver’s windshield next to the registration sticker.

The reward for building users who drive green vehicles is 

access to closer parking spaces to the building’s entrance. JSC 

Security monitors the LE/FE spaces for violations based on 

the green leaf decal, which are pursuant to “reserved parking” 

regulations. For a list of those vehicles, visit https://greenercars.org/news/list-leed-qualified-cars.

- Carl Diehl, LEED Project Manager at Gilbane
16 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 17

Bike to Work Day On April 19, 2018, approximately 70 people hit the roads 

early in the morning to bike to work. For the third 

consecutive year JSC cyclists and members of the sustainability 

team organized a community Bike to Work Day, and the event 

continues to grow in awareness and community support. This 

year alone, Nassau Bay, Webster, and League City contributed 

their efforts to the event with police support, street cleaning, or 

employee time-off.

Six groups of cyclists, organized geographically and assigned a 

champion to lead the ride, arrived at the Gilruth Center. Local 

bike shops, bike mechanics and supporting organizations were 

at booths to greet the cyclists. After food and comraderie, JSC 

employees ride to their offices, making time to shower at the 

Gilruth or onsite facilities.

Kirstyn Johnston has led the charge for Bike to Work Day. She 

moved to Houston from Boulder, Colorado, and wanted to see 

more effort put towards bike infrastructure for safer commutes 

in this area. With her initiative, JSC has discussed these goals 

with entities such as the Texas Department of Transportation 

and the Houston-Galveston Area Council.

- Kirstyn Johnson, Bike to Work Day Organizer

Sustainability Success Story

Alternative Commuting

Ridesharing I

am a Flight Controller/Instructor for the 

International Space Station (ISS) program and 

I live up in Midtown Houston. I love living in the 

city because I can bike to everything up in town. 

The drive to and from work can be a little tough, 

but I am part of a carpool with some other JSC 

coworkers and that helps lessen the load. The 

carpool was started 6-7 years ago in the 

Attitude Determination and Control 

Officer Motion Control Group 

(ADCO/MCG) and the lead has 

rotated over the years. I am 

leading it now, but for the last 

few years, Steve Deterling, 

Mission Systems Operations 

Contract (MSOC) manager, 

and I have traded coordinating 

responsibilities every 6-12 

months.

 We have about half a dozen regular 

members that live in Montrose/Midtown. 

Members enter their schedule regarding carpool 

availability in a spreadsheet, and then I plan for 

who drives/rides each evening and send out a 

message to our group chat in WhatsApp. We have 

three parking spots that allow us to park a little 

closer when we carpool. I really enjoy being able 

to get to and from work without actively driving 

sometimes, and it feels great to help have one 

less car on I-45. It’s also a unique opportunity to 

chat with coworkers in other directorates that 

we may not ever meet otherwise. Those crossdirectorate conversations can help foster the kind 

of collaboration across organizations that is part 

of the JSC 2.0 vision.

I also try to bike to work every 1-2 months with 

my partner, who also works at JSC. It’s a 25 mile 

ride and takes just under 2 hours, mostly on Rt. 3 

until Space Center Blvd. Early on Friday mornings, 

the traffic isn’t bad at all. The showers in B12 are 

key! We stage a car on Thursday night and drive 

home that afternoon with the bikes on the back 

of the car (the roads are just too busy to bike 

north on Friday afternoons). We have biked down 

with coworkers at a variety of different cycling 

experience levels. Even if you’re new to biking, 

if you have spare tubes, a couple bottles of water, 

and a positive attitude, you can do it! 

Our carpool group would love more members! 

We are very flexible on timing and the more 

folks involved, the more possibilities there are for 

schedules lining up! Feel free to contact me via 

email if you’d like to carpool (or bike with us) – 

megan.l.harvey@nasa.gov.”

- Megan Harvey, ADCO/MCG

- Edits by Steven P. Deterling, MSOC Manager

Our carpool group would 

love more members! We are 

very flexible on timing and 

the more folks involved, the 

more possibilities there are for 

schedules lining up!
18 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 19

Photo: Bicycle pedestrian crossing boulevard in central campus. Credit: NASA

The Free Range Bike Program 

started 15 years ago as a 

Christmas gift to the JSC employees 

from the Center Operations Director, 

Joel Walker. This was a new and 

sustainable way to truck from building 

to building at a faster pace and a little 

wind in their face. With no sign in or 

sign out method for these new bikes, 

employees could freely hop on one, 

ride to their destination and ride back 

at their leisure. 

It started with a total of 10 bikes and 

has grown to 360+ free range bikes 

across the center, which increases 

the chances that a bike will always 

be available to anyone on-site who 

desires to ride. As the center became 

more innovative with JSC 2.0, so did 

the free range bike program. Today, the 

bikes have QR code labels that can be 

scanned to report a broken bike to 

the center’s bike repair technician. This 

keeps the bikes maintained properly 

and the center free of multiple 

defunct bikes as eyesores. Overall, the 

program has assisted with increasing 

exercise for the employees, lowering 

greenhouse gas emissions and getting 

employees where they need to be in a 

timely manner. 

Sustainability Success Story

Free Range Bike Program

Did you know the free range bike program is partially composed 

of abandoned bikes that were left in disrepair and fixed up by the 

center for public use, what better way to re-use a resource? 

“Overall, the program has 

assisted with increasing 

exercise for the employees, 

lowering greenhouse gas 

emissions and getting 

employees where they need 

to be in a timely manner.”

Further encouragement to 

participate in the bicycle 

share program was 

undertaken this spring 

when bluetooth 

tracking capabilities 

were added. With 

the introduction of 

bluetooth tracking, 

Johnson Space 

Center community 

members are able to 

more easily find bicycles 

nearby their workplace 

or parking area. Up to this 

point, approximately 200 bicycles 

have been retrofitted with Bluetooth 

beacons along with 25 Bluetooth 

tracking stations in buildings across 

the JSC campus. 

-Syreeta Watkins, Free Range 

Bike Program Manager
20 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 21

Sustainability Success Story 

Building 21 Construction

Photo: Aerial view of Building 21 Credit: NASA

Construction of building 21 wrapped 

up on July 26, 2017 and is now 

occupied by the Human Health and 

Performance Laboratory. The building 

is an achievement for JSC campus 

sustainability because it was built to 

consolidate several obsolete facilities 

into one. This decreases the footprint 

of infrastructure at JSC while fostering 

collaboration and creativity among staff 

that support diverse biomedical 

and biological sciences. From 

an environmental perspective, 

Building 21 adds to the 

already well-established 

list of green buildings 

on campus as upon 

certification it will become 

the 10th LEED certified 

building on the JSC campus.

“....Upon certification 

[Building 21] will 

become the 10th LEED 

certified building on the JSC 

campus.”

Energy-efficient features are first 

evident in the north/south building 

orientation of the outside exposures. 

Unique to most other buildings on the 

JSC campus, Building 21 was designed 

Building 21 At A Glance:

• 118,000 square feet

• 17 laboratories, 44 offices, 250 open 

workstations, eight huddle rooms

• 8,000 square foot high bay as well 

as microscopy and tissue culture rooms

• Showcases 57 works of art that 

commemorate the history of space 

exploration

to angle toward the existing street 

yet also match the daily sun path. This 

design feature makes the structure 

blend into the existing infrastructure 

while decreasing the utility demands 

for the building. This also enhances the 

workplace environment by incorporating 

large naturally lit areas that connect 

the two wings and foster collaboration 

between different biomedical and 

biological science groups. 

In addition, the combinations and 

placement of offices, huddle rooms, 

laboratories, and conference rooms, 

makes smart use of the footprint to 

foster collaboration and maximize 

productive spaces. 

- Jeff White, B21 Construction 

Project Manager

Did you know the Human 

Health and Performance 

Laboratory formerly occupied 

part of Building 37 which 

was the site of the Apollo 

quarantine program and lunar 

rock receiving lab?
22 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 23

Sustainability Success Story 

Living Lab The HSB Living Lab at Chalmers 

University in Gothenburg, Sweden, 

has been contributing to innovation 

at JSC since 2016. Thanks to Larry 

Toups of the Exploration Mission 

and Planning Office of EISD, four 

workshops have contributed ideas 

and collaboration across the globe! 

Between the Johnson Space Center, 

Rice University’s Oshman Engineering 

Design Kitchen (OEDK), and Chalmers 

University, virtual collaboration has 

allowed professionals and students 

to co-create on various topics such 

as laundry, cooking, growing food 

and recycling wastes to reduce 

environmental impact. 

The results have led to prototypes 

designed and built by Rice senior 

engineering students for apartmentsized greenhouses, hydroponics, sensor, 

lighting, and space configurations for 

small spaces, and garbage disposals 

that provide easy access to ground 

foods for compost systems. On a few 

occasions, students have followed up 

the workshops with demonstrations 

of their prototypes in the JSC cafeteria, 

where they receive informal feedback 

from NASA employees. At one point, 

lighting engineers were providing 

advice to students demonstrating 

hydroponics, and on another the 

students were communicating the 

benefits of the compost and variable 

turn rates and durations of 

processing.

These workshops offer a 

platform for professionals 

to enter questions - like 

those in the NASA@

work Challenge- to get a 

multitude of backgrounds 

engaging on an issue. 

Steve Rader of NASA@

Work has mentioned the 

benefits of this cross-discipline 

influence, noting that a recent 

study showed that up to 70% more 

solutions come from collaboration of 

this type than of specialists narrowed 

on a problem without outside influence.

“70% more solutions come 

from collaboration of this 

type than of specialists 

narrowed on a problem 

without outside influence.”

This is one avenue of influence to 

vet decisions and ideas from current 

students, professors and professionals.

- Larry Toups, JSC Exploration 

Missions Planning Office
24 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 25

From a behavioral perspective, prairie chickens are 

distinctive because they perform mating practices 

June through mid-May called booming, 

a sound made by males amplified 

by inflating their air sacs. During 

booming a male bird taps its feet 

quickly across the ground- also 

known as drumming- to attract 

female individuals. Female birds 

then build a nest from grasses and 

other materials on the ground 

where they lay around 10 to 12 

eggs. Eggs hatch approximately 

25 days later with around seventy 

percent lost to predation. Fortunately 

Johnson Space Center, has constructed a 

protective mesh building to prevent predators 

from harming the prairie chickens or their eggs. 

Predators include hawks, owls, coyotes, raccoons, 

skunks, fire ants, opossums, and snakes- are of which 

are present at Johnson Space Center. 

The species generally eats grass shoots, flower petals, 

and small insects such as grasshoppers. Urbanization 

had a substantial effect on the available prairie lands 

for Attwater’s Prairie Chickens to inhabit. At one 

time, the habitat for Attwater’s Prairie Chickens 

included six-million acres of prairie extending down 

Attwater’s Prairie Chicken is a species of 

endangered bird endemic to the Western Texas 

Gulf Coast. The species was listed as endangered in 

1967 and in 1973 the Endangered Species Act provided 

protection to the birds. Current population estimates 

suggest that fewer than 40 individuals exist in the wild. 

In partnership with the Houston Zoo, Johnson Space 

Center has developed a breeding facility on two acres 

of land located in the northwest quadrant of campus. 

As of Spring 2018, the facility is home to thirty-eight 

individuals, all of which are adult breeding age. The 

joint project partnership between JSC and Houston 

Zoo started in 2005 and is ongoing with birds bred 

at Johnson Space Center and egg hatching occuring 

at the Houston Zoo. 

These ground-dwelling birds are a species of grouse 

which can be distinguished by their brown, black and 

buff-colored feathers. Weighing in at around 1.5 to 

2.0 pounds, the species is a medium-sized bird which 

generally is approximately 17-18 inches tall. Similar 

to most species of birds, Attwater’s Prairie Chicken 

is sexually dimorphic which means that male and 

female individuals exhibit different characteristics. 

Male individuals have elongated feathers as well as a 

bright orange or yellow air sac on either side of their 

neck. Conversely, female birds lack air sacks and are 

generally slightly taller than male individuals. 

Sustainability Success Story 

Prairie Chickens

Did you know the 

Attwater’s Prairie Chicken 

was once a key species to 

the Texas Coastal Prairie 

but now is limited to JSC, 

Houston Zoo, and less than 

40 individuals in the wild? 

the Texas Gulf Coast. Tragically, the Gulf Prairie has dramatically decreased 

in size with current estimates suggesting that approximately one-percent 

of the prairie remains. 

- Sandy Parker, Master Naturalist

- Mollie Coym, Senior Bird Keeper at the Houston Zoo

Below photos: Texas Master Naturalist Galveston Bay Area Chapter team battles invasive species

“The joint project 

partnership between JSC 

and Houston Zoo started 

in 2005 and is ongoing 

with birds bred at 

Johnson Space Center 

and egg hatching 

occurring at the 

Houston Zoo.”
26 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 27 Biobased products are items that are 

made from plant-based materials. By law, 

all federal agencies are required to purchase 

specific items with recycled or biobased 

content. In many circumstances, biobased 

products have the potential to improve 

efficiency and reduce waste generation in 

comparison with their petroleum-based 

counterparts. JSC continues to make strides 

towards increasing biobased purchases and 

finding more effective and environmentally 

friendly alternatives for various processes 

onsite. In FY 2017, JSC personnel implemented 

several pilot projects for biobased products to 

assist in this initiative.

JSC Facilities Support Services Contract 

coordinated with the NASA Headquarters’ 

Recycling and Sustainable Acquisitions 

Principal Center to try a biobased passenger 

vehicle engine oil in three vehicles. Through 

a partnership between NASA and the 

Department of Defense/Defense Logistics 

Agency, the product and used oil testing were 

provided at no cost to NASA for an entire 

year. Based on test results, the used biobased 

oil tested remained within usable parameters, 

indicating appropriate product performance and 

potentially future use at NASA.

The JSC Fabrication Shop personnel initiated 

a pilot study for a biobased metalworking 

coolant when the current biobased product 

was discontinued by the manufacturer. Another 

compliant, biobased product was required that 

meets JSC’s stringent aerospace requirements. 

JSC personnel already reduced waste with 

the initial switch to the first biobased coolant 

and wanted to maintain the same or better 

efficiency with any new products. The 

coolant also needs to be compatible with a variety of metals, including 

aluminum and titanium. The in-machine trial started in early 2017, and 

shop personnel have reported positive results. In 2018, the selected 

biobased coolant went through additional testing and obtained 

approval for machining titanium, which will allow for the shop to 

fully convert to the new biobased product. Results from this 

project are already being shared with other NASA Centers.

These efforts represent only a portion of what JSC and 

other NASA Centers are doing to increase environmentally 

preferable purchasing and reduce waste generation. Efforts 

across NASA are ongoing to meet regulatory requirements and 

improve performance. Together, JSC can continuously become 

more efficient and environmentally friendly while completing our 

mission to lead human space flight. If you have any ideas for process 

improvements or opportunities for environmentally friendly product 

alternative trials, please contact the JSC Environmental Office at JSCEnvironmental-Office@mail.nasa.gov.

- Jennifer Morrison, JSC Sustainability and Recycling Lead

Sustainability Success Story 

Biobased Products
28 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 29

Sustainability Success Story 

JSC Landscape Standards

JSC aims to execute NASA’s mission without compromising our Earth’s 

resources, so that the future generations can meet their needs. We aim to use 

public funds effectively and efficiently to promote the health and safety of our 

environment. The JSC Landscape Standards aim to do just that, and streamline 

the process of sustainability by providing guidance standards to help maintain and 

strengthen the identity and character of our campus. 

They outline landscaping best practices for both maintenance and new construction. 

Adhering to the JSC Landscape Standards guidelines, while undertaking new 

projects and maintaining existing ones, preserves the beauty of our 

campus at JSC while protecting natural wildlife and preventing harm to 

the surrounding habitats.

“The JSC Landscape Standards have 

been developed to be a resource for JSC 

planners, engineers, and contractors when 

planning new projects and continuing the 

maintenance of existing ones.”

The JSC Landscaping Standards are a policy statement that 

reflect our sustainability goals at JSC. They outline guidance for 

the landscaped areas on site, such as maintaining aesthetics, reducing 

maintenance cost, lowering water demand, and creating healthy wildlife 

populations. To promote the exchange of ideas and best practices, the JSC 

Landscape Standards will be a living document with regular updates addressing 

lessons learned and current best practices.

- Rena Schlachter, Master Planner, JSC Planning and Integration

- Natalie Zimmerman, JSC Center Operations Intern, Summer 2018

Field populated with Texas natives after demolition of ArcJet facility at JSC. Smaller image taken in spring bloom. JSC Landscape Standards Key Contributors (left to right): Matthew Swanson, Rena Schlachter, Natalie Zimmerman, and 

Yong Yi. Not pictured: JSC former interns Jessica Moore and Cadan Cummings.
30 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 31

Sustainability Success Story

Combined Heat and Power Plant 

The Combined Heat and 

Power Plant (CHP) at JSC 

was planned in response to the 

vulnerability of brownouts faced 

in the Houston region. These 

occur when the electrical grid is 

strained to meet demand, causing 

limited power to be delivered to 

consumers. In JSC’s case, this is a 

threat to critical operations.

In a decade’s time, this successful 

partnership has come to fruition! 

By utilizing an Energy Savings 

Performance Contract (ESPC), the 

capital for installation, operations 

and maintenance costs are 

financed for a period of 22 

years. Energy savings are used to pay back the ESPC contractor.

Reduced carbon emissions and reduction in reported energy 

use by almost half are two of the results this system was 

designed to accomplish. In this system natural gas is brought 

on-site to generate electricity, versus the previous mode of 

operations in which all electricity was purchased from the 

grid. With one fuel, natural gas, electricity, steam and chilled 

water are produced. This is a tri-generation system.

Regardless of the net reductions in energy used, the CHP is a 

combustion power plant, which triggers different environmental 

reporting requirements for the Greenhouse Gas emissions on-site. 

It may appear that JSC is now using more energy, it is due to the fact 

that we are generating more electricity on site rather than purchasing from 

off site. This reported as site vs. source emissions. It allows JSC to take credit 

for making the power where we use it and not suffering from any line losses 

from a remote location. We also benefit from the use of the waste heat. 

“Overall, the CHP is estimated to save just under 20,000 

metric tons of CO2 emissions/year!”

- Melissa McKinnley, CHP Project Manager

Did you know the CHP will generate approximately 70 

percent of JSC’s peak electrical load, making it possible for JSC 

to operate critical resources after natural disasters such as 

hurricanes and floods?

Aerial view of building 24 and the newly constructed CHP. Credit: NASA
32 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 33

Sustainability Success Story 

Building 12 Green Roof Research

Texas A&M University (TAMU) formalized a partnership with JSC in the 

beginning of 2018 with the intent to study native species adaptability 

on the Building 12 green roof. The roof has undergone several 

iterations since its incpetion in 2012. With an interest to reduce 

irrigation and maintenance needs (primarily weeding), 11 species 

have been planted in 44 randomized plots along the roof’s paved 

pathway. Through two years of study, the horticultural researchers 

from TAMU will identify vulnerability to seasonal changes, 

susceptibilty to pests or disease, as well as variations in irrigation. 

Ultimately, the tests will determine appropriate species for this very 

localized and novel location and soil. Upon completion, TAMU will 

leave the successful 

plants with JSC to further 

propogate, and report 

the results. Most green roof 

research is done at ground level, or in 

trays sitting on top of a roof, while this study 

is actually utilizing an existing, established 

green roof system to evaluate the plants. 

- Whitney Griffin, PhD Lecturer, 

Department of Horticulture Sciences

Native species, clockwise from top left: 

• Cyanotis somaliensis ‘Furry Kitten’

• Dyckia choristaminea ‘Frazzle Dazzle’

• Aptenia cordifolia ‘Variegata’

• Phyla nodiflora ‘Frog Fruit’

• Graptopetalum paraguayense ‘Gray Ghose Plant’

• Sedum mexicanum ‘Mexican Sedum’

• Sedum Sunsparkler ® ‘Firecracker’

• Sedum x Graptosedum ‘Darley Sunshine’

• Hypoxis hirsuta ‘Common Goldstar’

• Zephyranthes candida ‘White Rain Lily’

• x Sedeveria ‘Peckerwood’
34 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018 35

5. How Sustainability

Links to Climate Change

Sustainability and climate change 

have an intertwined relationship 

that is highly influenced by natural 

and human living conditions. Johnson 

Space Center is located near the Gulf 

of Mexico, as well as countless wildlife 

refuges, and is surrounded by rich 

biodiversity that is greatly affected 

by temperature and precipitation 

changes. Here at JSC, we can help to 

mitigate the effect of climate change 

on our campus through planting 

native species as well as building 

our infrastructure to consume less 

resources.

“Here at JSC, we can 

help to mitigate the 

effect of climate change 

on our campus through 

planting native species 

as well as building our 

infrastructure to consume 

less resources.”

In addition to being environmentally 

beneficial, both native landscapes 

and green infrastructure have the 

added benefit of improving economic 

sustainability through decreasing the 

site electricity and water costs. Our 

continued adherence to sustainability 

also will dictate how our campus will 

respond to climate change by mitigating 

our risk for extreme weather events. 

Planning for future climate change 

effects is beneficial to the continued 

success of Johnson Space Center 

because it mitigates the cost of 

hurricanes and floods in addition to 

reducing the repairs required following 

extreme weather events. One such 

initiative that aids in Johnson Space 

Center’s climate change resilience 

is the newly constructed combined 

heat and power (CHP) powerplant 

located on campus. Having a built-in 

power source on campus mitigates 

our risk post-events as it allows 

critical infrastructure to return to 

operation faster while also allowing 

mission critical activities to continue 

to function in cases where the grid is 

compromised. 

- William Stefanov, Associate 

ISS Program Scientist for Earth 

Observations

Did you know that weather is different than climate? You can 

feel outside or see weather from your office window (i.e. rain, snow, 

sunshine) over hours and days, while climate is the long-duration 

trend of how the ecosphere behaves over the course of several 

months to decades. 

Background photo: Mount Rainer from ISS during National Park Week. Credit: NASA
36 JSC ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017-2018

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77062

Moon from 10,000 

nautical miles. Image 

captured after the 

transearth insertion as the 

Apollo 11 crew traveled 

back to Earth. 

Credit: NASA