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  1. follow up on potential VRO project

    Associated Project(s): 
    Rainwater Management
    Reduce Nitrates from Agricultural Stormwater

    Dear Madhu,

    Thank you for taking the time to speak with me and here is a follow up email to our zoom conversation. The committee on natural areas at UIUC oversees research on roughly a dozen university-owned properties that include about 1,000 acres of natural lands spanning east-central Illinois. The largest of these, the Vermilion River Observatory, located about 45 miles by road east of campus, was acquired by the Dept of ECE in the 1960s to construct a radio telescope. The ~495 acre property is now managed by the CNA for various environmental research projects and there are ~105 acres of agricultural land that are leased to a tenant farmer by ECE for cash revenue that at its peak generated ~20k/year but the value of the crop has been declining recently. Due to being in the drainage of the Vermilion river, the soils of the VRO are somewhat marginal in their production value and I think there is some chance the tenant farmer will decide to leave the lease. Or it may be possible given a suitable research project to take over the lease and use the lands for research.

    The project I am interested in pursuing is a long-term, large-scale ecological and agricultural experiment evaluating trajectories of agricultural lands following agricultural abandonment. Considering the scale of the agricultural lands on the VRO, I think it could be possible to have large and well-replicated experimental treatments that include comparisons among passive revegetation, bioenergy production, and active reforestation. Potential study outcomes could include carbon sequestration/flow, biodiversity conservation, and economic and energy cost/benefit analyses comparing the costs of these different experimental treatments versus the returns on investment. By east-central Illinois standards, I think the productivity of the agricultural lands on the VRO could be considered marginal, but based on my read of the literature and our conversation, I get the impression that these marginal lands are more likely to experience agricultural abandonment in the coming years.

    Assuming ECE would be open to a change in the management strategy for the agricultural lands on the VRO, which I would be happy to discuss with ECE and the OVCRI if we decide to proceed, the CNA could provide some logistical support for a large-scale research project on the VRO, including through the use of some of our farm equipment and out buildings on the property. We also have two full-time research/management staff whose time can be budgeted into proposals. And I am eager to undertake more long-term experiments on the CNA properties using former agricultural lands, since I see this as one of the most unique and important values of these properties that can be applied to a pressing environmental challenge.

    This is something I would be excited to pursue through the support of iSEE and I would love it if it gave us a chance to collaborate, Madhu. Attached please find an aerial photo of the VRO and an older site description map. Please let me know if you think this could dovetail with other opportunities currently being pursued by iSEE and CABBI and let me know what I can do to help!

    Best,

    Brian

    --------------------------

    This is the land that Brian Allan had mentioned to me

     

    Madhu

    ---------------------------------

     

    Attached Files: 

  2. Free Native Plants!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Landscapes Plan

    Hi all –

     

    I hope everyone is doing well!  

     

    I’m reaching out with an opportunity (not related to waste reduction 😊).

     

    The National Wildlife Federation, alongside our new partner, Garden for Wildlife Inc., have launched an initiative to support our partners (k-12 schools, colleges/universities, churches, etc.) in their efforts to expand quality native habitats for people, pollinators, and wildlife. Garden for Wildlife Inc., sells “direct-to-consumer” native plants to 38 states in the eastern and central United States (western states are coming soon!)

     

    Your campus can now apply for free native plants for your native plant and habitat projects . These plants will come pre-selected, be native to your area, and include at least one species of milkweed, an essential plant for supporting pollinators and monarch butterflies. These plants are slightly smaller than quart size, with at least 3 inches of new growth. They will begin to bloom within a couple of months of planting, depending on the season. 

     

    In order to request plants, you must meet the following requirements: 

     

    • Plant in the approved space within 3 days of receipt (i.e. – a school, community green space, park, etc.). 
    • Maintain the wildlife garden for at least 5 years and share and donate photos of the space or planting. 
    • Display provided signage noting that the plants were donated by Garden for Wildlife by the National Wildlife Federation. 
    • Cover the costs of plant delivery - $38 / 64 plants (i.e. – 192 plants = $114, 768 plants = $456, etc.) 

     

    To apply, please visit: https://gardenforwildlife.com/pages/donations 

     

    Please reach out with any questions. This is first come first serve, so if you are interested, please don’t hesitate to fill out the online form! 

     

    Thanks, take care,

    Kristy 

  4. E-Cargo Bikes for University of Illinois

    Associated Project(s): 
    Encourage Bicycle Use

    Good day,

     

    I want to introduce you to a carbon free, sustainable alternative to moving products within and around the University of Illinois campus.  From mail and equipment delivery, to public service “vehicles”, to catering, and landscaping, there are many applications that our E-Cargo bikes can handle when moving products to and fro in the campus environment.

     

    We are the largest manufacturer of commercial E-Cargo bikes in the U.S. 

     

    Coaster Cycles are proudly built in the USA (Montana) and exclusively serve the business-to-business market. Our bikes are battle-tested and have design iterations that are currently working for companies like Amazon, UPS, Fedex, USPS, Canada Post, DoorDash, Tesla, Starbucks, US Military, Reef, Albertsons, Fresh Direct, and more.

     

    Businesses and college campuses are finding that E-Cargo bikes have a lower cost of ownership, lower insurance costs, zero carbon emissions, don’t require a driver’s license, no hassle finding parking, no parking fines, no traffic in the bike lane, eye-catching branding, and show your student body and customers you care about the environment.

     

    More information about our bikes is attached. Also, please feel free to visit www.coastercycles.com for more information. We are currently offering free shipping in the US (lower 48), and we have bikes in-stock. We are also offering a free advertising wrap for any bikes purchased prior to the end of the month. I would love the opportunity to visit if you’d like to jump on a quick call so I can run through our products and help answer any questions.  Let me know what times work best for you or you can reach me at the number below.

     

    Thank you,

    Paul

    Coaster Cycles

    -----------------------------

    Did you ever see this?  old email – sales call.

    Morgan White

    ----------------------------

    Hi Morgan,

     

    Thank you for sharing this. I will post this on the iCAP Portal.

     

    I think it would be beneficial to have something like this at F&S and/or on campus. I am thinking about all the events that I have for bicycles or any other sustainability related events (like Arbor Day or Sustainability Celebration), an e-bike with a trailer that can carry a lot of weight would be a great option.

     

    Maybe something like the libraries or the Bike Center would benefit as well. One of my concerns is that we will have to store these in a covered area and the battery charging issue.

     

    I could talk to them as well, if this is something you and Stacey think would be beneficial for us to pursue. Thank you,
    Sarthak

    Attached Files: 

  6. Weekly Update: e-bike questions

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, I’m having more and more conversations with folks about e-bikes. One older woman I spoke with last week said the nearest place able to service her e-bike is in Springfield, IL. Anecdotally, folks don’t seem aware of just how big and dangerous e-bike batteries are from an insurance perspective and thus why bike shops can’t work on them. I see myself having a lot of similar conversations over the next few months…

    We’re hovering around 20 bikes on the sales floor, but we’ve got almost 20 kids’ bikes taking up real estate, too. Plan this week is to fix a dozen or so of those and move them along, hopefully to some of the groups/orgs we’ve worked with in the past.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 21
    Sales: $711.65
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $400
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $60
    Memberships: 3 for $90
    Tires/tubes: 7 for $98

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  9. Weekly meeting with Hrushikesh and Nathaniel

    Associated Project(s): 
    Appropriately Staff Sustainable Transportation Efforts

    Sarthak met with Hrushikesh and Nathaniel on 7/13/2023 together to discuss the weekly meetings. This was the first Sustainable Transportation weekly intern meeting.

    Sarthak explained the layout for these meetings in the future. Hrushikesh and Nathaniel would lead these meetings going forward. They will report on the progress made in the previous week and go over their to-do list for the current week and the week after. They will send Sarthak their weekly progress report in form of Word or Excel or some other form and share it with the Sustainable Transportation team.

    These meetings will be held weekly until the semester begins.

  11. Checked the status of the Round Barns Abandoned Bikes Storage

    Associated Project(s): 
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    On 07/14/2023, Sarthak and Hrushikesh visited the Round Barns facility to get an update on the number of abandoned bikes picked-up by the Parking Department till date. We have identified 300 abandoned bicycles on campus, and they will be transported to the Round Barn by the end of next week. From Monday, 07/17/2023 inventory documentation will begin. 

  13. Weekly Meeting with Nathaniel and Hrushikesh

    Associated Project(s): 
    Appropriately Staff Sustainable Transportation Efforts

    On 07/13/2023, Sarthak had a meeting with Nathaniel and Hrushikesh to get a Weekly progress report and to set next week's tasks.

    - Set a structure for Weekly Meetings

    - Discussion on Bike Friendly University (BFU), Bike Racks Locations and their design Plans, Campus Bike Plan 2024, and the Abandoned Bicycles Project.

    - Gave an overview of the i-Cap Portal and Bike Friendly University (BFU) to Nathaniel.

    - Potential Encouragement project on Social Media: Making a Rules of the Road Video.  

  14. Meeting on 2023 Champaign County Bike Month Planning

    Associated Project(s): 
    C-U Bike to Work Day
    Light the Night

    On 07/12/2023, Sarthak and Hrushikesh were a part of a 2023 Champaign County Bike Month Planning meeting.

    - Confirmed Dates for Upcoming Events:
    September 14th – Bike to Work Day
    September 19th – Light the Night

    Time - 4p.m to 7p.m (Tentative)
    September 21st – Rain Day

    - Budget for Light the Night

    - Suggestion in the meeting: The system of Veo Rides is bringing in more bike riders in the community. 

    -* Contact Lily for availability and confirm the dates for the event.

  15. Meeting with Cynthia: Upcoming Events Learn How to Ride a Bicycle

    Associated Project(s): 
    Learn How to Ride a Bicycle and Bike Rodeo
    Encourage Bicycle Use

    On 07/12/2023, Cynthia (C-U SRTS Project Chair) had a meeting with Sarthak and Hrushikesh to plan and discuss events that will help promote use of bicycle on Campus.

    Meeting Minutes:

    - Youth Cycling Instructor has gone through enough training to help in the event, but is not certified.

    - 2 events will be held initially

    1) Event - Learn to Ride

    Date - Tentatively scheduled on 08/12/2023 (Saturday) or 08/12/2023 (Sunday) (Morning preferred)

    Location - Basketball Courts near Campus Bike Center

    Students - 2-3 students per LCI

    Limit to 6 students in Total

    *2 Volunteers required (including 1 Mechanical Volunteer @Jake)

    *Electric Bikes not preferred

    2) Basic Bicycling Skills Class - 10-12 people limit

    * For these events Bikes can be made available by Bike Rodeo. 

    - Ride Illini Initiative - Bicycle Friendly Businesses can be involved to incentivize use of Bicycles.

  17. YMCA preparing for August Big Sale - F&S supporting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Dump and Run

    From: Marc Alexander <marc@universityymca.org>
    Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 1:05 PM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
    Cc: White, Morgan <mbwhite@illinois.edu>
    Subject: D&R August Work Order

     

    Hi Daphne,

     

    At our last meeting we had discussed F&S continuing to support a couple of the hard costs for the August portion of D&R, soecifically the tables and dumpster. I wanted to reach out to make sure we were on schedule for both of those work orders. For your reference I have attached last year's work order, which I think just needs to be updated with the dates and times for this year. I've listed those changes below.

     

    Additionally, I should have marketing materials for collections and the sale ready by the end of this week, that can be shared with Housing and any other campus units.

     

    Thank you, and let me know if you have any questions!

     

    -Marc

     

    Work Order Changes:

     

    Tables :

    • DROP OFF: Change to MONDAY, 7/31/2023 by 9 AM to the SOUTH SIDE ENTRANCE
    • PICK UP: change to MONDAY, 8/21/23 IN THE AM

    20' pan/dumpster:

    • ON SUNDAY, 8/20/23 IN THE PM (by 3PM), DELIVER A (20) YARD PAN TO THE WEST ENTRANCE OF THE STOCK PAVILION FOR THE "DUMP & RUN" EVENT. PICKUP FOR RETURN ON TUESDAY, 8/22/23 IN THE AM

  19. Meeting with Adam Bleakney: Discussion on Campus Bike Plan and ADA Compliance for Bike Paths on Campus

    Associated Project(s): 
    2024 Campus Bike Plan

    On 07/10/2023 Sarthak and Hrushikesh had a meeting with Adam Bleakney (Disability Sports Coach at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

    Meeting Notes:

    - Introduced Adam about the Campus Bike Plan

    - His Suggestions:

    - The Athletes take mainly two routes for training, primary route starting from Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) to Stadium Dr, S 1st St, E Peabody, S 4th St, St Marys Rd, S Oak St, W Kirby Ave and back to S 1st St forming a Loop/ Circuit. Thus, maintenance of this circuit is vital.

    - Secondary route consists of E Peabody, S 6th St, E Pennsylvania Ave, Race St

    - Preferred to have street level bike lane.

    - Usual speed of the athletes is 10-20 mph/hr.

    - Connection with Oak St has been a concern.

     

  20. Pedal The Preserves: Champaign County Forest Preserve District

    Associated Project(s): 
    Community Bicycle Events and Rides

    PEDAL THE PRESERVES

    KICKAPOO RAIL TRAIL, HOMER LAKE FOREST PRESERVE, MIDDLE FORK RIVER FOREST PRESERVE

    SATURDAY & SUNDAY AUGUST 19-20, 2023!

    Join us for a 65- to 80(+) mile loop route that includes four different Champaign County Forest Preserve properties, or a 20- to 25-mile loop route that includes three different Champaign County Forest Preserve properties, or a 2- to 12-mile choose-your-distance ride, all on the east side of Champaign County.

    These rides start and finish at Meier Field in St. Joseph, IL, with plenty of parking available. All routes will explore the Kickapoo Rail Trail, and the 20+ mile rides will visit Hidden Acres Park and Homer Lake Forest Preserve.

    Those who ride 65 miles or more, including participants who camp, will also enjoy Middle Fork River Forest Preserve properties before returning to the KRT in St. Joe.

    Check in is between 7 and 9 am, depending on which route you choose. Register online before August 16th: https://www.bikereg.com/6l0l6

    For more information contact Jen Gravley: jengravleydvm@gmail.com

    Attached Files: 

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