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  1. Weekly check-in resilience work

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Resilience iCAP Team

    Resilience Work Weekly Check-In

    09/23/2021, 2:00 PM

    Attendees: Morgan White, Meredith Moore, Stacy Gloss

    Updates

    Stacy provided an overview of her activities for the previous week including

    • reviewing the Resilience page and project histories
    • beginning work (by contacting key stakeholders and setting up meetings) on Vision Zero, Green Infrastructure, and Taking Leadership on Sustainability objectives.

    iCAP Portal

    In this meeting we discussed additional functionality, the strategy and rationale on Resilience web page organization. Morgan provided insights on using the iCAP portal such as accessing projects through a table by using the Project Page and searching Projects by Status.  Projects can be added to the iCAP portal by sending a proposal to add a project to Morgan and Meredith.  There is an iCAP Portal Content template that should be used.

    Community resilience and sustainability projects

    We reflected that there are many community projects and programs related to sustainability and resilience that do not appear anywhere in the iCAP such as MTD projects, Sanitary District work, Stormwater partnerships, Recycling projects and programs, certain solar projects.  We discussed that having a website or webpage dedicated to community partnerships, programs, and outreach about sustainability, environment, resilience, water, energy, land-use etc could be an excellent community resource. The idea bubbled to have a Community Supported Resilience Portal in parallel to the iCAP portal for tracking programs, resources, and projects. This could be a recommendation for meeting one or more of the iCAP objectives.  

  2. iCAP Energy Team September Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Clean Energy Plan
    Building Envelope Pilot Project
    Energy Conservation Efforts
    Energy iCAP Team

    The iCAP Energy team had its first meeting of the 2021-22 Academic Year at 9:00 A.M. on September 24th. This meeting was used to evaluate where our team stands in achieving its goals and to determine a path forward for the year. The agenda, presentation, and minutes from the meeting are attached for a better understanding of the meeting.

    Attached Files: 

  4. Visiting Mechanical Engineering Building for PV Glass

    Associated Project(s): 
    Offer Tours of Sustainability Facilities
    Solar Power on Campus

    From: Yi, Yun Kyu

    To: McFall, D

    Cc: White, Morgan

    Recipients: dmcfall at illinois.edu; mbwhite at illinois.edu

     

    Hi Damon,

     

    It was good to meet you today.

    Just to follow up with you about visiting the Mech. Building. I am wondering in general Tuesday between 2-5 pm works for your schedule.

    My class is in between this time and it will be great for students to see some of the new technologies.

    If you can let me know if Tuesday afternoon is something that works for your schedule, I will talk with my student to set possible dates to visit.

     

    Many thanks

    Yun

     

    Yun Kyu Yi, PhD

    Assistant Professor

    School of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

    M232 Temple Buell Hall, 611 E Lorado Taft Drive, MC-621, Champaign, IL 61820

    phone: (217) 300-4886 | fax: (217) 244-2900 |

     

    Founder and Lead Investigator,

    The Responsive Architecture Lab (RAL) at the Illinois School of Architecture, 20a Architecture Building, 608 East Lorado Taft Drive, MC-621, Champaign, IL 61820 https://go.illinois.edu/ral

     

  12. Sustainable Design Opportunity: Upcycling Clothing with Project Phoenix!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Support Youth Sustainability
    Independent Student Projects

    Project Phoenix is an Illinois student initiative to give high school students a platform to highlight their fashion design interests and create their own upcycled clothing brands! The group offers one- to two-hour weekend workshops to teach Champaign-Urbana high school students applicable fashion and graphic design skills and provide opportunities in business and enterpreneurship. U of I students can sign up now to be a Project Fellow! The deadline for applications is Oct. 1.

     

    For more details about the Project Fellow position, read Phoenix's Fall 2021 project description document.

  13. iSEE's Environmental Writing Contest for the Janelle Joseph Prize

    Associated Project(s): 
    Certificate in Environmental Writing (CEW) [ARCHIVED]
    Sustainability Competitions

    Are you an eco-warrior with a passion for prose? Each summer, University of Illinois undergraduates are invited to submit their best environmental writing for a chance to be published in Q Magazine and win a cash prize! The Janelle Joseph Prize for Environmental Writing was created in 2020 through the generosity of donor Janelle Joseph. Our inaugural contest winners covered topics ranging from the degradation of the coal industry and life in a “burn zone” to sustainable fashion and the future of lawns. Read more about the 2020 winning entries!

    Submit in one of these five categories:

    • Feature — In-depth, research-based piece on a topic of your choice (Example: “Burn Zone” by Andy Sima; Volume 3.2, 2020 JJ Environmental Writing Contest Grand Prizewinner) 
    • Memoir — Write about an experience that YOU had with nature, and what it meant to you (Example: “Solastalgia” by Maria Maring; Volume 3.2, 2020 JJ Environmental Writing Contest Category Prizewinner) 
    • Op-Ed — Your research-backed take on a current environmental “hot topic” (Example: “End to Greenwashing?” by Jennifer Coronel; Volume 3.2, 2020 JJ Environmental Writing Contest Category Prizewinner) 
    • Q&A — Interview an environmental researcher or activist
    • “@ Illinois” — Submit a piece in any of the above genres spotlighting innovative environmental research, activism, or stewardship at the University of Illinois. 

    iSEE's Janelle Joseph Prize for Environmental Writing is open to Illinois undergrads and includes a $1,000 grand prize as well as $500 prizes in five categories: Feature; Memoir; Op-Ed; Q&A; and "At Illinois." Entries can be 1,000 to 2,000 words and must be submitted by Sept. 30, 2021. 

     

    Visit Q Magazine's website for more details.

     

    And, make sure to email submissions or questions to qmagazineillinois@gmail.com!

  14. Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS): Biennial Report 2021 Summary

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Nitrates from Agricultural Stormwater

    The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy guides state efforts to improve water quality at home and downstream by reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels in our lakes, streams, and rivers. The strategy lays out a comprehensive suite of best management practices for reducing nutrient loads from wastewater treatment plants and urban and agricultural runoff.

    The Illinois NLRS 2021 Biennial Report is the third report to provide the public with updates on the implementation of the Illinois NLRS, including a 2019-20 overview of the efforts and investments made in reducing nutrient loss to Illinois waterways from source sectors: agriculture, point sources, and urban stormwater.

    See the attached file to read the Biennial Report 2021 Executive Summary. 

    Or, visit the Illinois EPA website to read the full report!

    Attached Files: 

  15. Community Solar Status Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community

    Community Solar

    "What is the status of the city of Urbana’s community solar array at the old city landfill known as Solar Star Urbana Landfill LLC affiliated with Nexamp? Will the subscription to the community solar project begin this year?"

    The project, which will generate approximately 5.2 MW of clean energy for the Ameren grid, is scheduled to be completed around the middle of next month, said Keith Hevenor, communications manager for Nexamp, a firm that has developed community solar energy projects in Illinois, Maine, New York, Maryland, Georgia and Massachusetts.

    "At that point, the final landscaping, which includes a native pollinator seed mix for vegetation, will be applied," said Hevenor. "As soon as final testing and utility interconnection are completed, subscribers will begin seeing the credits on their Ameren bills, likely before the end of the year.

    "The Solar Star Urbana Landfill project is part of the Illinois Solar for All program, so participation in the program is reserved for qualified low and moderate income (LMI) residents. In the program, there are no enrollment fees, no credit checks and no cancellation fees. We still have space available for the project and individuals can visit https://ilsfa.nexamp.com/ameren to learn more and see if they qualify."

  16. Commencement of the 2021 Sustainability Competition for Undergraduates

    Associated Project(s): 
    ReImagine Our Future

    "... Fifty-one (51) teams have entered the competition. There are a total of 126 students working in teams ranging from one to five members per team.

    The first deliverable is due by Oct. 15, as explained on the competition webpage: Reimagine Our Future Undergraduate Sustainability Competition
    For this first deliverable you must complete the questionnaire available on the competition website to tell us more about your project’s specialist advisor and what advice you got from her or him. You can connect with a specialist indicated on the competition webpage or you may select someone else whom you deem to be a specialist for your chosen sustainability topic.

    You will find many helpful Resources on the competition webpage.
    For instance, you will benefit by attending the three ideation workshops that will be held at the Siebel Center for Design. The first ideation workshop is on Thursday 23 Sept from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Although registration for this first workshop has already closed, you could still enter by completing this registration form...

    Kind regards

    Leon Liebenberg
    on behalf of the Competition Organizing Team, with fellow team members: Prof. Robert McKim, Prof. Warren Lavey, Prof. Michelle Wander, Mr. Peter Davis, and Mr. Shreyas Venkatarathinam"

    -Leon Liebenberg (09/21/2021)

    Teaching Associate Professor
    Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    1206 W. Green Street
    Urbana, IL 61801

  17. Trash Cleanup 10/15/21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Sustainability Month
    Boneyard Creek Management
    Facilitate campus-wide sustainability events

    October is Campus Sustainability Month and there are many events to get involved and make a positive difference toward our campus sustainability efforts. On Friday, October 15, we are hosting our second trash cleanup event. We will meet at the pavilion on Engineering Quad at 3:30 p.m. and disperse from there to pick up trash across campus. Resources will be provided. Stay for as long as you are able, and bring a friend. Everyone is welcome! It will be fun!

    Check out more events during Campus Sustainability Month on the iSEE website: https://sustainability.illinois.edu/outreach/calendar/ 

  18. Digital Sign for Recognition of SSC $375k Contribution

    Associated Project(s): 
    Geothermal at the Campus Instructional Facility (CIF)
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Part of the $25K fund 1‐304398, “602 SSC‐CIF Geothermal” for the CIF account is recognizing SSC’s $375K contribution to Geothermal in digital signage for a year at CIF.

     

    The final draft of the digital signage is attached below.

     

    Attached Files: 

  19. General Meeting 9/20

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)
    Campus Sustainability Month

    For September's General Meeting, we had everyone introduce themselves and what organization they were from. We also discussed plans for Student Sustainability Summit and how they can become involved. Promoted our development of a general Google calendar that contains general meeting times for all RSOs in the SSLC, as well as any events they are hosting. Lastly, we went through updates on all projects that RSOs are working on.

    Attached Files: 

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