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Projects Updates for key objective: No name

  3. Weekly Sustainable Transportation meeting with Hrushikesh and Nathaniel

    Associated Project(s): 
    Appropriately Staff Sustainable Transportation Efforts

    On 07/24/2023,  Sarthak, Nathaniel and Hrushikesh had a weekly meeting to discuss on Weekly Progress of the current projects that we are working on. Please refer to the file attached to view the Weekly Progress.

    Nathaniel's Weekly Progress - 

    • Visited Round Barns for Bike Inventory
    • Campus-wide survey to check for remaining abandoned bikes.
    • In-Office Bike related accessories inventory.

    Hrushikesh's Weekly Progress -  

    • Shared used Path Length demarcation ArcGIS for the Bike Friendly University Application (BFU)
    • Work on Campus Bicycle Master Plan
    • Champaign County Bike Month Planning Team Meeting
    • Meeting with UIPD for Field Maps Training
    • ICAP documentation

  4. 8/3 Meeting to discuss location at Hope Village

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illinois Solar Decathlon

    Illinois Solar Decathlon President Rachel Chen met with Marty Smith to discuss the possibility of having the current next solar decathlon home built at the hope village project. Marty discussed possibilities for a separated subdivision of homes. But the more likely option would be to construct a library or community building than a single family home. Either of these options would be more likely during the next building cycle for solar decathlon.

  5. iCAP Portal Admin Meeting - August 10, 2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    Done:

    Discussion:

    • Continue discussion of Fancy Page Layout (see the 4 mockups in the October 21, 2022 meeting notes)
    • Continue discussion of improving site's aesthetics
    • Question about a TODO: "Collections page: Add image upload option". At a previous meeting we had this TODO, but what was the context? Was it to have a thumbnail for each Collection? Or a banner image?
    • Should we link to "Take Action" project from homepage?
      • Replace map link in Highlights?
      • Need to finish Take Action page content
    • Archiving projects
      • Add "Archived" checkbox?
      • Add "Archived" to Visibility options?
      • Add "Archived" to Project Status options? (probably not - this mixes the status of the project itself with whether we still want it to show up on the site)
      • Remove from nested listings, still publicly available?

    TODO:

    • Main map:
      • Start with only Campus Tour locations shown (for now, start with Reporting Progress theme)
      • Filter by Theme or Collection
      • See CSU's campus map (Sustainability section) for inspiration
      • Smaller markers
      • Remove businesses layer
      • Campus boundary, like ArcGIS Bicycle Map
    • Loading message on page unload shows up sometimes in browser page history (e.g. view iCAP Portal PDF from About page, then click "back")
    • Homepage has extra padding on right side on mobile
    • SSC project embedding: add category filtering options
    • (long term goal) look into importing information from another source, e.g. SSC students without iCAP Portal access can put together info in a structured format for automatic import into iCAP Portal
    • Look into Collection embedding again, à la Drawdown Solutions Library Sammy had found ("Filter by sector or area of action" section)
    • Metric search/display:
      • Theme (via connected Project, i.e. Theme -> Project -> Metric)
      • Most recent updates as of: (list of years) -> can we query Tracking data?
      • (Internal only) Last updated before (list of years) -> can we query Tracking data?
    • (Low Priority) Make column headers click-sortable on Projects by Project Status page
    • Fancy project layout mockups - keep tweaking #3 to improve contrast
    • Discuss metrics
      • Metrics with lots of data
      • Consider how to handle old metrics that no longer track new data. Archive somehow?
      • Fun with math (e.g. combining multiple metrics)
      • Calculated Metrics on Dev site

  7. iCAP Portal Admin Meeting - July 27, 2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    Done:

    • Fixed sub-project duplication on Header Project Layout pages (e.g. MEB showing up twice on LEED Certification page's sub-projects list)
    • Demo map (Test site): Collections filter (mostly) working now

    Discussion:

    • Continue discussion of Fancy Page Layout (see the 4 mockups in the October 21, 2022 meeting notes)
    • Continue discussion of improving site's aesthetics
    • Question about a TODO: "Collections page: Add image upload option". At a previous meeting we had this TODO, but what was the context? Was it to have a thumbnail for each Collection? Or a banner image?
    • Should we link to "Take Action" project from homepage?
      • Replace map link in Highlights?
      • Need to finish Take Action page content
    • Archiving projects
      • Add "Archived" checkbox?
      • Add "Archived" to Visibility options?
      • Add "Archived" to Project Status options? (probably not - this mixes the status of the project itself with whether we still want it to show up on the site)
      • Remove from nested listings, still publicly available?

    TODO:

    • Morgan reports general slowness
    • Main map:
      • Start with only Campus Tour locations shown (for now, start with Reporting Progress theme)
      • Filter by Theme or Collection
      • See CSU's campus map (Sustainability section) for inspiration
      • Smaller markers
      • Remove businesses layer
      • Campus boundary, like ArcGIS Bicycle Map
    • Loading message on page unload shows up sometimes in browser page history (e.g. view iCAP Portal PDF from About page, then click "back")
    • Homepage has extra padding on right side on mobile
    • SSC project embedding: add category filtering options
    • (long term goal) look into importing information from another source, e.g. SSC students without iCAP Portal access can put together info in a structured format for automatic import into iCAP Portal
    • Look into Collection embedding again, à la Drawdown Solutions Library Sammy had found ("Filter by sector or area of action" section)
    • Metric search/display:
      • Theme (via connected Project, i.e. Theme -> Project -> Metric)
      • Most recent updates as of: (list of years) -> can we query Tracking data?
      • (Internal only) Last updated before (list of years) -> can we query Tracking data?
    • (Low Priority) Make column headers click-sortable on Projects by Project Status page
    • Fancy project layout mockups - keep tweaking #3 to improve contrast
    • Discuss metrics
      • Metrics with lots of data
      • Consider how to handle old metrics that no longer track new data. Archive somehow?
      • Fun with math (e.g. combining multiple metrics)
      • Calculated Metrics on Dev site
    Attached Files: 

  8. 7-24-23 Internal Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)
    Tailgate Recycling
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics
    Welcome Celebration Recycling

    On July 24, 2023 UIUC sustainability representatives met and discussed the following:

    Attendance: Bryan Johnson, Pete Varney, Julie Wurth, Steve Breitwieser, Marty Kaufmann, Daphne Hulse

    1. Football
      1. Tailgating
        1. Operation
          1. F&S staples recycling information + map to blue bags
          2. Parking supervisors will hand out the blue bags
          3. 2 dumpsters placed (Lot 31, Lot 32). Blue bags collected here
          4. Grange Grove/entrances to Memorial Stadium: Coca-Cola bins to collect loose bottles and cans
        2. Plan for one of the earlier games (Sep)
        3. Assess how first game went, revise for a later game (Oct/Nov)
        4. Post-season: assess, revise for next season
      2. Communication
        1. DIA gameday emails will include messaging about tailgate recycling
        2. Game script will call out hydration stations
        3. F&S – send campus-wide announcement (as was done for Dump and Run)?
        4. iSEE – newsletter?
      3. To do
        1. F&S scope out where the 2 dumpsters could be placed, confirm with DIA
        2. Determine placement of Coca-Cola bins: DIA recommends the 20 Coca-Cola bins are placed in Grange Grove/on the way into the stadium (portal 1 and 2)
        3. Staff recycling dumpsters to prevent them from becoming trash sites
          1. F&S may have a tent that can be used – check with Safety & Compliance
          2. iSEE does not have a tent
          3. F&S – print banners to hang on dumpsters?
            1. Green dumpster will be marked, ask Shawn Patterson
    2. Welcome Week Lunch
      1. 7 student volunteers gathered + 2 F&S staff
    3. Volunteer / giveaway t-shirts
      1. 200 green volunteer shirts – for Welcome Week, Tailgating, and other small events that may arise
      2. 300 orange giveaway shirts – for Tailgate Recycling
        1. Incentivize tailgaters to drop off their blue recycling bags
    4. Coca-Cola bins
      1. Metal framing is expected to arrive Friday 8/11
      2. Wrap renderings are being finalized, discussing on Wednesday with Jake
    5. iSEE – hydration station map live
      1. https://sustainability.illinois.edu/be-orange-go-green-cut-plastic-use-with-a-refillable-bottle/
      2. iSEE developing a video highlighting campus hydration stations for new student convocation

     

    Attached Files: 

  10. archived info - previous project description

    Associated Project(s): 
    Carbon Credit Purchasing Program (C2P2) with Second Nature

    The 2015 iCAP, chapter 8, objective 1 is, "By the end of FY16, conduct a Request for Proposals process for verified carbon offsets — and undertake the first campus purchase of offsets." iSEE is developing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for purchasing carbon credits, aka carbon offsets.

    iSEE is developing the technical specifications for a Request for Bids (RFB) for purchasing carbon credits, aka carbon offsets in FY17. These will be used both to replace the carbon credits sold from calendar year 2016, and as a starting inventory for the Virtual Storeroom.

    During this process, iSEE will develop detailed specifications for carbon offsets to ensure that all purchased offsets are additional (in the sense that they enable reductions beyond business-as-usual), measurable, conservative (to ensure reductions are not overstated), permanent, independently verified, trackable, and transparent. The 2015 iCAP intended to have an RFP done by the end of FY16, and the current schedule will have the purchase completed by the end of FY17.

    Background

    Because campus sells carbon credits through the Carbon Credit Purchasing Program (C2P2) at Second Nature, we need to replace those boutique carbon credits with carbon offsets.  By the end of FY17, we will buy 103,000 carbon offsets (equivalent to 103,000 tons of greenhouse gasses not being released into the atmosphere) to replace those sold from calendar year 2016.

    Additionally, in the same RFB, we will purchase 10,000 additional carbon offsets which will be used to set up a new virtual storeroom to allow campus units to voluntarily offset their carbon emissions, for example from air travel to scholarly meetings.

  11. Weekly Sustainable Transportation meeting with Hrushikesh and Nathaniel

    Associated Project(s): 
    Appropriately Staff Sustainable Transportation Efforts

    On 07/20/2023,  Sarthak, Nathaniel and Hrushikesh had a weekly meeting to discuss on Weekly Progress of the current projects that we are working on.

    Meeting Notes:

    - Campus Bike Plan 2024

    - Abandoned Bikes Project Inventory Documentation Completion

    - Bike Parking Rack Design

    - Research on Permeable Pavers and Bike Shelter

    - Discussion on the Next week's Tasks regarding Bike Audit

    - Bike Census

     

  13. 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: 

  14. 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 

  16. 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.

  17. 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.  

  19. Campus Sustainability Funds to Support Cover Crops

    Associated Project(s): 
    Cover Crops on South Farms
    Funding for Sustainability

    The following is an email conversation between Adam Davis, Morgan White, and Jen Fraterrigo.

    On June 29, 2023 Adam sent the following email:

    Good morning, Jen and Morgan

    The REC staff has asked me whether there will be any Campus Sustainability funds to support cover crops this year? I’m wondering whether last year’s request was considered and approved? We would like to increase the acres of Crop Sciences research ground that’s in cover crops, and could use some financial support in purchasing more cover crop seed.

    Thanks,

    Adam

    -----------

    Hi Adam,

    When would funding need to be available?

    Thanks!

    Morgan

    -----------

    The sooner the better—we need to purchase more cover crop seed, which will take 3-4 weeks for delivery. Planting would happen towards the end of September, so funds by early to mid-August would be important to get it done this year.

    Thanks,

    Adam

    -----------

    On July 7, 2023 Jen replied:

    Hi Adam,

    The Sustainability Council was supportive of increasing land planted with cover crops; however, it is not a funding body and therefore cannot support this effort financially. If the department or college cannot provide funding, I suggest applying for funding from the SSC Green Fund. Unfortunately, the timing may not work for this year.

    Happy to discuss more if it would be helpful.

    Thanks,

    Jen

    -----------

    Thanks for this suggestion, Jen. We’ll self-support the increase in seed this cycle, and put in an application to the SSC green fund for next growing season.

    Adam Davis

     

     

  20. All Sports are Water Sports

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)
    Water Conservation [ARCHIVED]
       

     

    PLAYTOZERO.GSALOGO.png

     

    Play to Zero Playbook

    TwitterInstagramLinkedInWebsiteYouTube

     

    1ST WATER PLAYBOOK FOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

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    Dear Colleagues,

    We are excited to present the first-ever Playbook on Water for Sports & Entertainment Venues. This playbook will set the stage for why water matters and how venues can become driving forces for water protection and restoration. Through sharing lessons learned and practical approaches to reduction, reclamation, reuse and replenishment; we, together, can help ensure our communities become more resilient to growing impacts from climate and other stressors.

    Access to clean and affordable water is essential to the sports industry and our collective health and well-being.... The impact to our communities and fans is critical to address. 

    It's clear that more investment, more assistance and more leadership from individuals, policymakers, businesses and increasingly from the members of the Green Sports Alliance, is needed to protect our essential water resources. Sports and entertainment venues have an opportunity to be good water stewards and lead by example.

    I hope that this playbook provides you with the inspiration, resources and examples necessary to start your own journey to ensuring water remains safe, reliable and accessible for all of our communities.

    - Roger McClendon, Executive Director of Green Sports Alliance [READ THE FULL LETTER FROM ROGER HERE]

     

     

     

    Photocollageofwatersports-9900000000079e3c.png

    This playbook focuses on four key strategies across drinking water, wastewater and stormwater management:

    Strategy 1: Understand your Water Baseline

    Strategy 2: Water Efficiency

    Strategy 3: Water Reuse

    Strategy 4: Water Replenishment & Ecosystem Stewardship

    Each strategy provides a baseline knowledge and resources for you to further explore the concepts presented and a corresponding Green Sports Alliance member case study designed to share lessons learned, best practices and tips for your future success.

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    YOUR WATER JOURNEY: FIVE STEPS FOR STARTING AND PROGRESSING ON YOUR PATH TO WATER STEWARDSHIP

    #1 Commit ➡️ #2 Learn ➡️ #3 Plan ➡️ #4 Three E's ➡️ #5 Celebrate 🎉

     

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    Thank you to our Playbook Contributors!

    Dune Ives, Lead Author | CEO of Movements That Matter and GSA Board Member

    Green Sports Alliance Corporate Members | Stantec and Xylem, Inc.

    A special thanks to our Water Playbook Editorial Board Members, Green Sports Alliance Leadership/Staff and our Graphic Design/Copy Editing Team! 

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