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Projects Updates for place: Burrill Hall

  1. Land and Water Team November Monthly Meeting Minutes and Notes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Prairie Restoration at Florida & Orchard
    Bee Campus USA
    Rainwater Management Plans

    The Land and Water Team met for its November monthly meeting on Friday, November 21, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM on Teams. This month, the team listened to a student conducting research on the usage of gray water systems in Illinois and other states and institutions. This research will help the team gain support from other organizations to potentially amend the Illinois plumbing code to permit the use of gray water in toilet flushing systems. The team was also updated on the status of the Florida Orchard Prairie maintenance, which will be taken care of by Red Bison, who is eager to work on this project. The team also discussed the pros and cons of maintaining our Bee Campus USA certification, which requires significant funds and effort to improve pollinator status, a task that is largely already accomplished by various campus groups. Attached are the meeting agenda and notes. 

  3. protecting the low mow zone by Univ. Primary School

    Associated Project(s): 
    Low Mow Zones
    Bee Campus USA

    Hi Ali,

     

    Great to hear you are seeing milkweed emerging!  I walked the field a couple of weeks ago and at that time they were not coming up yet.  I was also looking to see if any of the milkweed seeds dispersed in January were coming up but again, I think I was too early.  I plan to get out there again soon to check those areas to see if any of the seeds are germinating.  Attached is the map, areas highlighted in red are where the milkweed seeds were added.

     

    My direction to the Grounds mowing crew is not to mow the low mow field until late Nov-December at the earliest or in late February, early March of 2026.  If we happen to have a breakthrough of noxious weeds between now and then we will strategically spot treat or spot mow the outbreak area.  Moving forward, I instructed that before any such action is taken, I must approve it.  If I agree action needs to be taken, I will reach out to you to discuss what we are seeing and what measures we feel need to be taken.

     

    I like the idea of registering the field as a Monarch Waystation but I will have to check to see if that is something we/you can pursue and let you know.

     

    Thanks,

    Ryan

     

     

     

    From: Lewis, Ali 
    Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2025 11:47 AM
    Subject: Low Mow Zone Field by CRC: Monarch Waystation

     

    Dear Ryan and Grounds Crew,

     

    There is milkweed emerging in the field south of the Children’s Research Field. Last summer, this low mow zone field was mowed twice, removing most of the milkweed for which the migrating Monarch Butterfly population relies. Of course, we study the monarch population and field each year and are eager to have the field grow over the summer and through the fall. We know you have noxious weeds/invasive species to contend with on your end.

     

    What can we do to help the field grow over the summer/fall? How can we best communicate about it being mowed after the fall  Monarch Migration comes through?

     

    Is it possible to pursue the field area as a registered Monarch Waystation? If so, we could take the lead on that, pending agreement from whomever we need to ask including Ryan? https://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/

     

    Thanks for thinking with the children/teachers at Uni Primary about this special area adjacent to the school. The field is a true source of delight and freedom for our small school, and we appreciate being in communication with you all about its care.

     

    Sincerely,

    Ali Lewis & Uni Primary School Community

     

    -- 

     

  4. 2023 Bee Campus Report

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bee Campus USA

    The prior annual reports were not submitted, so F&S worked to update the Bee Campus Committee members, update the Charge Letter, and submit the 2023 data.  The Xerces Society approved the 2023 Bee Campus USA report on March 5, 2023. 

  9. University Landholdings in CU/new construction in next 2 years

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bee Campus USA
    Sustainable Landscapes Plan

    I'm doing some work with the USFWS on an urban pollinator habitat project and have a couple questions I'm hoping F&S can help me with (or send me in the right direction.)

    1. Do we have an accurate map or GIS layer of current UIUC landholdings (including properties connected to the south farms, etc). I've been able to locate some very low-quality, generalized maps but nothing that is either current or very detailed.
    2. Is there a way for me to find out where on campus there will be construction/renovation projects that will occur in the next 2-3 years?

    Thanks,

     

    BRODIE DUNN

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

    Beth, are you able to assist with item 1 in the below email from Brodie regarding obtaining a map or GIS file of UIUC properties?

     

    Morgan, are you able to assist with item 2 in the below email from Brodie regarding upcoming capital projects?

     

    Thanks,

    James Scherer

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

    Helo Brodie,

     

    I’m connecting you with the University Landscape Architect, Brent Lewis.  He can assist with your inquiry about upcoming construction projects, and it is important to include him in any plans you want to pursue regarding additional plantings on university land.

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

     

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

    Morgan and Brent,

     

    Rest assured I haven't made any promises regarding plantings on campus (and would reach out to you both before doing so.) 

     

    The primary program partner is the City of Champaign, which I am currently in discussions with. If the project does go through, it'll target underserved neighborhoods with pollinator conservation measures meant to protect/conserve the Rusty Patch Bumble Bee, an endangered species. It is a great opportunity and beside doing the coordination for the project with municipal partners, i'm doing my best to ensure we've got the option to physically participate in the program even if the lands we might have available are outside the model's ideal range.

     

    Brent - If we have any construction projects happening in the next two years that include major changes in landscaping, especially on the north side of campus, it would be good to hear about those. Participating in the program might end up being as simple as swapping out a few species on the planting list and doing so might give us the opportunity to be a part of a very innovative Endangered Species recovery plan.

     

    Thanks,

     

    BRODIE DUNN

  10. Interview request: Freezer Challenge Award Article

    Associated Project(s): 
    Freezer Challenge

    Hello Paul,

     

    Congratulations on your 2023 Freezer Challenge award! My name is Rachel, I'm a writer for Lab Manager, and I am working with My Green Lab on an article featuring this year's winners. (You can view last year's article here.)

     

    You previously indicated you would like to participate in an interview for the article. If that is still the case, I invite you to reply to this email with answers to the questions listed below by Monday, October 23rd. If you think you will need more time for review or would prefer to respond to the questions in a call, please let me know. 

     

    For this year's article, we are focusing content around the themes of leadership, empowerment, cultural change, and community engagement. In particular, we're exploring how organizational strategies for the first two can drive and be driven by shifts in the latter two as they pertain to sustainability goals and from the perspective of the Freezer Challenge. The questions below are a starting point, please feel free to skip over questions you would prefer not to answer or add additional comments you believe are relevant. 

    1. In an environment where resources are usually limited, how did you motivate and lead your labs/teams to prioritize and achieve sustainability goals in the lab?
    2. How have the successes from the freezer challenge spilled over into other areas of your university, creating a broader sense of community around sustainability?
    3. Do you think your participation in and winning of the Freezer Challenge has prompted leadership at your university to set more ambitious resource-reduction targets or strengthened investment in laboratory sustainability efforts?
    4. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about how your university approached the Freezer Challenge this year or its overall impact?

    Once the article is drafted, you will have an opportunity to review the relevant content for accuracy. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you.

     

    Thank you very much,

     

    Rachel

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

    Hello Madhu,

    The interview questions in the thread below ask for leadership perspectives, and I am wondering if you would be willing to say a few words for this article to be published in Lab Manager Journal?

     

    Specifically:

    #2- Our campus has a widespread sense of community around sustainability and the freezer challenge uniquely demonstrates how efficient sample-management reduces green-house gas emissions, optimizes cold storage space      utilization, and increases equipment longevity while providing significant energy savings across campus. These successful impacts place potential opportunities under the microscope for researchers to take a closer look at other environmentally friendly changes are available in their labs.

     

    #3- The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign’s ability to continually place among the top performing academic institutions reflects support from a large number of researchers and commitment to sustainable sample management. 

    You could mention the green research committee and the charge you, Dr. Martinis and Ehab have put in place and what sustainable labs may look like in the near future?


    #4 – Do you have a perspective on the overall impact of the success we have had with the freezer Challenge?

    OR

    Please feel free to respond to the questions below and forward them to me at your convenience before Oct 23rd.

     

    Thank you 

    Paul Foote

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

    Hello Madhu,

    I am just sending this as a reminder, if you would like to respond?

     

    Best

    Paul Foote

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

    Hi Paul

    Yes I would be happy to send you a quote by the 23rd.

    Best

    Madhu

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

    Terrific, thank you!

     

    Best

    Paul Foote

  12. Itinerary Freezer Challenge Lab Manager Photo and award recognition

    Associated Project(s): 
    Freezer Challenge

    Hello Everyone,

    Thank you for joining us and celebrating the terrific work accomplished during this year’s Freezer Challenge event!

     

    I have attached an itinerary to familiarize yourself with todays activities.

    Reminder:

                    If rain is present after 130 we will move 2 buildings to the west inside the Stock Pavilion for this event.

     

    If NOT raining meet outside IBRL 1300 west Pennsylvania Ave. Urbana

     

    If rain is imminent meet at Stock Pavilion 1402 west Pennsylvania Ave. Urbana

     

    See you all there!

     

    Best

    Paul Foote

  13. RAIN ALTERNATIVE information RE: Freezer Challenge Lab Manager Photo and award recognition

    Associated Project(s): 
    Freezer Challenge

    Hello Everyone,

    As you may have read in last night’s email, you made a huge impact and helped UIUC on its way to the 2023 “Winning Streak Award” very nice work, thank you for all you do!

     

    As a benefit the winners will be highlighted in a digital Lab Manager article which will come out in November.

    Thursday Sept. 21st at 2pm we are recognizing the top performing labs from UIUC and taking a group photo in front of Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) at 2pm sharp.

     

    Dr. Melanie Loots, Chief of Staff, Senior Executive Associate Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation will be handing out these awards.

    You are all encouraged to join us and cheer on your fellow researchers as they receive their awards and join in the photo.

     

    Thank you 

    Paul Foote

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

    Hi everyone,

     

    The radar shows rain has stopped for the majority of the work day, with some showers popping up randomly.

     

    If rain is present after 130 we will move 2 buildings to the west inside the Stock Pavilion for this event.

     

    If NOT raining meet outside IBRL 1300 west Pennsylvania Ave. Urbana

     

    If rain is imminent meet at Stock Pavilion 1402 west Pennsylvania Ave. Urbana

     

    See you all there!

     

    Best

    Paul Foote

  15. Update on time and location RE: RSVP requested 2023 Freezer Challenge Awards Ceremony/photo shoot calendar

    Associated Project(s): 
    Freezer Challenge

    Hello Everyone,

    I am rushing to put together the mass-mail announcement for the campus research community, as My Green Labs re-finalized our results last night. This will go out by the end of this week.  

    It will include action item totals, recognition and a couple of new achievements reached by UIUC.

     

    Everyone on this email has earned an award this year, we will be awarding the top 14 performing labs.

    Sorry the celebration date is so close, we need to send the photo to the My Green Labs and the Lab Manager Journal by Sept. 29th  in order make the deadline.

     

    Thank you 

    Paul Foote

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

    Thanks to everyone that has already responded!

     

    If you have not yet had the chance, Please do so by Friday the 15th?

    So far we are looking at 2pm Thursday afternoon, I hope all can make it!

     

    Best

    Paul Foote

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

    Hello Everyone,

    The most popular date and time is Thursday the 21st at 2 pm, we will be in front of IBRL (1300 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801)

    74ojavqtzwgMcTKHY0YbZu25Tmjf8nyMEpj5z2M1aZUaAUw5mMNDGSFdNwZcnE8gPi0t8PzrRIvgAIS6eEQd8BZqAZ3wVxRu1PZ9tAU5JEJAWChs8wbeANPQLdcYiX75Lp83+f9JdlDMGwqiZAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC

    IBRL-Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory

    See you all then!

     

    P.S. I am still tabulating the results, the mass email will go out to the research community Monday evening.

     

    Best

    Paul Foote

  16. Fall 2023 Sustainability Celebration FW: ECIP next steps

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation Incentive Program (ECIP)

    Hi Paul,

     

    Should we set up a calendar time to talk via Teams about the ECIP plans?  I’d think it would include Jen Fraterrigo, and maybe Rob?

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

     -------------------

    Hi Morgan,

    During Monday’s meeting we chose to follow your advice and go with the fall schedule.

     

    We are again having conference schedule during this week and wonder if the sustainability week can be chosen on a week other than the week of Oct 16th – the 20th?

     

    Best

    Paul

     

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

    Hi Paul,

     

    I think the date of the Campus Sustainability Celebration can move, as long as it is within October. I'll touch base with Jen about it and confirm. 

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan 

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

    Hi Elizabeth,

    I checked with Karl and the BTAF Mechanical conference for engineering is Oct 15-18th and the I2SL Sustainable Labs conference is Oct 22-25, if we can avoid these two weeks that would be terrific?

     

     

    Thank you 

    Paul Foote

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

    Hello Elizabeth,

    Any updates on the timing for this event?

     

    I am looking to coordinate the ECIP awards for 2022 and 2023 during this event.

     

    Best

    Paul Foote

  17. 2023 Freezer Challenge RESULTS!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Freezer Challenge

    Dear Paul, 

      

    We here at My Green Lab thank you very much for your patience while the submissions for the 2023 Freezer Challenge were reviewed over the past number of weeks. You’re receiving this email because you were a site coordinator for the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign  this year. Thank you for encouraging labs to participate in the Freezer Challenge this year! You and your lab(s) are a part of over 1,900 labs from 170 different institutions, across 27 countries which participated this year, a new record! The combined efforts of the scientists and labs participating in the 2023 Freezer Challenge saved an estimated 20.6 million kWh over the past year, which is the equivalent of avoiding an estimated 14,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

     

    66 scoresheets were submitted from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, representing a total of 94 labs, the combined actions of which saved an estimated 1293.5 kWh/day! Great job, and well done! Please see the attached Excel document for details of all the actions taken by labs at your organization this year, with each row being a different scoresheet submitted back to us. Total raw points for actions and kwh/day saved are on the far right. *Please note that all lab points of contact received a separate email from programs@mygreenlab.org in the past 24 hours informing them of their lab’s estimated energy savings too. 

     

    The winners of the 2023 Freezer Challenge will be announced by mid-August via My Green Lab and I2SL newsletters and our social media channels, so stay tuned for that announcement! 

     

    Thank you for engaging labs at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign to implement cold storage best practices through the Freezer Challenge! We hope you’ll encourage your organization to participate in the 2024 Freezer Challenge next year. 

     

    Sincerely,  

    My Green Lab & the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL)

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

     

    We have officially surpassed the highest number of labs participating and reached our highest avoided energy reduction at over $54k avoided annually at the current kWh rate.

    We also have a lab receiving an award for the best lab in their category. See next email forward.

     

    Best

    Paul

  19. Native Planting at Burrill Hall

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bee Campus USA
    Burrill/ Morrill Walkway

    The following is an email sent by John Marlin on May 16, 2023:

     

    As most of you know I am retired from campus and involved in other off campus conservation activities. I will no longer be overseeing the Burrill Hall native planting.

     

    During the pandemic, maintenance at campus native plantings by volunteers was not allowed.  This coupled with very dry conditions caused deterioration of several sites including the one at Burrill Hall. F&S bought the woodland wildflowers for the planting and the Entomology Department installed them and provided some maintenance in conjunction with some students.

     

    Department head May Berenbaum has put together an effort to revitalize the planting and has some limited funding for some maintenance of the native plants.  F&S plans to make some changes in part of the area and the path is to be restored.  Daniel Bush will initially work with the native plants and supervise any students. 

     

    In the past weeds removed from the site were placed by the two square concrete benches and I notified Ryan Welch who had the maintenance crew remove them.  I assume a similar arrangement can be made possibly with Mr. Dalby as the contact.

     

    This site was quite popular with people walking past and provided a good instructional resource, especially the area near the sidewalk.  I hope that this will continue.

     

    John C. Marlin

     

    Dennis Dalby replied:

     

    Thank you John,

     

    It was nice meeting you today to gain some of your tips and input regarding the planting and upkeep of this area.  I’ve been working with Ryan Welch and SIB to get this area brought back up to its current level and look forward to its improved upkeep with the discussions that we had today.  We’ll be working with Ryan to have a wood chip path added once again and will add a few small plants of our own within the areas that we (MCB) will maintain.  SIB will maintain the areas of the native plants.  It will look and function much better once all is in place.

     

    Thanks again for stopping by to share your experience,

     

    Dennis

  20. ECIP next steps

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation Incentive Program (ECIP)

    Hi Paul,

     

    Should we set up a calendar time to talk via Teams about the ECIP plans?  I’d think it would include Jen Fraterrigo, and maybe Rob?

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

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

    Hi Morgan,

    During Monday’s meeting we chose to follow your advice and go with the fall schedule.

     

    We are again having conference schedule during this week and wonder if the sustainability week can be chosen on a week other than the week of Oct 16th – the 20th?

     

    Best

    Paul

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

    Hi Paul,

     

    I think the date of the Campus Sustainability Celebration can move, as long as it is within October. I'll touch base with Jen about it and confirm. 

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan 

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

    Good morning,

     

    I am fine with moving the Campus Sustainability Celebration to another week in October.

     

    Thanks,

    Jen

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