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Projects Updates for place: Burrill Hall
- Associated Project(s):Attached Files:
archived info - spring 2018 project description
Associated Project(s):The current Bee Campus committee at the U of I is working to develop a University Habitat Plan and official web page this semester (Spring 2018). In addition, with funding from the SSC, we will be installing pollinator signage on campus this year. A goal is set to submit our first application for certification by June 2018.
Freezer Challenge update and encouraged to register
Associated Project(s):Click here to see this online Hello everyone and Thank You to the many labs already registered!
The International Freezer Challenge is in full swing with an EXTENDED deadline thru JUNE 15th.
Approximately 25 labs have registered to participate in the Freezer Challenge. Reaching our goal of 50 labs participating will put the university in contention for first place in the academic organization category. Regardless, participation represents your commitment to environmental stewardship and supports the University of Illinois in reflecting our world-class standing.All actions taken during the past school year are eligible for points and can be added to your score card
The Eco-Olympics student group is supporting the University of Illinois’ participation in the International Freezer Challenge and is pleased to provide the following awards.
The top (4) four Labs scoring the highest points during the competition will WIN $50 gift certificates to Silvercreek, Nando Milano’s or Biaggi’s restaurants.
Random drawings will be held giving away:
4- $25 Gift certificates to Silvercreek
4- $20 gift certificates to Courier Café
25-Coupons for free drinks at Espresso Royale
10-Coupons for free shake drinks at Courier CaféA HUGE Thank You to everyone for making these awards possible!
You can reach the Eco-Olympics team via email: ecoolympics@gmail.com
The main take away is that by utilizing best practices in sample management and storage, our labs increase their efficiency and sustainability.For more information contact Paul Foote @ gfoote2@illinois.edu
or visit: https://www.freezerchallenge.org/ or Freezer Challenge on the iCAP Portal
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Calendars • Directory • Campus Map • Email • Giving • Identity Standards • ContactFreezer Challenge reminder email
Associated Project(s):Hello everyone, The International Freezer Challenge is in full swing thru April 30th. Help the University of Illinois compete while receiving recognition, and a certificate of leadership in Environmental Stewardship.
Registering to participate in the Freezer Challenge is a fun way to stay up-to-date with the latest in sample management, receive recognition for your efforts, and have fun while helping the University of Illinois maintain our world-class standing.
Take 20 sec's Register today!
All lab practices since May 2017 are eligible for points and can be added to your score card.Benefits Webinars, Best Practices and Resources
- Reducing energy consumption, costs, and environmental impact of the lab
- Learning and applying proper cold storage maintenance techniques to help avoid future failures
- Removing unneeded or unviable samples from cold storage units, allowing space to be consolidated or eliminated.
- Reducing costs associated with maintaining extraneous cold storage units.
- Improving researcher access to and security for viable samples.
- Developing ongoing cold storage management practices that support efficiency and maximize lab space utility.
- Awards & National recognition at the I2SL conference for the winning labs in each category
Increasing grant eligibility is another benefit according to How going green can raise cash for your lab a Nature International Journal of Science article, this quote shares an interesting perspective; Ramirez-Aguilar argues that implementing energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable lab practices can be a smart way for researchers to make their grants stand out. It might seem a small detail, but having such procedures in place could make all the difference to the success of your application. “If it makes your proposal look better,” she says, “you’re more likely to get funding.”
For more information contact Paul Foote @ gfoote2@illinois.edu F&S Energy Services
Archived Description from the Support Pollinators (Bee Campus USA) project
Associated Project(s):The campus recognizes that we need to support the pollinator population on campus. Potential solutions include creating "Pollinator Pockets" in strategic locations throughout the campus grounds, and encouraging the use of native plants in appropriate landscape locations.
The F&S Landscape Architect is working with campus stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop sustainable landscape solutions that support pollinator populations.
SSC Funding Agreement - Hives for Beekeeping Club
Associated Project(s):As a new student organization on campus, the Beekeeping Club will install and maintain two new bee hives located at the Sustainable Student Farm (SSF). Any honey produced will get sold at the SSF weekly stand on campus. Students will learn beekeeping skills as well as an appreciation for honey production. In addition, having the bees located at SSF will increase crop output, bettering local food production. The allocated funding will go towards the bee hive installation as well as the bees.
This proposal directly funds:
- Fencing
- Bees
- Beekeeping personal safety equipment
- Beekeeping supplies
Attached Files:SSC Funding Agreement - Pollinator Signage
Associated Project(s):This student-led project provides awareness about pollinators around the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign campus. Students will design and install signage inside and outside of campus buildings, giving facts about native plants and pollinators. This signage will be approved by the University Board as well as Facilities & Services. This project contributes to the campus goal of becoming Bee Campus USA certified and meets Illinois Climate Action Plan objectives. Students will learn more about pollinators and pollinator efforts on campus. The allocated funding will go towards the signage costs.
This proposal directly funds:
- Signage
Article about LAS ECIP winners
Pollinator pocket maps
Associated Project(s):Sustainability staff asked Lesley Deem at the Pollinatarium if the proposed pollinator pockets should be within a specific distance of each other, such as every half mile. Ms. Deem replied, “I think if we put them in the best spots available there will be enough coverage. For example, honey bees can fly for a few miles to find food. They use up less of their energy if it is closer but they should be able to find it even it is a mile or two away.”
Team Meetings
Associated Project(s):The Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall Sustainability Living Learning Community Intern, Rachel Daughtridge, called a team meeting with various stakeholders to discuss the process for becoming an official Bee Campus USA.
Freezer Challenge, 2018 International- Launch email
Associated Project(s):
U of I Campus Labs Encouraged to Join
2018 International Freezer Challenge
Members of iSEE’s Energy Conservation & Building Standards Sustainability Working Advisory Team (ECBS SWATeam) invite U of I labs of all shapes and sizes to register for the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge, which uses friendly competition to optimize sustainability of freezer management in laboratories.Any type of laboratory is eligible to participate by working at its own pace to implement optimal cold storage management practices that save energy. Participating labs from the Illinois campus will receive certificates of Leadership and Environmental Stewardship in Sustainable Laboratory Practices along with special recognition from iSEE at the annual Sustainability Week Celebration and find themselves one-step ahead toward Green Lab certification, a proposed program being discussed on campus and at iSEE. The competition awards include individual lab awards, organization awards and a picture in Nature!
Results from last year’s winners:The organizational winners of the Freezer Challenge were:
- University of California San Diego
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
UC San Diego saved an estimated 500,000 kWh/year, Lilly saved an estimated 130,400 kWh/year, the CDC saved an estimated 367,400 kWh/year, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center saved an estimated 25,000 kWh/year.
The individual laboratory winners were:- The Hoekstra Lab from Harvard University
- The Baker Lab from Eli Lilly and Company
- The Elemental Analysis Laboratory from the CDCP
The Hoekstra Lab saved an estimated 13,000 kWh/year, the Baker Lab saved an estimated 34,000 kWh/year, and the Elemental Analysis Laboratory saved an estimated 64,500 kWh/year.
Visit the iCAP Portal for more information on last year’s event
Registration is ongoing through April 30th 2018 More details can be found on the competition website >>>Registration is quick and you participate anytime throughout the semester!
Partial promotional support provided by the UIUC Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
Questions can be sent to
Paul Foote, email: fandsgfoote2@mx.uillinois.edu
U of I, Freezer Challenge Site Coordinator
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Facilities and Services, Utilities and Energy Services
Energy Conservation and Retro-commissioningUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Calendars • Directory • Campus Map • Email • Giving • Identity Standards • ContactFY17 ECIP award winners announced
Associated Project(s):Occupant Action Category % Improvement
Incentive Award
1. Foellinger Auditorium 41.0% $61,994 2. Natural Resources Building 21.0% $38,543 3. 1207 W. Oregon 19.4% $15,677 4. Agricultural Engineering Sciences
Building13.6% $12,986 Energy Advancement Category
% Improvement
Incentive Award
1. Early Child Development
Laboratory25.2% $10,000* 2. Administrative Information Technology
Services Building24.1% $10,000* 3. Astronomy Building 23.4% $10,000* 4. ACES Library, Information &
Alumni Center23.2% $10,000* iWG meeting minutes October 27, 2017
Associated Project(s):see file
Attached Files:ECBS SWATeam Meeting Minutes
Associated Project(s):The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) is looking to become more involved with the SWATeams and sustainability on campus. ECBS proposed ideas such as decreasing refrigerator usage, making a climate action plan specifically for DIA, and promoting recycling at tailgates. Illini Lights Out had their first event on September 29, and it was a success. 284 light switches were turned off in 13 different buildings. The Green Labs Coordinator position is slowly making progress, but there is a concern with funding. Updates on the ECIP were made, and there is a push being made for mid-year checkpoints in the future. ECBS also discussed if AFMFA projects could be redefined in order to do more maintenance-based projects.
Attached Files:Video about bees and solar farms
Associated Project(s):Here's a neat idea for campus to consider, as we continue to look at options for ground cover under solar panels.
Provost Office approves funding for LED Exit Signs
Associated Project(s):The Office of the Provost approved $75,000 in one-time funding for the next step in the LED Exit Sign retrofit project. The funding of $75,000 is for LED Exit Sign lighting replacement, additions, and new building surveys. Material and labor of $70,000 would be used to replace 343 fixtures in 20 buildings at an average rate of $204/fixture. An additional $5,000 is proposed to survey 50 campus buildings for exit light counts. That will provide the input necessary for the next phase, once this phase is completed.
Discussion at Transportation Building about ECIP funds
Associated Project(s):Morgan Johnston and Shawna Grady met to discuss the potential uses for the Transportation Building's ECIP funding award ($10,000). Options included additional recycling bins, LED lamps, power strips, battery recycling containers, and potentially a waste characterization study for the building (if available through ISTC).
LED Exit Signs funding request submitted
Associated Project(s):F&S Building Maintenance submitted the attached funding request to the F&S Director of Shared and Administrative Services for the next round of the LED Exit Sign projects.
Attached Files:KCPA ECIP funds to go towards several improvements
Associated Project(s):Krannert Center has identified several projects to tackle with the ECIP award funding:
- Recycling Bins and Bags - $5,000 (make in-house recycling efforts more efficient and accessible)
- TCP Switch for Playhouse - $6,000 (electrical safety issue)
- Imop - $5,000 (water conservation)
- Food Services Dishwashers - $9,750 (energy efficiency, water conservation, chemical usage reduction)
- Energy efficient washer and dryers (2 each) for Festival Green Room - $2,250 (energy efficiency, water conservation)
- Ipad mini’s & Ipad & Secure Mounts for Attendant Access to Calendar and Event Sheets - $2,500 (reduce printed paper)
- Reconfigure Stairs to Playhouse Pit - $3,500 (safety issue correction)
The dollar amounts listed are approximations. Any additional funds not used for these items would be allocated to expanding the stock of replacement LED bulbs.
Freezer Challenge launching January 15, 2017
Associated Project(s):U of I Campus Labs Encouraged to Join Freezer Challenge
Members of iSEE’s Energy Conservation & Building Standards Sustainability Working Advisory Team (ECBS SWATeam) invites U. of I. labs of all shapes and sizes laboratories on campus to register for the North American Laboratory Freezer Challenge, which uses friendly competition to optimize sustainability of freezer management in laboratories.
Any type of laboratory is eligible to participate by working at its own pace to implement optimal cold storage management practices that save energy. Participating labs from the Illinois campus will receive special recognition from iSEE at the annual Sustainability Week Celebration and find themselves one step ahead toward Green Lab certification, a proposed program being discussed on campus and at iSEE. The competition has updated the awards to include individual lab awards, including a picture in Nature!
Register by Jan. 15. More details can be found at the competition website >>>