You are here

Projects Updates for place: Natural Resources Building

  2. 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

     

    -- 

     

    Attached Files: 

  8. Outfitting main quads with 3-bins

    Associated Project(s): 
    Indoor Bin Update

    Members of the Zero Waste Team analyzed the main buildings in each of the three central quads. Locations of current 3-bins were noted as well as areas where more were needed. The plan is to transition away from single flow trash and recycling bins towards a system where only 3-bins are used in main hallways. This will ensure that there are well marked bins in highly visible areas and will condense the many bins that need to be serviced by university workers into fewer overall bins. Overall this initiative will lead to improved waste management efficiency and increased recycling rates across the campus.

    Attached Files: 

  14. 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

  15. Water filler stations

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics
    Water Fountain Retrofit

    Hi Dave,

     

    What effort and rough costs would it take to clean off the hard water stains on filler station spouts across campus?

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan 

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

    Pete,

     

    What do you think about this? I will see if we have a list.

     

    Dave

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

    We do have a list…I’ll have to find it and get it to you.

     

    Thank you,

    Pete

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

    Is this the BSW team to do this work?

    Dave

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

    Yeah, we remove water stains from sinks and faucets. If the Plumbing shop doesn’t mind we can add it to our “to do” list.

     

    Thank you,

    Pete

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

     

    Pete,

     

    We view this as BSW work not the Plumbing shop.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Dave

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

     

    Hi Dave and Pete,

     

    Pete – were you able to get some of these water bottle fillers cleaned, per the email below?

     

    Dave and Pete – who would be responsible for resetting the filter status indicator light on the water hydration stations?  I believe the filters would be replaced through BMG, but is the indicator light something that would be reset when the filter gets replaced?  And I think there could be some hydration stations out there with no filter, but that still have a filter status indicator light…

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

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

     

    Given our staffing shortages, we have not started working on this. It should be something we can get to over the winter break if hiring continues at the current pace.

     

    Thank you,

    Pete

  18. 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

Pages