You are here

Projects Updates for theme: Engagement

  1. Sustainability Council Meeting 4-28-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    Sustainability Gen-Ed Requirement
    Sustainability iCAP Portal
    Engagement iCAP Team
    Sustainable Land Management Committee
    Energy Performance Contracting / ESCO
    Energy iCAP Team

    The Sustainability Council met on April 28, 2021 and discussed the following: 

    • iCAP Dashboard
    • Post-pandemic Implications for iCAP 
    • Student Sustainability Leadership Council
    • Engagement001: General Education Board Sustainability Task Committee
    • Land Management
    • Overview of F&S Energy Management Plan 
    • Energy004: ACES Energy Performance Contract 

    See PowerPoint attached.

    Attached Files: 

  2. iWG Meeting Minutes from 4-27-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Reusable Containers

    The iWG met on April 27, 2021, and discussed the iCAP Team recommendations: ZW002 Join NERC Government Recycling Demand Champions, ZW003 GreenerOffice Delivery Service Enrollment, ZW004 Reusable Dining Containers Program, LW002 Vet Med Parking Re-Design, and LW003 Certified Green Building Certification. See meeting minutes attached. 

    Attached Files: 

  3. Earth Month

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series [ARCHIVED]

    This opportunity is available online. 

    TED Talk: Eco-Edition series - Earth Month

    In celebration of Earth Month, the next TED Talk: Eco-Edition will focus on environmental activism and individual vs. corporate responsibility for climate change. Participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk by Xiye Bastida: "If you adults won't save the world, we will." All are then invited to participate in a guided discussion hosted by iSEE Communications Intern and ESES student Maria Maring.

    April 29, 7–8 PM • Map

    Meredith Moore • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

  4. Bike Census volunteer opportunity (4/28) and TED Talk discussion (4/29)

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series [ARCHIVED]
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach
    Bicycle Counts
    Bike at Illinois Website and Campaign

    Happy Friday! I hope you are having a great Earth Week/Earth Month and have been able to attend a few (of the many!) activities this April. The Bike Census Spring 2021 is next Wednesday, April 28, from 10 – 11 AM. Bike Census is a collaborative, community-wide effort between Facilities & Services (F&S) and Champaign County Bikes that began in 2013 as part of ongoing improvement efforts to support the campus’ Bicycle Friendly University status.

     

    If you are available to volunteer next Wednesday morning, please sign up here. There will be a virtual training session beforehand at 9 AM. Two Illinois coffee mugs will be raffled off for student volunteers. I hope you are able to participate and in the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Sarthak Prasad (sprasad9@illinois.edu).

     

    On another note, in celebration of Earth Month, the next iSEE TED Talk: Eco-Edition event will focus on environmental activism and individual versus corporate responsibility for climate change. On Thursday, April 29 at 7 PM, participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk presented in July 2020 by Xiye Bastida: "If you adults won't save the world, we will." Afterward, all are invited to participate in a guided discussion hosted by iSEE Communications Intern and ESES student, Maria Maring. Sign up here.

     

    As always, be sure to check out the iSEE Sustainability Calendar for upcoming events and programs and help spread the word. Have a great weekend!

     

  5. Sustainability Message from Illinois Leadership!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Earth Month
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach

    To wrap up Earth Week, President Killeen, Chancellor Jones, and leadership teams sent out the following message:

    "The University of Illinois System welcomes President Biden’s publicly announced commitment to action on climate change, a serious and essential statement of the country’s resolve to lead in building a better, more sustainable future.

    President Biden’s new plan to, among other things, cut U.S. emissions in half by 2030 also represents a call to the country’s centers of research and innovation for the bold ideas needed to make these goals reality.

    The University of Illinois System and its three universities stand ready to help."

    Go Illini!

    https://massmail.illinois.edu/massmailArchive 

  7. 4/23 Zero Waste SWATeam Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Build a Culture of Sustainability

    Attached are the minutes to the Zero Waste SWATeam meeting which took place on April 23, 2021. The meeting agenda was as follows:

    • Elimination of thermal paper receipts.
    • Education on Waste Management.
    • Reduction of water bottle purchases in vending machines.

    Potential initiatives which resulted from this conversation:

    • Pursue sustainable receipt options to divert receipts from University waste stream.
    • RA Training on waste management, with intent to educate students in university housing about sustainability.
    • Creating a sustainability training video for buyers through the Purchasing office.
    • Recommendation to create F&S standard to modify water fountain installations.
    • Recommendation to do a behavioral assessment on water bottle purchasers.
    • Recommendation to launch an education campaign for campus members on tap water quality.
    Attached Files: 

  9. Energy iCAP Team Meeting from 04-14-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Green Lab Program
    Improve Space Utilization
    Clean Energy Plan

    The Energy iCAP Team met on April 14th, 2021 with Brian Bundren, a member of the Illinois Space Advisory Committee, about to learn more about how campus space can be managed more efficiently as a way to reduce energy consumption. The University moving from hybrid learning to more in-person instruction and the new IVCB budget model that assigns bills individual colleges for their energy use will have significant impacts on space usage. The team also discussed our recommendation for Green Labs, or ways to integrate sustainability in research labs and reduce their energy consumption. We will also be moving forward with recommending an Energy Planning document to outline steps towards carbon neutrality by 2050. 

    Meeting minutes and agenda are attached!

    Attached Files: 

  10. Welcome Note for Earth Day Solar Open House

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Power on Campus
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach

    Happy Earth Day, 2021!!! 

    Welcome to the UIUC Solar Sites Open House!

    • Nine campus solar power installations are available to visit at this virtual open house.
    • Contact people for each site are standing on the yellow stars by their facility, on Earth Day from 9-10:30 AM.
    • There are also links for further information about each solar site.

    Hints for Using Topia

    • Zoom out on your browser to see more of the campus at once.
    • Click on a destination to move your avatar to that site, or use the arrow keys to navigate
    • Send messages in Topia to people you meet here, with the mailbox icons.

    ***MAKE SURE TO USE GOOGLE CHROME AS YOUR BROWSER*** 

    Invitation - Open to All

    Ever wonder how far the university has come in solar energy use? Come out to the UIUC Solar Sites Open House hosted on Topia, an interactive online platform, to learn about different buildings and areas across campus that are producing solar energy! During the Open House, contacts for each location will be available to answer questions about the solar installations at nine locations. Learn more about the amazing solar installations on campus!

    This event will take place online from 9-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 22 (Earth Day!), at https://topia.io/uiuc-solar-sites.*

    ***MAKE SURE TO USE GOOGLE CHROME AS YOUR BROWSER*** 

    Attached Files: 

  11. Invitation to Attend Student-Athlete Only Earth Day Celebration

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Sports Alliance (GSA)

    The following event invite was sent to LeAnn Bird at DIA:

    We invite you, your teammates, and fellow climate-curious athletes to a special Athletes-Only EcoAthletes Community Chat on Thursday the 22nd, Earth Day! During the chat, world-famous chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy and one of the best climate communicators out there, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, will share some thoughts with our group. Then we plan to share EcoAthletes' exciting new path forward, which features our centralized focus on a new Resource Hub. It will equip you and the rest of our climate-active Champions to lead climate action...We've been hard at work on this and can't wait to share! By attending, you'll have the chance to be entered to win exciting prizes and gain opportunities to meet aligned potential sponsors, professional mentors and like minded athletes.

    REGISTER HERE for the event on Earth Day, April 22nd, at 10:15am ET!

    https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=025a0fa19b0e671467d82f681&id=9e93bbf113 

  12. Adapthaus inauguration coming soon!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illinois Solar Decathlon

    The Illinois Solar Decathlon team has completed construction of the innovative ADAPTHAUS and is planning an inauguration event. To learn more about this project, visit some of the many links below:

    https://www.solardecathlon.gov/2020/build/competition-team-illinois.html

    https://resourcefurniture.com/inspiration/adapthaus-net-zero-for-the-win/

    https://sustainability.illinois.edu/student-team-awarded-150000-for-sola...

    https://www.facebook.com/illinoissolardecathlon/

    https://dailyillini.com/opinions/2021/01/19/letter-to-the-editor-illinoi...

    https://www.contractormag.com/green/solar/article/21144537/solar-decathl...

    https://twitter.com/Solar_Decathlon/status/1377984161751867395

     

  14. Trash Cleanup 4/7/21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Earth Month
    Boneyard Creek Management

    The trash pickup on 4/7/21 was a great success, and a lot of fun too! Thirty people showed up and picked up 80 lbs of trash/recycling that would have otherwise likely made its way into Boneyard Creek! Most groups helped track and characterize the waste. The categories and data are attached.

    Check out our recap video here!

    We made it on the Earth Day Network map: https://cleanup.earthday.org/pages/find-a-cleanup

    Attached Files: 

  16. iWG/iCAP Team Social Hour - 4/5/21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Topical iCAP Teams
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Earth Month

    Hello iCAP Teams and happy spring! We are excited to invite you to the next iCAP Team/iWG social hour on Monday, April 5 from 4 – 5pm. The format will look a little different this time. We will be meeting on a cool platform called “Topia”, which will be more conducive for small group discussions.  

    Here is the link for our “iCAP 2020” platform: https://topia.io/icap-world

     Topia will not work on a tablet or phone, and it needs to be on a Chrome browser. Please take a few minutes and click the link above before the event, and let us know if you have any issues. The hour will consist of:

    4:00-4:10 – Welcome and learn about the Topia website

    4:10-4:35 – Breakout groups, visiting the different topical areas based on your interest (not specifically based on your team assignment)

    4:35-4:45 – Come back to the center (central park) and a representative from each group will provide a brief update on what the group talked about  4:45-4:50 – Highlight one of the iCAP projects

    4:50-5:00pm – Q&A, Conclusion

    Let us know if you have any questions. We are so excited to try this out with you in a few weeks. See you then!

    Meredith, Morgan, and Ximing

  18. Earth Month is Here!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Earth Month
    Earth Week
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series [ARCHIVED]
    iSEE Congress
    Boneyard Creek Management
    Sustainability at Career Fairs
    Champaign County Sustainability Network (CCNet) [ARCHIVED]
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Solar Farm 1.0

    Earth Month is here! Can you believe it? I would like to first draw your attention to the iSEE Sustainability Calendar as a reference point for the many virtual and in-person events (maintaining COVID-19 safety and social distancing precautions) held this month and beyond. If you notice a missing event on the calendar, there is a link to submit an event yourself.

    Here are a few highlights:

    • TED Talk: Eco-Edition series - iSEE’s second TED Talk: Eco-Edition event, will be held from 7 – 8 PM CST, March 30. To complement our recent Plastic Free Challenge, this gathering will focus on plastic waste. Participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk, presented in September 2019 by Andrew Forrest: "A Radical Plan to End Plastic Waste." Afterward, all are invited to participate in a guided discussion and roundtable, hosted by Maddy Liberman (NRES/F&S Intern) and Shantanu Pai (ISTC/F&S). Registration is required; sign up here.
    • iSEE Congress – “The Future of Water”, April 6, 14, 20, 23 at noon. Over a series of Zoom webinars, iSEE Congress – Spring 2021 brings together a diverse group of researchers, educators, journalists, and activists to dive deeper into the topic. Our modified “teach-in” will introduce the Illinois campus and community to cutting-edge thinking from highly influential scholars on topics ranging from drought to the global politics of water to pollution, public health, and biodiversity.
    • Trash pickup event at Boneyard Creek, sponsored by iSEE and F&S, April 7, 3-5 PM. We will meet at 3 PM behind Engineering Hall and disperse from there (maintaining COVID-19 safety and social distancing precautions). Drop in and stay as long as you are able. Bags and supplies will be provided. More details here.
    • Sustainability Rocks on the Main Quad, April 8, 11 AM – 5 PM. Come paint a rock outside the Union with a sustainability/environmental theme (maintaining COVID-19 safety and social distancing precautions). Bring your own rock, or use one of ours! After you finish creating your rock, place it somewhere around campus for others to find! More details here.
    • Careers in Sustainability Panel Discussion (virtual), April 9, 12 – PM. Interested in careers in sustainability? Join us to hear a panel discussion from industry professionals and learn how the field is changing and how to pursue a career in sustainability. Registration is required; sign up here.  
    • Facilities & Services hosts a Virtual Open House of UIUC Solar Sites on Earth Day, April 22, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. April 22 on Topia (must use a computer, not a smart phone), Click this link to attend the Open House
    • TED Talk: Eco-Edition series – Earth Month, April 29, 7 – 8 PM. In celebration of Earth Month, this month’s topic will focus on environmental activism and action with a discussion hosted by iSEE Communications Intern and Earth, Society, & Environmental Sustainability student, Maria Maring. Registration is required; sign up here.
    • UIUC Arbor Day Celebration at CCNet, April 30, at Noon, on Zoom, Click this link at noon on Arbor Day to join the CCNet Zoom call

     

    We invite you to participate in any of the above opportunities (or celebrate in your own way!) to get “Caught Green-Handed!” this Earth Month! Get featured . . . Click here to let us know how you’re celebrating the Earth. Please reach out if you have any questions. Be sure to sign up for the iSEE newsletter to stay up-to-date on more sustainability opportunities. Have a great Earth Month (and don’t forget to continue the momentum beyond April)!

    Check it out: 

  19. Sustainability Sub-Council Meeting 3-18-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Energy Performance Contracting / ESCO
    Off-campus Solar Farm 3.0 PPA
    Sustainable Land Management Committee

    The first Sustainability Sub-Council meeting occurred on 3-18-21 and discussed the iCAP process and procedures, Solar Farm 3.0, Energy Performance Contracts, and Land Management Practices. The meeting minutes and presentation are attached. 

    Attached Files: 

  20. TED Talk: Eco Edition Series - Plastic

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series [ARCHIVED]

    Join us for a TED Talk: Eco-Edition! To complement iSEE's March 2021 Plastic Free Challenge, this month's gathering will focus on plastic waste.

    Together, participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk, presented in September 2019 by Andrew Forrest: "A Radical Plan to End Plastic Waste." Afterward, all are invited to participate in a guided discussion and roundtable.

    Our co-hosts are Maddy Liberman, Illinois senior in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and student member of the Zero Waste Sustainability Working Advisory Team, and Shantanu Pai, Assistant Sustainability Researcher at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center and Interim Zero Waste Coordinator at Illinois Facilities and Services.

    Our first meeting united campus and community members for a passionate, respectful, and thought-provoking dialogue about the inseparability of racial justice and climate justice. We hope that everyone is as energized by this talk as we are, and ready to engage in another open conversation!

    Sign up to learn, discuss, and connect with peers in a casual, social setting. Grab your favorite snack and get comfortable! Topics and hosts vary each month.

Pages