The USGBC Illinois Chapter Green Schools Higher-Education Subcommittee met, via teleconference, on May 20 for the first time.  One of the future topics identified was a discussion of LEED Existing Building and LEED Operations and Maintenance, so Illinois colleges and universities can consider the merits of implementing LEED EB or LEED OM.

Discounted Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale Scheduled for this Saturday

The Cities of Urbana and Champaign along with the University of Illinois Extension will host a truck sale this Saturday featuring deeply discounted rain barrels and compost bins.  The May 25th sale will be held in the parking lot north of the City Building at the corner of South Vine Street and East Green Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Rain barrels, available for purchase for $55.00, help residents store water for gardening.  This practice helps reduce demand on aquifer water while reducing runoff to the city stormwater system.  Compost bins, available for purchase for $45.00, help residents turn food scrap and landscape trimmings into nutrient-rich compost for gardening while reducing waste sent to landfills.  Associated compost products including kitchen collection containers, compost aerators, and compost thermometers will also be available for purchase.

Interested residents should park at the City Building or other designated parking areas and line up to make their purchases on foot.  After making purchases residents can load their vehicles in the alley behind the parking lot.  For faster service on the day of the sale, residents can pre-pay for their products online at www.enviroworld.us/pre-order.

For more information, please contact Scott Tess at 217-384-2381 or srtess@urbanaillinois.us.

The USGBC Illinois Chapter Green Schools subcommittee has worked for a few years on greening K-12 schools.  Now they are initiating a Higher-Education subcommittee, focused on supporting Green Universities and Colleges in Illinois.  During the first subcommittee meeting, we went through this agenda:

1. Introductions of Meeting Participants - All
2. Overview of Sub-Committee Mission, Vision and Goals – Paul Matthews and John Brophy
3. Discussion of Sub-Committee Structure and Team Leaders – Ed Choklek
4. Questions and Answers Concerning Agenda Items 2 & 3 – Sub-committee Leadership Team
5. Homework Assignments for future Sub-Committee Meetings – All
6. Next Meeting Dates – June 17, July 15, and August 19 (3rd Monday of each month at 6:00pm)

The kick-off meeting had the attached files associated with it. 

Attendees: John Brophy, Paul Matthews, Ed Choklek, Stephenie Presseller, Vuk Vujovic, Candace Small, and Brian Healy in person. Jennifer Fifield, Allessandra Cairo, Morgan Johnston, Tom Shelton, Tim Gibson, Sajid Mian, Ted Renner, Missy Nergard, Craig Anz and Stella Nicolet by phone.

The following is list of ideas for covering at future meetings:        Net Zero Waste, Greening Small Construction/Renovation Projects, Tree Campus USA, USGBC Student Chapter Support, Recyclemania, USGBC Membership Benefits to Students, Community Green Initiative, Justifying LEED Certification, LEED for Existing Buildings Operation and Maintenance, LEED/Sustainability at Liberal Arts Institutions, Green Career Fairs, Convincing College/University Leadership to adopt LEED NC, LEED ND, and/or LEED EBO&M, 2013 Green Apple Day of Service and the Relevance of LEED and Sustainability for Business and Other Non-Technical Students Across Different Disciplines.

Professors Bill Sanders and Tom Overbye received funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for the Illinois Center for a Smarter Electric Grid (ICSEG). The ICSEG is a 5-year project that is helping to provide services for the validation of information technology and control aspects of Smart Grid systems.

The University campus has designated several different areas as No-Mow Zones. There is signage at these locations that explains that the area is a no-mow zone and the benefits of no-mow zones.

Each LEED certified building on campus has signage that highlights the green features of that building. All new renovation or construction provides signage with information about the green features.

For example, the Business Instructional Facility (BIF) has a large electronic, interactive monitor that allows visitors to review each of the green features of the building.

According to the EPA, about 30 percent of the pipes the United States water infrastructure are between 40 to 80 years old. The aging water system is dangerous to public health and often causes property loss and inconvenience. The University's pipe survey, which looked at the pipe system on campus property to find leaks, will help to combat this national problem at the university level.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/01/20/water.main.infrastructure/index.html

From: Marlin, John C
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 4:37 PM
To: Welch, Ryan B
Cc: Johnston, Morgan B
Subject: Grass herbicide for Florida Orchard

A container of Assure II is now at the S. Lincoln grounds Barn.  I left it with Eric who put it in the location with the chemicals.  There is a note taped to the top with my name on it and saying it is for Ryan Welch for Florida—Orchard.

I am supposed to mention that the herbicide needs to have a little crop oil mixed in as per the label.  Also the person who sprayed last time said to make sure your guy knows there are a couple ground hog holes in the field.

The targeted grass is quackgrass.   The prime target areas are fairly obvious and need the most attention.  The worst area is just south of the mulched area and extends quite a way up the hill.  It should probably be done first in case we run out of mix.   Then there is a large swath just to the west of the trees going most of the way up the field. 

Attached is a copy of the Assure II label. 

I will need a little warning in order to remove some marker flags from the field.   Use my cell as well as email, as I do not always see my email in a timely manner.   We can be ready about any time you can schedule it.    

The spray can come a couple feet  into the edge of the mulched area.   I will put pink flags along the edge.  If possible use a machine with some extended spray arms to minimize the number of prairie plants that will be ridden over by wheels.   The bar on the sprayer that did the roundup last year had wide wheels and the spray bar was only as wide as the machine.

The weather channel predicts next Tue and Wed as 10% chance of rain.

Thanks,

John