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Projects Updates for theme: all

  2. follow up on potential VRO project

    Associated Project(s): 
    Rainwater Management
    Reduce Nitrates from Agricultural Stormwater

    Dear Madhu,

    Thank you for taking the time to speak with me and here is a follow up email to our zoom conversation. The committee on natural areas at UIUC oversees research on roughly a dozen university-owned properties that include about 1,000 acres of natural lands spanning east-central Illinois. The largest of these, the Vermilion River Observatory, located about 45 miles by road east of campus, was acquired by the Dept of ECE in the 1960s to construct a radio telescope. The ~495 acre property is now managed by the CNA for various environmental research projects and there are ~105 acres of agricultural land that are leased to a tenant farmer by ECE for cash revenue that at its peak generated ~20k/year but the value of the crop has been declining recently. Due to being in the drainage of the Vermilion river, the soils of the VRO are somewhat marginal in their production value and I think there is some chance the tenant farmer will decide to leave the lease. Or it may be possible given a suitable research project to take over the lease and use the lands for research.

    The project I am interested in pursuing is a long-term, large-scale ecological and agricultural experiment evaluating trajectories of agricultural lands following agricultural abandonment. Considering the scale of the agricultural lands on the VRO, I think it could be possible to have large and well-replicated experimental treatments that include comparisons among passive revegetation, bioenergy production, and active reforestation. Potential study outcomes could include carbon sequestration/flow, biodiversity conservation, and economic and energy cost/benefit analyses comparing the costs of these different experimental treatments versus the returns on investment. By east-central Illinois standards, I think the productivity of the agricultural lands on the VRO could be considered marginal, but based on my read of the literature and our conversation, I get the impression that these marginal lands are more likely to experience agricultural abandonment in the coming years.

    Assuming ECE would be open to a change in the management strategy for the agricultural lands on the VRO, which I would be happy to discuss with ECE and the OVCRI if we decide to proceed, the CNA could provide some logistical support for a large-scale research project on the VRO, including through the use of some of our farm equipment and out buildings on the property. We also have two full-time research/management staff whose time can be budgeted into proposals. And I am eager to undertake more long-term experiments on the CNA properties using former agricultural lands, since I see this as one of the most unique and important values of these properties that can be applied to a pressing environmental challenge.

    This is something I would be excited to pursue through the support of iSEE and I would love it if it gave us a chance to collaborate, Madhu. Attached please find an aerial photo of the VRO and an older site description map. Please let me know if you think this could dovetail with other opportunities currently being pursued by iSEE and CABBI and let me know what I can do to help!

    Best,

    Brian

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

    This is the land that Brian Allan had mentioned to me

     

    Madhu

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

     

    Attached Files: 

  3. VMBS water fountains

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    Working on the inventory now, finding some strange things going on. Image below of recently installed machine in Vet Med.

     

    Also, new fountains are being installed/replaced on campus. Probably should inform involved parties if we want all new fountains to be bottle fill capable.

     

    Macie should have the info to you in the first week of August.

     

    Thank you,

    Pete

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

    I’m looking at the email below and wondering if the Zero Waste iCAP Team would want to recommend that UIUC have a new facility standard for major reconstruction and new construction to include filler stations for new water fountains.

     

    Morgan

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

    I think it’s a good idea to require the installation of the *bottle-filler* style hydration station. I don’t know the pros/cons of specifying a campus standard. Maybe this is something the team can evaluate.

     

    Daphne, feel free to suggest edits for the ZW priorities.

     

    Morgan, let’s discuss the other items on this list when we meet today.

     

    Thanks!

     

    Jen

  4. Free Native Plants!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Landscapes Plan

    Hi all –

     

    I hope everyone is doing well!  

     

    I’m reaching out with an opportunity (not related to waste reduction 😊).

     

    The National Wildlife Federation, alongside our new partner, Garden for Wildlife Inc., have launched an initiative to support our partners (k-12 schools, colleges/universities, churches, etc.) in their efforts to expand quality native habitats for people, pollinators, and wildlife. Garden for Wildlife Inc., sells “direct-to-consumer” native plants to 38 states in the eastern and central United States (western states are coming soon!)

     

    Your campus can now apply for free native plants for your native plant and habitat projects . These plants will come pre-selected, be native to your area, and include at least one species of milkweed, an essential plant for supporting pollinators and monarch butterflies. These plants are slightly smaller than quart size, with at least 3 inches of new growth. They will begin to bloom within a couple of months of planting, depending on the season. 

     

    In order to request plants, you must meet the following requirements: 

     

    • Plant in the approved space within 3 days of receipt (i.e. – a school, community green space, park, etc.). 
    • Maintain the wildlife garden for at least 5 years and share and donate photos of the space or planting. 
    • Display provided signage noting that the plants were donated by Garden for Wildlife by the National Wildlife Federation. 
    • Cover the costs of plant delivery - $38 / 64 plants (i.e. – 192 plants = $114, 768 plants = $456, etc.) 

     

    To apply, please visit: https://gardenforwildlife.com/pages/donations 

     

    Please reach out with any questions. This is first come first serve, so if you are interested, please don’t hesitate to fill out the online form! 

     

    Thanks, take care,

    Kristy 

  6. New outdoor bins scheduled to arrive 8/11

    Associated Project(s): 
    Welcome Celebration Recycling
    Tailgate Recycling
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola

    From: Sarah Carten <SCarten@heartlandcocacola.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2023 9:15 AM
    To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>; Jake Slager <jakeslager@coca-cola.com>
    Cc: Liz Doeschot <LDoeschot@heartlandcocacola.com>
    Subject: RE: Rvat Containers

     

    Hello Daphne.  We are going to schedule to delivery the containers on 8/11 between 8am – 2pm.  If something changes and you want sooner, just let me know.  Thank you.

     

    a9wAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==

  7. 7-19-23 Sustainability Meeting with key DIA contacts

    Associated Project(s): 
    Tailgate Recycling
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics
    "Don't Waste" with Coca-Cola
    Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste

    Attendance: Jen Fraterrigo, Daphne Hulse, Marty Kaufmann, Zach Acton, Tim Knox

    Agenda

    1. Quick recap of past accomplishments and opportunities (Jen)
    2. Messaging about bringing reusable bottles into facilities (Jen), internal/external
      1. Zach and Marty commented that they are currently working on their game day website, and they will be updating their messaging regarding water bottles during this process/get an updated image for the clear bag policy.
      2. Tim and Zach are pushing for gate attendance to accurately assess water bottles at games (and work on not refusing the bottles that are accepted according to the policy).
    3. Selling reusable bottles at games/events and status of hydration stations (Jen)
      1. The Soybean Association handed out free water bottles at a game. DIA has no issue with this concept. Usually it is easiest to find a sponsor who can help with the purchasing.
      2. Game Day Spirit is the merchandise company.
      3. Huff Hall - DIA controls only Room 100, so any hydration stations would need to be funded by the state-supported facility.
      4. DIA noted that during softball the Monster water stations were a big hit. The DIA would look into where else the Monsters can be used.
    4. Messaging during games (Jen)
      1. It is easiest to provide content to DIA that can be disseminated with a social media focus, or through the game day script itself.
      2. Hydration stations can be highlighted in the script with a customer service/health & safety focus. It is easier to promote things when they fall under these categories.
      3. In the pre-game emails sent to ticketholders, we can also put content in here (we're not sure how many people really read through all the info provided in these emails, but it is another outlet).
        1. There are thousands of tailgaters who come only for the tailgating and will not attend the game, so they won't see this information necessarily.
      4. Zach noted that during game day press releases, DIA can give call outs to new stuff, so this may be another outlet.
    5. Recycling bins at SFC (Daphne)
      1. Recapped the two zero waste games held at State Farm Center, and the need for recycling on the upper concourse.
      2. The recommendation transmitted from the iWG was originally sent to the DIA, but State Farm Center is owned by both the DIA and Student Affairs (Lowa). Jen noted that the recommendation may need to be sent to Lowa, too.
      3. Marty has monthly meetings with Lowa, and will bring this up for conversation with him.
    6. Tailgating plans (Daphne)
      • How many and which home games to focus on
      • Locations for dumpsters where bags will be collected (2 lots?)
        • DIA expects that walking the bags to the collection sites may be too much of an expectation for tailgaters. We'll have to test it and see.
        • Volunteers picking up blue bags left behind in lots may be good.
        • DIA is concerned that the dumpsters will become general trash piles, unless they are otherwise noted.
          • (F&S will be providing banners for the dumpsters, and all dumpsters will be staffed with volunteers to avoid this pitfall)
      • Confirm that parking lot/gate attendants will hand out blue bags
        • Confirmed. The parking lot supervisors will assist with this task.
      • Locations for 20 bins from Coke for unbagged recyclables
        • North side of Grange Grove is predominantly students, and this would be a great area to place the bins.
        • Portal 1 and Portal 2 on the west side of Memorial Stadium are the busiest entrances for games, so the bins in this area is great, too.
      • Connecting with volunteer groups who clean up after games
        • Did not get to this topic in the conversation, was sent as a follow up in email.
      • Incentivizing volunteer participation
        • Did not get to this topic in the conversation, was sent as a follow up in email.

  8. E-Cargo Bikes for University of Illinois

    Associated Project(s): 
    Encourage Bicycle Use

    Good day,

     

    I want to introduce you to a carbon free, sustainable alternative to moving products within and around the University of Illinois campus.  From mail and equipment delivery, to public service “vehicles”, to catering, and landscaping, there are many applications that our E-Cargo bikes can handle when moving products to and fro in the campus environment.

     

    We are the largest manufacturer of commercial E-Cargo bikes in the U.S. 

     

    Coaster Cycles are proudly built in the USA (Montana) and exclusively serve the business-to-business market. Our bikes are battle-tested and have design iterations that are currently working for companies like Amazon, UPS, Fedex, USPS, Canada Post, DoorDash, Tesla, Starbucks, US Military, Reef, Albertsons, Fresh Direct, and more.

     

    Businesses and college campuses are finding that E-Cargo bikes have a lower cost of ownership, lower insurance costs, zero carbon emissions, don’t require a driver’s license, no hassle finding parking, no parking fines, no traffic in the bike lane, eye-catching branding, and show your student body and customers you care about the environment.

     

    More information about our bikes is attached. Also, please feel free to visit www.coastercycles.com for more information. We are currently offering free shipping in the US (lower 48), and we have bikes in-stock. We are also offering a free advertising wrap for any bikes purchased prior to the end of the month. I would love the opportunity to visit if you’d like to jump on a quick call so I can run through our products and help answer any questions.  Let me know what times work best for you or you can reach me at the number below.

     

    Thank you,

    Paul

    Coaster Cycles

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

    Did you ever see this?  old email – sales call.

    Morgan White

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

    Hi Morgan,

     

    Thank you for sharing this. I will post this on the iCAP Portal.

     

    I think it would be beneficial to have something like this at F&S and/or on campus. I am thinking about all the events that I have for bicycles or any other sustainability related events (like Arbor Day or Sustainability Celebration), an e-bike with a trailer that can carry a lot of weight would be a great option.

     

    Maybe something like the libraries or the Bike Center would benefit as well. One of my concerns is that we will have to store these in a covered area and the battery charging issue.

     

    I could talk to them as well, if this is something you and Stacey think would be beneficial for us to pursue. Thank you,
    Sarthak

    Attached Files: 

  10. Weekly Update: e-bike questions

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, I’m having more and more conversations with folks about e-bikes. One older woman I spoke with last week said the nearest place able to service her e-bike is in Springfield, IL. Anecdotally, folks don’t seem aware of just how big and dangerous e-bike batteries are from an insurance perspective and thus why bike shops can’t work on them. I see myself having a lot of similar conversations over the next few months…

    We’re hovering around 20 bikes on the sales floor, but we’ve got almost 20 kids’ bikes taking up real estate, too. Plan this week is to fix a dozen or so of those and move them along, hopefully to some of the groups/orgs we’ve worked with in the past.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 21
    Sales: $711.65
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $400
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $60
    Memberships: 3 for $90
    Tires/tubes: 7 for $98

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  13. Weekly meeting with Hrushikesh and Nathaniel

    Associated Project(s): 
    Appropriately Staff Sustainable Transportation Efforts

    Sarthak met with Hrushikesh and Nathaniel on 7/13/2023 together to discuss the weekly meetings. This was the first Sustainable Transportation weekly intern meeting.

    Sarthak explained the layout for these meetings in the future. Hrushikesh and Nathaniel would lead these meetings going forward. They will report on the progress made in the previous week and go over their to-do list for the current week and the week after. They will send Sarthak their weekly progress report in form of Word or Excel or some other form and share it with the Sustainable Transportation team.

    These meetings will be held weekly until the semester begins.

  15. Checked the status of the Round Barns Abandoned Bikes Storage

    Associated Project(s): 
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    On 07/14/2023, Sarthak and Hrushikesh visited the Round Barns facility to get an update on the number of abandoned bikes picked-up by the Parking Department till date. We have identified 300 abandoned bicycles on campus, and they will be transported to the Round Barn by the end of next week. From Monday, 07/17/2023 inventory documentation will begin. 

  17. Weekly Meeting with Nathaniel and Hrushikesh

    Associated Project(s): 
    Appropriately Staff Sustainable Transportation Efforts

    On 07/13/2023, Sarthak had a meeting with Nathaniel and Hrushikesh to get a Weekly progress report and to set next week's tasks.

    - Set a structure for Weekly Meetings

    - Discussion on Bike Friendly University (BFU), Bike Racks Locations and their design Plans, Campus Bike Plan 2024, and the Abandoned Bicycles Project.

    - Gave an overview of the i-Cap Portal and Bike Friendly University (BFU) to Nathaniel.

    - Potential Encouragement project on Social Media: Making a Rules of the Road Video.  

  18. Splitting item by personal property or university property

    Associated Project(s): 
    Recyclopedia

    Daphne Hulse on Teams: Thanks for meeting with us yesterday! We're looking forward to it. One thing that Shreya and I discussed this morning, that may not have been a part of earlier Recyclopedia discussions: there are two categories of items that we work with, those that are considered "personal property" and those that are considered "university property", which impacts where items should be disposed. We have less than 10 recyclables that are disposed of through the Waste Transfer Station (ex: cardboard, paper), but there are many more obscure items (ex: mattresses) that would be disposed of elsewhere. It would be useful for our purposes to have a way to clarify this. This could be one of the additional "fields" or perhaps there is a way within the website to split the categorization by "tab," if that makes sense

  19. Meeting on 2023 Champaign County Bike Month Planning

    Associated Project(s): 
    C-U Bike to Work Day
    Light the Night

    On 07/12/2023, Sarthak and Hrushikesh were a part of a 2023 Champaign County Bike Month Planning meeting.

    - Confirmed Dates for Upcoming Events:
    September 14th – Bike to Work Day
    September 19th – Light the Night

    Time - 4p.m to 7p.m (Tentative)
    September 21st – Rain Day

    - Budget for Light the Night

    - Suggestion in the meeting: The system of Veo Rides is bringing in more bike riders in the community. 

    -* Contact Lily for availability and confirm the dates for the event.

  20. Meeting with Cynthia: Upcoming Events Learn How to Ride a Bicycle

    Associated Project(s): 
    Learn How to Ride a Bicycle and Bike Rodeo
    Encourage Bicycle Use

    On 07/12/2023, Cynthia (C-U SRTS Project Chair) had a meeting with Sarthak and Hrushikesh to plan and discuss events that will help promote use of bicycle on Campus.

    Meeting Minutes:

    - Youth Cycling Instructor has gone through enough training to help in the event, but is not certified.

    - 2 events will be held initially

    1) Event - Learn to Ride

    Date - Tentatively scheduled on 08/12/2023 (Saturday) or 08/12/2023 (Sunday) (Morning preferred)

    Location - Basketball Courts near Campus Bike Center

    Students - 2-3 students per LCI

    Limit to 6 students in Total

    *2 Volunteers required (including 1 Mechanical Volunteer @Jake)

    *Electric Bikes not preferred

    2) Basic Bicycling Skills Class - 10-12 people limit

    * For these events Bikes can be made available by Bike Rodeo. 

    - Ride Illini Initiative - Bicycle Friendly Businesses can be involved to incentivize use of Bicycles.

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