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Projects Updates for Sustainability Practitioners at RPC

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  1. Shared metrics - UIUC FY14 data

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Practitioners at RPC

    In order to collaborate for sustainability improvements, it is helpful to have a shared baseline data set.  the Sustainability Practitioners developed a list of potential shared metrics for our region, and the attached file shows the UIUC data from FY14 for these metrics.

    These primarily came from the STARS report put together by Stephanie Lage at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.  There are also several data points taken from the Facilities & Services Utilities & Energy Services website.

    Attached Files: 

  2. idea for a Native Plants and Pollinator support discussion group

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Practitioners at RPC

    In August, this group discussed the general topic of native plants and pollinator support. We considered options for measuring the effectiveness of the current landscape as pollinator support, and we considered methods for encouraging more native plantings throughout the community.  One big hurdle is that there is no actual funding available.  One of the examples of past success with a similar situation is Champaign County Bikes, where a group of highly motivated community members worked together to change the bicycling culture.  We determined that a good first step would be for iSEE to invite interested individuals together to discuss options for moving forward.  (There are several groups that should be invited, so it will not be difficult to find the interested folks.)

    Scott Tess, from the City of Urbana, provided the following related links:

    http://pollinator.org/PDFs/Guides/PrairieParklandrx12FINAL.pdf

    http://resilient-cities.iclei.org/fileadmin/sites/resilient-cities/files/Resilient_Cities_2013/Using-Ecological-Theory-Guide-Urban-Planting-Design_low.pdf

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3353335/

  3. Opportunities for Collaboration

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Practitioners at RPC

    Hi everyone,

    Attached is the Opportunities for Collaboration document draft discussed at today’s meeting, including the list of plans that helped inform the document. Please send me your top picks from the ideas listed (and any ideas that aren’t on the list), as well as plans that did not get considered but should have, so that successive drafts can be more comprehensive. Let me know if you have any questions or other comments.

    Thanks!

    Kathleen Oldrey

    Attached Files: 

  4. Letter of Support for Solar Market Pathways

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Practitioners at RPC

    Professor Ben McCall provided the attached letter of support for the Solar Market Pathways program that CCRPC is coordinating.  It is a system that allows local residential properties to learn more about their options for installing solar on their property. Those interested in doing so could then purchase in bulk at a reduced rate.

    Attached Files: 

  5. Household Hazardous Waste website

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Practitioners at RPC

    Dear Community Members,  Alternative options are being explored in an effort to identify more efficient strategies for the collection of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).  To provide an informational hub in the research project’s seven-county area, a website has been created.  The site provides information regarding HHW, collection efforts in each county, collection sites, the project, and finally a collaborative blog to share thoughts with other stakeholders.  At the moment the website is still quite raw and running on a very slow host server, but please look over the content and provide feedback.  In the near future we will hold meetings in each county.   Our hope is that you will share your thoughts about what would work best in your community and the region as a whole.  Those thoughts will be considered in the construction of options for implementation.

    Here is the link to the HHW East Illinois website: http://hhweastillinois.co.nf/

    Thank you for your time and consideration,

    Susan Monte, Champaign County Recycling Coordinator

    Bart Bartels, ISTC Research Assistant

  6. Household Hazardous Waste collection plans

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Practitioners at RPC

    About this time last year, the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, in collaboration with the Lumpkin Family Foundation and the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, embarked on a project to improve Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection options in a seven-county area (see attachment) of East Central Illinois.  Our study area includes Champaign County. This past July, we completed Part 1 of the project--a comprehensive overview of HHW collection activities in Illinois and best management practices.   

    Part 2 is now underway.  We intend to develop recommendations regarding efficient and convenient options for HHW collection within our project study area.    

    We ask for your assistance and invite your input regarding these two questions:

    1. What volunteer groups or interested parties in Champaign County might be interested in supporting or participating in an improved HHW collection program? 

    Participation can include marketing, promotion, collection, or perhaps even using some of the collected products.

    1. Do you know of collection options in your county that are already taking place for the following products: 
    • anti-freeze
    • cell phones
    • compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL)
    • fluorescent tubes and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps
    • lead acid batteries
    • motor oil
    • paint
    • rechargeable batteries
    • transmission fluid
    • unwanted medicines

    We are putting the finishing touches on a website to share HHW collection options in the study area, raise awareness regarding current efforts, and build strategies to improve HHW collection. 

    You will be notified once this website is launched. 

    Each county has its unique aspects, and ask that you share your insights and perspectives to optimize the effectiveness of this collaborative effort. 

    Please respond to this email with any thoughts, ideas, or concerns.  Also, we are happy to meet to discuss potential options at your convenience.  Please forward to anyone that may have an interest.

    All the best,

    Susan Monte, Champaign County Recycling Coordinator

    Champaign County Regional Planning Commission

    direct phone: (217) 819-4105

    email: smonte@ccrpc.org

    Bart Bartels, ISTC Research Assistant

    Champaign County Regional Planning Commission

    direct phone: (217) 819-4060

    email: bbartels@crcpc.org

     

     

    Attached Files: