ALUFS006 update
Hi Jennifer,
Hi Jennifer,
The Sustainability Sub-Council discussed and approved this recommendation at the March 18, 2021 meeting. The meeting minutes are online at: https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project-update/sustainability-s...
The key next steps are:
Dear FY19 SWATeam members, As another academic year is about to begin, we want to first thank you for all of your help moving campus toward the goals outlined in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP). Each of the six SWATeams worked on multiple recommendations last year, and after careful evaluation by the iCAP Working Group (iWG), several recommendations are under consideration now at the appropriate campus units.
Following the completion of iWG assessment for ALUFS005 VetMed Parking, the recommendation was transmitted to Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Lowa Mwilambwe, and Campus Parking Director, Marty Paulins.
See iWG assessment of ALUFS005 VetMed Parking attached.
Following the completion of iWG assessment for ALUFS006 Increased Agroforestry, the recommendation was transmitted to Dean Kimberlee Kidwell of the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.
See iWG assessment of ALUFS006 Increased Agroforestry attached, saying, "Work with the university landscape architect, Brent Lewis, to develop a plan for adding trees along the Embarras, including costs and requirements, and supporting implementation."
The ALUFS SWATeam submitted a recommendation to the iWG, proposing:
"A redesign of the VetMed parking lot (F27) to reduce runoff to the south, thus preventing runoff from flooding the Dairy Farm."
See attached the SWATeam recommendation ALUFS005 VetMed Parking complete with comments from ALUFS SWATeam members.
An iCAP Working Group assessment of this recommendation began on June 7, 2019.
The ALUFS SWATeam submitted a recommendation to the iWG proposing that the university:
"Obtain more agroforestry by increasing trees campus-wide. Initial focus can be along the Embarras river between 1st Street and Airport Road (CR 1100 N), where approximately 32 acres of riparian forest buffer could be planted. Additionally, general addition of trees to campus proper, including on parking lots."
See attached the SWATeam recommendation ALUFS006 Increased Agroforestry complete with comments from ALUFS SWATeam members.
Final notes on iCAP objective reviews were made. Challenges in establishing best management practices were addressed. Team members thought of a possible new iCAP objective addressing them but decided to have the Director of Crop Sciences Research and Education Centers involved with the team to think of other solutions. It was decided that the PWR team should handle food waste issues, as ALUFS has been making the most progress on the production side.
Team members decided on the need for more objectivity in the style of iCAP goal writing. Information gathered about agricultural greenhouse gas emission calculators was discussed and faculty members who may be knowledgable were identified.
A plan to gather information on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions tools was intitiated. Many of the goals related to landscaping have been met (for example, incorporation of sustainability into the Campus Master Plan); in iCAP review, the team deicided that more goals would be needed if work were to be continued in this field. The team brought up the impact on food choice regarding greenhouse gases, as compared to transportation.
These are the meeting minutes from February 7, 2019.
The new team member of ALUFS was told a summary of goals from the previous semester. A plan was made regarding work on iCAP goal revision for the spring semester. In addition to the original purpose of additional tree cover along the Embarras River, other consideraions were made.
Ideas for recommendation related to post-consumer waste reduction, recommendations to continue in Spring semester
Discussions on food waste data display, stormwater projects, Step 2 proposal for Student Sustainability Committee water quality monitoring funding
Sustainability Celebration poster updates, obstacles relating ot iCAP goal ocmpletion
Additions to writing of Step 1 proposal for Student Sustainability Committee funding; decisions on which recommendations on green stormwater infrastructure to follow through with; landscaping as relates to ALUFS
Update on Dean's approval of recommendation on unification of Best Management Practices; discussion on writing Student Sustainability Committee funding proposal for nitrate monitoring
See attached the Appreciation Letter sent to all SWATeams earlier this month.
The two teams decided on further steps toward planning for nitrogen monitoring and parking lot sustainability, some of which were based on organization and ease of approval by the iCAP Working Group.
Members opened ideas for reducing food waste, which would be considered during the rest of semester and in the upcoming fall, and split ideas of green stormwater infrastructure into several specific recommendations to be considered.