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- Associated Project(s):Attached Files:
Tree Campus USA Celebration Presentation 2020
Associated Project(s):Morgan White discussed Tree Campus USA background information and UIUC specific information and events.
Attached Files:Update on MTD's transition to clean energy vehicles
Associated Project(s):We currently have 94 hybrids in our fleet of 111 vehicles, which makes us 85% hybrid. However, we have 11 more hybrids being made right now as replacement vehicles that are supposed to start arriving in the next week. At that point, we’ll have 105 hybrids, making up 95% of the fleet. I know that’s starting now and will certainly be done by the end of the year, but I don’t the exact timeline (I would imagine within a few months we’ll have them all, though).
We did order the two hydrogen buses that will be arriving later this year and then go into service in 2021. We did design that fueling station to be scalable, because we feel really good about this technology and think it holds a lot of promise for us, so if it does work out, the station was designed to be modified and go from accommodating two buses to six or ten or twelve as easily as possible. So, if funding allows, I would be on the look-out for those. - MTD representative to F&S inquiry in April 2020
Green Office Opportunities!
Associated Project(s):Many university employees want to set an example for students by taking environmental action at work, but they aren’t sure where to start. The Certified Green Office Program is designed to identify simple, inexpensive actions you can take in your workspace.
In its first four years, more than 50 offices and over 1,000 staff and faculty joined the Certified Green Office Program. In the program’s fifth year, we invite you and your office to make a pledge to reduce your use of resources and improve the overall sustainability of your office’s day-to-day practices.
Small actions make a big difference when many take those small actions. The Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) outlines campus plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and we believe everyone can play a part in achieving that goal through their day-to-day actions. With your help, we can reduce the environmental impact of this campus and strengthen its position as a national leader in sustainability.
Click here for more information about the Certified Green Office Program.
Transportation SWATeam Meeting: 13 April 2020
Associated Project(s):Attached are the meeting minutes from the Transportation SWATeam meeting on 13 April 2020.
The Agenda is as follows:
- SP20 Recommendation Status Review
- April Agenda Review
- iCAP 2020 Transportation Chapter Review
Attached Files:history note from F&S
Associated Project(s):F&S has used both GEM (8?) and e-Ride (2) electric service vehicles as well as 8 other small, gas powered Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs), 2 each from 4 different manufacturers totaling 8 LSVs. I’ve attached an email that has a link to a story posted on Cars.com about our use. While a variety of vehicles were used they were pretty much all gone in 5-8 years for many reasons including capability, reliability, parts supplies, vendors going out of business and personnel concerns. None in service currently.
From July 2008, by Pete Varney:
The University did in fact purchase 8 vehicles, we are calling them "mini-trucks." Chery is one of the OEMs. We purchased two each of Tiger, Mag Intl, Vantage and Cushman (no longer selling in the US). The desire is to test their effectiveness as a service vehicle on campus. We have a large fleet of service vehicles (250+) and the majority of them never travel more that a couple of miles each day and never exceed the campus speed limit, 25 mph.
This has been a long and at sometimes, difficult, project to get rolling, but now includes electric vehicles (E-ride) as well. All part of the University's goal of conserving energy and increasing sustainability.
https://www.cars.com/articles/chinese-part-of-mini-truck-mania-1420663272884/
Attached Files:Compare power consumption for BIF
Associated Project(s):A graph of energy consumption at BIF during the week of April 2 - April 9 is attached.
Attached Files:Donut Hole bike parking inventory as of 4/7/2020
Associated Project(s):Please see attached the inventory spreadsheet.
Total Donut Holes from FY12 2302 Remaining Donut Holes as of 4/7/20 240 % remaining 10.43% % removed as of 4/7/20 89.57% Attached Files:Celebrate Earth Month!
Associated Project(s):Help Us Celebrate Earth Month — Wherever You Are!
It's officially Earth Month, and the countdown is on to Earth Day 2020 on April 22!
On this 50th Earth Day, the theme nationally is climate action, and we have several virtual events scheduled — both informative and fun!
On April 20, climate scientist and U of I graduate Katharine Hayhoe will deliver the annual Charles David Keeling Lecture online, via Zoom, "Climate Science in a Fact-Free World." Hayhoe — Director of the Climate Center and Associate in the Public Health Program of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Texas Tech University — writes that the best predictor of whether someone agrees that humans are responsible for climate change isn't their level of education or scientific literacy, but where they fall on the political spectrum.
On April 23, we will celebrate the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) with a Facebook Live event. Join us for a livestream discussion as we showcase a draft of iCAP 2020 and the hard work of the many people who contributed their time and effort this past year.
You can find details below on how to participate in both events.
And there's more! Starting next week, take our Earth Week Countdown Quiz on Instagram (@sustainillinois). And during Earth Week, chart your sustainable activities by playing Earth Week Blackout BINGO. Stay tuned for details!
Ethics training update 4/6/2020
Associated Project(s):The task force is close to finalizing the content of the sustainability ethics course. The attached draft was updated after the recent meeting on 4/1/2020.
Our next steps include: inviting Shantanu Pai with F&S to upcoming meetings to discuss and verify the content, and strategizing how to produce the course itself.
Attached Files:Sustainability Webinar: Large Summer Festival Going Zero Waste
Associated Project(s):James Carter - programming & operations manager with Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF) - will discuss how they implemented a dramatic waste management transformation, created educational opportunities, and presented community-collaborative art programming. The operational goal? To become a zero waste event with 90% landfill diversion over three years.
April 9, 12–1 PM Elizabeth Meschewski • Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
Sustainability Webinar: Large Summer Festival Going Zero Waste
Everyday Environment Webinar Series
Associated Project(s):University of Illinois Extension's Energy & Environmental Stewardship Team presents the "Everyday Environment Webinar Series." Learn about natural resources and how to make small changes in your lifestyle to positively impact your environment. From lawn care and native plants to understanding coyote behavior and more, there is always something new to learn about your everyday environment.
April 9–June 25, 1–2 PM • Every Thursday Erin Garrett • Cooperative Extension Service
Everyday Environment Webinar Series
Join us for weekly sessions on environmental topics presented by University of Illinois Extension's Energy & Environmental Stewardship Team! These webinars will both provide new information on natural resources and help you learn how to make small changes in your lifestyle to have a positive impact on the environment. From lawn care, native plants, and managing home waste to understanding coyote behavior and atmospheric optics, there is never a shortage of new things to learn about your everyday environment. See flyer for more details.
The schedule of webinars is below and registration is free! Please register for each individual webinar you are interested in attending at their respective registration link.
Sky Spectacles
April 9, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Join us and learn why we see a blue sky; why twilight is longer near the poles; and what sun dogs, halos, mirages, and other atmospheric optics are. Presenter: Duane Friend.
Coyotes
April 16, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Coyotes have to be one of the most misunderstood species in Illinois. Cunning, social, resilient, opportunistic, faithful, adaptive, shy, successful, hated, inspirational: those words have all been used to describe coyotes. They conjure up mixed feelings of fear, anger, and for some, wild beauty. Coyotes are often blamed for many things they do and do not do. Nonetheless, they might be worthy the title of best survivalist despite the human population. Presenter: Peggy Doty.
Planting for the Pollinators
April 23, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
How can you support pollinators in your yard? Learn what types of pollinators you can attract to your yard and discover the right native plants attract butterflies, native bees, moths, and more. Presenter: Erin Garrett.
Natural Lawn Care Part 1: Assessment
April 30, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Assess the health and prepare for environmentally-friendly lawns. Participants will learn tools and techniques to better assess lawn so as they make an informed natural lawn care plan. Presenters: Abigail Garofalo, Gemini Bhalsod, and Allison Neubauer.
Natural Lawn Care Part 2: Strategies
May 7, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Learn strategies to understand your lawn, as well as learn tools to create a natural lawn care action plan. Presenters: Abigail Garofalo, Gemini Bhalsod, and Allison Neubauer.
Managing Waste in the Home
May 14, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Have you ever thought about how much trash your household generates? Learn about the management of municipal solid waste in the US, materials that can be recycled or composted, locating recycling and composting facilities near you, and strategies for decreasing household waste. Presenter: Ashley Belle.
Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Biennial Report
May 21, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
How is water quality in Illinois? The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy guides the state's efforts to improve water quality at home and downstream by reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels in our lakes, streams, and rivers. The strategy lays out a comprehensive suite of best management practices for reducing nutrient loads from wastewater treatment plants and urban and agricultural runoff. Learn how the strategy has progressed. Presenters: Eliana Brown, Kate Gardiner, Haley Haverback, Jennifer Woodyard.
All About Clouds
June 25, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
See various types of clouds, including unique clouds only seen in a few locations and what weather is expected with each variety. Presenter: Duane Friend.
Illini Lights out at Home!
Associated Project(s):Help us turn off lights and electronics to reduce energy use and fight climate change! ILO Goes Home builds on the monthly student event that has saved energy, emissions, and money on campus. Join the Illinois community and do your part for the Earth wherever you are!
5:30-7 p.m. | Friday, April 17March 2020 Buyer's Share Report
Associated Project(s):RailSplitter Wind Farm provided the March 2020 Buyer's Share amounts by hour, totaling 2,524.6 Megawatt hours. See attached file.
Attached Files:Resilience Team Meeting: April 3, 2020
Associated Project(s):The minutes of the Resilience Team meeting held on 04/03/2020 is attached.
Attached Files:Land and Water SWATeam Meeting Minutes 3/31/2020
Associated Project(s):Meeting minutes from the Land and Water SWATeam meeting on March 31st, 2020. This meeting focused on finalizing a recommendation for a data repository and generating ideas for future recommendations.
Attached Files:Veo March 2020 ridership overview
Associated Project(s):Please see ridership data below:
March:
Total rides: 1034
Total new users: 117
Total bikes out: 100 e bikes
Average rides per day: 43
Total rides to date: 393,521
Total users to date: 20,203
update from Mike Marquissee
Associated Project(s):GRITS is updated as of 6-30-2019 and the fund balance as of 6-30-2019 is $4,131,042.
info about green labs from Paul Foote
Associated Project(s):See this article in Lab Manager, the author works with My Green Labs and lightly covers every aspect of what sustainable labs actions are and how they help.
She also used to work for Thermo Fisher Scientific and was in the team that developed cardboard coolers for shipping supplies instead of Styrofoam.
Making Sustainable Labs a Reality
How to reduce the environmental impact of research
Have a great day!
Compare power consumption for BIF - Week 3
Associated Project(s):Energy consumption at BIF during the week of March 20-March 26 is attached. We are tracking energy usage while most people are off-campus.
Attached Files: