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Project Updates

  1. New iSEE Green Chapter Certification

    Associated Project(s): 
    Certified Greener Campus Programs
    Certified Green Chapter Program

    Congratulations to our newest Green Chapter Certification! Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity received gold certification status as of December 2021. They committed to twenty-one actions that further their sustainability initiatives. They notably had forty-nine chapter members commit to using reusable water bottles instead of drinking bottled water. Twenty-four members also pledged to use active transportation for local travel. 

    Keep up the great work!

  3. Funding Approval for Grind2Energy

    Associated Project(s): 
    Grind2Energy
    Utilize Carbon Credits
    Carbon Credit Purchasing Program (C2P2) with Second Nature

    Ehab Kamarah and Madhu Khanna approved $135,000 of funding from the Carbon Credit Sales Fund for the Grind2Energy system.

    "This project will install the Grind2Energy system for food waste at the Lincoln Avenue
    Dining Hall on campus... Housing has successfully installed the Grind2Enery system as a sustainable solution for dining hall pre-consumer and post-consumer food waste in four of the five dining halls. This funding would allow them to complete the final installation before the student body returns in fall 2022." -Morgan White (12/14/2021)

     

    An email of approval is attached below.

    Attached Files: 

  5. UPD Climate Change Event Planning - Aug 2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Urbana Park District (UPD) Climate Action, Resilience, Education and Sustainability (CARES) Plan

    Hello, friends!

    I am planning a large climate-change-focused community event for August 22-29, 2022, to take place at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana. We are seeking community partners to get involved in planning (especially partners who reflect the wide diversity of our community). I am reaching out here just as a feeler to start…

    ·Would you or someone from your workplace like to be invited to a planning meeting in the coming month?

    ·Is there anyone you recommend I reach out to?

    ·Do any of you know who used to plan the Green Fair-type events that were at Research Park several years ago?

     

    Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have for me!

     

    A very rough draft of a schedule and activities is included below, so you can get an idea about what we’re thinking. This is all subject to change, of course!

     

    Sat, Aug 20

    Candlelight Symphony Boat Event (Janet)

    Climate Fresk workshop(s) for youth and/or adults (Savannah) (David?)

    Mon, Aug 22

    Talk: Climate Change in Champaign County (Savannah; Climate Reality)

     

    Tues, Aug 23

    Talk: IL State Climatologist Trent Ford (or Jim Angel?)

     

    Wed, Aug 24

    Program: sustainable cooking / food

     

    Th, Aug 25

    Talk: IL Clinicians for Climate Action

     

    Fri, Aug 26

    Movie Screening (w/ free food?)

    C4 Green Drinks

    ·Involve Riggs / “uncorked” / craft beer

    Sat, Aug 27

    Main Event:

    ·Green Vehicles “Touch a Truck”

    ·Live Music

    ·Tree planting / care (Ryan Pankau?)

    ·Community Bike Rodeo / other biking component (Open Road @ CLP)

    ·Public Input opportunities

    ·Create community art piece (something to leave behind after the event)

    ·End with nighttime luminaire “reflection” event on the lake

     

    Sun, Aug 28

    Rain Date: Main Event

     

     

    To add to draft schedule??:

    • “Run for the Sun” fun run?
    • KRT bike ride?
    • Recycling component/collection
    • Community art display
    • TickTock contest?

     

     

    Thanks again, and Happy Holidays!

    Savannah

     

    UPD Logo 2020

    Savannah Donovan (she/her)
    Environmental Program Manager

    President-Elect, Environmental Education Assoc. of IL

    p: 217-384-4062 ext. 359 | f: 217-384-1052
    Anita Purves Nature Center | Urbana Park District

    1505 N. Broadway Ave. Urbana, IL 61801

    Read our Strategic Plan

    Read our COVID-19 Facility Guidelines

    www.urbanaparks.org

    You belong

  7. Weekly Update: Kids' Bike Giveaway event; Outdoor bike pump; CBC closing for winter break

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, The Kid’s Bike Giveaway event was held on Saturday afternoon. We gave away 60 bikes and still have 20 left. Ideally, we would’ve given them all away, but no one left disappointed, which is very much worth the extra time and effort of moving 20 bikes back into the shop. We had 7 people volunteering, so it was quick work. We’ll put the word out this week that anyone who didn’t get a bike is welcome to stop by the Urbana Bike Project during open hours (Wed/Thurs 6:30 – 9; Sat/Sun by appointment) to pick out a bike from our leftovers. Depending on volunteer availability off-hours pick-ups might be doable, too.

    Thanks to everyone who helped with the event and helped spread the word! We were able to give away 15 more bikes than we did last year.

    Last week I was finally able to fully rebuild the outdoor bike pump with new and heavier duty parts that should last the winter. So far no one’s tried to drive their car up to the pump and air their car tires like they did when the station was by the curb on Pennsylvania. 

    This week I’ll turn our attentions to refurbishing. We should have a half dozen bikes on the sales floor by Friday. We’ve worked through the easy fixes and are left with the fun stuff: dusty, old 3 speeds, 10 speed Schwinns and the like. Now we can start in earnest building up our stock for the spring rush—although, with the unseasonably warm temps this week, we may be too busy to make much headway. A good problem to have.

    We’re closing for Winter Break after Friday. Reopening date is TBD.

    The numbers:

    Visitors:
    Sales: $71*
    Memberships: 1 for $30
    Tires/tubes: 3 for $13

    *We’ve reinstated the First Visit Free policy which deflates our sales numbers compared to our mandated memberships for the summer/fall.

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  9. Request for Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE funding for Campus as a Living Lab (CALL)
    iSEE Campus as a Living Lab (CALL) Projects

    From: Guest, Jeremy S <jsguest at illinois.edu>
    Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2021 8:07 AM
    To: Verma, Vishal <vverma at illinois.edu>; Cusick, Roland <rcusick at illinois.edu>; Geiger, Sarah Dee <smurphy7 at illinois.edu>
    Cc: Rosenbery, Amy Nichole <husted at illinois.edu>; Khanna, Madhu <khanna1 at illinois.edu>; Cai, Ximing <xmcai at illinois.edu>; White, Morgan <mbwhite at illinois.edu>; Kokini, Eugenie Jenny <jkokini at illinois.edu>
    Subject: iSEE Campus as a Living Lab Proposal - Request for Meeting

     

    Vishal, Roland, and Sarah,

     

    Thank you for submitting a proposal for Campus as a Living Lab funding from the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE). I am pleased to share with you that your proposal was well reviewed. In particular, it was noted that the focus engaging with the 5th and Hill neighborhood is directly in-line with campus goals to address local sustainability challenges, as highlighted in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/files/project/5293/iCAP-2020-FINAL-WEB.pdf; https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/). 

     

    At this time, we would like to move to the next step the proposal review process and meet with you and your team to learn more about your plans, discuss iSEE expectations for funded teams, and answer any questions you may have. I am copying Amy Rosenbery, who will help coordinate scheduling for a meeting some time between November 29-December 3 or December 6-10. For the meeting we will try to include (if possible) your full team, Madhu Khanna, Jenny Kokini, and me, as well as Ximing Cai and Morgan White who lead our Campus as a Living Lab efforts.

     

    One additional items is that we noted that CVs and Current & Pending documents were not included in the original submittal. Please submit these documents in advance of our meeting. Templates (if you require them) can be found on the seed funding website: https://sustainability.illinois.edu/research/campus-as-a-living-laboratory-research-campus-sustainability-working-together/. Any similar format is acceptable, however.

     

    We look forward to discussing your proposed project in more detail. Amy will be in touch in the coming week to help find a time for us to meet.

     

    Have a wonderful weekend!


    - Jeremy

     

    -------------------------------------------------
    Jeremy S. Guest, Ph.D.

    Pronouns: he, him, his
    Associate Professor

        Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

    Acting Associate Director for Research

        Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, MC-250
    205 North Mathews Avenue
    Urbana, IL 61801-2352
    Phone:  (217) 244-9247
    E-Mail:  jsguest at illinois.edu 
    Guest Group Website:  http://engineeringforsustainability.com/
    iSEE Website: https://sustainability.illinois.edu/

    IBM-Illinois DAI Website: https://discoveryacceleratorinstitute.grainger.illinois.edu/

    Google Scholar Profile

     

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

    Eugenie Kokini replied saying that there is approved funding available and is expecting the budget to be released.

  10. Acknowledgement and Confirmation

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 1.0

    Anthony Spurlock wants to discuss the buyout options after 7 or 10 years, the determination of fair market value, and the ongoing maintenance requirements for Solar Farm 1.0 by the end of the year with Rockwell Finance. 

    Allen Wilson from Rockwell Finance sent an Acknowledgement and Confirmation with respect to Solar Farm 1.0 for the University's Board of Trustees' review and signature. The original financial partner (MB Bank) was acquired by Fifth Third Bank. The asset is being discussed with Fifth Third and being moved to Fifth Third's solar financing program and Wilmington Trust is being incorporated as a trustee for the project. 

  14. Budget for Replacement Trees: NRES Oak-Hickory Arboretum

    Associated Project(s): 
    Increase Number of Trees

    Jay Hayek is interesting in assessing funds to purchase replacement trees for the NRES Oak-Hickory Arboretum at the southwest corned of Race & Windsor from Forest Keeling Nursery. The size and prices are at 3 gallon & 3 gallon CG (conservation grade) trees, and $13-20 each. Jay is looking to purchase 15-20 trees for spring 2022.

  15. Budget for NRES Replacement Trees

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Tree Inventory
    Increase Number of Trees
    Tree Campus Higher Education

    Jay Hayek reached out to request access to funds to purchase some replacement trees for the NRES Oak-Hickory Arboretum at the southwest corner of Race & Windsor. Specifically, Hayek is looking to purchase 37 3 gallon & 3 gallon CG (conservation grade) oak and hickory trees. Price range $13-20/each for the desired size and species. He is wondering if he would be able to buy the trees online using his P-card and then do an internal funds transfer, or if the purchase order route is preferable. 

  16. Weekly Update: Kids' Bike Giveaway update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Finished last week strong as the relative warmth of Friday resulted in a busy afternoon for early December.

    We’re in the home stretch for the KBG. That’ll be this upcoming Saturday. At last count we’ve got ~60 bikes between both CBC and Urbana TBP so we’re on pace to do better than last year, assuming we get as many folks showing up.

    We’re also in the home stretch of the semester with only two weeks to go.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 26
    Sales: $285.80
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $180
    Memberships: 2 for $60

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  17. FY21 Green Power Partnership Renewed

    Associated Project(s): 
    Use Clean Power
    Solar Farm 1.0
    Solar Farm 2.0
    ECE Rooftop Solar PVs
    BIF Rooftop Solar PVs
    Wassaja Hall Rooftop Solar PVs
    EPA Green Power Partner
    Apply for Recognition
    Wind Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

    F&S completed the renewal of our recognition as a Green Power Partner through the US Environmental Protection Agency. Green Power Partners of our scale now have to use renewable power for seven percent of their annual consumption. Fortunately, the FY21 green power supply for FY21 was 9%, which is a +1.72% increase from the FY19 supply of 7.28%. See attached file.

    Overview submitted: 

    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is proud of its sustainability initiatives and success in achieving Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) goals (https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/). The iCAP is the university’s strategic plan to meet the Climate Leadership Commitments, including being carbon neutral as soon as possible and building resilience to climate change in the local community.

    The Urbana campus on-site renewable energy portfolio meets more than 12 percent of annual electricity needs (https://fs.illinois.edu/services/utilities-energy/production/renewable-e...). UIUC’s Solar Farm 2.0 was energized in January 2021, producing 20,000 MWh/year. Combined with Solar Farm 1.0 and other rooftop and ground-mounted solar installations, the Urbana campus generates more than 27,000 MWh/year, ranking UIUC third amongst U.S. universities in on-site clean power production. Incorporating renewable energy continues to be a focus of new facility construction and major renovation projects. Most notably, the innovative Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Building features 970 rooftop panels. Since production started in April 2019, 11 percent of all power supplied to the ECE Building has been from the array, while additional output is reserved for research and educational activities. In September 2016, the university also signed a ten-year wind power purchase agreement for 25 million kWh/year and the rights to the environmental attributes.

    Attached Files: 

  18. Transportation Winter Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Fleet Replacement Plans
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Electric Vehicle (EV) Task Force
    Commuter Program: Bus, Bike, and Hike

    The Transportation team met briefly on December 3rd, 2021 to discuss a recommendation of members for a potential Electric Vehicle Task Force, and a potential recommendation for the Fleet replacement plans. Sarthak Prasad also gave a brief update on the Commuter Program which appears to be on track.

    Meeting Materials are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  19. Winter Meeting Update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Energy Dashboard Project
    Building Envelope Pilot Project

    The Energy iCAP team combined its November and December meetings for the fall of 2021 into a single "Winter Meeting" This meeting was used to discuss 12 different recommendation ideas, a select amount of which will be developed into recommendations in the near future. 

    Additionally, the team discussed a short note to the iCAP Working Group asking that the Comprehensive Energy Plan not have its name changed to '"lean Energy Plan"

    Notes from the meeting are attached.

    Attached Files: 

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