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Project Updates

  2. Rubber Blades for Snow Plows

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Infrastructure

    From: Prasad, Sarthak <sprasad9 at illinois.edu>
    Sent: Monday, August 29, 2022 9:58 AM
    To: White, Morgan <mbwhite at illinois.edu>; DeLorenzo, Stacey <sdeloren at illinois.edu>; Klein, Bradley Dean <bradklei at illinois.edu>; Welch, Ryan <rbwelch at illinois.edu>; Lewis, Brent C <bcl at illinois.edu>
    Cc: Patterson, Shawn L <spttrsn at illinois.edu>
    Subject: Rubber blades for snow plows

     

    Hi Morgan,

     

    I had a phone call with Shawn earlier today and asked him if Transportation have rubber blades for snow plows. Shawn said that he has the rubber blades that they use for parking decks. Shawn said that he would like to be included in this conversation, so I am cc’ing him here as well. Thank you,

    Sarthak  

     

    Sarthak Prasad

    Sustainable Transportation Assistant

    Facilities & Services

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Phone: 217-300-9575

    Email: sprasad9 at illinois.edu

     

  5. iCAP Team Kickoff 2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Engagement iCAP Team
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Climate Leadership Commitments
    Energy iCAP Team
    Resilience iCAP Team
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Education iCAP Team

    The iCAP Teams and iCAP Working Group gathered for the annual kickoff event on 8-24-22. Current members attended to learn about the iCAP 2020, the role of the teams and members, and meet sustainability staff and fellow team members. The presentation is attached and the recording can be found here. 

    Attached Files: 

  6. News Gazette: Kathy's Mailbag- Younger trees on the UI Quad

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Tree Inventory
    Tree Campus Higher Education

    Below is a snippet from Kathy's #Mailbag, from August 19th, 2022, published in the News-Gazette regarding the foliage on the University's main quad. Brent Lewis and Ryan Welch of UI Facilities and Services were featured and shared information on the history and approach to plantings on campus. 

    The article can also be found at: https://www.news-gazette.com/toms-mailbag/kathys-mailbag-aug-19-2022/article_ae9f4d54-6f93-5a24-8551-e533204bf577.html

     

    Younger trees on the UI Quad

    "As I walked through the University of Illinois’ Main Quad recently, I noticed that most of the trees did not seem as old as I would expect. What is the history of the trees on the quad? Have there always been trees there? When were the current batch of trees planted?"

    A short history, courtesy of grounds superintendent Ryan Welch and landscape architect Brent Lewis, both with UI Facilities & Services:

    In 1929, the Board of Trustees took the advice of renowned landscape architect Ferruccio Vitale, who warned that planting a wide variety of trees on the Quad “would tend to minimize the impressiveness and the serenity of the planting design.”

    Elm trees were a traditional choice that did well in local conditions. “No tree is more majestic nor better adapted in form and in scale to form the setting of the University's new buildings,” Vitale said. So the walkways on the Quad were lined with elms sometime around 1930. Over the years, they were lost to Dutch elm disease and phloem necrosis (elm yellows). The last elm trees were removed in 1956. 

     

    The elms were replaced with thornless honey locusts. This tree was selected for its large mature size; light, dappled shade produced by the lacy foliage; tolerance to a wide range of soil conditions and drought; and yellow fall color. Only six honey locusts remain on the main quad from the 1956 planting.

    A variety of native oak trees replaced trees that were removed. Most of the recent plantings include chinquapin, swamp white and bur oak.

    The university’s current strategy is to diversify the tree plantings with native species and avoid overplanting any one type of tree. Welch and Lewis note that the current diversity of plantings on campus is “very high and is on par with most arboretums.”

    Diversifying the campus’ tree inventory turned out to be a wise decision. Between 2015 and 2020, more than 500 of the UI’s ash trees – about 3% of the campus’ tree inventory – were removed due to the damage caused and risk posed by the emerald ash borer. The wide variety of trees on campus meant that the loss of even 500 ash trees did not leave large swaths of the campus looking barren.

    Plant geeks may view the campus’ tree plan and get to the tree inventory database at http://go.fs.illinois.edu/tree.

  8. Demirjian Park LEED Design Submission Review Comments

    Associated Project(s): 
    Demirjian Park Stadium LEED Silver

    The following is an email conversation between Anthony Spurlock and Ryan Hinz:

     

    Good afternoon, RATIO has received review comments from the GBCI regarding the Design Submission for Demirjian Park Stadium.  They have reviewed the Renewable Energy Production Credit and have the following comments.

     

    4. The uploaded documentation appears to be a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from the campus solar array “Solar Farm 2.0.” However, in order to qualify for this credit, the corresponding annual energy generation of the solar array must also be allocated to this project in addition to the RECs.

    Provide a signed letter allocating the corresponding portion of the annual energy generation of the campus solar array exclusively to this project.

    To obtain these 3 crucial points is it possible for the University to generate such a letter?  If not is there a narrative that can be provided that describes how energy generation is allocated from the solar array on campus we could submit for consideration?

     

    Attached are the items that were uploaded with this credit form.

     

    Thank you for your consideration.

     

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

    The Onsite Solar Generation document address the percentage (.35%), but you need this to say we are allocating it to the project?

     

    Regards,

     

    Tony

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

    Yes if possible.  A reference to the Onsite Solar Generation Document would also be helpful.

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

    Ryan,

     

    See the proposed redlined changes at the bottom of the document.  Will this satisfy the requirements?

     

    Regards,

     

    Tony

    -----------

    Yes Tony I believe this language satisfies their request.  Will you be sending me a signed final copy?

    ----------

    Ryan,

     

    See attached.

     

    Regards,

     

    Tony

    Attached Files: 

  10. Student Sustainability Leadership Council First Meeting!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)

    Hello sustainability minds of UIUC,

    It was great to interface with many of your organizations this Sunday at Quad Day! I'm writing to inform you of our first meeting of the semester! We'll be meeting next Monday, August 29th from 6 - 7 pm. The meeting will be held in the Foellinger Collaboration Pod in the newly renovated Student Org Complex on the 2nd floor of the Illini Union. If you've never been in this space, it's easy to get mixed up. You can access it via the SW stairwell of the Union. Once you've reached the second floor, you just need to turn right to find the Student Org Complex. 

    This meeting will be a fantastic opportunity to learn a little more about our member organizations as well as share a bit about yourself! We'll also give you a sense of the Student Sustainability Leadership Council's role in campus sustainability efforts (you'll definitely want to hear about the resources we've historically provided organizations like yours!). I'm looking forward to seeing many of you again and meeting others for the first time. If you can't send a representative, reach out and let me know, so I can keep you in the loop!

    Best,

    Jack Reicherts (and my crew Danika, Owen, and Maiah)

    SSLC Co-president

  11. Inaugural Meeting Wednesday!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS)

    WHEN: Wednesday, August 24th

    TIME: 6:30 - 7:30 pm

    WHERE: Channing Murray building (1209 W Oregon St)

    And it’s deja vu all over again, folks~

    SECS will have our inaugural meeting of the school year this Wednesday, and, honestly, quite frankly, it’s gonna be epic :)  We will learn about the storied history of SECS, discuss organizational goals, review our code of conduct, and kick off our campaigns for the semester. All this, of course, will be overshadowed by the pure joy derived from being with a diverse group of driven students passionate about making our community greener, happier, and healthier!

    It ain't over till it's over. See ya Wednesday

    Join the Discord!

    Contact Us!

    PRESIDENT Gabriel Kosmacher,  gkk2@illinois.edu
    VICE PRESIDENT Zoe Huspen, zhuspe2@illinois.edu
    TREASURER Dankia Ford, djford2@illinois.edu
    SECRETARY Alex Chavez, achavez5@illinois.edu

    EDUCATION OFFICER Claire Sullivan, csull7@illinois.edu

    MEDIA OFFICER Lexi Delmonico, acd4@illinois.edu
    ACTION COORDINATOR Rudy LaFave, lafave2@illinois.edu
    OUTREACH COORDINATOR Owen Jennings, orj2@illinois.edu
    DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Nancy Peña, nancyp3@illinois.edu

    Visit our Website

    SECS is pleased to share our new website with you all: https://secsatuiuc.web.illinois.edu/
    Feel free to browse the site and learn more about the history of our beloved RSO, our current projects and endorsements, while also keeping an eye out for upcoming environmentalist blog posts 👀

    Copyright © 2022 Students for Environmental Concerns, All rights reserved.
    You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

    Our mailing address is:

    Students for Environmental Concerns

    1001 S Wright St

    Champaign, IL 61820-6225

    Add us to your address book

  12. Champaign County Bike to Work Day 2022 Registration is Open

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

    Champaign County Bike to Work Day 2022 Registration is Open

    Register for Bike to Work Day 2022, happening Wednesday, September 14th from 7-10 am!  (A rain date is scheduled for Friday, September 16th from 7-10 am.)

    The 12th annual Champaign County Bike to Work Day is organized by the Champaign County Bike Month Planning Team, and is presented by major sponsors MTD, Bike at Illinois, and Carle.


    There are 16 welcome stations this year, in Champaign, Urbana, on the U of I campus, Savoy, Mahomet, St. Joseph, and Rantoul!  Use this map to find the location that works best for you.

    Register for the event at the most convenient location to you and come meet us and other bicyclists in the community to celebrate Bike to Work Day!  Grab a snack, get a free T-shirt, and consider making a donation to support bicycling in Champaign County!

     

    ​The 15th annual Light the Night bicycle light giveaway event is the next evening (Thursday, September 15, 2022) from 4-7 pm.  Lights will be available at three campus locations, and you must bring your bike to receive the lights.

     

    Announcements are also posted at www.cubikemonth.org/ and the C-U Bike Month Facebook event.

     

    Gabriel Lewis, AICP

    Planner

     

    Planning and Community Development

    A division of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission

     

    1776 E. Washington St, Urbana, IL 61802
    P 217.328.3313 | D 217.819.4102 | ccrpc.org

     

    RPC

     

    People. Possibilities.

     

     

  17. Bike Transportation through Amtrak

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bike at Illinois Website and Campaign
    Increase Amtrak Use

    Attached are links about bringing bikes on Amtrak trains, Metra suburban commuter trains, and CTA "L" trains. Students don’t need a car or truck to transport their bikes to/from their homes. Other commuter rail and rapid transit systems across the country have similar programs, but these are the ones specific to Illinois. 

     

    Amtrak

    Metra

    CTA "L"

  20. Work order (WO 10994256) created for BTWD tables and chairs

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

    Work Order (WO 10994256) created for Bike to Work Day event on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 7 - 10 am. for Public Functions to place Tables, Chairs, Recycling bins, Trash bins, Hand Sanitizing stations at the following locations:

    1. Alma Mater Plaza - 4 Tables, 8 Chairs, 1 Trash, 1 Recycling Bin, 1 Hand Sanitizing Station
    2. Campus Bike Center (Basketball Court Next To 51 E Gregory Dr, Champaign) - 4 Tables, 8 Chairs, 1 Trash, 1 Recycling Bin, 1 Hand Sanitizing Station
    3. DRES (Intersection of Stadium And Oak) - 2 Tables, 4 Chairs, 1 Trash, 1 Recycling Bin, 1 Hand Sanitizing Station
    4. Uni High (Stoughton St. And Mathews Ave.) - 4 Tables, 8 Chairs, 1 Trash, 1 Recycling Bin, 1 Hand Sanitizing Station
    5. CRCE - 4 Tables, 8 Chairs, 1 Trash, 1 Recycling Bin, 1 Hand Sanitizing Station
    6. Research Park (SE Corner of Intersection of First and St Mary's) - 2 Tables, 4 Chairs, 1 Trash, 1 Recycling Bin, 1 Hand Sanitizing Station
    7. National Soybean Research Center (Pennsylvania and Dorner) - 2 Tables, 4 Chairs, 1 Trash, 1 Recycling Bin, 1 Hand Sanitizing Station
    8. Orchard Downs (Near Front Office) - 2 Tables, 4 Chairs, 1 Trash, 1 Recycling Bin, 1 Hand Sanitizing Station
    9. Vet Med NW Drive Entrance On Lincoln Ave (Lincoln At Japan House West Side MTD Stop) - 2 Tables, 4 Chairs, 1 Trash, 1 Recycling Bin, 1 Hand Sanitizing Station

    Please set up at all these locations by 6:30 am on September 14, 2022. You can bring everything back after the event ends at 10 am (so by 10:15 you can start removing these). I am confirming the exact location for Research Park and Vet Med locations.

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