The exterior Integrated Pest Management program has been in place for several years, and recently the program was formalized and adopted by F&S Grounds. This helps meet iCAP objective 7.2 and supports the student-led efforts to achieve Bee Campus USA recognition.
The current Bee Campus committee at the U of I is working to develop a University Habitat Plan and official web page this semester (Spring 2018). In addition, with funding from the SSC, we will be installing pollinator signage on campus this year. A goal is set to submit our first application for certification by June 2018.
The campus recognizes that we need to support the pollinator population on campus. Potential solutions include creating "Pollinator Pockets" in strategic locations throughout the campus grounds, and encouraging the use of native plants in appropriate landscape locations.
The F&S Landscape Architect is working with campus stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop sustainable landscape solutions that support pollinator populations.
As a new student organization on campus, the Beekeeping Club will install and maintain two new bee hives located at the Sustainable Student Farm (SSF). Any honey produced will get sold at the SSF weekly stand on campus. Students will learn beekeeping skills as well as an appreciation for honey production. In addition, having the bees located at SSF will increase crop output, bettering local food production. The allocated funding will go towards the bee hive installation as well as the bees.
This proposal directly funds:
This student-led project provides awareness about pollinators around the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign campus. Students will design and install signage inside and outside of campus buildings, giving facts about native plants and pollinators. This signage will be approved by the University Board as well as Facilities & Services. This project contributes to the campus goal of becoming Bee Campus USA certified and meets Illinois Climate Action Plan objectives. Students will learn more about pollinators and pollinator efforts on campus. The allocated funding will go towards the signage costs.
This proposal directly funds:
Sustainability staff asked Lesley Deem at the Pollinatarium if the proposed pollinator pockets should be within a specific distance of each other, such as every half mile. Ms. Deem replied, “I think if we put them in the best spots available there will be enough coverage. For example, honey bees can fly for a few miles to find food. They use up less of their energy if it is closer but they should be able to find it even it is a mile or two away.”
The Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall Sustainability Living Learning Community Intern, Rachel Daughtridge, called a team meeting with various stakeholders to discuss the process for becoming an official Bee Campus USA.
Here's a neat idea for campus to consider, as we continue to look at options for ground cover under solar panels.
Prairie Rivers Network, the Illinois affiliate for the National Wildlife Federation, is leading an effort to support monarchs in the local region. The are also working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) on a plan for protecting monarchs in our state. IDNR is planning a statewide event in Springfield on September 9 to share the results of initial surveys.
The Champaign County Sustainability Network (CCNet) participated in the Pollinator Palooza on July 16: "Help plant milkweed at Firefighter Park, 305 S Randolph St, Champaign, Saturday July 16 from 9-12, bring gloves -- The Champaign Park District is transforming Firefighter Park (305 S Randolph) into a butterfly habitat. All City Staff are invited to help plant milkweed this Saturday from 9 am to noon. Champaign joined the Mayor's Monarch Challenge Leadership Circle to save the Monarch Butterfly. In the last 20 years, the Monarch population has declined by over 94%, shrinking from over 1 billion to just 60 million butterflies. Monarchs rely on Milkweed plants, the only plant that they can use to cocoon. The Midwest is an essential breeding ground for the annual Monarch migration from Canada to Mexico, and habitat loss has contributed to their decline."
CCNet also hosted the Pollinator Pocket Garden Tour on July 28: "Walking Tour Begins at Bresnan Center,706 Kenwood Rd, Champaign -- Moving beyond pollinator week in June and to keep the conversation ongoing, CCNET is hosting a tour with, Randy Hauser, Horticulture and Natural Areas Supervisor for the Champaign Park District to learn about "pocket gardens". This will be a great learning experience for people who love plants and want to help the pollinators and the Monarch, but only have small space for gardens."
The City of Champaign and other partners in the community such as the Champaign Park District, Prairie Rivers Network and many others have been working to preserve Monarch Butterfly habitat throughout the community. The City of Champaign joined the Mayor's Monarch Challenge Leadership Circle to save the Monarch Butterfly. In the last 20 years, the Monarch population has declined by over 94%, shrinking from over 1 billion to just 60 million butterflies. Monarchs rely on Milkweed plants, the only plant that they can use to cocoon. The Midwest is an essential breeding ground from the annual Monarch migration from Canada to Mexico, and habitat loss has contributed to their decline. The Champaign Park District hosted a number of Monarch Themed events throughout the summer focused on Monarch Butterfly education and habitat preservation.
City of Urbana staff have planted milkweed seed in landscapes at the Boneyard Creek. They have also designed a butterfly and pollinator garden to be installed south of the City Building next spring. Additionally, Mayor Prussing has signed the Wildlife Federation’s Mayors For Monarchs Pledge. In accordance with the pledge and the Mayor’s interest in supporting monarch populations, staff have assisted in the creation or enhancement of monarch and pollinator gardens with community groups at the Lierman Garden, Urbana Free Library Garden, and Downtown Garden.
https://youtu.be/dcetof6KSXs is a link to a video interview a student did as a class project. It features the planting project and mentions SSC, SECS, Red Bison, and CIMN among others.
John Marlin (from Illinois Sustainable Technology Center) reported that the planting projects using SSC and ISEE grants are progressing well.
The majority of the large honeysuckle was removed from the South Arboretum Woods, mostly by the fecon machine at a cost of $20,000. Student workers (mainly NRES and ESE) are taking out the remainder with hand tools and chainsaws and finishing the resprouts and seedlings with limited applications of herbicide. The woods was actually a former research plot where many species of trees were planted in blocks very close together. A number of trees will have to be removed in order to allow for the others to grow well and to let light penetrate to the ground.
They also spent some time planting and weeding at plots at the Natural Resources Building, Burrill Hall, the Florida Orchard prairie and Lincoln Ave Residence (LAR) Hall. LAR contributed some funds toward planting.
A Boy Scout Eagle Project was conducted at the woods. They worked on three occasions removing garlic mustard and honeysuckle. The Master Naturalists have also put in quite a few hours.
Here are some useful references on Native Plants, Pollinators, and related topics.
Sandy Mason interviewed myself and Jessica Mondello this morning at the Florida—Orchard prairie. I think it went well. As usual there was an awkward moment or two as we groped for words. It should air on the farm segments at 5:40 am tomorrow Aug 7, and another version next Tuesday. It will likely also show up on Illinois Home page .net
All the paths now have a thin layer of wood chips to prevent erosion.
~John Marlin
From: Marlin, John C
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 4:37 PM
To: Welch, Ryan B
Cc: Johnston, Morgan B
Subject: Grass herbicide for Florida Orchard
A container of Assure II is now at the S. Lincoln grounds Barn. I left it with Eric who put it in the location with the chemicals. There is a note taped to the top with my name on it and saying it is for Ryan Welch for Florida—Orchard.
I am supposed to mention that the herbicide needs to have a little crop oil mixed in as per the label. Also the person who sprayed last time said to make sure your guy knows there are a couple ground hog holes in the field.
The targeted grass is quackgrass. The prime target areas are fairly obvious and need the most attention. The worst area is just south of the mulched area and extends quite a way up the hill. It should probably be done first in case we run out of mix. Then there is a large swath just to the west of the trees going most of the way up the field.
Attached is a copy of the Assure II label.
I will need a little warning in order to remove some marker flags from the field. Use my cell as well as email, as I do not always see my email in a timely manner. We can be ready about any time you can schedule it.
The spray can come a couple feet into the edge of the mulched area. I will put pink flags along the edge. If possible use a machine with some extended spray arms to minimize the number of prairie plants that will be ridden over by wheels. The bar on the sprayer that did the roundup last year had wide wheels and the spray bar was only as wide as the machine.
The weather channel predicts next Tue and Wed as 10% chance of rain.
Thanks,
John
Staff met with representatives from the Red Bison registered student organization about the prairie at the corner of Florida Avenue and Orchard Street. Red Bison has taken on responsibility for that prairie, and is looking into naming options, signage, and enhanced plantings.
The Florida and Orchard Prairie has new leadership through the student group Red Bison and their advisor, John Marlin. Red Bison will be meeting with F&S to set next steps for the site, including going through the process of naming the site and implementing the concept design.
Signs have been installed at the prairie plot on the corner of Florida Avenue and Orchard Street. These signs announce the designation of this area as a Prairie Zone. The signs also list the benefits of planting native vegetation-- which increases the habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife, saves energy and reduces CO2 emissions by not using mowers, promotes sustainable landscapes and beautifies the campus, and provides an environment for scientific observation. The signs are funded by the Student Sustainability Committee.
Pizzo & Associates donated labor and materials to the prairie area at the corner of Florida Avenue and Orchard Street. Jack Pizzo, President and Senior Ecologist of Pizzo and Associates, emailed the stakeholders of the plot on July 1, 2010 to formally express his concern with the upkeeping of the plot.
His letter is below and attached is the Memorandum of Agreement for Gifts in Kind between Pizzo & Associates and the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.
To: Sustainability Committee
RE: President's Prairie Planting, Site visit on June 29th 2010
Dear Fellow Stakeholders,
I'm writing this letter to formally express my concern with the current status of the ongoing stewardship efforts at the above mentioned site.
I was onsite yesterday and was completely surprised as to the unkempt condition of the planting. The excessive height is out competing the native species.
My company donated material and labor with the good faith understanding that the prairie areas would be maintained at a level to ensure success. I am fully aware of the abundance of rain and the difficulties this reality presents, but to simply do nothing while the site becomes overgrown constitutes neglect of the most egregious nature.
As a group we cannot afford failure of this magnitude and visibility. I am writing to call your attention to the current site conditions and to highlight the necessity of prompt action. As a professional in the business of ecological restoration and as a graduate of the University, I am confident the solution to our problem lies within the team we have assembled. In the near term, the entire site needs to be mowed and treated selectively with herbicide. In the long term, a more consistent stewardship plan needs to be developed and implemented to prevent the current situation from occurring in the future.
I am fully aware that traditional management means may not work with the soils that are currently saturated soils but most of the site is dry enough to mow. From experience, I can recommend a number of alternative treatments including using: a walk behind mower, a sickle bar mower, brush cutting with Stihl FS-250 brush cutters or manual cutting with Christmas tree knives. The cut material needs to be removed due to the excessive height since all of that debris will smother the seedlings. Either way, something needs to be done to bring the vegetation under control and prevent further seeding impedance. This needs to be done within the next week.
I don't want to be party to a failure and I know none of you do either.
A prompt, coordinated response would be most appreciated!
Please keep me in the loop as to the efforts.
Best regards,
Jack
This proposal looks to restore the no-mow zone at the southwest corner of Florida Ave. and Orchard St., as the campus’ first prairie planting. It will provide a site for an array of learning and passive recreation opportunities for both students and members of the extended community, while sequestering greenhouse gases as tangible evidence of the campus commitment to responsible sustainable behavior. Thus, the Student Sustainability Committee is in favor of funding the fully requested amount of $40,000.
Sustainability committee response letter- Florida and Orchard Prairie.pdf
Sustainability committee response letter- Florida and Orchard Prairie.doc SSC Final Allocation Approval - Florida and Orchard Prairie.pdf SSC Final Allocation Approval - Florida and Orchard Prairie.doc SSC revision questions 2013 final 2 .docx after_survey_pres_boards_04212011.pdf Change in Scope Approval_2013.docx Florida and Orchard Prairie Funding Deadline Extension.doc Florida and Orchard Prairie Funding Deadline Extension.pdf Florida and Orchard Prairie Proposal.doc No-Mow Prairie Final.pdf NRB and FL-Orchard Change in Scope Approval_2013.pdf Prairie budget.pdf prairie_examples_06232011.pdf Red_Bison_Prairie_Fund_Extension.pdf Rev MOA - Gifts in Kind PrairieRestoration Jack Pizzo Associates.doc
