Cutting Honeysuckle this Saturday!

Happy Monday everyone! Hope the first week of classes went well and that the semester is off to a good start! We’re excited to have our first in-person meeting of the semester this Saturday! Read on to find out more.
 

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RB HAPPENINGS…

1. We’ll be heading to River Bend Forest Preserve (1602 W. Mid-America Rd., Mahomet, IL 61853) to cut honeysuckle with the Champaign County Forest Preserves District on Saturday, January 29! We’ll meet at the Red Bison work shed at 9:15 AM. We will depart by 10 AM after doing a COVID safety check.

 
COVID precautions: Be sure to get tested within 72 hours of the event to keep everyone safe! Bring a couple spare masks! You should sign into your MyMcKinley portal to show your recent negative test result / take a screenshot that includes the date of the test result. Please roll down your windows (at least partially) and keep masks on while in the car!
 
Please watch the video tutorial on how to use the carpooling website below!
 
>>>> Website Tutorial <<<<
>>>> Carpooling Website <<<<

 

2. Thank you to everyone who submitted an application for the Red Bison Undergraduate Award!! We’re reviewing submissions now and expect to announce a winner in our first February newsletter!

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EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES…

3. If you’re interested in researching equity in the transition to renewable energy in Illinois, look no further! An interdisciplinary research project team is looking to hire for an environmental justice undergraduate research position. The position is part-time for Spring 2022 and will transition to full-time this summer. Apply by January 30; see the attached flier for details.
4. The University of Illinois seeks to nominate sophomores and juniors for the prestigious Udall Scholarship. The Udall awards $7,000 to (1) sophomores or juniors who are taking action to address environmental concerns and are committed to a career related to the environment or (2) Native American students interested in Tribal policy or health care. Students must be US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. The campus consideration deadline is January 31, 2022. Contact the National and International Scholarships Program at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit topscholars.illinois.edu/udall.
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Reach out with any questions! See you all soon!

Vijay Shah
RB Secretary
redbison.rso@gmail.com

First Meeting of 2022!!

Hey y’all! Hope you had a good few weeks off and are ready for a new semester! Hope everyone had a great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” –Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr.


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RB HAPPENINGS…

1. I’m so excited for our first meeting of the semester on Zoom on Saturday, January 22 at 10 AM!! Join us to learn about what we do and play a game of RB Kahoot! If you’re planning to attend online, please RSVP here.
Meeting ID: 836 7880 0958

Password: prairie

2. The deadline to apply for the Red Bison Undergraduate Award is also at the end of this week, Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11:59 PM. The $500 award is open to all full-time undergraduates of any major passionate about the environmental sciences. Underrepresented students are especially encouraged to apply!

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EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES…

3. The pollinator garden position at the National Soybean Research Center (NSRC) has now been filled. Thanks to everyone who expressed interest!!

4. On Wednesday, January 12, the Champaign County Forest Preserve District and Master Naturalist Programs hosted Dr. Eric Schauber for “Ask the State Biologist: Answers and insights into Illinois natural history and the Illinois Natural History Survey“! Here’s the recording in case you missed it: <mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_vqqzz330>.

5. If you’re interested in researching equity in the transition to renewable energy in Illinois, look no further! An interdisciplinary research project team is looking to hire for an environmental justice undergraduate research position. The position is part-time for Spring 2022 and will transition to full-time this summer. Apply by January 30; see the attached flier (check your inbox) for details.

6. The University of Illinois seeks to nominate sophomores and juniors for the prestigious Udall Scholarship. The Udall awards $7,000 to (1) sophomores or juniors who are taking action to address environmental concerns and are committed to a career related to the environment or (2) Native American students interested in Tribal policy or health care. Students must be US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. The campus consideration deadline is January 31, 2022. Contact the National and International Scholarships Program at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit topscholars.illinois.edu/udall.

7. Finally, if you’re interested in helping out the Champaign County Forest Preserve District by using herbicide at any of their workdays, some of which Red Bison plans on attending, you’ll need to attend a Zoom workshop Thursday, January 20th at 5:30 pm. The training is 1-2 hours long, and you can register here or by emailing Natural Resources Director Peter Goodspeed at pgoodspeed@ccfpd.org. This is a great way to get some hands-on experience with herbicide, an important tool in any ecologist’s kit.

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Reach out with any questions! See you all soon!

Vijay Shah
RB Secretary
redbison.rso@gmail.com

Join the RB GroupMe! Email redbison.rso@gmail.com to unsubscribe.

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P.S.: Complete meeting invitation below.

Red Bison’s First Meeting of the Semester!
Jan 22, 2022 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/83678800958?pwd=aU5iUWRMTG9aaG1WSTNUSDJ3SEVBUT09
Meeting ID: 836 7880 0958
Password: prairie

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Gearing Up for Spring 2022

Hi everyone! It’s Vijay, your new secretary. Wishing everyone at Red Bison a happy 2022!! Hope you’re enjoying your break and taking some time to rest up. Read on for some updates!!

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RB HAPPENINGS…

We’d like to have some indoor meetings while it’s still cold out, but we’re waiting to see how the COVID-19 situation evolves once classes start — stay tuned.

First up, the deadline to apply for the Red Bison Undergraduate Award is January 23, 2022 at 11:59 PM. We encourage you to apply for this $500 award, open to all full-time undergraduates of any major passionate about the environmental sciences, especially underrepresented students.

We’re making plans for next semester, including guest speakers, burns, socials, invasives removals, fundraisers, and possibly some new RB merch! We’ve also been thinking about having more frequent meetings if you can’t make the regular time at 10 AM on Saturday. Drop us a line if you’re interested!!

RB needs a new volunteer to tend the pollinator garden at the National Soybean Research Center (NSRC), a commitment of around 15 minutes per week. Email us for more information if you are interested in this position!!

If you are interested in helping clear the downed trees at Camp Kiwanis for the Girl Scouts, hold tight! We’re awaiting more details on when that’ll take place. Be sure to watch for details in a future newsletter.

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EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES…

On Wednesday, January 12 at 7 PM CST, the Champaign County Forest Preserve District and Master Naturalist Programs are hosting Dr. Eric Schauber over Zoom for “Ask the State Biologist: Answers and insights into Illinois natural history and the Illinois Natural History Survey“! Register and ask your questions here and email volunteer@ccfpd.org with registration issues.

The Red Oak Rain Garden (RORG) will hold a prescribed burn at the Dorner Drive Retention Pond (right across from the RORG) sometime before January 15! If you’re on campus and want to help direct people away from the prescribed burn, please email Layne at lknoch2@illinois.edu to be added to a list of potential volunteers. UIUC Natural Areas Manager Jamie Ellis will be present to help direct the burn!

Finally, if you’re interested in helping out the Champaign County Forest Preserve District by using herbicide at any of their workdays, some of which Red Bison plans on attending, you’ll need to attend a Zoom workshop Thursday, January 20th at 5:30 pm. The training is 1-2 hours long, and you can register here or by emailing Natural Resources Director Peter Goodspeed at pgoodspeed@ccfpd.org. This is a great way to get some hands-on experience with herbicide, an important tool in any ecologist’s kit. (It’s also possible that getting this training will allow you to use pesticides on RB workdays, but I can’t make any promises).

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Be sure to reach out with any questions! Looking forward to a great semester with everyone!

Vijay Shah
RB Secretary
redbison.rso@gmail.com

Join the RB GroupMe! Email redbison.rso@gmail.com to unsubscribe.