Workday this Saturday!

Happy Monday! Hope everyone got to enjoy some of the warm weather! Read on to find out about upcoming events (including a planned workday this week) and complete some forms. Keep an eye out for more information!

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RB HAPPENINGS…

  1. Join us this Saturday, February 26to volunteer with the Champaign County Forest Preserves District removing invasive species from Kickapoo Rail Trail. We’ll meet at the Red Bison work shedat 9:15 AM and depart by 9:30 AM after a COVID check. Parking is available at the Meijer baseball field. The ball field is a new development (not on the maps), but it can be found very close to this locationIf you are able to drive, please sign up at the link below! 

    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 <<<<

  1. Additional meetings schedule: Please fill out this poll(please add yourself as “Anonymous#” where # is the next number that’s not yet on the form) with your availability this semester so that we can schedule guest lectures, socials, and potential weekday workdays. Especially fill out this form if you want to come to Red Bison workdays but can’t make our Saturday meetings. Thanks!
  1. 3/26 Workday in Putnam: On March 26th, we will be heading to the Dixon Waterfowl Refugein Putnam County for a big workday with the Wetlands Initiative! We will be meeting at 7:45 am, then driving about 2 hours to get to the Refuge. We’ll cut honeysuckle for about 3 hours with breaks, from 10 am to 1 pm. After that, we’ll have lunch, and folks who want to stay will have the opportunity to get a tour of the Refuge. The Refuge is home to a rare seep wetland ecosystem, as well as hundreds of species of native plants, and is a vital stopover site for migrating birds. If you’re interested, please fill out this form and follow the instructions after you submit as soon as possible — we may be limited by the amount of equipment we have, so preference will be given to those who signed up first. Check your email for the attached flyer for more information!

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EXTERNAL EVENTS and OPPORTUNITIES…

  1. The Student Sustainability Committee(SSC) is trying to increase student sustainability fees to support sustainable development on our campus. They propose increases in the Cleaner Energy Technologies Fee of $1 and the Sustainable Campus Environment Fee of $2.94. They need at least 2,000 signatures by tomorrow, February 22for these proposals to be placed on the ballot at the next referendum. Please sign and share this petition (you’ll need to sign in to complete it) to support sustainability at the University of Illinois!
  1. The Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP)is undergoing revision! An input session specifically for students will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, February 22 from 6–8 PM. The virtual session will provide an overview of past and current initiatives like the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP). Following this overview, a series of live polling questions will gauge preferences on a wide range of topics such as landscape aesthetics, rainwater management, sustainable landscape design, and more. Register here! Reach out to Sarthak Prasad with questions.
  1. Here’s a summer opportunity to work in Dr. Joy O’Keefe’s labwith Reed Crawford! Three technicians are needed for a study on bat roosting ecology in south-central Indiana. Research involves lots of hands-on field work as well as data entry and analysis. Research will be conducted within the study areas of the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (heeforeststudy.orgnear Bloomington, Indiana. Check your email for the attached flyer for more info!
  1. Former RB President Frank Hassler has reached out to us to advertise openings for summer internshipsat his company in Madison, WI. The company, Good Oak Ecological Services, does ecological restoration work similar to what we do at RB and would be a great opportunity for someone looking to learn more and get further involved in restoration. Check for your email for the attached flyer for more!

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Feel free to email us with any questions!

Vijay Shah
RB Secretary
redbison.rso@gmail.com

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

Important Info for Future Meetings

Happy Wednesday everyone! Unfortunately, due to anticipated snowfall tomorrow, we will not be having a workday this weekend. However, there’s plenty in the works, including guest lectures and socials, as the weather warms up. Read on for a sneak peek, fill out some important forms, and keep an eye on your inbox for future opportunities!

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RB HAPPENINGS…

  1. Are you looking to get more involved with Red Bison? We are looking for committed members who want to be involved in new projects! We have lots of ideas, such as making a map of the SAW, creating a history of the club, website maintenance, and writing blog posts; we are also open to your ideas! If you’re interested, please email us and we will work with you to get your idea off the ground!

  1. Important form:Please fill out this poll (anonymously; please add your name as “Anonymous#” where # is the next number that’s not yet on the form) with your availability this semester so that we can schedule additional meetings, including guest lectures, socials. and possibly additional weekday workdays in the coming months. Especially fill out this form if you want to come to Red Bison workdays but can’t make our regular Saturday morning meetings. Thanks!

  1. 3/26 Workday in Putnam:On March 26th, we will be heading to the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge in Putnam County for a big workday with the Wetlands Initiative! We will be meeting at 7:45 am, then driving about 2 hours to get to the Refuge. We’ll cut honeysuckle for about 3 hours with breaks, from 10 am to 1 pm. After that, we’ll have lunch, and folks who want to stay will have the opportunity to get a tour of the Refuge. The Refuge is home to a rare seep wetland ecosystem, as well as hundreds of species of native plants, and is a vital stopover site for migrating birds. If you’re interested, please fill out this form and follow the instructions after you submit as soon as possible — we may be limited by the amount of equipment we have, so preference will be given to those who signed up first. Check out the attached flyer for more information!

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EXTERNAL EVENTS and OPPORTUNITIES…

  1. VermiCUlture, an RSO dedicated to bringing worm-based composting to the campus community, is hosting an info session from 4-5 pm TODAY, Wednesday, February 16 at the University YMCA. They’ll be on the second floor in the Wahl Room; snacks will be provided and there will be a gift card giveaway. Come check it out!

  1. TheNRES Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC) warmly invites you all to a game night on Friday, February 18 from 5-10 PM in Turner Hall. The event will be based in the Atrium (large entrance on the first floor) for the night and have several classrooms reserved to spread out and play a variety of different games! All are welcome, so please feel free to bring your family as well as invite anyone else who you think would be interested in enjoying a few friendly rounds of board games with NRES folks!

  1. Here’s asummer opportunity to work in Dr. Joy O’Keefe’s lab with Reed Crawford! Three technicians are needed for a study on bat roosting ecology in south-central Indiana. Research involves lots of hands-on field work as well as data entry and analysis. Research will be conducted within the study areas of the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (heeforeststudy.orgnear Bloomington, Indiana. See the attached flyer for more info!

  1. Former RB President Frank Hassler has reached out to us to advertise openings for summer internshipsat his company in Madison, WI. The company, Good Oak Ecological Services, does ecological restoration work similar to what we do at RB and would be a great opportunity for someone looking to learn more and get further involved in restoration. See the attached flyer for more!

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Feel free to email us with any questions!

Vijay Shah
RB Secretary
redbison.rso@gmail.com

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

Honeysuckle Removal!

EDIT: Friday, February 11, 2022, 8:01 AM CST
Good morning everyone!

I’m sorry to let you know that tomorrow’s meeting is CANCELLED due to snow coverage on the ground. Please stay tuned for our next newsletter!
Take care and stay safe!
Vijay Shah (he/him)
RB Secretary
===============  ORIGINAL MESSAGE BELOW ===============
Happy Monday everyone! We’ve got an event planned this Saturday!!
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RB HAPPENINGS…
1. We’ll be heading to near Lake of the Woods to drag honeysuckle on Saturday, February 12 with Tyler Courson, former RB President who now works with the CCFPD! We’ll meet at the Red Bison work shedat 9:15 AM and depart by 9:30 AM after a COVID check. We will park at the parking lot to the Museum of the Grand Prairie (950 N Lombard St, Mahomet, IL). If you are able to drive, please watch the tutorial and sign up at the carpool link below!
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 applied for the Red Bison Undergraduate Award! We were moved by the depth and passion of all the applications we received. Congratulations to Sakshi Vaya, a first-year student in Earth, Society and Environmental Sustainability, who won this year’s award! Please look out for next year’s call for applications!
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EXTERNAL EVENTS and OPPORTUNITIES…

3. SSLC Co-President Maria Maring will be hosting a conversation on her experience as an activist for environmental justice TODAY, Monday, February 7 at 6 PM. See the flyer! (Zoom Meeting ID: 874 1237 0876 // Password: 041269)

 

4. Former RB President Frank Hassler has reached out to us to advertise openings for summer internships at his company in Madison, WI. The company, Good Oak Ecological Services, does ecological restoration work similar to what we do at RB and would be a great opportunity for someone looking to learn more and get further involved in restoration. See the attached flyer for more!

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Feel free to email us with any questions! Hope to see you Saturday!

Vijay Shah
RB Secretary
redbison.rso@gmail.com

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

Stay Warm & Safe This Weekend!

Happy Wednesday everyone! Thanks to those of you who joined us at River Bend Preserve this past Saturday!
Red_Bison.jpg

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RB HAPPENINGS…

1. We will not be meeting this weekend due to the inclement weather — the SAW will still be covered in snow!! Stay safe this weekend!!

2. Thank you to everyone who applied for the Red Bison Undergraduate Award!! Look out for the winner in our next newsletter!!
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EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES…

3. Spring elections are right around the corner! Positions in Illinois Student Government, The Urbana-Champaign Senate, and Student Org Resource Fee Board, as well as the Student Trustee position, are open! Apply at studentelections.illinois.edu by February 4th at 5 PM. Check out the flyer! Reach out to studentelections@illinois.edu with questions.
4. Former RB President Frank Hassler has reached out to us to advertise openings for summer internships at his company in Madison, WI. The company, Good Oak Ecological Services, does ecological restoration work similar to what we do at RB and would be a great opportunity for someone looking to learn more and get further involved in restoration. See the attached flyer for more!
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Feel free to email us with any questions! Hope to see you at our next workday!

Vijay Shah
RB Secretary
redbison.rso@gmail.com

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