Campus Tree Inventory Training!

Interested in learning how to measure trees for a campus tree inventory? If so, join the Office of Sustainability and  Andy Lueck, ( a UIC Alum and creator of the current UIC Tree Inventory) for a morning of training! In order to keep data about the trees on the UIC campus accurate, periodic measurements and updates must be taken.  This data, and volunteer activities to care for and manage trees at UIC, help maintain the university's status as an Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus USA institution.

We will meet in room 107, Paulina Street Building.  While registration is not required, please RSVP to sustainability@uic.edu if you plan to attend in case a larger room is required.  More information can be found here.

Summer/Fall 2013: UIC Office of Sustainability Internship

The UIC Office of Sustainability is hiring an intern to support the outreach and engagement initiatives aligned with the Office’s mission.

Aim of Internship: Familiarize students interested in urban sustainability with issues common to many universities, including: bicycle planning, community engagement, energy conservation & efficiency, recycling/composting, and peer-to-peer training programs. The intern’s main responsibilities will be to assist with planning and logistics of events on campus and community engagement via social media.

Required Qualifications:
·         Interest in, demonstrated experience with, or coursework relating to any sustainability issue(s)
·         Excellent communication skills; strong interpersonal communication
·         Good organizational skills, excellent attention for detail
·         Ability to work independently, based on instructions from office staff, with minimal supervision
·         Capacity to learn and use web-based tools including social media (Facebook, Twitter) and content-management    systems; prior experience with social media is important
·         Familiarity with office productivity software (MS Office required, Adobe Creative Suite preferred)
·         Ability to work 10 hours per week in the Office of Sustainability

Compensation: $8.50/hr.  minimum

Please email a cover letter and resume to Kate Yoshida kyoshi3@uic.edu by Friday, May 10.

Water Hogs

Donnie R. Dann

Volume 17 Number 3

May 2013

Conservation Alert

Water Hogs

Fresh water constitutes only 3% of all the water on earth. As warming intensifies and with many areas suffering from severe droughts and desertification, water conservation is more important than ever. Even Texas—long a bastion of conservatism—is establishing strict water conservation measures in response to the decades-long drought affecting many western states.  Think about this in the context of how much water Americans consume. On average, individuals in Africa use five gallons of water per day.  In America, individuals consume 176. The wars of the 21st century will be fought over water rather than oil.

What you can do to preserve this precious resource:

·        Don't let the tap run! Instead, while you wash your hands, brush your teeth, shave, wash dishes, or even shower, turn the water on to wet what's necessary and then shut it off. Lather without running the water, and then turn it on again just when it is needed.

·        Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when they are fully loaded.

·        If possible, install a dual-flush toilet and a water-conserving shower head.

·        Convert your water-gulping turf grass to a native plant garden which can thrive in drought conditions while lowering your landscaping and water bills.

·        If you keep your lawn, water in the morning or evening when there is less evaporation.

·        Use a broom to sweep your garage and paved outdoor areas, instead of hosing them off.

·        There are ethical and health reasons you might consider using less meat. In addition, Mother Nature News explains it takes more than 23 gallons of water to produce a slice of wheat bread with a slice of cheese, whereas more than 1,300 gallons are needed to produce a 12 oz. steak.

·        Fix leaks. Leaky toilets, faucets, and showers all waste water. This tip conserves water and saves additional repair costs in the long run.

·        Replace old appliances with energy efficient ones. A new Energy Star washer saves electricity and uses 35 percent less water per load.

·        Take shorter showers or, if you shower for more than 4 minutes on average, consider switching to a bath. To see what works for you click here.

·        Buy fewer new clothes. It takes 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton for a single pair of blue jeans. Do you really need that new pair?

·        Conscientiously recycle. Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 mature trees and 7000 gallons of water.

Don't be a water hog. It will save you money and help save planet earth for us all.

This Newsletter may be excerpted, reproduced or circulated without limitation.

Position Opening: Graduate Assistant for Office of Sustainability

The Office of Sustainability is seeking a Graduate Assistant to staff the Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability and Energy, Tree Care Committee, Bike Planning Committee, to gather data for the sustainability tracking, assessment, and rating system, and assist in other projects the office is working on. The preferred candidate will have a strong interest in sustainability and environmental work, be proficient in computer applications (Word, Excel, etc), have excellent communication skills, and be available to work beginning in May and through the 2013-2014 academic year. Additional experience in web-design is desirable.

 For full consideration, please submit a letter of interest and resume to Joe Iosbaker at iosbaker@uic.edu by April 26, 2013. Only electronic applications will be accepted.

National Wildlife Federation Fellowships, Application Deadline 3/31

Last call – Fellowship Applications Extended Deadline 4/14/2013!

National Wildlife Federation is currently accepting applications for both our Campus Ecology Fellowships (open to current undergrad and graduate students) as well as our NEW Emerging Leader Fellowships (open to young professionals age 21-35).

Since 2000, National Wildlife Federation has awarded over 150 Campus Ecology Fellowships to undergrad and graduate students across the country working on climate action projects on their campuses and in their communities. This year we are expanding our Fellowship offering by not only supporting student Fellows but also opening the opportunity to young professional, emerging leaders looking to further develop their career and leadership opportunities in the conservation movement.

Fellows will have the unique opportunity to work with one of four of NWF’s crucial “Keep the Wild Alive” campaigns:

·         Stopping Expansion of Dirty Energy

·         Safeguarding Wildlife and Habitat in the Appalachian Forests

·         Protecting Wildlife in Urban and Suburban Habitats

·         Clean Energy Solutions

Please visit www.nwf.org/Fellows to learn more and access application materials

Don’t delay! Applications are due March 31st!