Category Archives: Events

Environmental Studies Senior Seminar: Creating a Sustainable Society – Community Briefings

The Environmental Studies Senior Seminar is an integrative, interdisciplinary, project-oriented capstone course required of all ES majors in their senior year. The students have worked all semester individually developing and conducting research related to an aspect of environmental sustainability–in consultation with a local community partner–and have prepared a presentation on their findings. Please feel free to attend any or all of the presentations. Light refreshments will be served.

Community Briefing #1
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Beckman Auditorium, Ames Library

6:05 p.m.   Mackenzie Rivkin: Determining the Feasibility of Implementing a Fungiculture Program with The Peace Garden at Illinois Wesleyan University

6:25 p.m.   Dana Rotz: Exploring Barriers and Solutions to Recycling Programs in Apartment Complexes in Normal, Illinois

6:45 p.m.   Ian Powers: Measuring the Costs and Benefits of Permeable Paving in the City of Bloomington, Illinois

7:15 p.m.   Alicia Barnett: Determining Best Practices for the Implementation of a Sustainable Bicycle Sharing Program at Illinois Wesleyan University

7:35 p.m.   Jeffrey Golladay: Examining Wildlife Use of Constructed Wetlands in Central Illinois.

7:55 p.m.   Genevieve Alexander: Assessing the Biodiversity and Susceptibility of Trees in Maxwell Park to Future Invasive Species Outbreaks

Community Briefing #2
Monday, December 9, 2013
1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Beckman Auditorium, Ames Library

1:05 p.m.   Ellen Cornelius: Assessing the Indoor Tanning Behaviors at Illinois Wesleyan University and Lowering Students’ Risk of Skin Cancer

1:25 p.m.   Carolyn Ashley: Assessing Local Food Resources and Strengthening the Regional Food System of McLean County, Illinois

1:45 p.m.   Shane McGowan: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Food Composting at Illinois Wesleyan University

2:05 p.m.   Break

2:15 p.m.   Kylin Wagner: Assessing the Feasibility and Best Outlets for Micro Level Wind Energy at Illinois Wesleyan University

2:35 p.m.   Gabriel Chanez: Exploring Barriers to Recycling in Illinois Wesleyan University Fraternal Housing

2:55 p.m.   Mark Hansen: Assessing Student Water Use Behaviors and Conservation in Residence Halls at Illinois Wesleyan University

 

Senators Barickman and Brady Recycling Fair

Saturday, Oct. 12
 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Illinois State University Alumni Center parking lot
1101 N. Main, Normal

13 Barickman-Brady Recycling FLYER

 

Join Illinois senators Jason Barickman and Bill Brady (both Republicans from Bloomington) for a community recycling event. Co-sponsors Habitat for Humanity of McLean County, the Ecology Action Center and other participants will be on hand to accept gently used items. Informational legislative brochures will also be available.

Items to Recycle:

  • Electronics (usable or unusable condition)
  • Housewares
  • Household batteries
  • CFL light bulbs
  • Infant’s and children’s clothing
  • Women’s clothing
  • Cell phones
  • Flags
  • Prescription medications
  • Paper (for shredding)
  • Food and toiletries for the Home Sweet Home Ministries

Items that will NOT be accepted:

  • Tires
  • Oil & chemicals
  • Cardboard
  • Glass
  • Paint
  • Propane
  • No commercial loads accepted – residential only

 

Speaker: “Protecting the Illinois Environment Through State Legislation”

Tuesday, Oct. 1
7 p.m.
Center for Natural Science (CNS) C101

Jennifer Walling, the executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council  will discuss the results of the 2013 Illinois legislative session, including important legislation concerning hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), open space, and renewable energy.  She will also discuss the priorities of the environmental community in the upcoming year. The Illinois Environmental Council is a non-profit organization that lobbies and organizes support for environmental legislation throughout the state of Illinois.

Also while on campus Tuesday, Walling will offer a question and answer session for students on environmental jobs in the public sector, at 4 p.m. in State Farm Hall 210.

IWU Peace Garden Campus Market

Thursdays (Sept. 19, 26)
1-3 p.m.
Eckley Quadrangle

The IWU Peace Garden will host its first Campus Market of the semester, selling freshly harvested organic produce grown by Wesleyan students and faculty. All members of the IWU community are invited to come support the Peace Garden and learn more about the local food movement and the Garden’s involvement in the Bloomington-Normal community.

Tree Walk at IWU

9 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 22
Meet at the south side of The Ames Library

Register and info at https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=8618

Come discover hidden treasures of Bloomington/Normal as you walk in the shadows of trees planted decades ago. The campuses of Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University offer a unique, grand experience that very few know about. Participate in a 3-part series offered by the University of Illinois Extension on tree identification and diagnosis throughout Bloomington/Normal.

Join Travis Cleveland, University of Illinois Plant Clinic plant diagnostician, on a walk through the Illinois Wesleyan University campus on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 9 a.m. to identify trees and learn about problems associated with them. Meet on the south side of The Ames Library.

Call the Extension office at 309-663-8306 for more information. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the McLean County Extension office.

Good To Go Commuter Challenge

IWU Wellness encourages members of the campus community to consider participating in this year’s Commuter Challenge, a program of WGLT Radio and Illinois State University’s Office of Sustainability.

The challenge encourages the use of sustainable transportation for personal and environmental health and well-being. Anyone who logs at least one sustainable commute during the week is eligible for a $200 Visa gift card drawing.

For more information, visit wglt.org/goodtogo/

You can sign up as an individual, or join the Illinois Wesleyan team (we’re listed as a participating organization). Register here.

Any type of sustainable transportation can be applied during the challenge, which runs May 11-17.

If you have additional questions, contact Wellness Program Director Missy Smock at ext. 3334 or msmock@iwu.edu.

Spring Migration Walk with Given Harper

Saturday, April 13
8-10 a.m.
Ewing Park, Bloomington

Join Professor Given Harper as he leads a bird watching walk. We will meet in the parking lot of Ewing Park off Towanda Avenue. The walk will last approximately 2 hours. Bring your field glasses if you have them, and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving town.

RSVP to Wellness at (309) 556-3334 or jspence2@iwu.edu. If you leave a message, be sure to include your phone number and/or email address.

Mega Recycling Event

Mega Recycling Event 

Saturday, April 13
Northeast corner of the Shirk Center Parking Lot

During the Illinois Sustainable Living & Wellness Expo

Ready for some spring cleaning? Start clearing out your garage, basement and closets. We’ll help you recycle many things at once:
– Electronics
– Household Batteries
– Clothing and textiles
– Shoes
– Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
– Plastic Garden Pots
– Bicycles
– Terracycle items

Free residential document shredding will be available courtesy of Confidential Onsite Paper Shredding.