Next SECS Meeting This Wednesday at 6:30! 🌱

Happy Tuesday! I know you all felt very pranked to not receive this newsletter yesterday evening. Luckily we have now entered the very best month — Earth Month!

This week our working groups continue to fight the good fight. As always, bring a computer!

Fossil Free Addendum will be examining a legal avenue for the addendum and working on an investment ask.

Action will continue coordinating dropping Chevron as a sponsor from the EOH, as well as plan upcoming Earth Week events, including the spring climate strike.

Media will be finalizing signs for the clothing swap and will make Climate Strike graphics. Green Observer will also be meeting to have an idea workshop.

Education will continue planning for environmental trivia with Franklin Elementary students on April 15th.

Solidarity Gardens will be working outside, weather permitting.

Circular Fashion Expo will continue drafting their speech and providing guidelines for styling.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, April 2nd at 6:30 p.m. at the Channing Murray Foundation (1209 W. Oregon Street).

Take a quick look at all the exciting events happening in the month of April:

🚨WAIT, THERE’S MORE!🚨

Apply for the 2024-25 SECS Board!

From now until April 9th, the application for next year’s SECS board is live! Everyone may run for up to two separate positions. To apply, you should create an Officer Proposal form outlining your goals for the position. Voting will take place at the general meeting on April 10th. If you are interested in running for a board position, we highly recommend attending the bylaws meeting at 4pm on Sunday, April 7th in the Natural History Building core, where we update our organizational structure for next year. For more information and to apply, fill out this Google form. All are welcome!

Volunteer for Sustainapalooza!

Sustainapalooza is an upcoming festival during Earth Week scheduled to take place Monday, April 22nd from 4-8pm on Anniversary Plaza on the quad. We are looking for volunteers to help out with this event. All volunteers are required to attend a mandatory volunteer information session on Monday, April 15th from 6:30-7:30 pm at the Student Organization Complex. To volunteer, fill out this form. All volunteers will get a free T-shirt!

Submit Art for Sustainapalooza!

Submit your environmental art by clicking right here by April 8th to be considered to feature in Sustainapalooza!

Apply to be an SSLC Co-President!

This is a great opportunity to have a sustainability leadership role on campus, facilitate group collaboration between environmental organizations, and serve on environmental committees with campus administration. After you apply, SSLC will reach out to schedule a short, informal interview. Apply here. Please email Claire Sullivan at [email protected] with any questions about this application. Submit by April 7th.

Come camping with SECS!

We will be camping for the night of Friday, April 19th and returning to campus in the morning/afternoon of Saturday, April 20th. We are headed to Moraine View State Park, about a 50 minute drive away from Channing Murray. If you are interested, please fill out this interest form. To secure a spot in someone’s car, or sign up to drive if you have a car, fill out this form. To formalize your attendance, please either Venmo $5 to @jupiter_jpeg or bring cash to a meeting by Friday, April 12th. Any plus-ones should also fill out the interest form and submit payment. For more information, see the announcements channel in the Discord.

Show up on Wednesday! Go green or go HOME!

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Be Part of a Biking Focus Group

Like to bike? Ethan Garcia is a grad student in urban planning currently seeking students with varying levels of bike use on campus to participate in a research focus group. His research will be used to influence the 2024 UIUC Campus Master Bike Plan, so this is your chance to make your voice heard! Fill out this survey to get started.

Volunteer with Kingfisher Kayaking

Kingfisher Kayaking is a small nonprofit looking for volunteers to lead or assist with river trips. Group leaders would work with small groups of 5-10 kayakers to help them navigate trips and load and unload boats. Email [email protected] to apply.

Help Birds Stop Dying!

The UIUC Bird Strike Group seeks to reduce the number of bird deaths caused by window collisions. If you’d like to volunteer for this noble cause, scan the QR code for more info!

Protect Illinois Wetlands Under Threat!

The U.S. Supreme Court just gutted the Clean Water Act, eliminating the protection of many wetlands we rely on for flood control and habitat along major rivers. Now, Illinois wetlands are left vulnerable to developer bulldozers because our state lacks a comprehensive program to protect them. Go here to take action!

Visit TORIIS and take action!

TORIIS.earth is an organization that makes transparent the University of Illinois Systems investments and visualizes this data through an environmental lens. Throughout TORIIS, you can explore in depth the University of Illinois Systems’ investments, understand the scope and impact of its investments in the fossil fuel industry, and take action by signing the open letter requesting fossil fuel divestment from the University of Illinois.

Listen to the SECS talk
Listen here to our sustainability-focused podcast, the SECS talk! The most recent episode’s guest is Lina Avalos, a student at UIUC and an environmental justice advocate from the Southeast side of Chicago.

Sign the petition to save Weaver Park

Weaver Park is a natural landscape in east Urbana that is currently at risk of being converted into soccer and baseball fields. To protect this park with inherent value, sign this petition.

If you’ve read this far, go here for this week’s secret link. Come again!

Contact Us!
President — Danika Ford (she/her)
[email protected]
Vice President — Rudy LaFave (he/him)
[email protected]
Treasurer — Averhy Sanborn (she/her)
[email protected]
Secretary — Julia San Miguel (she/her)
[email protected]
Action Coordinator — Trey McCallister (he/him)
[email protected]
Education Officer — Claire Sullivan (she/her)
[email protected]
Media Officer — Sophia Beem (she/her)
[email protected]
Community Chair — Joya Weissman (she/her)
[email protected]
Land Management Chair — Liam Henry (he/him)
[email protected]
Outreach Coordinator — Izzy Wilder (she/her)
[email protected]
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer — Gabi DalSanto (she/they)
[email protected]