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Project 1 - ARBOR Trash Clean-up & Invasive Species Removal
Day: September 26 (rain date: Sept. 28)
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Capacity: 40
Location: Lilly ARBOR (along White River, adjacent to campus)
Activity: trash clean-up and invasive removal
Partner(s): CEES, Urban Wilderness Trail
Description: The White River floods frequently, and each flood cycle deposits new trash along the floodplain and picks up older trash from the area. Trash collected by floodwaters is deposited further down stream - or may even be carried to the Gulf of Mexico! For this project, our goal is to disrupt the land-to-river-to-ocean pathway of trash, as well as clean/restore/beautify the local environment. Collected trash will be disposed of properly or recycled (as appropriate). As we collect trash, we will laso remove invasive species. Not only do invasives disrupt the functioning of ecological communities, but they can impact physical processes within the environment as well. For example, invasive plants are often chemically defended, so herbivores won't eat them (ecological impact), and some invasives contribute to water pollution by enhancing sediment loading of waterways (physical impact).
We will look for an invasive ground-cover, wintercreeper (Euonymus fortuneii). Wintercreeper girdles and kills trees as it vines up/around them, and, as a groundcover, wintercreeper outcompetes and displaces herbaceous plants in the forest understory; this effort will encourage the development of a more diverse forest floor plant community, benefitting the local wildlife.
Project 2 - ARBOR Trash Clean-up & Invasive Species Removal
Day: September 27 (rain date: Sept. 28)
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Capacity: 40
Location: Lilly ARBOR (along White River, adjacent to campus)
Activity: trash clean-up and invasive removal
Partner(s): CEES, Urban Wilderness Trail
Description: The White River floods frequently, and each flood cycle deposits new trash along the floodplain and picks up older trash from the area. Trash collected by floodwaters is deposited further down stream - or may even be carried to the Gulf of Mexico! For this project, our goal is to disrupt the land-to-river-to-ocean pathway of trash, as well as clean/restore/beautify the local environment. Collected trash will be disposed of properly or recycled (as appropriate). As we collect trash, we will laso remove invasive species. Not only do invasives disrupt the functioning of ecological communities, but they can impact physical processes within the environment as well. For example, invasive plants are often chemically defended, so herbivores won't eat them (ecological impact), and some invasives contribute to water pollution by enhancing sediment loading of waterways (physical impact).
We will look for an invasive ground-cover, wintercreeper (Euonymus fortuneii). Wintercreeper girdles and kills trees as it vines up/around them, and, as a groundcover, wintercreeper outcompetes and displaces herbaceous plants in the forest understory; this effort will encourage the development of a more diverse forest floor plant community, benefitting the local wildlife.
Project 3 - Fall Migratory Bird Day - Eagle Creek
Day: October 11 (rain date: Oct. 12)
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Capacity: TBD
Location: Eagle Creek Park
Activity: biodiversity survey of migrating birds
Partner(s): Indy Parks, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Description: We will take part in the fall migration count. This is a glbal effort, and the data collected will assist scientists in tracking/assessing bird populations as birds move from summer breeding habitat to winter habitat. As we count birds, we will also clean up any trash we find. This is a guided, introductory birding experience, so no previous birding experience/skill is needed to take part in the project.
Note. Registration for this project is by waitlist only.
Project 4 - Invasive Species Removal - Municipal Gardens
Day: October 17 (rain date: Oct. 19)
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Capacity: 40
Location: Municipal Gardens
Activity: invasive species removal (bush honeysuckle)
Partner(s): DPW, Indianapolis Office of Land Stewardship, Indy Parks
Description: Invasive plant species cause environmental harm on many levels. Not only do invasives disrupt the functioning of ecological communities, but they can impact physical processes within the environment as well. For example, invasive plants are often chemically defended, so herbivores won't eat them (ecological impact), and some invasives contribute to water pollution by enhancing sediment loading of waterways (physical impact). We will focus our efforts on removing invasive shrubs and saplings, primarily Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Amur honeysuckle (also called bush honeysuckle) in particular has negative impacts on water quality.
Project 5 - Invasive Species Removal - Municipal Gardens
Day: October 18 (rain date: Oct. 19)
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Capacity: 40
Location: Municipal Gardens
Activity: invasive species removal (bush honeysuckle)
Partner(s): DPW, Indianapolis Office of Land Stewardship, Indy Parks
Description: Invasive plant species cause environmental harm on many levels. Not only do invasives disrupt the functioning of ecological communities, but they can impact physical processes within the environment as well. For example, invasive plants are often chemically defended, so herbivores won't eat them (ecological impact), and some invasives contribute to water pollution by enhancing sediment loading of waterways (physical impact). We will focus our efforts on removing invasive shrubs and saplings, primarily Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Amur honeysuckle (also called bush honeysuckle) in particular has negative impacts on water quality.
Project 6 - Invasive Species Removal - Grassy Creek
Day: October 24 (rain date: Oct. 26)
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Capacity: 40
Location: Grassy Creek Park
Activity: invasive species removal (bush honeysuckle)
Partner(s): DPW, Indianapolis Office of Land Stewardship, Indy Parks
Description: Invasive plant species cause environmental harm on many levels. Not only do invasives disrupt the functioning of ecological communities, but they can impact physical processes within the environment as well. For example, invasive plants are often chemically defended, so herbivores won't eat them (ecological impact), and some invasives contribute to water pollution by enhancing sediment loading of waterways (physical impact). We will focus our efforts on removing invasive shrubs and saplings, primarily Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Amur honeysuckle (also called bush honeysuckle) in particular has negative impacts on water quality.
Project 7 - Invasive Species Removal - Grassy Creek
Day: October 25 (rain date: Oct. 26)
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Capacity: 40
Location: Grassy Creek Park
Activity: invasive species removal (bush honeysuckle)
Partner(s): DPW, Indianapolis Office of Land Stewardship, Indy Parks
Description: Invasive plant species cause environmental harm on many levels. Not only do invasives disrupt the functioning of ecological communities, but they can impact physical processes within the environment as well. For example, invasive plants are often chemically defended, so herbivores won't eat them (ecological impact), and some invasives contribute to water pollution by enhancing sediment loading of waterways (physical impact). We will focus our efforts on removing invasive shrubs and saplings, primarily Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Amur honeysuckle (also called bush honeysuckle) in particular has negative impacts on water quality.
Project 8 - Day of the Dead-heading at ISM & Monarch Santuary
Day: November 1 (rain date: Nov. 2)
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Capacity: 40
Location: Indiana State Museum & White River Monarch Sanctuary
Activity: native seed collection & sowing
Partner(s): Urban Wilderness Trail, ISM, White River State Park
Description: When degraded habitat is restored, there are two options for revegetating an area once invasive species have been removed: either let species recruit on their own through natural processes (such as wind or water transport or animal vectors) - or - assist the revegetation process through planting or seed scattering. Natural revegetation takes a long time, and the species composition of the resulting plant community may lack desired species. Bringing in seeds/plants to a restoration area speeds up the process of community development and ensures th presence of particular plant species. In this project, we will assist revegatation efforts taking place in the White River Monarch Sanctuary (located just west of campus). Seed of native wildflowers will be collected from wildflower gardens at the Indiana State Museum; the collected seed will be taken to the Monarch sanctuary and scattered (to hopefully germinate next spring). The Monarch Santuary, which is being converted from its former, degraded condition (turf grass) to a riparian meadow, provides habitat for the endangered Monarch butterfly, other insect pollinators, birds, small mammals, and other types of wildlife.
Project 9 - Invasive Species Removal - Washington Park
Day: November 14 (rain date: Nov. 16)
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Capacity: 40
Location: Washington Park
Activity: invasive species removal (bush honeysuckle)
Partner(s): DPW, Indianapolis Office of Land Stewardship, Indy Parks
Description: Invasive plant species cause environmental harm on many levels. Not only do invasives disrupt the functioning of ecological communities, but they can impact physical processes within the environment as well. For example, invasive plants are often chemically defended, so herbivores won't eat them (ecological impact), and some invasives contribute to water pollution by enhancing sediment loading of waterways (physical impact). We will focus our efforts on removing invasive shrubs and saplings, primarily Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Amur honeysuckle (also called bush honeysuckle) in particular has negative impacts on water quality.
Project 10 - Invasive Species Removal - Washington Park
Day: November 15 (rain date: Nov. 16)
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Capacity: 40
Location: Washington Park
Activity: invasive species removal (bush honeysuckle)
Partner(s): DPW, Indianapolis Office of Land Stewardship, Indy Parks
Description: Invasive plant species cause environmental harm on many levels. Not only do invasives disrupt the functioning of ecological communities, but they can impact physical processes within the environment as well. For example, invasive plants are often chemically defended, so herbivores won't eat them (ecological impact), and some invasives contribute to water pollution by enhancing sediment loading of waterways (physical impact). We will focus our efforts on removing invasive shrubs and saplings, primarily Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Amur honeysuckle (also called bush honeysuckle) in particular has negative impacts on water quality.
Project 11 - TBD
Day: TBD (rain date: none)
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Capacity: TBD
Location: TBD
Activity: TBD
Partner(s): TBD
Description: TBD
Project: Bird Window Strike Survey - Special Project
Date: not currently an active project
This is not a typical service project. The purpose of the window strike survey is to gather data relating to the occurrence of bird-building collisions on the IUI campus. The data collected will be used to determine whether there is a need for building modifications (to make IUI more bird-friendly) and to inform campus decisions relating to any such proposed modifications. Taking part in this project requires a committment to survey of a particular campus location each week from early September until mid November. Monitoring for fall migration is already underway: participants will begin monitoring a route ASAP with Dr. Schmalhofer's approval (approval requires registration for the project, attendance of a training session to learn how to do the work, and assignment to a route and weekly shift); route monitoring continues through November 15. Expect to spend about 15-20 minutes looking for birds each time you survey your assigned route. Read more about this project.
Activity: You will walk a route around one or more buildings, scanning the ground for bird strikes (birds that have struck the buildings will probably be dead): each week, you will walk your route (this should take about 15-20 minutes) and fill in an online data form. Data collected will include date, route, time, and whether any birds were found; the data form is completed and submitted even if no bird is found. When you find a dead bird, you will identify the bird and photograph it. No bird identification skill is needed: you will use the smart phone apps Seek and Merlin Bird ID to identify any birds you find. Dead birds will be collected, bagged, and deposited at a central collection site. In the rare event that you find an injured bird, you will not handle it: it will be monitored for recovery by CEES staff. CEES will supply the collecting bags, gloves, etc. needed for this project. You must supply your own smart phone.
Survey Day: pick a day of the week that suits your schedule: M, Tu, W, Th, F, Sa, Su. Remember - this is a weekly committment for the entire semester.
Survey Time: routes are surveyed three times each day: morning (before 9:00am), midday (11:00am - 1:00pm), and evening (after 4:00pm); select your preferred time.
Survey Routes: We will track bird strikes at multiple locations on campus. Buildings that will be monitored include: Innovation Hall (IO); science buildings (SL/LD); Science and Engineering Laboratory Building - also known as SELB (EL); Engineering & technology (ET); Business/SPEA breezeway (BS); University Library (UL); Gateway & Blackford garages (XL/XF) - just the glass stairwells at the corners; Lecture Hall (LE), University Hall (AD), Education/Socialwork (ES); Hine Hall and University Tower (IP/HO). It is preferred that you walk your route with a partner (birding buddy).
Partner(s): CEES, IUI Sustainability, Audubon Society
Data Submission: data will be collected using this online form.
Note: You need to download both the Seek and Merlin Bird ID apps to your phone. For the Merlin app, if your phone has limited storage capacity, choose the midwest bird pack.
