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NRES Online M.S. Blog

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  • Your Input is Needed!

    The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences advising services requests that all NRES online students complete a questionnaire to help us characterize our student population, better understand their academic needs and interests, and provide better services to our graduate students. We ask that all online M.S. students please complete the questionnaire found at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/5945658  before Oct. 4th. The questionnaire will only take about 10 minutes. Your input is very important to us.

    If you have additional comments or need further information, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.  

    Thank you for your participation!

    Renee

  • YOU ARE INVITED On-Campus Day – Saturday, Sept. 13

    There is still time to let us know that you plan to attend the On-campus events for students in the online M.S. program this Saturday. Remember, this day was planned just for you! 

    We will start the morning in the SIMS room of the ACES library with light refreshments and a chance for you to meet fellow NRES online students. Then you will hear more about the University resources and what being part of such prestigious and renown University has to offer not only its students, but it’s alumni as well. At 10:30 am we have several faculty members who will speak about student expectations and answer questions you may have about capstone projects. Before lunch we will do a walking tour of campus. The department will treat all of our online students to lunch at Rosati’s. Following lunch a former student will speak to us about her experience as an NRES student followed by a presentation about recent capstone projects and how to move efficiently through the final steps to graduation. There will be plenty of opportunity for you to talk one-on-one with some of our instructors and to network with other NRES online students. Don’t miss out on this great day!

    If you have additional questions about the day or you plan to attend but have not had a chance to RSVP, please contact Renée Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu or at 217-333-7738. If you need assistance while on-route to campus, please contact Renée via her cellphone at 404-713-3623. 

  • Written Final Exam Spring 2016 Reminder

    If you have completed at least one course from each of the four Core Areas and are planning to take the Written Final Exam this spring, distribution of the exam is scheduled for January 4, 2016.

     

    If you have not already added your name to the distribution list, please go to https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/5283479 . Students whose names appear on the list will be invited to an informational webinar on November 23rd, so it is important to add your name to the Distribution List if you are planning to take the Spring 2016 Written Final Exam. 

     

    For questions about exam eligibility, please contact Renée Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

  • Written Final Exam - January 2019

    Students who have completed at least one course from each of the four core areas are eligible to take the written final exam. The spring distribution date is January 4th. The completed exam will be due back on January 11th. Students requesting permission to take the exam will be invited to a webinar with tips for how to prepare for the exam. To register your intention to take the exam in January, put your name on the distribution list at: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/5283479

     

    The next opportunity after the January exam will be August 2019.

     

    If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

  • Written Final Exam for the M.S. Program - January 2018

    NRES students who have completed the core requirements by the end of the fall semester and who wish to take the Written Final Exam in January 2018 should add their names to the Distribution List by going to: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/5283479. Be sure to include the core courses that you have taken. The exam will be distributed on January 8th and due back no later than January 15th.

    For additional information, please contact Renée Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

     

  • Written Final Exam for NRES program - Registration information and deadline

    The Written Final Exam will be distributed on January 6th to all students who have not already taken the exam and who plan to graduate in Spring 2014 or Summer 2014. Any student who has already completed at least one course from each of the four core areas and who wishes to take the exam is eligible as well. Only those students who entered the MS program prior to January 2012 and who are working on an Independent Research Project (NRES 501) are exempt from the exam.  To request that your name be placed on the Final Exam Distribution List, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu no later than December 10th.  The next opportunity to take the exam will be in late August 2014. 

  • Written Final Exam for NRES program - Registration information

    WRITTEN FINAL EXAM - AUGUST 2015

    The Written Final Exam will be distributed in August to all students who have not already taken the exam and who plan to graduate in December 2015. Any student who has already completed at least one course from each of the four core areas and who wishes to take the exam is also eligible. Only those students who entered the MS program prior to January 2012 and who are working on an Independent Research Project (NRES 501) are exempt from the exam. To request that your name be placed on the Final Exam Distribution List, go to: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/15283479

    The next opportunity for taking the exam will be January 2016.

  • Written Final Exam - Distribution Date Information

    Students who have completed at least one course from each of the four Core Areas are encouraged to take the Written Final Exam at their earliest convenience. The next distribution of the exam is scheduled for January 4, 2016. Please go to https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/5283479 if you are eligible and wish to add your name to the Distribution List.

    For questions about exam eligibility, please contact Renée Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

  • Written Final Exam - August 2019 - Register now

    Students who have completed at least one course from each of the four Core Areas are eligible to take the written final exam. The next distribution will be August 14th. If you intend to take the exam in August 2019, and have not already done so, please add your name and pertinent information to the Distribution List at: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/5283479. A meeting will be held on May 16th to provide study tips and other pertinent information.

    For more questions about the exam, please contact Renee at gracon1@illinois.edu.

  • Written Final Exam - August 2019 Distribution - Register now

    Students who have completed at least one course from each of the four Core Areas are eligible to take the written final exam. The next distribution will be August 14th. The exam will be due back one week later. If you are interested (and eligible) in taking the exam in August 2019, and have not already done so, please add your name and pertinent information to the Distribution List at: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/5283479

     

    For more questions about the exam or your eligibility, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

  • Written Final Exam - August 2017 Register Now

    Students who have completed the core requirements by the end of the summer semester and who wish to take the Written Final Exam in August 2017 should add their names to the Distribution List by going to: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/5283479. Be sure to include the core courses that you have taken, a phone number, and an email address where you can be reached during the semester break. The exam will be distributed on August 16th and will be due back one week later. 

     

    There will be a critical meeting for those registered for the exam on June 7th. Please be sure to add your name to the distribution list to receive an invitation to the meeting. 

     

    For additional information or questions, please contact Renée Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

     

     

  • Written Final Exam - Aug. 2018 Register Now

    Students who have completed at least one course from each of the 4 core areas are eligible for the written final exam to be distributed on August 15th. To add your name to the distribution list, go to: 

    https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/5283479

    A meeting for all students planning to take the exam in August will be held on May 29th. For more information or questions about the exam, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

  • Written Final Exam - Aug. 2017 - Register Now

    Written Final Exam: If you are planning to take the Written Final Exam in August to meet the degree requirement, please add your name to the Exam Distribution List by going to: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/5283479. The exam will be distributed online and you will have one week to complete the exam and submit it. A webinar will be scheduled in July (exact date TBD) to explain how to prepare for the exam. If you have questions about your eligibility to take the exam, please contact Renée Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

  • Written Exam Distribution List - important information

    Students who have completed the core requirements by the end of the fall semester and who wish to take the Written Final Exam in January 2019 should add their names to the Distribution List by going to: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/5283479. Be sure to include the core courses that you have taken, a phone number, and an email address where you can be reached during the semester break. The exam will be distributed on January 4th and due back no later than January 11th.

     

    Students whose names appear on the list will be invited to a workshop on "tips for taking the exam" in December. 

     

    For additional information or questions, please contact Renée Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

     

     

  • Writers Workshop Upcoming Events

  • Writers Workshop Upcoming Events

  • Writers Workshop - Graduate Writing Productivity Groups

  • Writers' Group - Writing Literature Reviews

    Join us Monday evening, July 10th, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM CDT, for a short discussion of how to organize relevant scientific literature. Then develop a strategy for organizing your own project's relevant literature. All are welcome! Please bring 3 - 5 relevant articles to use during the evening's activity. To join the meeting go to: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407 

    For additional information, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

     

  • Writers' Group meets tonight (7/24) - Topic: Proofreading

    Everyone is welcome to join us for this evening's tips on proofreading! You can attend the 6:30 pm CDT session by going to: 

    https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

    For additional information, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

    We hope to see you there! 

  • Writer's Group Meets 7/31- Outlining Techniques and Tips

    Learn some new techniques and hear some great tips for improving your skills in outlining from NRES Online Program Director, Piper Hodson, Monday, July 31, at 6:30 pm. Please bring a writing passage or information that you would like to outline using techniques learned during the webinar. To attend the meeting, go to: 

    https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

     

    Everyone's invited to attend.

  • Writer's Group - Capstone Guidelines & Important Deadlines

    Join us this evening at 6:30 pm for the last webinar in our summer series. Tonight we will cover important capstone deadlines. All are welcome to attend.

    To join the session, go to: 

    https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

    For more information, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

     

  • Working on your capstone? It's time to check in

    Those students working on their capstone projects are required to submit monthly reports. You can do this in writing (in the OPEN LEARNING-Capstone Progress Compass page) or verbally on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm. Since it's the first one of the semester, I encourage you to attend the live session tomorrow at 7pm via https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/e6b5b00032a8447293b08b6c8e89f5fd. I hope to see many of you advanced students there!

    If you have not yet started actively working on your capstone project, you can ignore this message. I hope your classes are going well!

  • Working on Capstone Project in 2016 - 2017? See important reminder

    Don't forget the important live meeting for any student working on, or planning to work on their capstone project in 2016 - 2017.

     

    When: Monday, August 22 at 8:00 pm Central

     

    Login: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

     

    If you are unable to attend the online meeting, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

  • Women Empowered in STEM (weSTEM) conference

    We are happy to pass along this information to all of our online graduate students.

     

    "Women Empowered in STEM (weSTEM) conference

    Registration closes in two weeks on Sunday, November 20! Join the Graduate Society of Women Engineers at the Illini Union on Saturday, January 28 for their flagship initiative, the Women Empowered in STEM conference. During this annual event, STEM leaders will share experience and insight from their diverse career paths following a graduate degree. Conference includes panel discussions and breakout sessions to facilitate one-on-one interactions with these accomplished speakers and promote the discussion of topics unique to the graduate student experience. Learn more and register online by going to https://westemillinois.com/

    Registration is open to all graduate students in disciplines related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Questions? Please contact Lana Stekovic at stekovi2@illinois.edu."

  • wired.com, digital magazine

    Wired Digital Magazine: How to Stay Productive When the World Is on Fire

  • Wired Digital Magazine: Can a Genetically Modified Bug Combat a Global Farm Plague?

  • Winners Named in NRES Online Students Photo Contest

    Thank you to the students that participated in the 2014 NRES Online Students Photo Contest. All of this year's entries were outstanding - making the selection of the First Place winners extremely difficult! 

    It is a pleasure to announce the 2014 First Place winners:

    Category: Wildlife and Scenery  - Sandi Kukla

    Category: Students in Action - Christin Crutchfield

    You may view the winning photos at http://nres.illinois.edu/spotlight/winners-named-nres-online-ms-photo-contest 

    Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all that participated. Don't forget to start capturing those picture perfect moments now for entry in next year's contest. 

  • Logo for Wild Things 2023

    Wild Things on February 25th

    If you are at Wild Things on Saturday, February 25th, stop by the NRES booth. We'd love to see you!

  • Wild Things Conference 2019 - Online Students' Participation Needed

    The Wild Things community is recognized as one of the largest networks of environmentally concerned people in the nation. They serve to educate others while protecting Chicago’s wilderness, natural parks, prairies, woods and wetlands.

     

    The 2019 Wild Things Conference will be held in Rosemont, IL, February 23rd, at Stephens Conference Center. The NRES Department would like to encourage you to participate in this bi-annual event. We are putting out a call for students who would be interested in helping us at this event. Click "read more" to learn how.

  • Wild Things Conference 2019 - come join us!

    2019 Wild Things Conference: For People and Nature

     

    We are eager to announce that several current NRES students and alumni will be speaking at the Wild Things Conference, on February 23, between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018.

     

    For more information about the conference and registration information, please click on "Read More".

  • Wild Things Attendees - please read!

    Hi Everyone,

    Wild Things is less than two weeks away! We are busy preparing for the day and hope you excited about all the day has to offer. Here are some important messages:

    1) NRES will be sponsoring a table in the Exhibit Hall to promote the online program. We need volunteers to hand out literature about the program and talk to interested people. If you can spare a half-hour, please add your name to the sign up sheet at: 

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SYrV7frS9F_I281_kvdBLCLkbWolFsKqD8A76La-j5s/edit?usp=sharing

    2) After the event (6:00 pm), we will be gathering at Five Roses Pub near the Conference Center. You can leave your car in the Conference Center parking lot and walk over with us. This is not an official University function. It is an opportunity for current students, alumni and friends to get-together. We'd love to have you join us. If you are planning to go to Five Roses with us, please let Renee know so that we can give the restaurant an approximate head count. 

    3) A couple of people have indicated that they may want to carpool to the Conference Center (or home). If you are looking to carpool, or need a ride, please let me know and I will share the information with those who are interested. 

    4) Polo Shirts with the NRES logo will be ordered and available at the Wild Things event. You must notify (by Weds 2/13) Piper or Renee if you want to buy a shirt. The cost is $19.00.  

    Looking forward to seeing you all on February 23rd. 

    Renee (gracon1@illinois.edu)

     

  • Wild Things 2019 was a huge success!

     A heartfelt thank you to all of the NRES alumni and current online students who played such a vital role in our success at Wild Things. Alumni Stacey Libra, Eleanor Schumacher, Mark Krivchenia, and current NRES students Claudia Boothe, Elwood Dumke and Tricia Bethke presented information about their capstone projects to rooms packed with listeners! Alum Kurt Dreisilker, Alumni Aaron Parks, Nancy Kreith, Jeff Weiss, Mark Krivchenia and current students Amy Osterman, Claudia Boothe, and Elwood Dumke volunteered at the Exhibit Hall table and did a super job talking with the many conference attendees and potential new students. The following alumni and current students provided video testimonials that were part of a continuous feedloop highlighting their capstones and the NRES program: Scott Brown, Kevin Hagen, Mark Krivchenia, Christine LePine, Michael Nosbisch, Aaron Parks, Mary Richardson, Eleanor Schumacher, Lydia Scott, Lyn Shirley, Tyler Steury, Catherine Wallace, Tomas Ward, and Josh Yellin. (My sincere apologies if I have forgotten to mention anyone!) We were happy to meet up with many former friends and NRES alumni throughout the day. Wild Things was a great opportunity for 2600 conservationists and preservationists to gather in support of volunteer stewardship the Chicagoland wilderness. We were honored to be part of this outstanding Conference! Thank you to all who attended and participated. 

  • What Makes a Successful Online Student?

  • Welcome Back Students!

    Welcome back students! Today is the first day of fall 2014 classes.  We have a terrific list of course offerings this fall and we are pleased to see so many of you beginning your capstone work. We hope this is an exciting, productive, and challenging semester for all of you.

    If you are having trouble getting motivated to submit a photo for the NRES Online Students' Photo Contest (entries are due by Sept.5), check out the latest "Here and Now" photos on the University's website at http://illinois.edu/here_now/index.html for some inspiration. We know there are many of you out there that are keeping your photographic talent a secret. Share your best photos with us today, by emailing your JPEG or GIF files and the entry form to Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

    Don't forget the upcoming Online Student's On-Campus Day, Saturday, Sept. 13. Whether you are new to the program or have been in the program for a couple of years, you are invited to join us on campus. This is a great opportunity to meet the faculty and staff, learn about University resources, and get to know other online students better. We hope you all attend! To RSVP, please go to https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/2237858. For more information, contact Renee (email address above). 

    Best wishes to all of you,

    Renee

  • Week 2 Announcements for NRES online students

    Welcome to the second week of classes! We have two important announcements. 

    1) NRES will be conducting the 2015 Annual Review during the month of February. You will be sent information on January 30th. Completing the designated Annual Review form and including the required attachments is a compulsory exercise for all online graduate students. For guidance on how to complete the form we will host an online advising session on Sunday evening, February 8, at 6:00 pm CST. You can join the session by going to: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407 There will be ample time for questions at the end of the brief session.  The deadline for submitting the completed form is February 23rd. 

    2) We wish to share the following information from the Registrar's office with all online students.

    "By the 10th Day of Classes, February 2, Graduate Students should be correctly registered for spring term 2015. It is important to check your registration before February 2 on Student Web Self Service to make sure that you are registered for the courses that you are attending and attending the courses for which you are registered. If necessary, make corrections by adding and dropping courses to your schedule before the 10th day of classes, February 2.  

    In addition, the 10th day of classes, February 2, is the last day to do the following:

    • Drop courses to reduce your number of credit hours you are registered for to a lower tuition range and receive a refund between the two ranges
    • Add a semester course without permission
    • Submit forms to Audit a semester course
    • Add a first half-session course

    Students should be registered appropriately no later than February 2 in order to avoid possible issues with: 

    • Tuition/Fee Assessment          
    • Financial aid
    • Loan deferment
    • Health Insurance
    • Academic Record/Graduation issues"

    For those of you in the northeast, please stay warm and safe as you prepare for the "blizzard-like" conditions that are anticipated.

    Best wishes,

    Renee 

  • Week 2 Announcements for NRES online students

    1) Virtually attending Oral Capstone Presentations

    You are invited to attend any of the upcoming MS online Oral Capstone Presentations. To log in go to: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407 . For courtesy to the speaker, we ask that you please log on at least 5 minutes before the presentation and refrain from asking questions until the speaker has completed the presentation. The upcoming speakers are posted on the NRES online Student Calendar.  To view the list of upcoming presentations go to http://nres.illinois.edu/online-program/resources. The first presentation this term will be:

    •          Jan 30, at 4:00 pm Central.

    Kirk Longstein speaking on his capstone experience with the Peace Corps. The title of his presentation is Car Sharing, Sustainability, and Fleet Optimization: A Road Map to Assist Peace Corps Achieve Its Executive Order 13514 Targets. You are invited to attend

    2) May Graduation - Pending degree list

    Students who plan on having all degree requirements completed to graduate in May 2014, should add themselves to the May degree conferral list via UI Integrate Self-Service. Please contact Karen Claus at kclaus@illinois.edu  with any questions you have regarding putting yourself to the list via Self-Service.

    3) February 3 - 10th Day of Class Reminders!

    By the 10th Day of Classes (Monday, February 3) Graduate students should be correctly registered for spring term.  It is important to check your registration before February 3 on Student Web Self Service to make sure that you are registered for the courses that you are attending and attending the courses for which you are registered.  If necessary, make any corrections by adding and dropping courses before February 3.   

     In addition, February 3 is the last day to drop a course to reduce your credit hours OR to add a course without permission. 

    For questions or concerns on any of these announcements, contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

     

     

  • Webinar - Where Can You Work in the World of Green Careers?

    Please join the Alumni Career Center on Thursday, June 20 from 7-8, PM, Central Time to hear our guest panelists present "Where Can You Work in the World of Green Careers" for an overview of their work and critical transferable skills needed for a broad array of positions in their industries. Learn how you can leverage and transfer your skills, knowledge and abilities into one of these industries and overcome the challenges of breaking into a new field.

    Guest panelists include:

    • Ed Choklek ’85 ENG (UI), Director of Business Development at FGM Architects
    • Cynthia Klein-Banai, Ph.D. ’10 SPH (UIC), Associate Chancellor for Sustainability at University of Illinois at Chicago


    Additional program include:

    • Webinar: Translating Your Experience into Transferable Skills, June 27 from 7-8 PM, Central time

    If you are unable to attend the webinar, presentations are recorded and made available on the Alumni Career Center website at http://www.uiaa.org. The recordings become available 2 - 3 days after the scheduled date. You can access the presentation from the 'About Us' tab. If you are a first time user in the Virtual Career Center, please register through the link located at the top left hand corner. Allow at least 1 business day for staff to add your profile to the "All Alumni" group that will allow you full access to the website.

    Information provided by the UIUC Alumni Careers Center 

  • Webinar: Summer/Fall course offerings

    Join Piper and Renee on Tuesday, May 8th at 7:00 pm Central for a glimpse at the courses being offered during the summer and fall 2018 semesters. Not sure what to take? This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the course content and the instructors. To attend the presentation, login at:  https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/a0e8957a76e64901a192493d39390bd8 

    We hope you will join us. 

    Renee

  • Webinar Reminder - Fall Courses - tonight at 8:00 pm

    Don't forget to join us for our Fall Courses webinar at 8:00 pm Central, tonight, Tuesday, August 2! We will discuss the upcoming courses and answer questions related to fall enrollment. We hope to see you there. 

    Use this link to join the session:

    https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

    Renee

  • Webinar Option to Report Capstone Progress - Tuesday

    If you have not posted your November accomplishments and December goals to the Compass 2g - Open Learning - Capstone Progress site, join us Tuesday evening, Dec. 5th, at 7:00 pm Central to report your progress  - Live! Students attending the meeting should plan to speak for 3 - 5 minutes summarizing their monthly goals and accomplishments.  Here is the link to join the meeting: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/7651b14bdd4042999acd82a564e5cf59 

  • Webinar on the Capstone Process

    Having trouble sorting out the capstone process? Not sure which capstone option you want to pursue? Unsure of where to find the guidelines for writing the capstone proposal? Join the webinar on March 29 at 6:00 pm CST where these and many other questions pertaining to the capstone project will be answered.

    This session is mandatory for students currently enrolled in NRES 594 who have not completed Lesson 6. All others are welcome. There will be an open question and answer period after a short presentation about the capstone process.

    To join the session, go to: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

     For additional information, please contact Renée Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

  • Webinar on Summer and Fall Course Offerings - May 1

    ADVISING SESSION ON SUMMER/FALL 2015 COURSE SELECTION

    Join us Friday, May 1st  at 6:00 pm for a look at the upcoming online course offerings for Summer and Fall 2015. You can join the broadcast by going to: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407  We will briefly describe future course offerings and answer questions about course options and capstone enrollment. For further information, please contact Renée at gracon1@illinois.edu

    We hope to see you there!

  • Webinar on Selecting, Reading, and Interpreting Scientific Literature - Oct. 19

    Graduate students must become proficient at selecting, reading, and interpreting scientific literature in order to be successful in graduate school and for future careers. Join us on Monday, October 19th, at 6:00 pm (Central) for an hour-long webinar designed to help you improve your scientific literacy skills.

    You can join the webinar by going to: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407 

    For additional questions about the webinar, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

  • Webinar on Improving Water Quality using Cover Crops

    The following webinar may be of interest to some of you. This webinar is not affiliated nor endorsed by the NRES program, but I have attended webinars like this in the past and they have been very informative. Please cut and past the URL into your browser if you are interested in learning more or registering for the presentation. (The link in the announcement will not be active.) 

    Watershed Academy Webcast on March 25 on Cover Crops

     

    Register at: www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts

    Join us for a Watershed Academy Webcast on March 25 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Eastern on “Improving Water Quality by Using Cover Crops and Other Conservation Systems.”  This Webcast will provide basic information on how cover crops and other conservation systems can be used to provide environmental benefits in watersheds across the U.S.  Cover crops are plants that are used to protect and improve soil on farm fields. The webcast will explain how cover crops can reduce nutrient losses to watersheds by scavenging nitrates that would otherwise be lost to leaching. In addition, cover crops reduce sediment and phosphorous losses to nearby waterways by acting as a vegetative buffer to slow down surface erosion and increase water infiltration. By using cover crops, farmers can provide environmental benefits while also providing other on-farm benefits. Register for the Webinar to learn more about cover crops.

    Anne Weinberg

    Communications Coordinator

    Assessment and Watershed Protection Division

    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

     

    Phone 202-566-1217 (M-R)

    Cell 301-351-9660 (F - flexiplace work day)

    Email    weinberg.anne@epa.gov

  • Webinar on Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Deployment Techniques- NWQMC

    We know many of our students are interested in Water Quality and Conservation. Therefore, we pass along this information from the NWQMC Sensors Workgroup about an upcoming webinar, Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 at 1:00 pm ET

     

    "Continuous Water-Quality Monitor Deployment Techniques: Maximizing Data Quality and Minimizing Site Maintenance" Featuring a presentation by Jimmy Webber, Hydrologist, US Geological Survey Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center and John Joiner, Hydrologist, US Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center.   For more information about the webinar and information about registration, please click on the post title, or the "Read More" tab.

     

     

  • Webinar: Fall Course Options - Monday, July 17

    Please join us Monday, July 17, at 7:35 pm (CDT) for a look at the upcoming online course offerings for the fall semester. You can join the broadcast by going to: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

    We will briefly describe future course offerings and answer questions about course options and capstone enrollment. For further information, please contact Renée at gracon1@illinois.edu

     

    ENROLLING IN CAPSTONE CREDIT FOR FALL 2017

    Students planning to enroll in capstone coursework (NRES 501, 503, 505, or 507) for fall 2017 should request permission by completing the information request at:  https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/1485691  You will need your UIN, project title, course number, and credit hours. Please note, you must have an approved research proposal or GIAF on file in order to enroll in capstone credit. For fall capstone enrollment request permission by Aug. 15th. If you have any questions about capstone enrollment, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

  • Webinar - Climate Adaptive Design

    I am pleased to pass along the following information from the Department of Landscape Architecture at Cornell University: 

     

    Dr. Joshua Cerra will be conducting an online presentation titled Climate Adaptive Design, on Thursday, April 26th at 10:00 am Eastern. Form more information click on Read More.

     

  • Webinar - Annual Review Process - Tonight!

    Anyone seeking information or needing help on the Annual Review is invited to this evening's (Tuesday, 2/20) webinar at 6:00 pm Central.

     

    Here is the link to attend the presentation: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/669f8e9000d5431f94a555053f895060

     

    Please bring your Annual Review Form and any questions you might have to the meeting.

     

    For further information, contact Renee at gracon1@illinois.edu.

     

  • We are having a capstone meeting at 7:00 for anyone interested

    We will meet in the NRES Virtual Office at 7:00 pm. Here is the link: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/a0e8957a76e64901a192493d39390bd8, or call in using (571-392-7650 PIN: 70711061).

  • Watershed Application of Agriculture's Conservation Planning Framework (ACFP) - Workshop

    Watershed Applications of the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF)

    April 1-2, 2019, Nashua IA

     

    Calling all watershed coordinators and planners!

    Iowa State University Extension is hosting a training workshop specifically designed for watershed coordinators on the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) April 1st and 2nd in Nashua, IA. The training was developed by the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center along with UW Extension, the North Central Region Water Network, Purdue University, and ISU.

    ACPF is a precision conservation tool that leverages high-resolution geo-spatial data to create output maps which are used to identify site-specific opportunities to install conservation practices across small watersheds. At the workshop, you’ll learn:

    What ACPF is and how it fits into water resource planning and implementationHow the ACPF can improve the effectiveness of your conservation workHow to work with a GIS technician to develop effective mapsHow to explain the details of the assumptions behind each of the ACPF tools to farmers and community stakeholdersHow to use ACPF output maps to engage diverse stakeholders

    No GIS expertise is needed.  In addition to watershed coordinators, this training is perfect for supervisors, decision-makers and private consultants who work closely with watershed practitioners. Attendees will have the opportunity to work alongside instructors to develop a work-plan for incorporating ACPF into their work.

    Registration is just $40! Space is limited so sign up before it’s too late.

     

    Learn more and register at https://acpf4watersheds.org/watershed-applications-of-acpf-training-workshop/