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Illinois Student Environmental Coalition |
ISEC unites student environmental organizations that are committed to improving environmental practices at colleges and universities by facilitating the exchange of resources and ideas. |
| Northern Illinois University |
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About CPW:
CPW was organized at Northern Illinois University in 1972. A group of undergraduate students were willing to prove that student activism could lead to something positive. The Preservation of Wildlife in the organization's name should be interpreted to include all forms of living things.
The objectives and purpose of the organization, as stated in its Constitution
are:
• To bring about the protection and conservation of wildlife.
• To undertake an active role in preventing environmental degradation.
• To increase awareness and appreciation of wildlife values
The club has sponsored local and foreign conservation projects, initiated letter-writing campaigns, held seminars, provided volunteer labor on wildlife projects, joined conservation organizations, and brought important speakers to NIU. Money to support these efforts have come from fund-raising projects such as the annual Walk-for-Wildlife, native plant and pumpkin sales, poster sales, t-shirt sales, paper-drives, bird-house sales, and many other activities.
Current Projects:
Campus Rain Garden: CPW is conducting research on how to most successfully plant a rain garden on campus. The first of its kind at NIU, the project will include prairie plant species native to Illinois and will provide a natural habitat for the local wildlife. After the initial cultivation process, the rain garden will require little maintenance, saving the University in related expenditures. Moreover, the deep roots of these plants will increase soil saturation levels, thereby reducing surface runoff, erosion, and flooding. Upon success of the initial rain garden, CPW will expand the project as it is able.
"Planet Earth" Screening: On October 30th, CPW will provide snacks as they host a screening of the Discovery Channel series "Planet Earth."
Nachusa Grasslands: CPW members volunteer at the Nachusa Grasslands on Saturdays throughout the school year to help with maintenance and collect seeds from native plants.
Ploystyrene-Be-Gone! CPW has worked diligently to reduce the use of polystyrene containers in campus residence halls. This fall, students received a 20 cent discount for requesting a paper plate instead of the standard polystyrene containers. Recently, the University deemed the use of recyclable plastics to be more cost efficient and will incorporate the new products into the dining services stock throughout the semester.
Other Activities: CPW also organizes camping events, sponsors various speaking engagements, performs many campus cleanups, and fundraisers through prairie plant sales (Spring 2008), environmental t-shirt sales, and an annual 12 mile Walk for Wildlife.
Contact Information
President: Jigar Panchal
Contact Email: President@cpw.niu.edu
Faculty Advisor: Paul Sorensen
Contact Email: advisor@cpw.niu.edu
Contact Phone: 815-753-7848
General Information: information@cpw.niu.edu
Environmental Law & Policy Center |
