Em-j Staples

reporting for Illinois

MY BIO

Em-j Staples studies journalism at the University of Illinois, amongst cornfields and rich soil in Champaign-Urbana. She’s a member of Students for Environmental Concerns, Outdoor Adventure Club, vice president of October Lovers club, rock climbing club, snowboard club and the skateboard society. She also writes for the university’s entertainment publication Buzz Magazine. Em-j considers Mother Nature her second mom, and enjoys anything under the big yellow sun. Her motto: You just gotta live the life you love!

MY POSTS

Spring weather keeps students under umbrellas

Wed, Mar 10 2010 at 10:30 PM EST

Central Illinois welcomes spring with every type of weather. If it's cloudy, there's a chance of meatballs. It rains men, cats and barking dogs. Occasional snowflakes float down, too. With ever-changing weather in our midst, the University of Illinois established a class dedicated to severe and hazardous weather. I have taken the course myself (it helped fulfill those gen-ed. requirements) it was challenging, yet interesting to learn Mother Nature's effects hitting Illinois. Read this blog

Illinois students vote for greener pastures

Mon, Mar 01 2010 at 11:22 PM EST

Since the beginning of this semester, registered student organizations such as Students for Environmental Concerns and the Student Sustainability Committee have been anxiously awaiting the next two days. The Student Senate at the University of Illinois is holding a campus-wide ballot referendum that will determine advancements in sustainability. Read this blog

Land of Lincoln 'says cheese'

Tue, Feb 16 2010 at 6:28 PM EST

Illinois has a hard time competing with Wisconsin in cheese production. In fact, there isn't really a competition at all. Wisconsin cheeseheads trump that particular dairy category ... until now. Champaign-Urbana, hometown of U of I, is celebrating a successful sixth year for Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery, LLC — Illinois' first farmstead cheese making facility. The farm plays host to Nubian and La Mancha goats, as well as harvesting perennial fruit trees, berries and hay. Read this blog

Biodiesel refuels University of Illinois

Tue, Feb 09 2010 at 6:15 PM EST

Steam hovers over a kitchen's industrial sized stove, where the aroma of freshly cooked French fries lingers. The heat projects from a large deep fryer filled with remains of potato crumbs floating in a hot, clear liquid. After the thick, yellow-tinted substance cools, it will be poured into a 30-gallon barrel and await a new job, very different from cooking potatoes. "We turn vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel," said Prabhjot Kaur, Masters student and Illini Renewable Energy (IREnergy) Student Group program chairperson. Read this blog

One on one with Dr. Robert Skirvin, professor and plant specialist

Mon, Feb 08 2010 at 11:09 PM EST

Dr. Robert Skirvin has been teaching at UI for 34 years. He went to Southern Illinois University for a B.S., where he majored in plant sciences, and an M.S. (1969 and 1971). Read this blog

Unique environmental classes offered for all students

Thu, Jan 28 2010 at 12:23 AM EST

It's a busy time of the year for students at the University of [skipwords]Illinois[/skipwords] campus. Students are anxious to start classes for a new semester and many of them have enrolled in exciting and educational courses. Here at [skipwords]Illinois[/skipwords], there are many opportunities for students to major or minor in environmental studies programs. Two colleges within the university offer a diverse selection of majors and minors from environmental engineering to earth systems. Read this blog

Green wrappings

Tue, Dec 15 2009 at 10:53 PM EST

Happy birthday, Jesus! The holidays are my favorite time of the year. It's all about the glory of family and friends coming together with profound grace and love for one another. There is also a good mountain of presents lying under the tree ... Read this blog

Zipcars sweep through campus

Mon, Dec 07 2009 at 11:20 PM EST

The thermometer reads 20 degrees, so forget about your Trek. You cough up bus exhaust, standing behind the bus as it speeds away. You need to get to the store, but how? Never fear, for Zipcar is here. The company is located in a town where parking meters growl and parking enforcement officers smile. Champaign, Ill., is home to 10 Zipcars. Read this blog

You won't spot the spotted turtle much longer

Thu, Nov 19 2009 at 6:01 PM EST

The spotted turtle seems to have run out of good luck. The endangered reptile picked the wrong land area to call home, and today is suffering the consequences. Read this blog

Direct trade coffee delivers

Mon, Nov 09 2009 at 11:10 PM EST

Here are a couple of videos we shot while doing a little fair/direct trade coffee tasting. Read this blog

Em-j Staples

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