Newsletter from Thursday, April 28th, 2022
Dear NCH2 Community,
We hope you and your families are staying safe and healthy. Please submit materials for the next newsletter by May 11th, 2022 so we can make sure to include them. Submit items by emailing [email protected].
This week's newsletter includes information on NCH2's May is Mental Health Month initiative, an invitation for our in-person "May is Mental Health Awareness Month" event, upcoming local events with native plant sales highlighted, volunteer and job opportunities, information on the City Nature Challenge, and links to articles in the recent research literature and popular press.
This week's newsletter includes information on NCH2's May is Mental Health Month initiative, an invitation for our in-person "May is Mental Health Awareness Month" event, upcoming local events with native plant sales highlighted, volunteer and job opportunities, information on the City Nature Challenge, and links to articles in the recent research literature and popular press.
Follow Us!
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. All can be found using the handle @NCH2Network or by clicking the links below: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter CREATE your own stories on Instagram and tag @NCH2Network so we can share how you engage with nature; we would love to see them! Email Us! Keep us updated on local events, exciting opportunities in the area, and send us pictures of local nature to be featured on the website. Contact us at [email protected]. |
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is quickly approaching, which means so is NCH2's May is Mental Health Awareness Month Initiative! If your organization would like to partner with NCH2 for this initiative send an email to [email protected]. We want to promote your events and activities.
We want to know how you use nature to help promote your mental health and wellness. Share your nature activities by posting a picture and a brief description and tagging @nch2network on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag us in your pictures using your #Tools2ThriveOutside using any of these hashtag: #Tools2ThriveOutside, #MHM2022_outside, #MHM2022_NCH2
Mental Health America's theme this year for May is Mental Health Awareness Month is Back to Basics. NCH2 is promoting getting outside and engaging with nature for mental health awareness and engaging with #Tools2ThriveOutside. Continue to visit this page throughout May for more events, resources, and information about May as Mental Health Month and NCH2's Tools2ThriveOutside campaign.
May is quickly approaching, which means so is NCH2's May is Mental Health Awareness Month Initiative! If your organization would like to partner with NCH2 for this initiative send an email to [email protected]. We want to promote your events and activities.
We want to know how you use nature to help promote your mental health and wellness. Share your nature activities by posting a picture and a brief description and tagging @nch2network on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag us in your pictures using your #Tools2ThriveOutside using any of these hashtag: #Tools2ThriveOutside, #MHM2022_outside, #MHM2022_NCH2
Mental Health America's theme this year for May is Mental Health Awareness Month is Back to Basics. NCH2 is promoting getting outside and engaging with nature for mental health awareness and engaging with #Tools2ThriveOutside. Continue to visit this page throughout May for more events, resources, and information about May as Mental Health Month and NCH2's Tools2ThriveOutside campaign.
Come Join Us! -
Discovering Mental Health in Nature: Big Marsh Park Date: Tues, May 17th Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: Big Marsh Natural Area 11555 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60617 (Parking onsite) Description: Join the NCH2 Network on May 17th for our first in-person event in over two years, as we celebrate Mental Health Awareness month. We will gather at Big Marsh Park, one of Chicago Park District's unique nature spaces, on the Southeast side of Chicago. Our morning will begin at 8:00 a.m. for anyone who would like to bird the Marsh, an essential piece of the bird migration corridor and shoreland birds. Coffee and networking will begin at 9:00 a.m. followed by presentations and group discussions centered around co-creation of community collaborations and identification of resources needed to foster them. In the middle of our morning, Cassandra Powell, from Light of Loving Kindness will lead us in a nature-based walking meditation. We will adjourn at 12:00, but attendees are invited to continue birding, walk or bike the bike trails (bikes are available). Come explore the promise of Big Marsh, understand the many other nature spots on the Southeast corner of Chicago, and enjoy a morning of community, conversation, and nature. This event is free but registration is requested! Register in advance here. We hope to see you there! |
Local Events

Forest Preserves of Cook County: Conservation@Home - Homegrown National Park
Date: Sun, May 1st
Time: 11 am - 12 pm
Location: Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Rd
Willow Springs, IL 60480
Description: Let’s help the goal of establishing 20 million acres of native gardening on private land. It’s easy and we will show you how. Free plants! Registration Required: Call Little Red Schoolhouse at 708-839-6897.
For more information, click here.
Photo by Forest Preserves of Cook County
Date: Sun, May 1st
Time: 11 am - 12 pm
Location: Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Rd
Willow Springs, IL 60480
Description: Let’s help the goal of establishing 20 million acres of native gardening on private land. It’s easy and we will show you how. Free plants! Registration Required: Call Little Red Schoolhouse at 708-839-6897.
For more information, click here.
Photo by Forest Preserves of Cook County
Homegrown National Park is a grassroots call-to-action to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function by planting native plants and creating new ecological networks. Their mission is to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function because every human being on this planet needs diverse highly productive ecosystems to survive.
Want to get involved? Check out these local native plant sales with information on how and where to plant.
In Evanston: Bird Buzz Native Plant Sale!
In the wider Chicago area: Chicago Living Corridors Native Plant Sales! Sales are grouped by county, proceeding north to south, and were originally organized chronologically within county.
Want to get involved? Check out these local native plant sales with information on how and where to plant.
In Evanston: Bird Buzz Native Plant Sale!
In the wider Chicago area: Chicago Living Corridors Native Plant Sales! Sales are grouped by county, proceeding north to south, and were originally organized chronologically within county.
Forest Preserves of Cook County: Spring Festival & Trailside’s 90th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Sun, May 1st Time: 11 am - 3 pm Location: Trailside Museum of Natural History 738 Thatcher Ave River Forest, IL 60305 Description: Celebrate 90 years of nature education and springtime at Trailside Museum! Enjoy an ice cream social and participate in family-friendly historical activities. Enjoy animal encounters, kids’ tree climb, guided wildflower walks, bird banding, dip netting, building a bird house to take home, and much more! For more information, click here. Photo by Forest Preserves of Cook County |

Forest Preserves of Cook County: National Space Day
Date: Fri, May 6th
Time: 8 pm
Location: Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Rd
Willow Springs, IL 60480
Description: Join us to celebrate National Space Day with a viewing of the night sky while we discuss all the space achievements and discoveries of the year. Registration Required: Call Little Red Schoolhouse at 708-839-6897.
For more information, click here.
Photo by Forest Preserves of Cook County
Date: Fri, May 6th
Time: 8 pm
Location: Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Rd
Willow Springs, IL 60480
Description: Join us to celebrate National Space Day with a viewing of the night sky while we discuss all the space achievements and discoveries of the year. Registration Required: Call Little Red Schoolhouse at 708-839-6897.
For more information, click here.
Photo by Forest Preserves of Cook County
The Conservation Foundation: Forest Therapy Walk
Date: Sat, May 7th Time: 9:30 am - 11:30 am Location: Knoch Knolls Greenway 144 Settlers Dr Naperville, IL 60565 Description: Immerse yourself in nature and experience the healing effects of forest therapy or Shinrin-Yoki (Japanese for forest bathing). The walk is not about the destination, but instead the awakening of your senses to the natural environment around you. Reconnect with nature during these mindful walks with a certified Forest Therapy guide. This year’s walks cost $20/person. The walk is held entirely outdoors. Be prepared to walk over uneven terrain. Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Meets at the stone circle/ledge south of the parking lot and in front of the bridge. Participants must be 12 years and older. Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian. For more information and registration, click here. Photo by The Conservation Foundation |

Brushwood Center’s Inaugural Mother Earth Market
Date: May 7th & 8th
Location: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
21850 N. Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015
Description: Join us Saturday and Sunday, May 7 & 8 for a weekend of art, music and nature at Brushwood Center! The Mother Earth Market will feature artists, artisans, businesses and organizations who are inspired my Mother Earth, and are working for a more sustainable future. Shop for locally made art and goods, enjoy an outdoor yoga class, attend one of our outdoor art classes, and enjoy our free afternoon concerts - there's so much to do!
Can't make it to the in-person market or want to make sure you don't miss out on something really special? No problem! Visit our website starting at 9am on April 30 for first pick of a large selection of items from our amazing collection of artists and artisans. Items purchased online can be either shipped directly to you, or can be picked later up at Brushwood Center.
For more information about everything happening during this event and registration, click here.
Photo by Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
Date: May 7th & 8th
Location: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
21850 N. Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015
Description: Join us Saturday and Sunday, May 7 & 8 for a weekend of art, music and nature at Brushwood Center! The Mother Earth Market will feature artists, artisans, businesses and organizations who are inspired my Mother Earth, and are working for a more sustainable future. Shop for locally made art and goods, enjoy an outdoor yoga class, attend one of our outdoor art classes, and enjoy our free afternoon concerts - there's so much to do!
Can't make it to the in-person market or want to make sure you don't miss out on something really special? No problem! Visit our website starting at 9am on April 30 for first pick of a large selection of items from our amazing collection of artists and artisans. Items purchased online can be either shipped directly to you, or can be picked later up at Brushwood Center.
For more information about everything happening during this event and registration, click here.
Photo by Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods

The Conservation Foundation: A River Flows Through It, Life in the Fox River Valley
Date: Wed, May 11th
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Collins Auditorium
Baker Community Center
101 S. 2nd Street, St. Charles
Description: A Fox River Program Series, in partnership with:
The Conservation Foundation (St. Charles Park District) and sponsored by The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles.
This event will discuss: Your Legacy on the Fox River, Actions for Today & Tomorrow, and have speaker Brook McDonald, President and CEO, The Conservation Foundation. All Programs are Free. Registration is encouraged but walk-ins are also accepted.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo by The Conservation Foundation
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer in Evanston Parks with Citizens for Greener Evanston/Natural Habitat Evanston (https://greenerevanston.org/community-habitat-certification-program) to pick up trash, remove invasive species, and do trail maintenance. Days and times vary with park. Each park has a steward who organizes workdays. You will also need to sign a waiver to participate in workdays. Bring your own gloves, mask, tools if you have them, and physically distance when working. Here is a list of parks with regular workdays and stewards.
Photo by Anna Shvets |
Nordson Green Earth Foundation (NGEF) Planting a Miyawaki Microforest
In partnership with Cook County, the City of Markham and the Markham City Council, NGEF will plant the first public Miyawaki microforest in the Chicagoland area on May 20, 2022. The forest will be a pilot site and will lie adjacent to the Circuit Court of Cook County's Sixth Municipal District Courthouse in Markham, Illinois. Miyawaki Forests use principles and methodology developed by the late Akira Miyawaki, PhD, award-winning Japanese professor of botany. Dr. Miyawaki’s method incorporates extensive soil preparation and dense planting in order to encourage growth and survival of the fittest plants. Miyawaki forests are ideally suited for planting in small areas. They encourage biodiversity and increase tree canopy in urban areas more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and heat islands. The Markham Miyawaki forest will contain 315 native plants made up of 25 distinct native species. Native plants support soil health, mitigate flooding and attract pollinators. Through community engagement efforts, NGEF plans to create additional Miyawaki micro forests throughout the Chicagoland area in efforts to support the mission of tree equity. Research clearly shows the ability of trees to improve mental, physical and social health. For these health and environmental reasons, NGEF believes all communities deserve trees. Adult volunteers are needed to assist with forest planting at the Markham Courthouse on May 20th between 9AM and 3PM. Interested parties may sign up for Nordson Green Earth Foundation’s mailing list for more information: Connect | Nordson Green Earth |
Job Opportunity
Friends of the Forest Preserves: Forest Preserve Experience Program Crew Leader
Friends of the Forest Preserves is hiring Crew Leaders for the 2022 Forest Preserve Experience Program (FPE). We are looking for leaders in both the Chicago Heights and LaGrange areas. The FPE program is a summer high school program introducing youth to nature and the Forest Preserves of Cook County. We perform restoration work and provide environmental education, job readiness skills, and environmental enrichment activities to our youth. Program dates are July 5th - August 5th plus leader training from June 23rd - July 1st. Positions will be filled on a rolling basis.
To see the job posting, click here.
For more information and to apply: Please NO calls, faxes, office visits, or emails (other than emails presenting resume and cover letter). Send cover letter, resume, and two references to: Hannah Miller, Program Coordinator, at [email protected].
Friends of the Forest Preserves is hiring Crew Leaders for the 2022 Forest Preserve Experience Program (FPE). We are looking for leaders in both the Chicago Heights and LaGrange areas. The FPE program is a summer high school program introducing youth to nature and the Forest Preserves of Cook County. We perform restoration work and provide environmental education, job readiness skills, and environmental enrichment activities to our youth. Program dates are July 5th - August 5th plus leader training from June 23rd - July 1st. Positions will be filled on a rolling basis.
To see the job posting, click here.
For more information and to apply: Please NO calls, faxes, office visits, or emails (other than emails presenting resume and cover letter). Send cover letter, resume, and two references to: Hannah Miller, Program Coordinator, at [email protected].
Chicago Wilderness: City Nature Challenge

Whether you hike at Illinois Beach State Park, prefer the Indiana Dunes, or bird in your backyard, your Chicago Metro area nature sightings can help this year’s City Nature Challenge! Join participants from over 350 cities around the world by sharing your observations of wild plants and animals in the Chicago Metro area from April 29 through May 2. Your nature sightings become data that helps scientists better understand and protect nature for all of us. Take part by sharing your photos of plants and animals on iNaturalist, joining an organized event, or helping other people with identification.
All observations in these counties will count for the challenge: Illinois (Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will); Indiana (Jasper, Lake, Newton, Porter); and Wisconsin (Kenosha).
We'll help promote the events and share your results. Want to do even more? After the City Nature Challenge is over, we need experts and community scientists to help with species identification. It's a great way to stay involved year round.
Learn more about the City Nature challenge, how to participant, and the events happening throughout the week click here.
Photo by: Chicago Wilderness
Policy and Research Perspectives

Citation: Balbus, J. M., et al. (2022). "After COP26 — Putting Health and Equity at the Center of the Climate Movement." New England Journal of Medicine 386(14): 1295-1297. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMp2118259 This article is open access and available for all to read
NCH2 Comments: In this perspective piece, officials from the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality describe four policy areas to center the impact of climate change on health and equity. The development of these policies will be undertaken by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) new Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE). The first policy will promote transparent reporting on progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Second, OCCHE will develop programs to educate the health care sector about best practices in developing resilience and decarbonization and education about the health impacts of climate change. This includes raising awareness about the public health threats of local issues such as flooding, extreme heat, and fires. Third, relying on evidence-based practices, HHS will develop a series of incentives to encourage improvements in the health care sector. Finally, and of great importance to NCH2 members, HHS will work to update regulations to remove barriers and improve the ability of the health care sector to take actions that address the health threats of climate change.
A local example of putting these goals into action is provided by the City of Evanston, IL which pledged at least semi-annual reporting on its progress in reducing its carbon footprint as part of a resolution it adopted on April 25 declaring a climate emergency. Although Evanston has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% since 2005, dramatic reductions caused by the COVID-19 lockdown – drops in gasoline consumption, community electricity consumption and natural gas use – as well as a cleaner electricity grid reflect progress but not necessarily community and City effort. The new Climate Emergency Resolution addresses that gap.
The resolution, backed by nearly a dozen local organizations, renewed the City’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience through partnerships throughout the community, and implement as a goal of the Council itself the Climate Action and Resilience Plan it adopted in 2018. The resolution mandates at least semi-annual reporting on progress in achieving the goals of the CARP. Among these goals are increasing waste-diversion, planting hundreds of new trees, reducing public-vehicle use, and having residents reduce their carbon footprints by at least 10% - with the ultimate goal of the community’s being carbon-neutral by 2050. To help turn these goals into reality, the City recently received $500,000 in federal funding to implement an accessible solar program for low-income residents.
The existence of the OCCHE and local action emphasizes the importance of NCH2’s work to unite the conservation, environmental justice, and health care communities to develop best practices to increase the resilience of people and the planet.
Additional Sources: https://evanstonroundtable.com/2022/04/26/city-declares-climate-emergency-commits-to-net-zero-emissions-policy/ and https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/Components/News/News/5622/17
Photo by Daria Shevtsova
NCH2 Comments: In this perspective piece, officials from the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality describe four policy areas to center the impact of climate change on health and equity. The development of these policies will be undertaken by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) new Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE). The first policy will promote transparent reporting on progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Second, OCCHE will develop programs to educate the health care sector about best practices in developing resilience and decarbonization and education about the health impacts of climate change. This includes raising awareness about the public health threats of local issues such as flooding, extreme heat, and fires. Third, relying on evidence-based practices, HHS will develop a series of incentives to encourage improvements in the health care sector. Finally, and of great importance to NCH2 members, HHS will work to update regulations to remove barriers and improve the ability of the health care sector to take actions that address the health threats of climate change.
A local example of putting these goals into action is provided by the City of Evanston, IL which pledged at least semi-annual reporting on its progress in reducing its carbon footprint as part of a resolution it adopted on April 25 declaring a climate emergency. Although Evanston has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% since 2005, dramatic reductions caused by the COVID-19 lockdown – drops in gasoline consumption, community electricity consumption and natural gas use – as well as a cleaner electricity grid reflect progress but not necessarily community and City effort. The new Climate Emergency Resolution addresses that gap.
The resolution, backed by nearly a dozen local organizations, renewed the City’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience through partnerships throughout the community, and implement as a goal of the Council itself the Climate Action and Resilience Plan it adopted in 2018. The resolution mandates at least semi-annual reporting on progress in achieving the goals of the CARP. Among these goals are increasing waste-diversion, planting hundreds of new trees, reducing public-vehicle use, and having residents reduce their carbon footprints by at least 10% - with the ultimate goal of the community’s being carbon-neutral by 2050. To help turn these goals into reality, the City recently received $500,000 in federal funding to implement an accessible solar program for low-income residents.
The existence of the OCCHE and local action emphasizes the importance of NCH2’s work to unite the conservation, environmental justice, and health care communities to develop best practices to increase the resilience of people and the planet.
Additional Sources: https://evanstonroundtable.com/2022/04/26/city-declares-climate-emergency-commits-to-net-zero-emissions-policy/ and https://www.cityofevanston.org/Home/Components/News/News/5622/17
Photo by Daria Shevtsova
In the News
Nature is the byword as April wanes: Earth Day has come and gone, but Earth Week and Earth Month have a few remaining days. Arbor Day is April 29, and Dark Sky Week ends April 30.

Overview: Olmstead’s Legacy
The New York Times observed the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Law Olmstead with a photo essay by Ruth Fremson and an essay by Audra D.S. Burch. The piece documented spaces he had designed in New York, but Mr. Olmstead left his mark on Chicago as well. He designed the suburb of Riverside and, with Daniel Burnham, what is now Jackson Park, thereby launching the “City Beautiful” movement. That movement, according to architecture.org “promoted the introduction of beautiful green space in urban center nationwide to improve residents’ morale and quality of life.” The introduction to the New York Times article and essay noted, “In plots of earth and green, Olmstead saw something more: freedom, human connection, public health.”
Read more: www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/04/22/us/frederick- law-olmsted-american-parks.html and at www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/ frederick-law-olmsted/
Photo by Heather Bozman
The New York Times observed the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Law Olmstead with a photo essay by Ruth Fremson and an essay by Audra D.S. Burch. The piece documented spaces he had designed in New York, but Mr. Olmstead left his mark on Chicago as well. He designed the suburb of Riverside and, with Daniel Burnham, what is now Jackson Park, thereby launching the “City Beautiful” movement. That movement, according to architecture.org “promoted the introduction of beautiful green space in urban center nationwide to improve residents’ morale and quality of life.” The introduction to the New York Times article and essay noted, “In plots of earth and green, Olmstead saw something more: freedom, human connection, public health.”
Read more: www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/04/22/us/frederick- law-olmsted-american-parks.html and at www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/ frederick-law-olmsted/
Photo by Heather Bozman
Overview: Arbor Day
Arbor Day originated in Nebraska in 1872, when the State Board of Agriculture adopted J. Sterling Morton's resolution that April 10 of that year be set aside for tree planting. His diary entry of April 8 of that year reads: " Arbor Day, an invention of mine, now become a public holiday, destined to become a blessing to posterity as well as to ourselves. It is devoted to tree planting. ... On the Morton place, today, Two Hundred Elms, Ash & Linden trees are set out on East Line and East Avenue." Arbor Day is now celebrated nationally on the last Friday of April. Read more: history.nebraska.gov/blog/j-sterling-morton-creates- arbor-day#:~:text=Arbor%20Day%20originated%20in%20Nebraska, %2C%20cuttings%2C%20and%20seeds%20planted . Joy Morton, the oldest of J. Sterling Morton’s four sons, came to the Chicago area, where founded the Morton Salt Company. He built Thornhill, his estate, near Lisle. Following the family motto “Plant trees,” he created a museum of trees, the Morton Arboretum. Read more: mortonarb.org/about-arboretum/history/ Photo by Thirdman |
Overview: Dark Sky, Healthier Earth
The International Dark Sky Association seeks to protect night from light pollution, which is increasing worldwide at twice the rate of global population growth. The group estimates that eight of 10 people live under a light-polluted night sky. On its website, the Chicago Chapter of IDA notes, “Artificial light at night has revolutionized the way we live and work outdoors, but it has come at a price. When used indiscriminately, outdoor lighting can disrupt wildlife, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view of the universe.” The group in 2019 developed a plan to slow the growth and begin to reverse light pollution. Read more: www.idachicago.org/events/international-dark-sky-week-2022 Photo by Josh Willink |
Overview: Wearing Sustainably: Spider Silk and Fruit Leather Those Saturday clothes – jeans and a T-shirt used about 20,000 liters of water to be made. And when they are so worn as not to be wearable, they may join the piles of clothing that fill the size of a garbage truck that are sent to landfills or burned. Sustainable textiles can help address the problem, but to be really effective globally, they should be both environmentally and socially sustainable. A recent article in zerowastememoirs, The Eco-Conscious Closet: A Guide to Sustainable Fabrics, looks at recycled cotton, recycled nylon, linen, hemp, fruit leathers and other fabrics from whether they are produced with a “closed-loop or circular system, recycling waste and putting it back into production.” To be truly sustainable, the article states, clothes must be “durable, ethical, and affordable .” Read more: zerowastememoirs.com/guide-to-sustainable-fabric/ Advisory: some of the links may be affiliated or compensated. Photo by ready made |