Newsletter from Tuesday, April 4th, 2023
Dear NCH2 Community,
When a new piece of research that ties into NCH2’s Triple Aim is published, researchers in the NCH2 community are invited to post on the NCH2 ‘Data We Can Use’ blog, NCH2’s center for putting research findings into real-life context. This newsletter features the newest blog post, “The ‘Lonelygenic Environment’: a New Concept of Loneliness”, by Abby Kisicki of the Horton Research Group.
The staff of the Horton Research Group (HRG) often serve as contributors to the NCH2 ‘Data We Can Use’ blog. The Horton Research Group (HRG), led by Dr. Terry Horton, is an interdisciplinary research group at Northwestern which studies the health benefits of access to green and blue spaces. Because Dr. Horton is the Chairperson of the NCH2 Steering Committee, NCH2 and HRG have a close relationship and work together often. However, we do not want to limit contributions and invite others to share their knowledge.
Want to know more about this study or do you have results of a program evaluation or research project you or your organization have led? Check out the NCH2 blog to read other posts and find out more about how to submit a post to the 'Data We Can Use’ blog.
Best,
NCH2
The staff of the Horton Research Group (HRG) often serve as contributors to the NCH2 ‘Data We Can Use’ blog. The Horton Research Group (HRG), led by Dr. Terry Horton, is an interdisciplinary research group at Northwestern which studies the health benefits of access to green and blue spaces. Because Dr. Horton is the Chairperson of the NCH2 Steering Committee, NCH2 and HRG have a close relationship and work together often. However, we do not want to limit contributions and invite others to share their knowledge.
Want to know more about this study or do you have results of a program evaluation or research project you or your organization have led? Check out the NCH2 blog to read other posts and find out more about how to submit a post to the 'Data We Can Use’ blog.
Best,
NCH2
Index
Community Engagement
Upcoming Events
Future Events: Save the Date
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Community Engagement
Upcoming Events
Future Events: Save the Date
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Community Engagement
Volunteering to Support and Care for Nearby Nature
One antidote to loneliness is joining with others for a purpose-filled event. This month--Earth Month—there are many opportunities in the Chicago region to support nearby nature whether your interests are environmental justice, community-engaged science, neighborhood and park cleanups.
Environmental Justice: This Saturday, 10:00 a.m. join Friends of the Parks at Calumet Park to understand the impact of the Confined Disposal Facility and the sludge it stores there.
Community Science: Join the City Nature Challenge or start one of your own—an event where you inventory the flora and the fauna of your neighborhood.
Earth Day Clean-ups: So many organizations are gathering people to celebrate all that Mother Nature gives to us: Friends of the Parks in Chicago, My Block My Hood My City, Kane County Forest Preserves, and more that we will share with you.
And if you are planning ahead, join the community cleanup Chicago River Day on May 13th, to create a litter free Chicago-Calumet River!
Details for these events and more are provided below.
One antidote to loneliness is joining with others for a purpose-filled event. This month--Earth Month—there are many opportunities in the Chicago region to support nearby nature whether your interests are environmental justice, community-engaged science, neighborhood and park cleanups.
Environmental Justice: This Saturday, 10:00 a.m. join Friends of the Parks at Calumet Park to understand the impact of the Confined Disposal Facility and the sludge it stores there.
Community Science: Join the City Nature Challenge or start one of your own—an event where you inventory the flora and the fauna of your neighborhood.
Earth Day Clean-ups: So many organizations are gathering people to celebrate all that Mother Nature gives to us: Friends of the Parks in Chicago, My Block My Hood My City, Kane County Forest Preserves, and more that we will share with you.
And if you are planning ahead, join the community cleanup Chicago River Day on May 13th, to create a litter free Chicago-Calumet River!
Details for these events and more are provided below.
Upcoming Events
Friends of the Parks Walk 2023: Environmental Justice in this Region
The Chicago Friends of the Parks recently filed a lawsuit to close the Confined Disposal Facility and turned the area into a long-promised park. Join the Chicago Friends of the Parks in a walk to envision what a future without the Confined Disposal Facility (CFD) will look like. Learn more here. Date: Saturday, April 8 Location: Calumet Park |
Grant Writing Workshops
This workshop, hosted by the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, is designed to help community groups, non-profits, and local organizations interested in applying for grants related to forestry, greening, and environmental conservation. No grant writing experience is necessary. Participants only need to sign up for one workshop. Space is limited. Register here. Date: April 12 at the College of Lake County, Grayslake OR April 13 at Prairie State College, Chicago Heights Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Urban Forestry Basic Training
Join the Chicago Region Trees Initiative for a course designed for non-forestry professionals who work with or near trees or manage staff and/or contractors who work with trees. Our expert-led sessions include important forestry topics such as safety, tree selection, planting and pruning, the importance of roots and bark, providing proper tree care, and avoiding tree damage during construction. There is also a second optional day that is focused on chainsaw basics. Lunch is included in the course on both days. Learn more here. Date: April 17 & 18, 2023 Location: Orland Park Put your name on a waitlist here. |
Illinois Ornithological Society Now Accepting Grant Applications
The Illinois Ornithological Society is pleased to announce that they are now accepting applications for the 2023 Illinois Ornithological Society Grant Program. Awards of up to $1,000 are available to applicants conducting projects related to birds and/or birding in Illinois. Grants are available to students, professionals, and organizations. Learn more and apply here or email Matt Igleski at grants@illinoisbirds.org |
NeighborSpace Soil and Compost Delivery Days
Each year, many community gardens notice their raised beds getting “low,” but don’t need a whole dump truck of soil, as just a few cubic yards will do. NeighborSpace is excited to partner with RR Landscape Supply to offer discounted soil and compost delivery specifically for NeighborSpace gardens. Please read through the details in the form provided at the link which should answer your questions regarding the various options available this season, delivery dates and garden eligibility. Sign up for the correct date for your garden using the form below by Monday April 10th, 2023. Learn more here. Sign up here. |
Birdwatching at the Pine Dunes
Join us at this Lake County birding hot spot to look for waterfowl, raptors and other migratory species. Spotting scopes and binoculars will be available at our education table. Free, and no registration needed. Adult supervision required. Learn more here. Date: Saturday, April 8th Time: 9 AM - 11 AM Location: Pine Dunes Forest Preserve |
Future Events: Save the Date
Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator Exhibition Art Submissions
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is asking for art submissions for an exhibition to accompany the upcoming release of their Health Equity and Nature Report by artists who are residents of Lake County, Illinois. Art submitted for the exhibition can be in any media (visual or non-visual), but only visual art will be considered for inclusion in the report itself. The exhibition will run from June 11th until July 23rd. Learn more here. The art application deadline is April 30th. |
Earth Day in Golden Gate Park and other Chicago Parks
Mulch trees, pick up trash, and work on community urns and flower beds this Earth Day in Golden Gate Park! You can get community service hours or service learning hours. Free lunch will be provided for volunteers. There will also be free raffles and flower seeds! For more information, call (773)-344-4524 Date: Saturday, April 22 Time: 8:30 AM Location: 13134 S. Vernon St. Chicago, IL (Golden Gate Park) To volunteer at any other Chicago Park District Earth Day event visit here |
Volunteer for Chicago River Day
Amazing volunteers come together every year since 1992 to give the Chicago and Calumet Rivers a good spring cleaning on Chicago River Day, part of our effort to create a Litter Free Chicago-Calumet river system. Its health is rebounding but litter remains a stubborn problem. Have fun, get inspired by fellow volunteers, and make a positive impact on the health of the river cleaning the watershed from Lake County to the Calumet. Register before May 5 to receive a Chicago River Day T-shirt! Learn more here. Date: Saturday, May 13 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Click here to find a location here you |
Host a City Nature Challenge Event
The City Nature Challenge is a global bioblitz that takes place from April 28 through May 1, 2023. It's a great opportunity to engage people in your community to learn about the nature that surrounds them. All observations in the following counties count for the challenge. Illinois: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will Indiana: Jasper, Lake, Newton, Porter Wisconsin: Kenosha We already have events in many counties but we'd love to add yours to the list. We'll help promote all the City Nature Challenge: Chicagoland Region events and share your results. Your event also helps researchers and land managers better understand and protect urban nature. Learn more here. |
Spring Festival & Trailside’s 90th Anniversary Celebration
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! Learn more here. Date: Sunday May 1st Time: 11 AM - 3 PM Location: Trailside Museum of Natural History |
Job Opportunities
Elevate is looking to fill several positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Lake County Forest Preserves is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Equiticity is looking to fill several positions. Look through their career opportunities. here.
Faith in Place Eco-Ambassador applications for area high school students are open! Learn more here.
Seven Generations Ahead is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Star Farm is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
The Trust for Public Land is looking for a Director of Health. Learn more here.
The Friends of the Forest Preserves is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
Lake County Forest Preserves is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Equiticity is looking to fill several positions. Look through their career opportunities. here.
Faith in Place Eco-Ambassador applications for area high school students are open! Learn more here.
Seven Generations Ahead is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Star Farm is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
The Trust for Public Land is looking for a Director of Health. Learn more here.
The Friends of the Forest Preserves is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
In the News
Protecting Birds From Windows
Spring can be deadly for birds, wrote Leslie Shad in a March 23 op-ed piece in the Evanston RoundTable. Ornithologists say that between 500 million and 1 billion birds die annually in them U. S. from flying into windows. “Evanston is a stopover point for around 280 species … that migrate through Evanston and Chicago... Tens of thousands of dead and injured birds have been found over the past 10 years in Evanston, at lakefront buildings, high-rise buildings downtown and at residences,” she wrote. Shad, an organizing member of Bird-Friendly Evanston, offered several ways to keep birds from hitting windows – “stopping the thud,” as it is also known. Windows that reflect greenery, bird-feeders or birdbaths, and greenery on a window sill can entice a bird to try to land there. Outside, window films, screens, shades, cords, netting or even markings can keep birds from the glass. Read more here. |
Teenagers, Big Oil and the Montana Constitution
Sixteen Montana environmentalists, at least one of whom is too young to vote, have filed suit against their state for failing to live up to one of its constitutional guarantees, “the right to a clean and healthful environment.” The plaintiffs cite the pollution from the oil and gas industries that is damaging the environment as a violation of that right. David Gelles, in March 24 New York Times article, describes the sweep of these lawsuits: “By virtue of those few words, they argue, Montana’s extensive support for fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas is unconstitutional because the resulting pollution is dangerously heating the planet and has robbed them of a healthy environment.” Read more here. |
Pickleball vs. Nature and Bird Habitat in Glenview
Glenview residents and other advocates for native and migrating birds are rallying against a proposal by a private club to build a pickle ball court. The project could affect nearby habitat and migrating birds, disrupt other wildlife, and the impervious surface could allow runoff that would endanger the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River. See more about this project here. |
In Music, a Prayer for the Planet
The message of the solemn “Vespers for the Planet Earth,” by John Luther Adams is that of the 192 endangered species, the species that endangers all of them, Homo sapiens, “now threatens them, and itself, with extinction.” In a New York Times article posted online March 29th, David Allen describes the 50-minute piece, the text of which is comprised of the Latin names of those 192 species. Allen quotes from a video interview with Adams: “‘We’ve got to face that the situation is dire and it’s going to get worse before it gets better,’ Adams said of the climate crisis and his latest musical response to it …’ The only way it’s going to get better is if we face the harsh, stark, sobering, actually terrifying realities ahead of us — and act on them.’” The “Vespers” will premiere, Allen noted, “Little more than a week after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded in its latest report that ‘there is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future for all.’” |
13 Attorneys General Hope to Restrict a Pesticide
Late last month Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined 12 other attorneys general in calling for nationwide restrictions on the use of sulfoxaflor, according to an article by Rich Miller in Springfield-based Capitalfax. The article said the chemical pesticide sulfoxaflor is “extremely toxic to bees and other pollinators.” Miller wrote that the letter to the United States Environmental Protection Agency said the coalition represented by the attorneys general represents states together that produce “37% of the nation’s crops and play a key role in American food security and resilience.” Read more here. |
The Jerry Brown Beetle
Scientists are naming a rare species of beetle in honor of former California Gov. Jerry Brown after finding one at his ranch. The species, now called Bembidion brownorum, was last seen in 1966, but it had not been named or described until one was collected near a creek on Brown's ranch in Colusa County, according to the University of California, Berkeley, late last month. He has offered his property as a meeting space for the California Native Plant Society, entomologist, and forestry and fire experts. Read more here. |
Connect with Us!
We are taking requests for any upcoming events to be added to future newsletters and our events calendar which can be done here. You can also submit materials for the next newsletter by emailing NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US on our social media by clicking the icons below!
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 and keep us updated on local events, exciting opportunities in the area, or send photos of local nature to be featured on the website.
CONTACT US at NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com.
We are taking requests for any upcoming events to be added to future newsletters and our events calendar which can be done here. You can also submit materials for the next newsletter by emailing NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com.
FOLLOW US on our social media by clicking the icons below!
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 and keep us updated on local events, exciting opportunities in the area, or send photos of local nature to be featured on the website.
CONTACT US at NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com.