Newsletter from Thursday, December 1st, 2022
Dear NCH2 Community,
A late November site visit to the Pullman National Monument on Chicago’s Far South Side brought to light insights into the opportunities and challenges of restoring a historic park in what is now in a very urban area. When Pullman began in the 1860s, there was virtually no other commerce or neighborhoods around allowing for plenty of space to build rail cars and to create a planned industrial community. The current fragmented restoration allows for much imagination to conjure the Pullman vibrancy and energy—as one of the nation’s first company town--complete with neighborhoods, place of work, and built-in nature. The museum onsite notes the history and impact that this economic engine had in Pullman and the surrounding area, as well as throughout the country as Pullman Porters, who were Black, male, and away, on the rails, lived near American rail station hubs, including Bronzeville, Chicago.
The Pullman community celebrated its historic assets and created ways for the public to understand and enjoy them, including some gorgeous architecture and leaders, before the National Park Service and the State of Illinois got involved. They understood its cultural and economic significance and helped sway national (including President Obama) and state leaders to restore it as a National Monument.
Best,
NCH2 Team
The Pullman community celebrated its historic assets and created ways for the public to understand and enjoy them, including some gorgeous architecture and leaders, before the National Park Service and the State of Illinois got involved. They understood its cultural and economic significance and helped sway national (including President Obama) and state leaders to restore it as a National Monument.
Best,
NCH2 Team
Index
Community Spotlight
Upcoming Events
Future Events: Save the Date
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Community Spotlight
Upcoming Events
Future Events: Save the Date
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Community Spotlight:
Free Yoga Classes and community convening space for area organizations
Free Yoga Classes and community convening space for area organizations
Have an event or organization to spotlight? Send it to us to be featured!
Photo by Shelly Strickland
Pullman’s NPS Superintendent Teri Gage works closely with community members, and she encouraged NCH2 to work with the park in the upcoming year, especially in its Health Parks, Healthy People initiative. In August 2022, the NPS staff at Pullman initiated an outside beginners’ yoga class (pictured above). On their website, they show the Pullman poses as parallel to common yoga poses. Shelly Strickland, Pullman resident and yoga instructor, developed this program with the park and the local community—a program that was so successful that they requested additional classes, added this fall and now scheduled for most of 2023. All are welcome to the classes. You can reach Shelly Strickland via email at [email protected] or 1 (773) 573-9759 for class cancellation. See event below for more details!
Upcoming Events
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Crane Sit at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area
Date: December 3rd, 2022 Time: 12:00-5:30 PM Location: Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area 5822 Fish and Wildlife Ln, Medaryville, IN 47957 Please note that this event is for people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or Black, Indigenous, Latinx or People of Color. Join us for one of the most incredible wildlife experiences in the Midwest! Each fall, Sandhill Cranes pass through our area on their migration south for the winter. Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife Area is a key rest area for these birds on their journey. At dusk each day, observers can witness between several thousand and tens of thousands of birds landing to rest before continuing south. Unlike a nature hike, we'll be stationary for most of this event, viewing and listening to Sandhill Cranes and other birds from an observation platform. Learn more about Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area here. RSVP for the event here. |
Photo from Out In Nature
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Photo by Glen Schnneider from Out Our Front Door
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Decemberg: Winter in the Woods 2022
Date: Sat, Dec 10, 2022, 7:30 AM – Sun, Dec 11, 2022, 4:00 PM CST Location: 1000 S Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 You know you can't wait til April to do another bike camping overnight trip. So join this rad crew and rock that winter bike riding life on a two-day loop leaving from and returning to Chicago. You’ll cruise by riverbeds and marvel at the big blue unsalted sea of Lake Michigan. If the weather cooperates, all of this splendor will be draped in a crisp white blanket. Throughout it all, our guides will be recalling stories of the dreams and plans of Chicago men and women whose modest yet hard work is to thank for the preservation of the Blue Basin’s natural beauty. Take a break from your winter hibernation and venture out with us on a frosty December ride. Learn more here. |
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Lighted Trails: Lake County Forest Preserves
Having a hard time getting outside in nature now that the sun sets earlier? Taking an evening hike on solar-lit trails in the forest preserves will be an option starting Sunday, November 6. With small solar lights to guide their way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can get some brisk evening exercise along the 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, and along a 1.65-mile hilly section of the Millennium Trail adjacent to the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. "Walking the trails after the sun goes down is a nice way to gain a different perspective of the forest preserves," said Angelo Kyle, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves. "We realize that people are utilizing the trails more and more as a way to improve their well-being." The solar lights serve as a guide along the trails. It is recommended to bring a flashlight or headlamp along for additional illumination. Learn more here. |
Photo from Lake County Forest Preserves
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Photo by Lake County Forest Preserves
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Lake County Forest Preserves: Caminata Casual En Espanol
Date: December 3rd, 2022 Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Location: Greenbelt Cultural Center Adultos y mayores de 12 años. Se requiere supervisión de un adulto. Registration closes at 12 am CST the day of the program. Registration and more information here. |
Future Events: Save the Date
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Nature Express Bus: Free Transportation to the Forest Preserves
Is your community group or nonprofit organization interested in visiting the Forest Preserves of Cook County? Have you been limited by the cost of transportation? Our Nature Express Bus program can help your group access Forest Preserves events and amenities, or visit our partner organizations, the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Brookfield Zoo. Best of all, it's free. To qualify, your group must have a minimum of 25 participants and demonstrate a need for transportation funding. In order to provide equal access, groups are limited to one free bus per calendar year. Learn more here. |
Photo by Felix Mittermeier
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IPHAM Population Health Forum Keynote Lecture:
"Healing and Justice through the Lens of Racial Trauma and Health Equity"
The 2022 IPHAM Population Health Forum & 10th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The event will be held in the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center at 303 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611. More information and RSVP!
Schedule of events:
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Welcome and 10-year review
Ronald T. Ackermann, MD, MPH, IPHAM Director
Baldwin Auditorium, Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
10:00 – 11:50 a.m.: Poster Session
Potocsnak Family Atrium, Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center & Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Family Atrium, Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Keynote Speech & Awards Presentation: "Healing and Justice through the Lens of Racial Trauma and Health Equity"
John A. Rich, MD, MPH
Director of BMO Institute for Health Equity
Rush University System for Health
Hughes Auditorium, Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
"Healing and Justice through the Lens of Racial Trauma and Health Equity"
The 2022 IPHAM Population Health Forum & 10th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The event will be held in the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center at 303 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611. More information and RSVP!
Schedule of events:
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Welcome and 10-year review
Ronald T. Ackermann, MD, MPH, IPHAM Director
Baldwin Auditorium, Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
10:00 – 11:50 a.m.: Poster Session
Potocsnak Family Atrium, Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center & Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Family Atrium, Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Keynote Speech & Awards Presentation: "Healing and Justice through the Lens of Racial Trauma and Health Equity"
John A. Rich, MD, MPH
Director of BMO Institute for Health Equity
Rush University System for Health
Hughes Auditorium, Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
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Free Yoga Class!
Date: Saturdays December 10th and 17th Time: 10:00 AM Location: Pullman National Monument Clock Tower Building 610 E 111th St, Chicago IL, 60628 Bring a water bottle, and towel/mat if you have one. No previous experience required! Contact Shelly Strickland via email at [email protected] or 1 (773) 573-9759 with any questions. |
Photo by Shelly Srickland
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Job Opportunities
Openlands is looking to hire a Garden and Nature Based Education Coordinator. Learn more here.
Cool Learning Experience is looking for a Deputy Director. Learn more here.
The Nature Conservancy Chicago Area is looking for a Community Stewardship Program Manager. Learn more here.
The Nature Conservancy Chicago Area is looking to hire a Director of Community Engagement. Learn more here.
The Field Museum is searching for a Senior Director. Learn more here.
Elevate is looking to fill several positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Lake County Forest Preserves is looking for a Natural Resource Technician and Environmental Educator. Learn more here.
Dupage Forest Preserves is looking to hire a Project planner. Learn more here.
Dupage Forest Preserves is looking to hire a Heritage Interpreter. Learn more here.
Equiticity is looking to fill several positions. Look through their career opportunities. here.
Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (ARCC) is looking to hire an Associate Director. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
Cool Learning Experience is looking for a Deputy Director. Learn more here.
The Nature Conservancy Chicago Area is looking for a Community Stewardship Program Manager. Learn more here.
The Nature Conservancy Chicago Area is looking to hire a Director of Community Engagement. Learn more here.
The Field Museum is searching for a Senior Director. Learn more here.
Elevate is looking to fill several positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Lake County Forest Preserves is looking for a Natural Resource Technician and Environmental Educator. Learn more here.
Dupage Forest Preserves is looking to hire a Project planner. Learn more here.
Dupage Forest Preserves is looking to hire a Heritage Interpreter. Learn more here.
Equiticity is looking to fill several positions. Look through their career opportunities. here.
Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (ARCC) is looking to hire an Associate Director. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
In the News
Photo by Chris J Mitchell
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Chicago’s Secret Parks: The Garden of the Phoenix, the Winter Garden, the Botany Pond and More
Nearly a year ago Emma Krupp scouted out 12 “secret parks and gardens in Chicago” that are secluded and not always overrun with visitors. Among these are the Garden of the Phoenix on Jackson Park’s Wooded Island, the Winter Garden a the Harold Washington Library Center, Steelworkers Park near the Calumet River and Lake Michigan and the Burnham Wildlife Corridor. Read more here. |
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Rooting Out Chicago’s Tree Disparity
In a Nov. 12 article in the Chicago Tribune, Maddie Ellis describes the efforts of volunteer tree ambassadors for Our Roots Chicago, the initiative to plant 75,000 trees in five years, called Our Roots Chicago. The program, which could cost about $46 million, may see 15,000 trees planted this year, to begin to address Chicago’s tree disparity. Read more here. |
Photo by Michael Gattorna
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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
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Take a Walk to Boost Your Mental Health.
In a short piece written on November 1st 2022, Tori DeAngelis reports on a meta-analysis of the association between physical activity and the risk of depression. The short piece, with references to the meta-analysis, is here. |
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Maybe the Dark Part of the Year is the Time to Consider Light Pollution
Holiday lights that stave off the early darkness are a tradition in many cultures. But lights are not the harbinger of a better future for the planet. Light pollution is a global issue, as can be seen in the computer-generated map, World Atlas of Night Sky Brightness, created in 2016. Read more here and here. |
Photo by NASA
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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 [email protected] by July 20th, 2022.
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 [email protected].
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 [email protected] by July 20th, 2022.
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 [email protected].