Newsletter Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Hello NCH2 Community,
It was so cool to connect two NCH2 friends on Zoom last week who had independently visited the Reserve de la Biosfera Santuario Mariposa Monarca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Michoacan, Mexico during January 2024, one of the overwintering locations for monarch butterflies. Leader of Women for Green Spaces, Claudia Galeno-Sanchez and sustainable food and land use coordinator at Faith in Place (and the Migration and Me program), Princess Harris completed their dream to see the thousands of monarchs there. Filled with the "awe of nature", both of them discussed how they could collaborate in the future and to share the experience with youth in particular. With sharp declines in Monarch populations (see the In the News Section), these two leaders are taking great care to support the Monarch's survival. The above photo is from Princess, who traveled for 24 hours due to many traveling challenges!
New Location for the upcoming Summit, March 15!! Please read.
Speaking of Safety...our Summit Planning Committee supports moving the location of the NCH2 Summit, March 15. As the focus of the Summit is Creating Welcoming Nature Spaces: an IDEAS* Pathway (Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accessible, and Safe) the Committee understood that the name of Columbus Park made many feel unsafe. In the words of Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz in the Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States, Columbus and the Doctrine of Discovery, "European nations acquired titles to the lands they 'discovered', and Indigenous inhabitants lost their natural right to that land...settler colonialism devastated Indigenous nations and communities." The Committee encourages our community to support the renaming of Columbus Park to be found here. The new location will be confirmed, we hope, tomorrow. Register here. All are Welcome!
Lastly, this is the last week for the Thrive Outside grants opportunity and a new one for the Comed Green grants! See in the Funding Opportunities Section.
It was so cool to connect two NCH2 friends on Zoom last week who had independently visited the Reserve de la Biosfera Santuario Mariposa Monarca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Michoacan, Mexico during January 2024, one of the overwintering locations for monarch butterflies. Leader of Women for Green Spaces, Claudia Galeno-Sanchez and sustainable food and land use coordinator at Faith in Place (and the Migration and Me program), Princess Harris completed their dream to see the thousands of monarchs there. Filled with the "awe of nature", both of them discussed how they could collaborate in the future and to share the experience with youth in particular. With sharp declines in Monarch populations (see the In the News Section), these two leaders are taking great care to support the Monarch's survival. The above photo is from Princess, who traveled for 24 hours due to many traveling challenges!
New Location for the upcoming Summit, March 15!! Please read.
Speaking of Safety...our Summit Planning Committee supports moving the location of the NCH2 Summit, March 15. As the focus of the Summit is Creating Welcoming Nature Spaces: an IDEAS* Pathway (Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accessible, and Safe) the Committee understood that the name of Columbus Park made many feel unsafe. In the words of Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz in the Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States, Columbus and the Doctrine of Discovery, "European nations acquired titles to the lands they 'discovered', and Indigenous inhabitants lost their natural right to that land...settler colonialism devastated Indigenous nations and communities." The Committee encourages our community to support the renaming of Columbus Park to be found here. The new location will be confirmed, we hope, tomorrow. Register here. All are Welcome!
Lastly, this is the last week for the Thrive Outside grants opportunity and a new one for the Comed Green grants! See in the Funding Opportunities Section.
Index
NCH2 Summit Spotlight
Events and Save the Dates
Funding Opportunities and Resources
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
NCH2 Summit Spotlight
Events and Save the Dates
Funding Opportunities and Resources
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Creating Welcoming Nature Spaces: A Model of Excellence, Chicago Adventure Therapy
Image, Chicago Adventure Therapy
Join our first Workshop at the NCH2 Summit, where we will hear regional "Models of Excellence" present how they create welcoming spaces in nature. Zorbari Nwidor, Andrea Knepper, Noah Viner, and Tia Coats will discuss the Chicago Adventure Therapy (CAT) approach to programming and the communities in which they plan nature-based experiences. Check out their staff profiles and CAT's mission and their newsletter. Thank you CAT for sharing your work with us!
Upcoming Events and Save the Date
Image, Common Milkweed, Laura Derks
Free Seed Swap
Hosted by Jardencito La Villita, First Nations Garden, and Chicago Safe Soils, the Seed Swap encourages everyone to bring extra seeds to share and take some home from others. There will be native and veggie, fruit, flower seeds available. It is not necessary to bring seeds for a swap, but doing so is an option. Light refreshments available.
When: February 24, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Where: 4544 S. Ashland, Chicago
Hosted by Jardencito La Villita, First Nations Garden, and Chicago Safe Soils, the Seed Swap encourages everyone to bring extra seeds to share and take some home from others. There will be native and veggie, fruit, flower seeds available. It is not necessary to bring seeds for a swap, but doing so is an option. Light refreshments available.
When: February 24, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Where: 4544 S. Ashland, Chicago
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Trickster Cultural Center hosts Upcoming Free Program
Healing Circles An online healing circle for survivors of domestic violence weekly via ZOOM When: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6:00PM - 7:00PM CST FEBRUARY 21 • MARCH 20 • APRIL 17 • MAY 15 When: February 7, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Where: Register here |
Image, Trickster Website
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Image, Chicago Park District
Humboldt Park Transit Park
Join the Chicago Ornithological Society and other birding enthusiasts for a transit hike to view early spring birds of prey and early spring migrant birds. Leaders advise that it is "a transit hike and meant to be a green outing. You are welcome to travel via bike or scooter but in the spirit of the hike--grab the Division bus if the timing is right. Please bring a CTA pass and comfortable walking shoes, and stay for as much or as little of the hike as you like. The entire hike will likely take around 3 hours." Register Here. Exact location upon registration. When: February 24, 9:00 a.m.
Join the Chicago Ornithological Society and other birding enthusiasts for a transit hike to view early spring birds of prey and early spring migrant birds. Leaders advise that it is "a transit hike and meant to be a green outing. You are welcome to travel via bike or scooter but in the spirit of the hike--grab the Division bus if the timing is right. Please bring a CTA pass and comfortable walking shoes, and stay for as much or as little of the hike as you like. The entire hike will likely take around 3 hours." Register Here. Exact location upon registration. When: February 24, 9:00 a.m.
Image, Forest Preserves of Cook County Sand Ridge
Free Underground Railroad Walks
The Forest Preserves of Cook County is hosting two walks honoring freedom seekers and those who helped them along the way to freedom. The walks will follow the Underground Railroad route connections into the Calumet Region.
When: Feb 24, 25 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Where: Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave South Holland
The Forest Preserves of Cook County is hosting two walks honoring freedom seekers and those who helped them along the way to freedom. The walks will follow the Underground Railroad route connections into the Calumet Region.
When: Feb 24, 25 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Where: Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave South Holland
Image, Laura Derks
National Day of Unplugging Hike
Visit the Lake County Forest Preserves for a day set aside to encourage leaving all digital connections behind for a walk outside. "Join an educator on a relaxing walk to unplug, unwind and reconnect with nature. Registration required. "
Register Here. Small fee; 12+ years old.
Where: Independence Grove
When: March 1, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Visit the Lake County Forest Preserves for a day set aside to encourage leaving all digital connections behind for a walk outside. "Join an educator on a relaxing walk to unplug, unwind and reconnect with nature. Registration required. "
Register Here. Small fee; 12+ years old.
Where: Independence Grove
When: March 1, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Funding Opportunities and other Resources
Image, Laura Derks
Free Continuing Education for Volunteers in natural areas, community gardens, and parks!
New Free Training opportunities for all volunteers, volunteer leaders, stipend staff, or early career professionals stewarding natural areas, parks, neighborhoods, and community gardens. The Volunteer Stewardship Network is providing training opportunities through The Morton Arboretum's Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) and adult learning programs to help "grow knowledge of the natural world, gardening, and more". Check out the offerings here. Online, in person, and blended courses available.
For more information contact Brooke Thurau at [email protected]
New Free Training opportunities for all volunteers, volunteer leaders, stipend staff, or early career professionals stewarding natural areas, parks, neighborhoods, and community gardens. The Volunteer Stewardship Network is providing training opportunities through The Morton Arboretum's Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) and adult learning programs to help "grow knowledge of the natural world, gardening, and more". Check out the offerings here. Online, in person, and blended courses available.
For more information contact Brooke Thurau at [email protected]
Image, Laura Derks
Prepare for Spring Bird Migration!
Last year, thousands of migrating birds crashed into the McCormick Conference Center in Chicago and sustained lethal damage.
Chicago is working on passing a new building ordinance that will shield migrating birds from potential injury. Find out more about the status of that legislation here.
And in the meantime, prepare for Spring Migration with some tips from our friends at Climate Action Evanston.
Last year, thousands of migrating birds crashed into the McCormick Conference Center in Chicago and sustained lethal damage.
Chicago is working on passing a new building ordinance that will shield migrating birds from potential injury. Find out more about the status of that legislation here.
And in the meantime, prepare for Spring Migration with some tips from our friends at Climate Action Evanston.
The Thrive Outside Chicago Fund and the Thrive Outside Chicago Gear and Supplies Fund. LAST WEEK
The Thrive Outside Chicago Funding Opportunities provide organizations serving historically underrepresented groups in the South and West neighborhoods of Chicago with organizational support along with gear and supplies for their efforts in engaging BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and People with Disabilities in the outdoors.
Interested applicants schedule "office hours" to get their questions answered. Register for Thrive Outside Chicago funds office hours here.
Applications for both funds are due on Friday, February 23rd, 2024.
The Thrive Outside Chicago Funding Opportunities provide organizations serving historically underrepresented groups in the South and West neighborhoods of Chicago with organizational support along with gear and supplies for their efforts in engaging BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and People with Disabilities in the outdoors.
Interested applicants schedule "office hours" to get their questions answered. Register for Thrive Outside Chicago funds office hours here.
Applications for both funds are due on Friday, February 23rd, 2024.
Image, Mitchell Museum pollinator garden, Illinois Humanities website
Comed Green Region Grant Opportunity
The ComEd Green Region Grant awards grants of up to $10,000 for conservation projects, pollinators, and climate resiliency based in Northern Illinois. Learn more about how to apply here. $200,000 was awarded throughout the region last year.
Continuing this year, non-profits and educational agencies can apply for a grant with a letter of support from a government agency in their community. Applications are dye on March 29, 2024.
A list of 2023 grantees is here.
The ComEd Green Region Grant awards grants of up to $10,000 for conservation projects, pollinators, and climate resiliency based in Northern Illinois. Learn more about how to apply here. $200,000 was awarded throughout the region last year.
Continuing this year, non-profits and educational agencies can apply for a grant with a letter of support from a government agency in their community. Applications are dye on March 29, 2024.
A list of 2023 grantees is here.
Job Opportunities
New
The Joyce Foundation, Program Assistant for Education and the Environment and Climate Officer.
The Metropolitan Mayors' Caucus is looking for an Energy Efficiency Outreach Specialist.
A Natural Resource Specialist at the Lake County Forest Preserves. Three-year full-time position.
The U.S. Forest Service has opened applications for the Midewin Youth Corps. Applications are due March 15. Spread the word!
Urban Growers Collective has three new full-time positions open here and its Internship Program is open and accepting applications---must be 18 and older. https://www.urbangrowerscollective.org/internships .
Continuing
Active Transport Alliance is hiring a Managing Director of Operations
Blue Sky Funders Forum is seeking a Communications Manager to lead and implement their general communications initiative-- full-time, exempt, and remote position, joining Blue Sky Funders Forum’s existing team of two full-time employees. Please find the job announcement linked here.
Program Manager (4 positions available), City of Chicago Department of the Environment
Chicago Regional Trees Initiative
Director
Learn more and apply. this link works!
Community Coordinator (2 positions)
Learn more and apply
Grant Administrator
Learn more and apply
New Plant Development Research Assistant II
Learn more and apply
Tree Conservation Biology Manager
Learn more and apply
Chicago United for Equity-Communications Manager
Dupage Forest Preserves has an opening for Natural Resources Restoration Supervisor here
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has several positions open including Director of Finance and other positions. Learn more here.
Faith in Place Eco-Ambassador applications for academic high school students from Southern Illinois and the North & West Suburbs. Teens (14-18 years old) with a particular interest in Environmental Justice, Climate Change, and STEM education are encouraged to apply! Learn more here.
The Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum is hiring a Senior Community Engagement Specialist full-time position.
The Friends of the Forest Preserves has several new positions. Learn more here.
Digital Media Specialist at the Garfield Park Conservatory
Crew Supervisors and Program Supervisor, and Greencorps Chicago is recruiting for its job training program now!.Greencorpschicago
llinois Nature Conservancy, Donor Relations
Mano y Mano is hiring Community Health Workers and other positions.
Chief Sustainability Officer, Village of Oak Park
Several positions open at the Public Health Institute of Metro Chicago.
Adventure Sports Coordinator (scroll down) with R.E.A.C.H. (there are several other job openings here.)
The Shedd Aquarium is hiring a conservation action facilitator to lead Shedd’s forest preserve stewardship workdays, beach cleanups, Chicago River kayak programs at $19 an hour.
Windy City Harvest is accepting applications for its Apprenticeship program.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
The Joyce Foundation, Program Assistant for Education and the Environment and Climate Officer.
The Metropolitan Mayors' Caucus is looking for an Energy Efficiency Outreach Specialist.
A Natural Resource Specialist at the Lake County Forest Preserves. Three-year full-time position.
The U.S. Forest Service has opened applications for the Midewin Youth Corps. Applications are due March 15. Spread the word!
Urban Growers Collective has three new full-time positions open here and its Internship Program is open and accepting applications---must be 18 and older. https://www.urbangrowerscollective.org/internships .
Continuing
Active Transport Alliance is hiring a Managing Director of Operations
Blue Sky Funders Forum is seeking a Communications Manager to lead and implement their general communications initiative-- full-time, exempt, and remote position, joining Blue Sky Funders Forum’s existing team of two full-time employees. Please find the job announcement linked here.
Program Manager (4 positions available), City of Chicago Department of the Environment
Chicago Regional Trees Initiative
Director
Learn more and apply. this link works!
Community Coordinator (2 positions)
Learn more and apply
Grant Administrator
Learn more and apply
New Plant Development Research Assistant II
Learn more and apply
Tree Conservation Biology Manager
Learn more and apply
Chicago United for Equity-Communications Manager
Dupage Forest Preserves has an opening for Natural Resources Restoration Supervisor here
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has several positions open including Director of Finance and other positions. Learn more here.
Faith in Place Eco-Ambassador applications for academic high school students from Southern Illinois and the North & West Suburbs. Teens (14-18 years old) with a particular interest in Environmental Justice, Climate Change, and STEM education are encouraged to apply! Learn more here.
The Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum is hiring a Senior Community Engagement Specialist full-time position.
The Friends of the Forest Preserves has several new positions. Learn more here.
Digital Media Specialist at the Garfield Park Conservatory
Crew Supervisors and Program Supervisor, and Greencorps Chicago is recruiting for its job training program now!.Greencorpschicago
llinois Nature Conservancy, Donor Relations
Mano y Mano is hiring Community Health Workers and other positions.
Chief Sustainability Officer, Village of Oak Park
Several positions open at the Public Health Institute of Metro Chicago.
Adventure Sports Coordinator (scroll down) with R.E.A.C.H. (there are several other job openings here.)
The Shedd Aquarium is hiring a conservation action facilitator to lead Shedd’s forest preserve stewardship workdays, beach cleanups, Chicago River kayak programs at $19 an hour.
Windy City Harvest is accepting applications for its Apprenticeship program.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
In the News
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Eighth-graders envision the Altgeld Gardens of the Future
Earlier this year, middle-school students at Aldridge Elementary School unveiled a 3D model of their Altgeld Gardens neighborhood in the future. This community would have a grocery store, a new recreation center, public art near the promised CTA stop, and a museum honoring the late Hazel Johnson, who lead the fight against air pollution and other toxic conditions. Altgeld Gardens, often noted as the birthplace of Environmental Justice, was the "dumping ground for toxic sludge waste from the Pullman Palace Car Company" (Q Magazine) in the late 1800s and early 1900s and several other sources of industrial toxins. In a Feb. 1 article in Chalkbeat, Becky Vevea described the two-year project – a collaboration between the teachers and the Field Museum – in which the students took on the role of city planners. The article quoted eighth-grader Rondell Sims, who spoke at a presentation at the local library branch: “As development comes to our community, you all will be advocates alongside in creation of a plan that is for us, by us. … I feel like by us adding these things to the community and making more things that will be better for the people that’s in the community is just amazing. It will give a better name for our community.” In an isolated Chicago community such as Altgeld Gardens and surrounding blocks, their vision is essential to creating an asset-filled, safe place to live and thrive. Read more about these farseeing students and their project. |
Image, Middle schoolers in front of community model, Chalkbeat magazine
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Image, Laura Derks
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Climate change and pesticides threaten monarch population
The butterfly that spreads its wings in Mexico may soon not be able to alight in Chicago. Climate change and extreme weather are blocking the longtime migration path of the monarch butterfly, from central Mexico to points north, including Chicago. A Feb. 19 story by Audrey Hettleman in the Chicago Sun-Times said researchers in Mexico found this winter to have the second-lowest number of migratory monarchs since 1993, when record-keeping began. This annual count is calculated “based on how many acres of land the insects cover when they land in forests west of Mexico City,” she wrote. This data is echoed in the World Wildlife Federation report here. In the Chicago region, reducing the use of pesticides and fostering plants, such as milkweed the monarch use for food, can help nurture the population. Read more here and read about the threats to the monarch butterfly, Illinois’s state butterfly and insect, with information from experts https://monarchwatch.org/blog/ |
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Sand traps become sandboxes and greens become greener
This country has more golf courses than McDonald’s locations but since 2006 few golf courses have opened and fewer still of the closed ones have been returned to nature (despite widely understood environmental impact of golf courses.) One of those closed courses, the San Geronimo Golf Course, has become San Geronimo Commons, a 157-acre parcel that in 2018 “began a journey toward becoming wild, or at least wilder, once again.” A Feb. 15 New York Times article by Cara Buckley, “After Shutting Down, These Golf Courses Went Wild,” said that “a small number of shuttered golf courses around the country have been bought by land trusts, municipalities and nonprofit groups and transformed into nature preserves, parks and wetlands.” In addition to San Geronimo and three other sites in California, there are newly greened greens in Detroit, Pennsylvania, Colorado and the Finger Lakes of upstate New York. Although the golfing industry has taken some steps to ease the environmental burden of its courses, she notes, “This country’s 16,000 golf courses use 1.5 billion gallons of water a day, according to the United States Golf Association, and are collectively treated with 100,000 tons of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium a year.” Read more about the replacement of pristine emerald greens with a greener “wild” golf course. |
Image, Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf
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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--You can also submit materials for the next newsletter by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you have accepted our newsletter email so it doesn't wind up in your junk folder!
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--You can also submit materials for the next newsletter by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you have accepted our newsletter email so it doesn't wind up in your junk folder!
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].