Newsletter from Tuesday, February 21st, 2023
Dear NCH2 Community,
We are so very excited to receive your Catalyst Seed Grant applications this week. The due date and time is February 21st at 5:00 p.m. If you have any outstanding questions before you submit, please do not hesitate to email Laura Derks at laura.derks@northwestern.edu. A quick thumbnail of the intention behind this planning grant opportunity is that community-engaged organizations are working with community residents to identify potential program ideas that will include the Triple Aim Values and improve: 1) community health 2) equitable access to and engagement in greenspace/nature and 3) ecological health. We hope that “Catalyst” organizations will broaden their traditional scope of work and focus and include all three of these Aims.
One readily available example of the Triple Aim Values is the “Our Roots Chicago” program that aims to plant over 75,000 trees in low tree canopy areas in Chicago. With equity at the center of Our Roots operations, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) leads this visionary program working closely with the communities in which they hope to plant trees. NCH2 has been honored to be part of the Tree Equity group, that Raed Mansour, Director of Environmental Innovation at CDPH, leads and facilitates. Raed also serves on the NCH2 Steering Committee! For more information on this innovative public health, planetary health, equity-centered initiative link here.
Best,
NCH2
One readily available example of the Triple Aim Values is the “Our Roots Chicago” program that aims to plant over 75,000 trees in low tree canopy areas in Chicago. With equity at the center of Our Roots operations, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) leads this visionary program working closely with the communities in which they hope to plant trees. NCH2 has been honored to be part of the Tree Equity group, that Raed Mansour, Director of Environmental Innovation at CDPH, leads and facilitates. Raed also serves on the NCH2 Steering Committee! For more information on this innovative public health, planetary health, equity-centered initiative link here.
Best,
NCH2
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
One Earth Film Festival
Spring-in-winter weather? Sandhill cranes flying over us in February, six weeks before the usual time? These events have NCH2 thinking about our climate’s warming trend….and encourage us all to take in the One Earth Film Festival, kicking off March 3-12, 2023, for its 12th festival season. Check out the schedule HERE.
This year’s theme is “Let’s Get Loud.” As Executive Director Ana Garcia-Doyle encourages the national and international audience who attends the viewing events, “much environmental communication heavily depends on data, but that's not going to change hearts. The stories told through film invoke our empathy and spur our will to act. We must pull together – and be loud about it. The moment to make noise is now.” The festival will start with its annual launch party and also include streaming and in-person screenings in the greater Chicago area. Learn more about One Earth Film Festival here.
This year’s theme is “Let’s Get Loud.” As Executive Director Ana Garcia-Doyle encourages the national and international audience who attends the viewing events, “much environmental communication heavily depends on data, but that's not going to change hearts. The stories told through film invoke our empathy and spur our will to act. We must pull together – and be loud about it. The moment to make noise is now.” The festival will start with its annual launch party and also include streaming and in-person screenings in the greater Chicago area. Learn more about One Earth Film Festival here.
Upcoming Events
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Indoor Farmers Markets
Do you miss all the delicious jams, baked goods, and crafts available at Evanston's summer farmer's markets? Check out the local vendors at the Ecology Center Indoor Farmer's Market! The Ecology Center will be hosting ten market days between January and April of 2023. Winter markets will be held on alternate Saturdays from 8am to 12pm. Park in the McCormick parking lot and head on over. Winter Dates February 11th, 8am-12pm February 25th, 8am-12pm Click here for more information. |
Photo by City of Evanston
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Photo by Felix Mittermier
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Building Health, Wellness, and Mindful Nature Programming Workshop
Date: Feb 8th, Feb 15th, and Feb 22nd, 2023 Time: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM Location: Kane County (exact locations to be announced in early January) This three half-day workshop series by DuPage Nature Rx Coalition dives deep into opportunities to build health, wellness, and mindfulness nature programming at local parks, forest preserves, and open spaces. The training will include an overview of the health benefits from spending time in nature along with various mental health, physical health, and mindfulness programming options. This workshop is intended for park district, open space district, and forest preserve staff, leadership, and volunteers looking to expand their impact through outdoor health and wellness partnerships and programs. Learn more here. |
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Douglas C. Anderson Bird Conservation Mini-Grant
Chicago Ornithological Society (COS) is proud to offer annual mini-grants to local educators and organizations working on youth driven community projects furthering bird conservation, education, and advocacy. Proposals must demonstrate a project designed to engage youth in taking action for birds in their community. Proposed projects should advance the COS mission of appreciation and/or conservation of birds in the Chicago region. Example projects may include but are not limited to: research, data collection, planting or habitat improvement, construction of nest boxes, art installations, educational materials or signage (physical and/or digital), or a short film about birds. While most projects fall within the scope of this list, creative projects of a different nature than those listed that still accomplish COS’s mission will be considered equally. Application and more information here. |
Photo by Daniyal Ghanavati
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Photo by Matt Barnard
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Festival of the Sugar Maples
Date: March 4, 5, 6th and March 11, 12, 13th Time: 1-hour time slots available from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Coral Woods Conservation Area The flowing of the maple sap is a sure sign that spring is just around the corner! Celebrate the change of seasons with McHenry County Conservation District’s annual event: Festival of the Sugar Maples, at Coral Woods Conservation Area, 7400 Somerset Drive in Marengo! Take this unique opportunity to learn the fascinating history of maple sugaring and the evolution of the sap collection process. Tours last approximately one hour and involve a half-mile hike through a snowy woodland trail. Learn more and sign up for a slot here. |
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Designing a Native Plant Garden
Date: February 23rd, 2023 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: Virtual Restoration expert Matt Hokanson explore best practices and inspiring examples for creating a garden that showcases Illinois native plants. In collaboration with Chicago Living Corridors. Learn more and register here. |
Image by SLF by Pixabay
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Future Events: Save the Date
Photo by Jonas Mohammed
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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? The Nature Express Bus program can help your group access Forest Preserves events and amenities, or visit their 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 Stefan Schweihofer
Cross-country skiing
After a snowfall, the Forest Preserve's trails are not cleared so they become ideal for cross-country skiing. When cross-country skiing, please be aware of other trail users, and exercise proper judgment for the safety of everyone.
Visit the Will County Forest Preserve's website for additional information and regulations.
After a snowfall, the Forest Preserve's trails are not cleared so they become ideal for cross-country skiing. When cross-country skiing, please be aware of other trail users, and exercise proper judgment for the safety of everyone.
Visit the Will County Forest Preserve's website for additional information and regulations.
Photo by Kristina Paukshtite
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The Morton Arboretum: Gidinawendimin: We Are All Connected
Date: Friday, March 10th Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT Location: Morton Arboretum or Zoom Five generations of Indigenous women, working over a century, created the book Plants Have So Much to Give Us, All We Have to Do Is Ask. They persisted in their work to pass on the traditional stories and plant knowledge now recorded in the book, despite the intense assimilation efforts of the twentieth century. Editor and contributor Dr. Wendy Makoons Geniusz will describe the history of how the book was written by her late mother, Mary Siisip Geniusz, and share Anishinaabe-gikendaasowin (Anishinaabe teachings) from the book, including Inawendiwin: the interconnectedness of all living beings. Learn more and register here. |
Job Opportunities
Cool Learning Experience is looking for a Deputy Director. 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 to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Equiticity is looking to fill several positions. Look through their career opportunities. here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
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 to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Equiticity is looking to fill several positions. Look through their career opportunities. here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
In the News
Study: Enjoying, not merely seeing, nature may lessen need for some
medications
A study published in mid-January in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that the physical activity of going for a walk in nature might “reduce the need for medication for anxiety, asthma, depression, high blood pressure or insomnia,” according to a Jan. 17 CNN post by Sandee LaMotte. Researchers at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare in Helsinki found an association between visiting nature at least three times per week and “36% lower odds of using blood pressure pills, 33% lower odds of using mental health medications, and 26% lower odds of using asthma medications,” LaMotte wrote. She quoted Anu Turunen, coauthor of the study and a researcher at the Finnish institute as saying, “Physical activity is thought to be the key mediating factor in the health benefits of green spaces when availability or active use of green space are considered.” Viewing nature from inside did not appear to have the same effect, the study found. Lincoln Larson, an associate professor in the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, has studied the benefits of public parks. He said of the Finnish study, “Just seeing nature didn’t really move the needle, but experiencing it did. Other research points to similar conclusions.” Read more here.
medications
A study published in mid-January in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that the physical activity of going for a walk in nature might “reduce the need for medication for anxiety, asthma, depression, high blood pressure or insomnia,” according to a Jan. 17 CNN post by Sandee LaMotte. Researchers at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare in Helsinki found an association between visiting nature at least three times per week and “36% lower odds of using blood pressure pills, 33% lower odds of using mental health medications, and 26% lower odds of using asthma medications,” LaMotte wrote. She quoted Anu Turunen, coauthor of the study and a researcher at the Finnish institute as saying, “Physical activity is thought to be the key mediating factor in the health benefits of green spaces when availability or active use of green space are considered.” Viewing nature from inside did not appear to have the same effect, the study found. Lincoln Larson, an associate professor in the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, has studied the benefits of public parks. He said of the Finnish study, “Just seeing nature didn’t really move the needle, but experiencing it did. Other research points to similar conclusions.” Read more here.
At the forest school, nature is an endless classroom
The motto of Illinois’ only forest school is "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." Students at Free Haven Forest School in Mokena meet outside every day, using a curriculum designed by teachers from students’ input. Rachel Mikottis launched the forest school in Mokena after teaching outside for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The forest school is a European concept, and, finding none in Illinois, Mikottis founded her own, Classes at first met in forest preserves but the school is now centered in Mokena, “with a tree house, creek, chicken coop, and acres of woods for kids to explore,” as reported recently on ABC7 news. . Nature is the classroom, and children are free to explore, create and be curious. "After teaching outside for one year, I decided I could never teach inside again," Mikottis is quoted as saying. Teacher Becky Sanders said in the ABC coverage, “Forest school is curiosity and exploring and risk-taking," said Sanders. "Our classroom is our outdoor world.” Read more here.
History note: Marquette University’s Children in Urban America Project has a document about the Open Air School that operated as a public school in Chicago in 1910-11. The physical health benefits, particularly in combating or preventing tuberculosis are highlighted here.
The motto of Illinois’ only forest school is "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." Students at Free Haven Forest School in Mokena meet outside every day, using a curriculum designed by teachers from students’ input. Rachel Mikottis launched the forest school in Mokena after teaching outside for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The forest school is a European concept, and, finding none in Illinois, Mikottis founded her own, Classes at first met in forest preserves but the school is now centered in Mokena, “with a tree house, creek, chicken coop, and acres of woods for kids to explore,” as reported recently on ABC7 news. . Nature is the classroom, and children are free to explore, create and be curious. "After teaching outside for one year, I decided I could never teach inside again," Mikottis is quoted as saying. Teacher Becky Sanders said in the ABC coverage, “Forest school is curiosity and exploring and risk-taking," said Sanders. "Our classroom is our outdoor world.” Read more here.
History note: Marquette University’s Children in Urban America Project has a document about the Open Air School that operated as a public school in Chicago in 1910-11. The physical health benefits, particularly in combating or preventing tuberculosis are highlighted here.
Spending Time in Nature Improves Teens’ Outlook, Health
The recent CDC report put the spotlight on the mental health of teenagers, particularly teenage girls. Nearly two years ago a study by a group at the University of Michigan found that teens reported feeling physically and mentally better after spending time in nature. Reporting on the study Nardy Baeza Bickel quoted Astrid Zamora, then a doctoral student at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health: She wrote, “‘Our findings suggest that spending time in nature,-which youth define broadly as being outside, being around trees and woods and greenery, can have strong public health implications, given that youth might not need to travel as far or spend a lot of money to access nature,’ said Astrid Zamora.” Study title: Zamora, A.N., Waselewski, M.E., Frank, A.J. et al. Exploring the beliefs and perceptions of spending time in nature among U.S. youth. BMC Public Health 21, 1586 (2021). Read more here.
The recent CDC report put the spotlight on the mental health of teenagers, particularly teenage girls. Nearly two years ago a study by a group at the University of Michigan found that teens reported feeling physically and mentally better after spending time in nature. Reporting on the study Nardy Baeza Bickel quoted Astrid Zamora, then a doctoral student at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health: She wrote, “‘Our findings suggest that spending time in nature,-which youth define broadly as being outside, being around trees and woods and greenery, can have strong public health implications, given that youth might not need to travel as far or spend a lot of money to access nature,’ said Astrid Zamora.” Study title: Zamora, A.N., Waselewski, M.E., Frank, A.J. et al. Exploring the beliefs and perceptions of spending time in nature among U.S. youth. BMC Public Health 21, 1586 (2021). 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 [email protected].
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].
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].