Newsletter Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Hello NCH2 Community,
Seeing sparkling February blue skies has offered the chance for mental fog-lifting--January was a gray month! Our planning group for the upcoming Summit, March 15 is hoping for excellent weather as we will offer several programs to get outside. Please plan to join us! We would like to give a shout out of deep gratitude to the NCH2 Summit Planning Group, who have been excellent collaborators:
Kenyon Duner and Raquel Garcia-Alvarez, Forest Preserves of Cook County
Ted Gross, Chicago Park District
Terry Horton, Northwestern University; Chair, NCH2 Steering Committee
Levi Jenkins, Light of Loving Kindness
Latrina Lee, University of Illinois Chicago/Illinois Institute of Technology Faculty
Cassandra Powell, Light of Loving Kindness, NCH2 Steering Committee
Cat Principe, The Nature Conservancy
Donisha Reed, TCA Health
ALL are welcome at the NCH2 Summit: Creating Welcoming Nature Spaces: an IDEAS* Pathway (Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accessible, and Safe). We look forward to seeing you there. Register here. If you have any questions about the Summit, please contact us!
Seeing sparkling February blue skies has offered the chance for mental fog-lifting--January was a gray month! Our planning group for the upcoming Summit, March 15 is hoping for excellent weather as we will offer several programs to get outside. Please plan to join us! We would like to give a shout out of deep gratitude to the NCH2 Summit Planning Group, who have been excellent collaborators:
Kenyon Duner and Raquel Garcia-Alvarez, Forest Preserves of Cook County
Ted Gross, Chicago Park District
Terry Horton, Northwestern University; Chair, NCH2 Steering Committee
Levi Jenkins, Light of Loving Kindness
Latrina Lee, University of Illinois Chicago/Illinois Institute of Technology Faculty
Cassandra Powell, Light of Loving Kindness, NCH2 Steering Committee
Cat Principe, The Nature Conservancy
Donisha Reed, TCA Health
ALL are welcome at the NCH2 Summit: Creating Welcoming Nature Spaces: an IDEAS* Pathway (Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accessible, and Safe). We look forward to seeing you there. Register here. If you have any questions about the Summit, please contact us!
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: Spotlight on our Lead Facilitator
Image, Cassandra Powell, Founder, Light of Lovingkindness, NCH2 Steering Committee
Longtime supporter, collaborator, and strategic partner, Cassandra Powell will serve as the NCH2 Summit Lead Facilitator on March 15th. A member of our Steering Committee, Cassandra is the Executive Director, and Founder, of Light of Loving Kindness, a nonprofit organization committed to "empower the next generation of conscious leaders by providing access to mental wellness tools and social-emotional skills through mindfulness-based solutions, cultivating the self-awareness, self-esteem, and resiliency needed to pursue their life’s purpose." Creator of the "Self-love Bootcamp," Light of Loving Kindness supports Chicago youth with nature-based immersion mindfulness programs as well as many other engaging activities.
Her leadership was instrumental in developing and leading an NCH2 panel presentation "One Health: Nature, Culture, and Health Connections", at Wild Things 2023, a engaging conversation with over 120 attendees about equitable access to safe and welcoming nature spaces. The buzz and energy of the Wild Things session served as the spark for the 2024 NCH2 Summit. It encouraged our Steering Committee to explore how NCH2 can sponsor a collaborative space where we can learn from one another and highlight those organizations and leaders who are "walking the talk" in creating welcoming nature spaces. Thanks Cassandra for your leadership!
Her leadership was instrumental in developing and leading an NCH2 panel presentation "One Health: Nature, Culture, and Health Connections", at Wild Things 2023, a engaging conversation with over 120 attendees about equitable access to safe and welcoming nature spaces. The buzz and energy of the Wild Things session served as the spark for the 2024 NCH2 Summit. It encouraged our Steering Committee to explore how NCH2 can sponsor a collaborative space where we can learn from one another and highlight those organizations and leaders who are "walking the talk" in creating welcoming nature spaces. Thanks Cassandra for your leadership!
Upcoming Events and Save the Date
Image, Environmental Educators Illinois
Spanish/English Educator Workshop February 7th!
A virtual workshop that includes an e-book and print guide *(for a small fee) with Project Learning Tree about birds and their migratory patterns.
When: February 7, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual, Register here.
A virtual workshop that includes an e-book and print guide *(for a small fee) with Project Learning Tree about birds and their migratory patterns.
When: February 7, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual, Register here.
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Coal Ash Workshop and Hearings in Lake County
Join Clean Power Lake County and partners for in unperson workshop on writing public. comments to the Illinois Pollution Control Board. When: February 7, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Where: Waukegan Public Library Coal Ash Hearings The Illinois Pollution Control Board holds these hearings--Learn more about the hearings, making public comments, and sign up here. When: February 13-14 Where: NRG Midwest Generation Facility |
Image, copied from Clean Power Lake County, by Lisa Long
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Image, Laura Derks
"Soup-er" Bowl Hike to the Bridge at Plum Creek Nature Center
Super bowl weekend is reason to take a hike! "The hike will be approximately 3 miles round trip on crushed limestone. Please dress for the weather and use caution while walking outdoors as snow and ice may be present on the paths and in the parking lot. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should mention their request when registering, or submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program."
Free Registration required by Friday, Feb. 9: Call this number 708-946-2216 or REGISTER ONLINE
When: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Fee: Free! Age: Ages 7 or older.
Where: Plum Creek Nature Center
Super bowl weekend is reason to take a hike! "The hike will be approximately 3 miles round trip on crushed limestone. Please dress for the weather and use caution while walking outdoors as snow and ice may be present on the paths and in the parking lot. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should mention their request when registering, or submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program."
Free Registration required by Friday, Feb. 9: Call this number 708-946-2216 or REGISTER ONLINE
When: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Fee: Free! Age: Ages 7 or older.
Where: Plum Creek Nature Center
Image, Non-wild canine, Laura Derks
Coyotes and other Canines
Join the staff at Ryerson Woods for an indoor presentation about the natural history and special adaptations of coyotes and other wild canines in Lake County. This presentation will be followed by a venture outdoors to the trails to listen for coyotes and foxes. This program is intended for adults. Meet at Education Classroom Center. Park in Welcome Center lot. Please dress for the weather--Portions of this program will be held outdoors. Small fee required.
Register Here.
Where: Ryerson Woods, Education Classroom Center
When: February 17, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Join the staff at Ryerson Woods for an indoor presentation about the natural history and special adaptations of coyotes and other wild canines in Lake County. This presentation will be followed by a venture outdoors to the trails to listen for coyotes and foxes. This program is intended for adults. Meet at Education Classroom Center. Park in Welcome Center lot. Please dress for the weather--Portions of this program will be held outdoors. Small fee required.
Register Here.
Where: Ryerson Woods, Education Classroom Center
When: February 17, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Funding Opportunities and other Resources
Image, Laura Derks
Community Tree Planting Resources
Openlands has an easy-to-access process to work with your local block, organization, house of worship, or park to plant trees! Known as TreePlanters Grants, this program "seek(s) to increase access by providing new trees to communities throughout the City of Chicago and near south suburbs with a special focus on communities with low canopy cover including Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, McKinley Park, New City, South Lawndale, West Elsdon, West Lawn." Funds available can go to a community-organized tree planting of 10-40 trees.
For more information and to apply visit their website here.
Openlands has an easy-to-access process to work with your local block, organization, house of worship, or park to plant trees! Known as TreePlanters Grants, this program "seek(s) to increase access by providing new trees to communities throughout the City of Chicago and near south suburbs with a special focus on communities with low canopy cover including Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, McKinley Park, New City, South Lawndale, West Elsdon, West Lawn." Funds available can go to a community-organized tree planting of 10-40 trees.
For more information and to apply visit their website here.
The Thrive Outside Chicago Fund and the Thrive Outside Chicago Gear and Supplies Fund.
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 are invited to participate in a virtual information session to learn more about Thrive Outside Chicago and the two funding opportunities. And anyone can also schedule "office hours" to get their questions answered. Register for Thrive Outside Chicago funds office hours here.
Virtual informational sessions to choose from:
Thursday, February 8th 12:00 p.m. and
Monday, February 12th 6:30pm;
Register for the information sessions 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 are invited to participate in a virtual information session to learn more about Thrive Outside Chicago and the two funding opportunities. And anyone can also schedule "office hours" to get their questions answered. Register for Thrive Outside Chicago funds office hours here.
Virtual informational sessions to choose from:
Thursday, February 8th 12:00 p.m. and
Monday, February 12th 6:30pm;
Register for the information sessions here.
Applications for both funds are due on Friday, February 23rd, 2024.
Douglas C. Anderson Bird Conservation Mini-Grants
The Chicago Ornithological Society is offering annual mini-grants to local educators and organizations working on youth driven community projects furthering bird conservation, education, and advocacy. This grant opportunity has several priorities, including those listed above. For more information go Here.
The deadline for the 2024 grant is February 11.
The Chicago Ornithological Society is offering annual mini-grants to local educators and organizations working on youth driven community projects furthering bird conservation, education, and advocacy. This grant opportunity has several priorities, including those listed above. For more information go Here.
The deadline for the 2024 grant is February 11.
Image, Climate Action Evanston
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Nurturing Nature Speakers Series--Virtual or In Person in Evanston
Learn about our local ecosystems, habitats, and ways human behaviors affect them. Join Natural Habitat Evanston, Evanston Public Library and Rotary International for multiple talks --Register for the first event HERE (zoom). Or come in person Where: Rotary International, 1560 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL. Free parking available at the building (access via Grove) and on the street. When: February 13, 6:30 p.m. |
Job Opportunities
New
Blue Sky Funders Forum is seeking a Communications Manager to lead and implement our general communications initiatives, strengthen Blue Sky’s voice and presence, and spearhead the next phase of Rethink Outside™, a shared narrative campaign that reframes meaningful connections to the outdoors as a human right.
The Communications Manager role is a new, full-time, exempt, and remote position, joining Blue Sky Funders Forum’s existing team of two full-time employees. Please find the job announcement attached or linked here.
The Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum is hiring a Senior Community Engagement Specialist full-time (35-hours per week) position.
Several new positions--hourly and salaried-at Friends of the Forest Preserves
Chief Sustainability Officer, Village of Oak Park
Continuing
Active Transport Alliance is hiring a Managing Director of Operations
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 Friends of the Forest Preserves is looking to fill its Adult Conservation Corps position in the Palos area. 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, Executive Director, job posting #54517--posting will be open until filled
Mano y Mano is hiring Community Health Workers and other positions.
Nearby Nature Milwaukee is looking for its first Executive Director.
Several positions open at the Public Health Institute of Metro Chicago.
Arborist Registered Apprenticeship at Openlands -- a three-year training program, working alongside industry professionals and gaining hands-on experience, training, and skills in arboriculture.
Community Outreach Coordinator and Adventure Sports Coordinator 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!
Blue Sky Funders Forum is seeking a Communications Manager to lead and implement our general communications initiatives, strengthen Blue Sky’s voice and presence, and spearhead the next phase of Rethink Outside™, a shared narrative campaign that reframes meaningful connections to the outdoors as a human right.
The Communications Manager role is a new, full-time, exempt, and remote position, joining Blue Sky Funders Forum’s existing team of two full-time employees. Please find the job announcement attached or linked here.
The Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum is hiring a Senior Community Engagement Specialist full-time (35-hours per week) position.
Several new positions--hourly and salaried-at Friends of the Forest Preserves
Chief Sustainability Officer, Village of Oak Park
Continuing
Active Transport Alliance is hiring a Managing Director of Operations
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 Friends of the Forest Preserves is looking to fill its Adult Conservation Corps position in the Palos area. 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, Executive Director, job posting #54517--posting will be open until filled
Mano y Mano is hiring Community Health Workers and other positions.
Nearby Nature Milwaukee is looking for its first Executive Director.
Several positions open at the Public Health Institute of Metro Chicago.
Arborist Registered Apprenticeship at Openlands -- a three-year training program, working alongside industry professionals and gaining hands-on experience, training, and skills in arboriculture.
Community Outreach Coordinator and Adventure Sports Coordinator 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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61 Chicago Organizations Receive Development Grants
Last week Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that 61 local organizations would share about $30 million in grants as part of the Chicago Recovery Plan Grant Program. Federal funds of $338 million have been allocated to help businesses and nonprofits rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic; this set of grants focused on the areas of community development, small business and workforce support, transit equity projects, and community climate infrastructure investments. Several of the NCH2 community received grants from this round including Blacks in Green and Imani Works, part of Imani Village. A list of the finalists can be found here: Winter 2024 Development Grant Finalists (chicago.gov) |
Image, Laura Derks
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Image, Laura Derks
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National Science Foundation to Award Millions to Great Lakes Project
Writing in Northwestern Now, Amanda Morris broke the good news that “The Great Lakes Water Innovation Engine (or ReNEW), for which Northwestern University serves as a core partner, will receive $15 million for two years and up to $160 million over 10 years.” Target areas of the award are developing and deploying technology to attract “water-intensive” manufacturers to the Great Lakes region, recovering energy and mineral resources from wastewater, and fostering workplace opportunities. She wrote, "The award will fund research to discover, develop and deploy innovative key technology to attract water-intensive manufacturers to the region, recover valuable energy and mineral resources from wastewater, and foster workplace opportunities — all while maintaining environmental health." About 40 million people depend on the Great Lakes for clean water. Read more here. |
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Ozinga Mine Could Undermine This Southeast Chicago Neighborhood
In an opinion piece in the Chicago Sun-Times on Jan. 31, environmental organizer Oscar Sanchez wrote of a proposal to change Chicago zoning laws to allow an underground project (6 million square feet below ground) near a residential neighborhood. Were it to pass, the law would allow Ozinga to extract limestone from an area where Republic Steel once operated a plant. The project, Invert, would be located across the street from George Washington High School and “could be one of the most dangerous projects proposed for our community..." There are already 200 “dirty industrial sites” in that community, he wrote. Such a proposal for Lincoln Park would be laughed off the agenda,“It’s time we stop seeing the Southeast Side as a sacrifice zone for industry and advocate for a cumulative impact ordinance. Such an ordinance would consider the combined effects of multiple industrial facilities, ensuring that communities like the Southeast Side are not unfairly burdened by pollution and health risks. It’s a crucial step toward achieving environmental justice.” Read the full op-ed. |
Image, NRDC; SETF website
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Image, Laura Derks
Looking at How Trees Promote Health
A recent article in the Washington Post spotlighted the work of Aruni Bhatnagar, M.D., a medical professor at the University of Louisville. Wishing to help address the perennially poor air quality in Louisville, he decided to look for the connection between trees and better heart health using the gold standard for evidence: clinical trials.
A Jan. 29 article by Bishop Sand described how Dr. Bhatnagar and his team/organization, called Greenheart, will look at “nearly 8,000 trees and shrubs in southern Louisville and health data from about 500 residents.”
Among the hypotheses Green Heart is testing, Mr. Sands wrote, are whether trees filter air pollution that can stiffen human arteries, whether trees reduce stress and improve sleep by buffering noise and whether trees release a suite of chemicals into the air that reduce blood pressure and stress. Read more about this possible and positive connection between trees and people.
A recent article in the Washington Post spotlighted the work of Aruni Bhatnagar, M.D., a medical professor at the University of Louisville. Wishing to help address the perennially poor air quality in Louisville, he decided to look for the connection between trees and better heart health using the gold standard for evidence: clinical trials.
A Jan. 29 article by Bishop Sand described how Dr. Bhatnagar and his team/organization, called Greenheart, will look at “nearly 8,000 trees and shrubs in southern Louisville and health data from about 500 residents.”
Among the hypotheses Green Heart is testing, Mr. Sands wrote, are whether trees filter air pollution that can stiffen human arteries, whether trees reduce stress and improve sleep by buffering noise and whether trees release a suite of chemicals into the air that reduce blood pressure and stress. Read more about this possible and positive connection between trees and people.
Image, Laura Derks
Outdoor Therapy Attracts Therapists and Younger Clients
Outdoor therapy, combining traditional talk therapy with nature and movement, is a branch of ecotherapy that is becoming more popular among counselors and clients. In the New York Times this week, an article by Christina Caron, with contribution from Rosem Morton, reported that some therapists said this combination “can help clients feel more open, find new perspectives and express their feelings, all while helping them connect with the outside world.”
The article, “Therapists Trade the Couch for the Great Outdoors” noted that mental health professionals take to the outdoors with their clients do so “in an effort to help them connect with the Earth, and with themselves.” Interviews with practitioners and clients touted the benefits of outdoor therapy. There are also cautions about using ecotherapy as a form of psychotherapy. The article quotes Dr. Petros Levounis, the president of the American Psychiatric Association, saying “he would feel a bit ‘skeptical’ about taking a patient to the park.” Yet he noted that several studies have shown the positive effects nature can have on mental health. Read more here.
Outdoor therapy, combining traditional talk therapy with nature and movement, is a branch of ecotherapy that is becoming more popular among counselors and clients. In the New York Times this week, an article by Christina Caron, with contribution from Rosem Morton, reported that some therapists said this combination “can help clients feel more open, find new perspectives and express their feelings, all while helping them connect with the outside world.”
The article, “Therapists Trade the Couch for the Great Outdoors” noted that mental health professionals take to the outdoors with their clients do so “in an effort to help them connect with the Earth, and with themselves.” Interviews with practitioners and clients touted the benefits of outdoor therapy. There are also cautions about using ecotherapy as a form of psychotherapy. The article quotes Dr. Petros Levounis, the president of the American Psychiatric Association, saying “he would feel a bit ‘skeptical’ about taking a patient to the park.” Yet he noted that several studies have shown the positive effects nature can have on mental health. Read more here.
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].