Newsletter from Tuesday, January 10th, 2023
Dear NCH2 Community,
Welcoming 2023, Exciting Happenings for the NCH2 Network!
Are you and your organization or program interested in applying for a planning grant that will improve your community’s health, support your local eco-neighborhood, and mend inequities in access to nature? Last week NCH2 opened its inaugural Catalyst Seed Grant RFP in both English and Spanish on our website. Important to note--these grants are:
--Small ($2,500-5,000) planning grants that will cover costs associated with planning and developing a project.
--Based in the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area
--Community-based and include one nonprofit organization that will serve as the administrator of the grant. Community "partners" can be individuals, organizations, public agencies (like a park district, forest preserves, departments of public health).
--Follow the Triple Aim Values introduced and highlighted on our website.
Want to know more? We are hosting our first webinar next Wednesday January 11th at 10:00 a.m. Mike Mencarini, Community Planner with the National Park Service will introduce their project facilitation services, application for them and timeline. Please Register on Eventbrite OR email [email protected] with any questions or if you want to learn more.
Please forward this opportunity to any organization in the Chicago Metro Area you think might be interested.
The NCH2 Team
Are you and your organization or program interested in applying for a planning grant that will improve your community’s health, support your local eco-neighborhood, and mend inequities in access to nature? Last week NCH2 opened its inaugural Catalyst Seed Grant RFP in both English and Spanish on our website. Important to note--these grants are:
--Small ($2,500-5,000) planning grants that will cover costs associated with planning and developing a project.
--Based in the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area
--Community-based and include one nonprofit organization that will serve as the administrator of the grant. Community "partners" can be individuals, organizations, public agencies (like a park district, forest preserves, departments of public health).
--Follow the Triple Aim Values introduced and highlighted on our website.
Want to know more? We are hosting our first webinar next Wednesday January 11th at 10:00 a.m. Mike Mencarini, Community Planner with the National Park Service will introduce their project facilitation services, application for them and timeline. Please Register on Eventbrite OR email [email protected] with any questions or if you want to learn more.
Please forward this opportunity to any organization in the Chicago Metro Area you think might be interested.
The NCH2 Team
Upcoming Events
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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. |
Photo by jonas mohamadi
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Photo by Friends of the Forest Preserves
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Trail Watch: New Volunteer Training
Date: January 15th, 2023 Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am Location: Sagawau Environmental Learning Center Be a part of our rapidly-growing community of Trail Watch Volunteers. Attending a Trail Watch New Volunteer Training session is required to be a Trail Watch Volunteer. Learn about the program, meet Police and Volunteer Resource Staff and socialize with fellow volunteers. Sign up here! |
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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. Each market day will be held on Saturdays from 8am to 12pm. Park in the McCormick parking lot and head on over. Winter Dates! January 14th, 8am-12pm January 28th, 8am-12pm February 11th, 8am-12pm February 25th, 8am-12pm Click here for more information. |
Photo by City of Evanston
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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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The Calling Frog Survey: Frog Monitor Training
Date: February 2nd, 4th, 8th, & 11th, 2023
Location: Virtual
In the 1960’s, the cricket frog was the most common amphibian in Illinois. Today, it has nearly disappeared from the northern third of Illinois, for unexplained reasons. By monitoring amphibian populations in the Chicago region, we will be able to detect population changes before it is too late as well as assess the effects of management regimes on amphibians. In 2000, Chicago Wilderness initiated a calling frog survey as part of its amphibian biodiversity recovery plan. In 2014, the Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum became home to the Calling Frog Survey. Educated volunteers collect and submit data each spring. Apply and attend a training workshop to begin volunteering as a frog monitor!
Learn more here.
Date: February 2nd, 4th, 8th, & 11th, 2023
Location: Virtual
In the 1960’s, the cricket frog was the most common amphibian in Illinois. Today, it has nearly disappeared from the northern third of Illinois, for unexplained reasons. By monitoring amphibian populations in the Chicago region, we will be able to detect population changes before it is too late as well as assess the effects of management regimes on amphibians. In 2000, Chicago Wilderness initiated a calling frog survey as part of its amphibian biodiversity recovery plan. In 2014, the Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum became home to the Calling Frog Survey. Educated volunteers collect and submit data each spring. Apply and attend a training workshop to begin volunteering as a frog monitor!
Learn more here.
Job Opportunities
Cool Learning Experience is looking for a Deputy Director. 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 to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Dupage Forest Preserves is looking to hire a Project planner. 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!
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 to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Dupage Forest Preserves is looking to hire a Project planner. 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 Julia Larson
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Cold Weather Exercise
Exercising outside in fairly cold weather has its benefits, according to two recent articles. Amanda Schmidt, AccuWeather staff writer, and Nicole Clancy of Real Simple. Being outside in cold weather adds a dose of sunshine (when it’s available). Preparation for outdoor exercise is key: Wear layers, warm up first, apply sunscreen and keep hydrated. Watch out for frostbite and for sweating too much; let someone know your plans; and if you have medical conditions, check first with your doctor. And if there is severe wind chill, stay in. Read more here and here. |
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Ice Skating
With extreme cold followed by rain and 40-degree weather, it is not always easy for find places for ice skating. Here are some suggestions: Wrigley Field: the 12,000-square-foot rink will be tucked neatly in the right field through Jan. 8. Access to the rink and skate rentals is $20; $12 for those with their own skates. Outdoor Skating in Evanston: Arrington Lagoon in Dawes Park, Sheridan Rd. at Church St. Baker Park, Forest Ave. at Keeney St. Ackerman Park, Central St. at McDaniel Ave. Foster Park, Simpson St. at Dewey Ave. General Information: Outdoor ice has imperfections and the condition of the ice can change quickly due to temperature changes, snowfall, etc. Please check the condition of the ice before you skate to make sure conditions are safe. The City of Evanston is now using Rainout Line to keep residents informed when the outdoor ice rinks are open or closed. Sign-up for Text/email alerts for any/all of the outdoor ice rinks or download the free "Rainout Line" mobile app for iPhone or Android and search "Evanston Parks & Recreation." In addition, Ridgeville Park District has a free outdoor ice rink open to the public at Kamen Park East, located at South Blvd. and Barton Ave. |
Photo by Gantas Vaičiulėnas
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Photo by Julia Zolotova
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Winter Seeds for Summer Plant
The Penn State Extension offers tips to planting seeds in cold weather: Winter sowing is the process of planting seeds outdoors in a container during the winter months. The container remains outdoors until the seedlings emerge in the spring. The container protects the seeds from animals and harsh weather, but the exposure to colder temperatures breaks dormancy and the seeds germinate. The container also provides an ideal environment for germination in the spring. Winter sowing is ideal for some annuals, perennials, and wildflowers. Read more here. |
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The Surprising Health Benefits of Bird-Watching
Bird Watching is not only an educational hobby, but connects you to nature and helps you get your steps in! Birds are “accessible and equitable, because they’re everywhere in every habitat,” said Holly Merker, a guide for the National Audubon Society. Bird-watching is simple: All you really need is a quiet place and a single bird. But for most people, it’s more fun with two simple tools — a field guide and binoculars — and a rough idea of where to go. Read more here. |
Photo by The New York Times
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Nearly Every Country Signs On to a Sweeping Deal to Protect Nature
Roughly 190 countries early on Monday approved a sweeping United Nations agreement to protect 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030 and to take a slew of other measures against biodiversity loss, a mounting under-the-radar crisis that, if left unchecked, jeopardizes the planet’s food and water supplies as well as the existence of untold species around the world. Read more here.
Roughly 190 countries early on Monday approved a sweeping United Nations agreement to protect 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030 and to take a slew of other measures against biodiversity loss, a mounting under-the-radar crisis that, if left unchecked, jeopardizes the planet’s food and water supplies as well as the existence of untold species around the world. 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] 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].