Newsletter from Thursday, January 20th, 2022
Dear NCH2 Community,
We hope you and your families are staying safe and warm. Please submit materials for the next newsletter by Feb. 2nd, 2022 so we can make sure to include them. Submit items by emailing [email protected].
This week's newsletter includes news on NCH2's grant award, upcoming local events, information about the Environmental Education Association of Illinois 50th Annual Conference, job, grant, and volunteer opportunities, a journal solicitation, and links to articles in the research literature and popular press.
This week's newsletter includes news on NCH2's grant award, upcoming local events, information about the Environmental Education Association of Illinois 50th Annual Conference, job, grant, and volunteer opportunities, a journal solicitation, and links to articles in the research literature and popular press.
NCH2 Receives Grant from the Walder Foundation’s Resilient by Nature Project (RxN)
NCH2 has been awarded funding from the Walder Foundation for the project titled “Nature, Culture, and Human Health (NCH2): Catalyzing Nature-based Solutions for Human and Public Health” (Health and Nature Catalyst, for short). A list of all projects funded can be found at this link. Building on the concept of the “Triple Aim” from the health care literature, the funding will support creation of strategic partnerships and projects that guide improvement in equity, the environment, and public health simultaneously to evoke systematic change based on nature-based solutions as articulated by the Walder Foundation’s Resilient by Nature Project. The Triple Aim concept emphasizes balanced change in three dimensions simultaneously to result in the attainment of increased resilience (Figure 1).
Stay tuned for additional announcements as we roll out new programming that will be supported by this award. Programming will engage stakeholders in a “research incubator” to co-educate partners from different backgrounds in the language and culture of each community. We will also convene workshops to determine the evidence needs of diverse stakeholders for the effectiveness of Nature-based solutions needed to make policy decisions. The purpose of these focus groups will be to identify and prioritize projects that build on the Triple Aim framework leading to the release of a request for proposals that fund the development of cross-sector partnerships and pilot projects.
NCH2 thanks the Walder Foundation for their support and looks forward to working with them to advance the goals of the RxN Project.
Stay tuned for additional announcements as we roll out new programming that will be supported by this award. Programming will engage stakeholders in a “research incubator” to co-educate partners from different backgrounds in the language and culture of each community. We will also convene workshops to determine the evidence needs of diverse stakeholders for the effectiveness of Nature-based solutions needed to make policy decisions. The purpose of these focus groups will be to identify and prioritize projects that build on the Triple Aim framework leading to the release of a request for proposals that fund the development of cross-sector partnerships and pilot projects.
NCH2 thanks the Walder Foundation for their support and looks forward to working with them to advance the goals of the RxN Project.
Local Events
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods: 7th Annual Exhibition - Enriching Life
Date & Time: Virtual Opening January 20th 7-8pm
Exhibition Open: January 9 - April 24, 2022
Location: Virtual Opening: Via Zoom
Exhibition: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
21850 N. Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015
Description: Join Heeyoung Kim, internationally renowned artist, and Brushwood Center’s botanical artists for the opening of Enriching Life, a culminating exhibition of their stunning work throughout the year. With both an online exhibition and dozens of pieces gracing the Brushwood Center gallery, you won’t want to miss this extraordinary display of talent and celebration of nature and art. Heeyoung leads the Heeyoung Kim Botanical Art Academy at Brushwood Center, and her work is known all over the world. Registration required for Virtual Opening.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo Credit: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
Date & Time: Virtual Opening January 20th 7-8pm
Exhibition Open: January 9 - April 24, 2022
Location: Virtual Opening: Via Zoom
Exhibition: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
21850 N. Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015
Description: Join Heeyoung Kim, internationally renowned artist, and Brushwood Center’s botanical artists for the opening of Enriching Life, a culminating exhibition of their stunning work throughout the year. With both an online exhibition and dozens of pieces gracing the Brushwood Center gallery, you won’t want to miss this extraordinary display of talent and celebration of nature and art. Heeyoung leads the Heeyoung Kim Botanical Art Academy at Brushwood Center, and her work is known all over the world. Registration required for Virtual Opening.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo Credit: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
Forest Preserves of Cook County: Feeder Watch
Date: Sat, Jan 22nd
Time: 10am
Location: Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
12545 West 111th St
Lemont, IL 60439
Description: What birds are visiting the feeding station? Watch the feeders while learning how to identify resident birds and winter migrants. This program will only take place if Sagawau’s ski trails are closed. Call 630-257-2045 or visit Sagawau’s Facebook page for ski trail status. Registration Required: 630-257-2045
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo by Thomas Shockey from Pexels
Date: Sat, Jan 22nd
Time: 10am
Location: Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
12545 West 111th St
Lemont, IL 60439
Description: What birds are visiting the feeding station? Watch the feeders while learning how to identify resident birds and winter migrants. This program will only take place if Sagawau’s ski trails are closed. Call 630-257-2045 or visit Sagawau’s Facebook page for ski trail status. Registration Required: 630-257-2045
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo by Thomas Shockey from Pexels
Forest Preserves of Cook County: Winter's Wild Walk
Date: Sun, Jan 23rd
Time: 1pm
Location: River Trail Nature Center
3120 Milwaukee Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
Description: Learn about our wildlife in winter while on a guided walk. The program will start at 1 pm and use snowshoes if there is a 4″ base of snow. The program will start at 1:30 pm if there isn’t enough snow. Call 847-824-8360 for snow conditions and program start time. Limited number of snowshoes available, registration required to reserve snowshoes: call River Trail at 847-824-8360.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo by Ivars from Pexels
Date: Sun, Jan 23rd
Time: 1pm
Location: River Trail Nature Center
3120 Milwaukee Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
Description: Learn about our wildlife in winter while on a guided walk. The program will start at 1 pm and use snowshoes if there is a 4″ base of snow. The program will start at 1:30 pm if there isn’t enough snow. Call 847-824-8360 for snow conditions and program start time. Limited number of snowshoes available, registration required to reserve snowshoes: call River Trail at 847-824-8360.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo by Ivars from Pexels
Forest Preserves of Cook County: Native Landscape Design Workshop Series
Date: Wed, Jan 26th
Time: 6 - 8pm
Location: Via Zoom
Description: Join University of Illinois Extension for a two-part workshop series. Part I (Jan 26th) is an introduction to landscape design focusing on incorporating native plants. Part II consists of breakout rooms in which staff and volunteers will coach individuals on their specific landscape conditions and layout. Participants will be able to choose one of two Part II dates: February 9 from 6 to 8 pm or February 16 from 6 to 8 pm. Workshop series is free, but registration is required, and space is limited. Register at https://go.illinois.edu/nativedesign.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo Credit: Forest Preserves of Cook County
Date: Wed, Jan 26th
Time: 6 - 8pm
Location: Via Zoom
Description: Join University of Illinois Extension for a two-part workshop series. Part I (Jan 26th) is an introduction to landscape design focusing on incorporating native plants. Part II consists of breakout rooms in which staff and volunteers will coach individuals on their specific landscape conditions and layout. Participants will be able to choose one of two Part II dates: February 9 from 6 to 8 pm or February 16 from 6 to 8 pm. Workshop series is free, but registration is required, and space is limited. Register at https://go.illinois.edu/nativedesign.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo Credit: Forest Preserves of Cook County
Chicago Botanic Garden: BIPOC in Science and Nature Books
Date: Sat, Jan 29th
Time: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Chicago Botanic Gardens, Classroom 8, Learning Center
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL 60022
Description: Cozy up to some good books as we explore culturally inclusive science and nature picture books. We will sample a variety of fiction and nonfiction science books depicting people of color and pair these books with science activities to investigate patterns in nature, ecosystems, plants and animals, and environmental justice. Registration required and fee of $36.00 for Members and $45.00 for Non Members.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo Credit: Chicago Botanic Garden
Date: Sat, Jan 29th
Time: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Chicago Botanic Gardens, Classroom 8, Learning Center
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL 60022
Description: Cozy up to some good books as we explore culturally inclusive science and nature picture books. We will sample a variety of fiction and nonfiction science books depicting people of color and pair these books with science activities to investigate patterns in nature, ecosystems, plants and animals, and environmental justice. Registration required and fee of $36.00 for Members and $45.00 for Non Members.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo Credit: Chicago Botanic Garden
Environmental Education Association of Illinois 50th Annual Conference
The Environmental Education Association of Illinois is excited to announce our 50th Anniversary Annual Conference will be held on April 8th and 9th at Hoover Forest Preserve in Yorkville, Illinois. This annual event has provided professional development for thousands of Illinois educators over the course of those 50 years, impacting millions of students. This year will be no different, with an excellent keynote, dozens of current sessions, workshop and field experiences there will be extensive learning opportunities for IL educators and organizations.
This event will also be in partnership with IL Green Alliance and the IL Green Ribbon School Program bringing together educators and administrators focused on advancing sustainability and green initiatives for their institutions. We are excited to learn more about their projects and help build partnerships between formal and non-formal organizations.
This year's theme of "Building Connections" is an excellent opportunity to really examine and demonstrate the wide variety of fields that are involved with environmental literacy, environmental health, and the protection of our natural spaces. We would be honored if you would consider taking a look at the information below and joining the event in some way.
Become an EEAI Annual Conference Sponsor!
Connect with participants through an Exhibit Booth!
Share an innovative project or resource with participants through a Presentation!
Support the advancement of environmental literacy through a donation to our auction!
Find all the conference details and registration links at the Annual Conference website!
The Environmental Education Association of Illinois is excited to announce our 50th Anniversary Annual Conference will be held on April 8th and 9th at Hoover Forest Preserve in Yorkville, Illinois. This annual event has provided professional development for thousands of Illinois educators over the course of those 50 years, impacting millions of students. This year will be no different, with an excellent keynote, dozens of current sessions, workshop and field experiences there will be extensive learning opportunities for IL educators and organizations.
This event will also be in partnership with IL Green Alliance and the IL Green Ribbon School Program bringing together educators and administrators focused on advancing sustainability and green initiatives for their institutions. We are excited to learn more about their projects and help build partnerships between formal and non-formal organizations.
This year's theme of "Building Connections" is an excellent opportunity to really examine and demonstrate the wide variety of fields that are involved with environmental literacy, environmental health, and the protection of our natural spaces. We would be honored if you would consider taking a look at the information below and joining the event in some way.
Become an EEAI Annual Conference Sponsor!
Connect with participants through an Exhibit Booth!
Share an innovative project or resource with participants through a Presentation!
Support the advancement of environmental literacy through a donation to our auction!
Find all the conference details and registration links at the Annual Conference website!
Job Opportunity
Chicago Park Department - Project Coordinator – Natural Areas.
Under supervision, assists with the development of policy and planning priorities. Assists with project planning and management. Creates project assessments including inventories, logs, list and more. Serves as a representative in project meetings. Assists site managers and with identifying operational inefficiencies and opportunities including ways to implement improvement plans. All of this work will happen within the context of our natural areas program, working mostly with our Natural Areas Manager and crews.
To learn more and apply, click here.
Under supervision, assists with the development of policy and planning priorities. Assists with project planning and management. Creates project assessments including inventories, logs, list and more. Serves as a representative in project meetings. Assists site managers and with identifying operational inefficiencies and opportunities including ways to implement improvement plans. All of this work will happen within the context of our natural areas program, working mostly with our Natural Areas Manager and crews.
To learn more and apply, click here.
Grant Opportunity
Burroughs Wellcome Fund Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants
Description: The Burroughs Wellcome Fund aims to stimulate the growth of new connections between scholars working in largely disconnected fields who might together change the course of climate change’s impact on human health.
Interests of the RFP:
Award Range: Over the next two years, the Fund will dedicate $1M to supporting small, early-stage grants of $2,500 - $50,000 toward achieving this goal.
Deadline: Rolling through August 30, 2023
To learn more and apply click here.
Burroughs Wellcome Fund Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants
Description: The Burroughs Wellcome Fund aims to stimulate the growth of new connections between scholars working in largely disconnected fields who might together change the course of climate change’s impact on human health.
Interests of the RFP:
- Linking basic/early biomedical science to climate-focused thinking
- Sustainability in health care systems, health care delivery outside institutions, and biomedical research
- Health impacts and health systems impacts of extreme weather events and other crises
- Outreach, communication and education around climate & human health
Award Range: Over the next two years, the Fund will dedicate $1M to supporting small, early-stage grants of $2,500 - $50,000 toward achieving this goal.
Deadline: Rolling through August 30, 2023
To learn more and apply click here.
Volunteer Opportunity
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Forest Preserves of Cook County’s: Volunteer Opportunities
With nearly 70,000 acres of woodlands, prairies and wetlands provide endless, year-round opportunities to get outside, get exercise and make a meaningful difference in your community. No matter if you’re deeply familiar with your local preserve or want to start getting out in nature, we have a volunteer opportunity for you or your group. Everyone is welcome in the Forest Preserves! For more information, consider signing up for the FPDCC newsletter here. Photo Credit: Forest Preserves of Cook County |
IJERPH Special Issue: Consider Submitting your Research Papers
The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is preparing a Special Issue titled “Evidence for the Salutary Effects of Nature-based Interventions for Clinical and Public Health Practice” for publication in November 2022. This Special Issue solicits reports of studies that use empirical methods or provide other high-quality evidence that tests hypotheses about nature-based interventions and their impact on health outcomes. The purpose of this Special Issue is to facilitate the transfer of information from basic researchers to practitioners who wish to incorporate NBIs into their practice to improve the health outcomes of individuals and populations.
This Special Issue serves as a second edition of “Evidence for Incorporating Green Exercise into Clinical and Public Health Practice” published in 2019. Since 2019, scientific evidence supporting the salutary role of nature to humans has increased and become increasingly rich in discussions of who benefits and under what conditions; evidence that has only increased in the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence indicates that salutary effects of access to nature can be gained through both passive and active engagement, but that not everyone benefits equally. Additionally, salutary effects can be derived not only from highly vegetated “green” spaces, but also from areas dominated by water bodies (blue spaces), or primarily geological features (e.g., deserts which are increasingly referred to as “red spaces”). Thus, the title of the second edition has been modified to reflect a more inclusive view of nature, equity of access, and the variety of nature-based interventions (NBI) and their impact on health outcomes.
For more information go to this link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/special_issues/salutary_effects
This Special Issue serves as a second edition of “Evidence for Incorporating Green Exercise into Clinical and Public Health Practice” published in 2019. Since 2019, scientific evidence supporting the salutary role of nature to humans has increased and become increasingly rich in discussions of who benefits and under what conditions; evidence that has only increased in the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence indicates that salutary effects of access to nature can be gained through both passive and active engagement, but that not everyone benefits equally. Additionally, salutary effects can be derived not only from highly vegetated “green” spaces, but also from areas dominated by water bodies (blue spaces), or primarily geological features (e.g., deserts which are increasingly referred to as “red spaces”). Thus, the title of the second edition has been modified to reflect a more inclusive view of nature, equity of access, and the variety of nature-based interventions (NBI) and their impact on health outcomes.
For more information go to this link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/special_issues/salutary_effects
Have data? Need Analysis?
Data science students and experts from multiple Chicago-area universities have joined forces to offer assistance with statistical analysis and interpretation of data to aid non-profit organizations transform their data into actionable knowledge, and much more. To find out more, please visit The Metropolitan Chicago Data-science corps website at https://sites.northwestern.edu/mcdc/.
In the News
Overview: Clues in Snow - Animal Tracks
Aside from the easily recognizable tracks of boots and snowshoes, prints in the snow offer clues to what’s up with birds and animals in winter.
Susan Morse compiled photos of animal tracks and wing imprints in snowy areas across the country for the federal Fish and Wildlife Service. The snow, she wrote in February 2019, “tells secrets about the natural world,” even when the animals remain out of sight. A close look at these tracks can “reveal clues to an animal’s size, diet, gait and habits. Some prints even tell stories of resourcefulness and struggle,” she wrote.
The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls, Minn., provides some common tracking terms:
Trail: a path or the series of track patterns
Straddle: the total width of the trail, all tracks included
Register: when a back foot lands in the print of a front foot
Dragline: a print left by a foot or tail dragging over the surface
Read more: Winter wildlife tracking. Snow Tracks | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (fws.gov)
Photo: A wide and even downhill trough in the snow is the mark of a playful otter at Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois and Missouri. (USFWS)
Aside from the easily recognizable tracks of boots and snowshoes, prints in the snow offer clues to what’s up with birds and animals in winter.
Susan Morse compiled photos of animal tracks and wing imprints in snowy areas across the country for the federal Fish and Wildlife Service. The snow, she wrote in February 2019, “tells secrets about the natural world,” even when the animals remain out of sight. A close look at these tracks can “reveal clues to an animal’s size, diet, gait and habits. Some prints even tell stories of resourcefulness and struggle,” she wrote.
The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls, Minn., provides some common tracking terms:
Trail: a path or the series of track patterns
Straddle: the total width of the trail, all tracks included
Register: when a back foot lands in the print of a front foot
Dragline: a print left by a foot or tail dragging over the surface
Read more: Winter wildlife tracking. Snow Tracks | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (fws.gov)
Photo: A wide and even downhill trough in the snow is the mark of a playful otter at Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois and Missouri. (USFWS)
Overview: Panic and Fear From Even the Threat of Snow
An article written by Lisa Fritscher and medically reviewed by David Susman, Ph.D., describes chionophobia, an intense fear of snow– not just a dislike or rational fear of severe weather – but a strong fear of bodily harm. Chionophobics fear becoming snowbound or being stranded in snow.
The article describes some of the physiological symptoms of chionophobia, which can be brough on by even a forecast of snow or a winter storm.
Many environmental phobias involve fears about weather – of severe weather, injury, cold, and illness.
Read more: Understanding Chionophobia or the Fear of Snow (verywellmind.com)
Photo by Adam Lukac from Pexels
An article written by Lisa Fritscher and medically reviewed by David Susman, Ph.D., describes chionophobia, an intense fear of snow– not just a dislike or rational fear of severe weather – but a strong fear of bodily harm. Chionophobics fear becoming snowbound or being stranded in snow.
The article describes some of the physiological symptoms of chionophobia, which can be brough on by even a forecast of snow or a winter storm.
Many environmental phobias involve fears about weather – of severe weather, injury, cold, and illness.
Read more: Understanding Chionophobia or the Fear of Snow (verywellmind.com)
Photo by Adam Lukac from Pexels
Overview: Celebrating Winter at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
With enough layers and determination – and windchills above zero – nature-lovers will find the stillness and beauty of winter in the Chicago Botanic Gardens. In the Dwarf Conifer Garden, “prostrate, ground-hugging conifers as well as the tall cascading evergreens make the most of the protective quality of snow, and create secret caves where birds and wildlife can weather the storms.” Visitors may hear the calls of chickadees, juncos, goldfinches, woodpeckers, and nuthatches as they forage for food or see owls and hawks in search of prey.
Read more: www.chicagobotanic.org/walk/winter
Photo: Chicago Botanic Garden