Newsletter from Thursday, July 22nd, 2021
Dear NCH2 Community,
We hope you and your families are staying safe and well. Please submit materials for the next newsletter by Aug 4th, 2021 so we can make sure to include them. Submit items by emailing NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com.
This week's newsletter includes a blog post written by students on current research, upcoming events, job openings in the local areas, and links to articles in the research literature and popular press.
This week's newsletter includes a blog post written by students on current research, upcoming events, job openings in the local areas, and links to articles in the research literature and popular press.
Students Reading Recent Research
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This past quarter the Horton Research Group has started having students read current research papers and present the findings and methods to lab meetings, including creating a blog post about the papers to make them more accessible to those who may not have the time or resources to read the entire papers in their free time. We invite others who might want to try their hand at blogging to submit potential posts. Submit items of 500 words or less to NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com. Our first blog post is written by Peyton Meyer.
Blog Post Teaser: An Abundance of Nature and Free Time: The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Effects on Human-Nature Interactions & Potential Policy Applications Amid stay-at-home orders and social distancing, human-nature interactions saw significant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2021, Soga et al. published “Impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on human–nature interactions: Pathways, evidence and implications” in the journal People and Nature (Soga et al., 2021). The authors propose a conceptual framework describing the pathways by which COVID-19 may affect human-nature interactions and resulting feedback loops. The authors emphasize that effective policies should minimize human-nature interactions with negative consequences, and maximize those with positive consequences, to benefit individuals’ health, safety, and motivation to get outdoors. To read the full blog post by Peyton click here. Source Article: Soga, M., M. J. Evans, D. T. C. Cox and K. J. Gaston (2021). "Impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on human–nature interactions: Pathways, evidence and implications." People and Nature. https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/pan3.10201 |
About Peyton Meyer
Growing up just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, Peyton Meyer (he/him) is an undergraduate student at Yale University, with interests in psychology, mental health advocacy, and environmentalism. As an avid cross country skier, and having served as garden chair in his hometown's community garden, Peyton has seen firsthand the unique effects that nature can have on the mind, a driving factor behind his participation in nature-based intervention research over the past year. |
Upcoming Events
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Take a Hike Challenge
Date: Sept. 1 to Oct. 27 Description: This fall, we invite you to join the Healthy Driven Take a Hike! Challenge. For eight weeks, from Sept. 1 to Oct. 27, rediscover the healthy benefits of being active and spending time outdoors. It’s a great opportunity for all ages — from kids to seniors — to exercise in the fresh air and learn cool stuff about nature while bonding with family and friends. We are partnering with local community sponsors to bring you hiking insights and expertise, special programming and ideas to Elevate Your Hike each week! The Take a Hike! Tracker can be printed or picked up at one of our sponsor locations. When you complete and track 6 hikes during the 8-week Challenge period, you’ll earn the Take a Hike! Trail Blaze Award. For more information, a Take a Hike! Tracker, and registration click here. |
2021 SHIFT Summit: Ensuring Access to Nature – For Human Health and the Environment
Date: October 18-20, 2021
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Description: The SHIFT Summit is a national gathering of hundreds of land managers, researchers, funders, educators, retailers, and conservationists, along with outdoor recreation, health, military, and nature therapy professionals who share experiences, evidence, and ideas for better linking of both humans and nature. The Summit is based on sound science combined with experiential, health, stewardship, and land management aspects to balance equitable reciprocity and access to the places, flora, and fauna that we all need to exist and thrive. SHIFT Awards will also be presented for organizations and individuals who are excelling in our collective work. The Summit will include a variety of research, practice, and experiential aspects, including workshops, lightning talks, panel discussions, nature and forest therapy practices, and plenty of opportunities for active outdoor recreation so we can deepen our connections to place and story.
For more information and registration, click here.
Date: October 18-20, 2021
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Description: The SHIFT Summit is a national gathering of hundreds of land managers, researchers, funders, educators, retailers, and conservationists, along with outdoor recreation, health, military, and nature therapy professionals who share experiences, evidence, and ideas for better linking of both humans and nature. The Summit is based on sound science combined with experiential, health, stewardship, and land management aspects to balance equitable reciprocity and access to the places, flora, and fauna that we all need to exist and thrive. SHIFT Awards will also be presented for organizations and individuals who are excelling in our collective work. The Summit will include a variety of research, practice, and experiential aspects, including workshops, lightning talks, panel discussions, nature and forest therapy practices, and plenty of opportunities for active outdoor recreation so we can deepen our connections to place and story.
For more information and registration, click here.
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Chicago Park District: Astronomy in the Parks at Park No. 579 (Ridgeway Trailhead)
Date: Fri, Jul 23, 2021 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Location: Bloomingdale Trail Park (Park No. 572) 1600-3750 W. Bloomingdale Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 Description: Join us at the Exelon Observatory on the Bloomingdale Trail, 1800 N. Ridgeway Ave, as the Chicago Astronomer (Joe Guzman) and enthusiastic astro crew connects park visitors of all ages and cultures with the cosmos via telescopic viewing, instruction and guidance across urban skies. In accordance with Be Safe Chicago Guidelines for Parks and Recreation Activities, participants in this activity will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing at all times while participating. Patrons who are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to stay home and join us for an event when symptoms subside. For more information, click here. |
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Forest Preserves of Cook County Summer Hike
Date: Sat, Jul 24, 2021 Time: 10am Location: Sagawau Environmental Learning Center 12545 West 111th St. Lemont, IL 60439 Description: Enjoy a morning hike with a naturalist.Unvaccinated visitors must wear a mask indoors at all times; and they must wear a mask outdoors when physical distancing (six feet from other people) is not possible. REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Call Sagawau at 630-257-2045. For more information, click here. |
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Smith Nature Symposium Collaborative Conversations: Anti-Racism & the Environment
Date: July 29th 2021
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: via Zoom
Description: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods believes in the power of nature and art to heal and nourish communities. However, natural areas, parks and preserves are often not safe or accessible places for BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) communities, due to over-policing, racial profiling within green spaces, institutional bias, and other systemic injustices.
Join this six-part virtual workshop series, hosted via Zoom, exploring environmental inequity in Lake County and surrounding areas through connection, empathy, and anti-racist action. Our next session will discuss a podcast series by Connor Kennedy, created four years ago for Libertyville High School's student newspaper, Drops of Ink. This three-part series explores the history of redlining, white flight, and its impact on Lake County. You can listen to the episodes here.
We ask that all of our participants arrive open to learn and ready to listen. Anti-racism work asks us to go beyond what is convenient; it is a daily practice that must be cultivated carefully and intentionally
For more information and registration, click here.
Date: July 29th 2021
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: via Zoom
Description: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods believes in the power of nature and art to heal and nourish communities. However, natural areas, parks and preserves are often not safe or accessible places for BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) communities, due to over-policing, racial profiling within green spaces, institutional bias, and other systemic injustices.
Join this six-part virtual workshop series, hosted via Zoom, exploring environmental inequity in Lake County and surrounding areas through connection, empathy, and anti-racist action. Our next session will discuss a podcast series by Connor Kennedy, created four years ago for Libertyville High School's student newspaper, Drops of Ink. This three-part series explores the history of redlining, white flight, and its impact on Lake County. You can listen to the episodes here.
We ask that all of our participants arrive open to learn and ready to listen. Anti-racism work asks us to go beyond what is convenient; it is a daily practice that must be cultivated carefully and intentionally
For more information and registration, click here.
Tuesday Morning Music at the Chicago Botanic Gardens - Arcomusical, Afro-Brazilian Berimbau Trio
Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
Location: McGinley Pavilion
Rain or shine. The concert will be moved indoors if there is inclement weather.
Description: Projeto Arcomusical is a world music trio reimagining the Afro-Brazilian berimbau through unique and powerful chamber music. The ensemble formed in 2013 specifically to interpret MeiaMeia, the composition cycle co-composed by ensemble co-founders Gregory Beyer and Alexis C. Lamb. Arcomusical released MeiaMeia as its first album in 2016 on Innova Recordings. That same year, Arcomusical received a Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grant that produced “Roda,” the kaleidoscopic, 20-minute, four-movement work by Elliot Cole. “Roda” is featured on Arcomusical’s second album, Spinning in the Wheel, which is now available on National Sawdust Tracks.The Garden View Café will be open for breakfast or lunch, and the Garden Grille will be open for lunch. This event is free and open to the public, regular parking fees apply. Chairs will be provided. There is no picnicking allowed at this event.
For more information, click here.
Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
Location: McGinley Pavilion
Rain or shine. The concert will be moved indoors if there is inclement weather.
Description: Projeto Arcomusical is a world music trio reimagining the Afro-Brazilian berimbau through unique and powerful chamber music. The ensemble formed in 2013 specifically to interpret MeiaMeia, the composition cycle co-composed by ensemble co-founders Gregory Beyer and Alexis C. Lamb. Arcomusical released MeiaMeia as its first album in 2016 on Innova Recordings. That same year, Arcomusical received a Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grant that produced “Roda,” the kaleidoscopic, 20-minute, four-movement work by Elliot Cole. “Roda” is featured on Arcomusical’s second album, Spinning in the Wheel, which is now available on National Sawdust Tracks.The Garden View Café will be open for breakfast or lunch, and the Garden Grille will be open for lunch. This event is free and open to the public, regular parking fees apply. Chairs will be provided. There is no picnicking allowed at this event.
For more information, click here.
Local Job Openings
Forest Preserves of Cook County is looking for more Conservation and Experiential Programming (CEP) Aides to work at our Nature Centers, with our Zone teams or our Outreach Team. Please pass on the attached job announcement link to anyone you think might be interested. This is a year round part time job. 29 hours/week $15.73 per hour. The position accrues some benefit time. More info and application here: https://cookcountyil.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=00125957&lang=en#.YPH0pwCmZlw.mailto
The Nature Conservancy, Trinity United Church of Christ, and a team of partners behind the Imani Green Health Advocates Program are recruiting paid, 12 week career training positions based out of Imani Village near 95th and Cottage Grove in Chicago. The Imani Green Health Advocates Program trains young people aged 18-25 in community health and urban forestry job skillsets, while engaging community members in conservation and health-promoting programs in Washington Heights, Cottage Grove Heights, Chatham, Pullman, West Pullman and adjacent areas. We are seeking candidates from South Side communities with interest and a strong learning and work ethic - no or limited experience is ok! More info and application here: https://bit.ly/3ALyAEJ. For more information contact Forrest Cortes forrest.cortes@TNC.ORG.
Forest Preserves of Cook County is looking for more Conservation and Experiential Programming (CEP) Aides to work at our Nature Centers, with our Zone teams or our Outreach Team. Please pass on the attached job announcement link to anyone you think might be interested. This is a year round part time job. 29 hours/week $15.73 per hour. The position accrues some benefit time. More info and application here: https://cookcountyil.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=00125957&lang=en#.YPH0pwCmZlw.mailto
The Nature Conservancy, Trinity United Church of Christ, and a team of partners behind the Imani Green Health Advocates Program are recruiting paid, 12 week career training positions based out of Imani Village near 95th and Cottage Grove in Chicago. The Imani Green Health Advocates Program trains young people aged 18-25 in community health and urban forestry job skillsets, while engaging community members in conservation and health-promoting programs in Washington Heights, Cottage Grove Heights, Chatham, Pullman, West Pullman and adjacent areas. We are seeking candidates from South Side communities with interest and a strong learning and work ethic - no or limited experience is ok! More info and application here: https://bit.ly/3ALyAEJ. For more information contact Forrest Cortes forrest.cortes@TNC.ORG.
Recent Research
Abstract: Health and environmental psychology have long been walking side by side. These two disciplines of psychology have imported and applied common psychological frameworks and each of them developed specific theories and methodologies. At a time when humankind faces tremendous challenges ahead (climate change, global warming, ocean sickness, the reemergence of infections pandemics), environmental health is more and more a crucial domain of research. Both environmental psychology and health psychology need to be engaged in environmental health issues in order to enhance planetary health. Environmental psychology traditional fields of research provide understanding about how natural or constructed environments impact human identity, attitudes, and behaviors (more recently, environmental psychology is also investing in determinants of pro-environmental behaviors). On the other hand, health psychology has an extensive comprehensive framework about how to promote healthy habits (i.e., automatically activated behaviors). We live in a global and extremely complex and interconnected world, which promotes syndemic phenomena (several interactive epidemics sharing common etiological factors), also resulting in accelerated depletion of natural resources. This current scenario might justify the development of an Environmental Health Psychology discipline, joining together tools from both environmental psychology and health psychology in a synergic and strategic way.
Citation: Santos, O., A. Virgolino, A. V. Carneiro and M. G. d. Matos (2021). "Health Behavior and Planetary Health." European Psychologist 26(3): 212-218. https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/abs/10.1027/1016-9040/a000437
Check out our Recent Research Page for more peer-reviewed articles of interest!
Happy reading!
Abstract: Health and environmental psychology have long been walking side by side. These two disciplines of psychology have imported and applied common psychological frameworks and each of them developed specific theories and methodologies. At a time when humankind faces tremendous challenges ahead (climate change, global warming, ocean sickness, the reemergence of infections pandemics), environmental health is more and more a crucial domain of research. Both environmental psychology and health psychology need to be engaged in environmental health issues in order to enhance planetary health. Environmental psychology traditional fields of research provide understanding about how natural or constructed environments impact human identity, attitudes, and behaviors (more recently, environmental psychology is also investing in determinants of pro-environmental behaviors). On the other hand, health psychology has an extensive comprehensive framework about how to promote healthy habits (i.e., automatically activated behaviors). We live in a global and extremely complex and interconnected world, which promotes syndemic phenomena (several interactive epidemics sharing common etiological factors), also resulting in accelerated depletion of natural resources. This current scenario might justify the development of an Environmental Health Psychology discipline, joining together tools from both environmental psychology and health psychology in a synergic and strategic way.
Citation: Santos, O., A. Virgolino, A. V. Carneiro and M. G. d. Matos (2021). "Health Behavior and Planetary Health." European Psychologist 26(3): 212-218. https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/abs/10.1027/1016-9040/a000437
Check out our Recent Research Page for more peer-reviewed articles of interest!
Happy reading!
In the News
Overview: This rolling stone article touches on how past research has made clear many physical and mental health benefits to engaging with nature in whatever way one can. The author, a wellness consultant, gives five ways to bring nature into one's everyday lives as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and people start to re-engage with the world. These tips are:
1. Meditate to nature’s music.
2. Take an ‘awe walk.’
3. Commit a small act of nature.
4. Explore architecturally intriguing structures and sites.
5. Green your workout routine.
To read more about the tips and benefits listed above click here.
Read more here: 5 Tips for Improving Health and Happiness by Basking in Nature. Bija Bennett. Rolling Stone. July 2021.
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture-council/articles/5-tips-for-improving-health-and-happiness-by-basking-in-nature-1194615/
Image: MaryCatalan — stock.adobe.com
Overview: This rolling stone article touches on how past research has made clear many physical and mental health benefits to engaging with nature in whatever way one can. The author, a wellness consultant, gives five ways to bring nature into one's everyday lives as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and people start to re-engage with the world. These tips are:
1. Meditate to nature’s music.
2. Take an ‘awe walk.’
3. Commit a small act of nature.
4. Explore architecturally intriguing structures and sites.
5. Green your workout routine.
To read more about the tips and benefits listed above click here.
Read more here: 5 Tips for Improving Health and Happiness by Basking in Nature. Bija Bennett. Rolling Stone. July 2021.
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture-council/articles/5-tips-for-improving-health-and-happiness-by-basking-in-nature-1194615/
Image: MaryCatalan — stock.adobe.com