Newsletter Tuesday, July 25th, 2023
Dear NCH2 Community,
In case you haven't noticed--we are in the "Dog Days of Summer," a historic Roman Empire phrase that reflects the constellations of summer. From July 3rd to August 11th, according to The Farmer's Almanac, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as the star Sirius, part of the Canis (dog) Major constellation and the brightest star visible from any part of the Earth. In the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the sun.
Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer 2023; stay hydrated; get outside when temps and air quality are safe; and check in on at-risk loved ones and neighbors when the mercury gets intense this week. The City of Chicago is planning to map out the heat effects throughout the city in an effort to ascertain neighborhoods most at risk for the effects of dangerous temperatures. More than 500 people have volunteered for this massive initiative!
In case you haven't noticed--we are in the "Dog Days of Summer," a historic Roman Empire phrase that reflects the constellations of summer. From July 3rd to August 11th, according to The Farmer's Almanac, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as the star Sirius, part of the Canis (dog) Major constellation and the brightest star visible from any part of the Earth. In the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the sun.
Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer 2023; stay hydrated; get outside when temps and air quality are safe; and check in on at-risk loved ones and neighbors when the mercury gets intense this week. The City of Chicago is planning to map out the heat effects throughout the city in an effort to ascertain neighborhoods most at risk for the effects of dangerous temperatures. More than 500 people have volunteered for this massive initiative!
Index
Community spotlight
Upcoming Events
Future Events and Ongoing
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Community spotlight
Upcoming Events
Future Events and Ongoing
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Gateway to the Greater Outdoors and SAFE Work Together for Building Safe Biking Skills
Sam Frolichstein-Appel (SAFE), Bridget Grabowski (Gateway), Sophie Bluenstein (SAFE), and Tori Reidenbach (Gateway)
This summer Gateway to the Greater Outdoors (GGO) worked closely with Richard Yates Elementary School in the Hermosa neighborhood and Streets are for Everyone (SAFE) ambassadors to teach young students how to ride bicycles and navigate the Bloomingdale Trail (aka "the 606") safely. GGO works with public schools in St. Louis and on Chicago's Southside on STEAM education which includes six units of curriculum—Outdoor Adventure (camping and other outings), Ecology and Biology, Sustainable and Healthy Lifestyles, Systems, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice Projects. SAFE promotes bike safety throughout the year in Chicago.
SAFE and GGO have worked together for over two years. This summer's program allowed 45 youth to participate, 15 of them successfully learning how to ride a bike. All of the youth received Chicago Bike Maps and related education about riding as transportation throughout the city. All of them were fitted carefully with bike helmets.
Stay tuned for GGO's vision on how they plan to use the Catalyst Seed Grant in the Hermosa community over the next 6 months! Bridget Grabowski with GGO (pictured above) described the future work in this part of the city: "We are excited to partner with schools in neighborhoods like Hermosa. After the successful bike clinic at Richard Yates Elementary, GGO and Yates are working together to enhance GGO's STEAM-based programming, tailoring it to the needs and interests of the students in the area. Looking forward to it!"
SAFE and GGO have worked together for over two years. This summer's program allowed 45 youth to participate, 15 of them successfully learning how to ride a bike. All of the youth received Chicago Bike Maps and related education about riding as transportation throughout the city. All of them were fitted carefully with bike helmets.
Stay tuned for GGO's vision on how they plan to use the Catalyst Seed Grant in the Hermosa community over the next 6 months! Bridget Grabowski with GGO (pictured above) described the future work in this part of the city: "We are excited to partner with schools in neighborhoods like Hermosa. After the successful bike clinic at Richard Yates Elementary, GGO and Yates are working together to enhance GGO's STEAM-based programming, tailoring it to the needs and interests of the students in the area. Looking forward to it!"
Upcoming Events
Yearlong resident American Robin, photo Laura Derks
Learn Birding Skills from Your Kitchen Table!
No experience or tools required (just a phone or a computer)! Birding is one of the most accessible ways to engage with nearby nature in our region--the Chicago area is part of the Great Lakes Flyover during bird migration in the spring and fall and also has many bird species that are "yearlong residents." Learn basic birding skills on this webinar, sponsored by the Forest Preserves District of Cook County.
When: July 27, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Webinar--Zoom Register Here.
No experience or tools required (just a phone or a computer)! Birding is one of the most accessible ways to engage with nearby nature in our region--the Chicago area is part of the Great Lakes Flyover during bird migration in the spring and fall and also has many bird species that are "yearlong residents." Learn basic birding skills on this webinar, sponsored by the Forest Preserves District of Cook County.
When: July 27, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Webinar--Zoom Register Here.
Image, Chicago Park District
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Teen Night Out in Columbus Park
The Chicago Park District sponsors the Rollin' Recreation activity van which offers fun for teens (ages 13-19) by bringing sports, games, and fitness activities. No registration required but fun for all who fit this demographic! Invite your teens, When: July 28, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Where: Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Avenue |
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Free Moon Walk
Join the staff and Volunteer Naturalists for a moon walk (and other marvels of the night sky) in the Palos region of Cook County. Discover the nocturnal insects, animals and constellations! There will be two more Moon Walks in August--stayed tuned to the Schoolhouse events calendar. Call 708-839-6897 to register When: August 1st, 8:15 p.m. Where: Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs |
Image, Adler Planetarium
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Image, Laura Derks
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Fresh Air Friday at St. Joseph Farm
Join the Forest Preserve District of Dupage County in an hour of quiet and relaxation with mindful walking and immersive nature. One mile walk, and opportunities beyond to explore the Farm. Ages 18 and up. $5 per person. When: August 4th, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Where: St. James Farm, Warrenville, IL Register online or at 630-933-7248. |
Future Events
Photo, Laura Derks
Growing Up WILD Training
This workshop in McHenry County will help train any adult (18+) on an early childhood program "Growing Up WILD," one that "builds on a child's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them." After a 4 hour + time with a license facilitator, participants will emerge with over 20 hands-on nature and science-related activities-$10 registration.
When: July 20 1:00- 3:00 p.m.
Where: Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake
Register Here.
This workshop in McHenry County will help train any adult (18+) on an early childhood program "Growing Up WILD," one that "builds on a child's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them." After a 4 hour + time with a license facilitator, participants will emerge with over 20 hands-on nature and science-related activities-$10 registration.
When: July 20 1:00- 3:00 p.m.
Where: Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake
Register Here.
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Arboricultural Career Fair
The Chicago Regional Trees Initiative (CRTI) is hosting its second annual Trees and Tacos Arboricultural Career Fair in late August. The fair provides demonstrations of tree care work, booths for employers in the industry, and a great chance to network with a broad mix of Tree Industry Professionals. Free Tacos for the first 100 participants! When: August 25th; 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Where: Thatcher Woods Pavilion, Forest Preserves of Cook County |
Image, Chicago Regional Trees Initiative
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Job Opportunities
See Two Events above in Future Events for Career Development!
New
BUILD Chicago has multiple positions open including a Director of Clinical and Community Wellness.
Metropolitan Planning Council is currently hiring a Grants Manager and a Development Director.
Windy City Harvest is hiring for multiple positions.
Urban Growers Collective is hiring for multiple positions --here.
Others
Black Oaks Farm is looking to hire for its current 2023 growing season. See listings Here.
Dupage Forest Preserves has an opening for Natural Resources Restoration Supervisor here
The Experimental Station has its Deputy Director of Finance position open. For more information, go Here.
Friends of the Parks is looking to fill the Director of Policy and Advocacy. Applicants should send their resume and cover letter to [email protected]. The position will be posted on their website soon.
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has multiple positions open including Senior Director of Development and Director of Finance. Learn more here.
Faith in Place Eco-Ambassador applications for area high school students are open! Learn more here.
The Friends of the Forest Preserves is looking to fill several positions in the Adult Conservation Corps. Learn more here.
Imani Green Health Advocates Is looking for applicants for its Paid Trainee and Mentor positions. Learn more here.
Openlands is looking to fill its Chief Executive Officer! Learn more here.
Star Farm is looking to fill two positions. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
New
BUILD Chicago has multiple positions open including a Director of Clinical and Community Wellness.
Metropolitan Planning Council is currently hiring a Grants Manager and a Development Director.
Windy City Harvest is hiring for multiple positions.
Urban Growers Collective is hiring for multiple positions --here.
Others
Black Oaks Farm is looking to hire for its current 2023 growing season. See listings Here.
Dupage Forest Preserves has an opening for Natural Resources Restoration Supervisor here
The Experimental Station has its Deputy Director of Finance position open. For more information, go Here.
Friends of the Parks is looking to fill the Director of Policy and Advocacy. Applicants should send their resume and cover letter to [email protected]. The position will be posted on their website soon.
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has multiple positions open including Senior Director of Development and Director of Finance. Learn more here.
Faith in Place Eco-Ambassador applications for area high school students are open! Learn more here.
The Friends of the Forest Preserves is looking to fill several positions in the Adult Conservation Corps. Learn more here.
Imani Green Health Advocates Is looking for applicants for its Paid Trainee and Mentor positions. Learn more here.
Openlands is looking to fill its Chief Executive Officer! Learn more here.
Star Farm is looking to fill two positions. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
In the News
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A ‘Green New Deal’ for Chicago?
A team of environmental justice leaders has outlined for Mayor Brandon Johnson what could become a Green New Deal, Aydali Campa wrote last week in insideclimatenews.org. . The environmental justice subcommittee was one part of the mayor’s 400-member transition team that prepared a 223-page transition report outlining critical issues and suggesting goals and assessments. Among the subcommittee’s recommendations were establishing a Department of Environment and building on a settlement between the City of Chicago and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “which found in an investigation of Chicago’s zoning, planning and land-use policies that the city was environmentally racist, discriminating against communities with high Black and brown populations,” Ms. Campa wrote. She wrote that the city reportedly must come up with a plan by Sept. 1 to reform these policies. Read more here. |
Photo, Laura Derks
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Photo, Laura Derks
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Local Congresswoman sponsors Legislation Protecting Youth's Fundamental Right to a Safe Climate
The lawsuit Juliana v. United States garnered Congressional support recently, as 14 U.S. Senators and 65 U.S. Representatives joined the reintroduction of concurrent resolutions in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to protect youth’s fundamental right to a safe climate. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky of Evanston was one of the sponsors and Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth were among the co-sponsors. While some members of Congress support the 21 youth plaintiffs and their action in Juliana, the U.S. Department of Justice “continued their aggressive campaign to try to impede this critical constitutional climate case,” according to a bulletin from Our Children’s Trust, lawyers for the plaintiffs. Read more: here. |
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South Side Chicago Organizations Receive Grants from Bezos Earth Fund
Reported in Block Club Chicago, The Englewood Nature Trail, the Sustainable Square Mile and some local farms are among the Chicago area projects funded by the Bezos Earth Fund. Founded in 2020, the $10 billion fund has committed a total of $10.1 million to the Chicago area to enhance communities with more parks, trees, and community gardens. Grow Greater Englewood received a $3.8 million grant to continue work on the Englewood Nature Trail, a 12-foot-wide, ADA-accessible, rails to trails conversion trail. The elevated path will run behind 58th and 59th streets between Wallace and Hoyne Avenues. The nonprofit Blacks In Green received $1.5 million to scale its Sustainable Square Mile pilot in Woodlawn. The Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living received $1.75 million to support local farms and farmers. Read more here, including a list of Chicago-area grantees.  Photo, Laura Derks
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Englewood Nature Trail Photo, Laura Derks
Report Highlights the Assets of Big Marsh Park, and How to Ensure Safe Access A July 14th post in Streetsblog Chicago described the East Side Neighborhood Connections Plan which recommends improvements to the area surrounding Big Marsh. Located on the far southeast side of Chicago, Big Marsh is a nearly 300-acre natural area with a destination bike park that, “ironically is difficult to access via bicycle or foot.” Recommendations in the East Side Neighborhood Connectivity Plan “align with new local bicycle routes planned by other organizations,” the post said, all of which “would add up to safer and more convenient bicycle and pedestrian access to Big Marsh.” One safety gap, Streetblog says, “can be blamed on the bicycle-hostile 103rd Street bridge.” 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].