Newsletter from Thursday, July 7th, 2022
Dear NCH2 Community,
This July, we at NCH2 are focusing the Newsletter on inequity. We've seen it show up in our communities in various ways and seen the damage it can do, so we're working to connect the dots between environmental justice, public health, and adapting to climate change and uplifting our neighbors who are doing the same. Our partners and community members around Chicago have been imploring Chicago's local government to plant trees in low-income neighborhoods and hosting the 4th annual Bronzeville Bike Tour in remembrance of the Chicago Race Riots and the racial inequity continuing in our city today. A coalition of environmental, health, and social justice groups are pushing for Mayor Lightfoot to end pollution "sacrifice zones", or zones that have high amounts of industrial sites and highways, which put residents on the South and West sides of Chicago at risk, while the residents of wealthier suburbs breathe freely. This newsletter focuses on education and support for our neighbors working to eliminate environmental, social, and public health inequity here at home, and we encourage you all to join us in the discussion and the work of promoting equity.
Enjoy!
NCH2 team
Enjoy!
NCH2 team
Tickets still available for the 1st annual EcoVoice Festival!
The EcoVoice Project (The EcoVP) uses music and interdisciplinary collaboration to inform, connect, and inspire people to act for environmentally just causes.
The EcoVoice Festival is three days of performances and activities that build awareness, educate, and call others to action on climate change. The 2022 inaugural festival will take place July 8-10 and be hosted at Loyola University and the University of Illinois, Chicago. The festival will feature the premiere live performance of the New Earth Ensemble and two new song cycles, as well as educational panels and sessions. All events will be open to the general public, and the Sunday morning sing along encourages family participation.
For more information and tickets, click here.
The EcoVoice Festival is three days of performances and activities that build awareness, educate, and call others to action on climate change. The 2022 inaugural festival will take place July 8-10 and be hosted at Loyola University and the University of Illinois, Chicago. The festival will feature the premiere live performance of the New Earth Ensemble and two new song cycles, as well as educational panels and sessions. All events will be open to the general public, and the Sunday morning sing along encourages family participation.
- Friday Night Featured Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mika Tosca, Art Institute of Chicago
- Saturday Night Featured Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mark Pedelty, University of Minnesota
For more information and tickets, click here.
Local Events
Walk with a Future Doc:
Walk With a Future Doc (WWAFD) aims to bring medical students and community members together for outdoor walks. Last year, the CPF
brought the program to Chicago's parks and we return again this summer!
Local medical students lead 45-min weekly park walks and give short talks on health-related topics. This is a free, low-pressure way to get moving, connect with your neighbors, and learn more about your own health!
Join us for our first walks:
Lake Shore Park (808 N. Lake Shore Drive)
Wednesdays at 6PM
Starting June 1st
Registration required, register here.
Photo courtesy of WWAFD
Englewood Village Market:
Date: Saturdays, June 18th through October 29th, 2022
Time:10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: GGE Englewood Village Plaza
5822 S. Halsted Street, Chicago IL
Description:
Grow Greater Englewood is proud to host the Englewood Village Market at its Englewood Village Plaza. Returning for the third year, the Market features goods, food, and refreshments from local Black-owned businesses; fresh produce from local farmers; partners Urban Growers Collective and Growing Home, community resources; and music, including a lineup of performances by the best DJs and bands curated by Erik L. Jones of Sound Voyage.
The Plaza also serves as the entry point to the proposed Englewood Nature Trail – a 2-mile linear park that will serve as a connector between Englewood's growing network of urban farms and gardens to strengthen local food access, health and wellness, and employment within the neighborhood. Our July 9th, August 5th, and August 20th Markets will feature a "Drums for Peace" drum circle led by award-winning international (and Englewood local) jazz artist Ernest Dawkins.
For more information, click here.
Photo from Grow Greater
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North Chicago Farmer's Market:
Date: Sundays, June 16th - October 16th, 2022 Time: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Location: Vision Park 1730 Lewis Ave, North Chicago, IL 60064 Description: Come join us at the coolest farmers market in Lake County! Sample from our many vendor's fresh fruits and vegetables, handmade jewelry, and natural made cosmetic items. Connect with your neighbors over the abundance of nature in beautiful North Chicago, weekly on Sundays through October. For more information, click here. Photo from North Chicago Farmers Market |
Light of Loving Kindness's Self Love Bootcamp:
Finding Yourself in Nature
Date: Saturday, July 16th, 2022
Time: 10:00-11:30 am
Location: Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Ave
S Holland, IL 60473
Description: LOLK and the Forest Preserve are invinting you to participate on this 90 minute long wellness class in Nature. Connect with yourself and others and allow the power of Nature to bring you mental and emotional rest.
If you'd like to donate to Light of Loving Kindness to help keep programs free for those in need, click here for more information. All donations are tax-deductible and will offer a young person from a trauma-affected community the opportunity to heal and thrive through Light of Loving Kindness' youth-centered programming.
Registration is required to attend as we may take photos/videos of each event. Registration provides acknowledgment and agreement of being photographed as a part of LOLK events.
Registration and more information here.
Photo from Light of Loving Kindness
Finding Yourself in Nature
Date: Saturday, July 16th, 2022
Time: 10:00-11:30 am
Location: Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Ave
S Holland, IL 60473
Description: LOLK and the Forest Preserve are invinting you to participate on this 90 minute long wellness class in Nature. Connect with yourself and others and allow the power of Nature to bring you mental and emotional rest.
If you'd like to donate to Light of Loving Kindness to help keep programs free for those in need, click here for more information. All donations are tax-deductible and will offer a young person from a trauma-affected community the opportunity to heal and thrive through Light of Loving Kindness' youth-centered programming.
Registration is required to attend as we may take photos/videos of each event. Registration provides acknowledgment and agreement of being photographed as a part of LOLK events.
Registration and more information here.
Photo from Light of Loving Kindness
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CHETchat Spotlight Series: Megan Kashner Date: Friday June 15th Time: 11:00 am- 12 pm Location: Online Webinar Description: The Center for Health Equity Transformation hosts Megan Kashner, MA, MBA, and Director of Social Impact at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Kashner will lead a discussion on social impact in business, sustainability, global development and how people can make their own impact work sustainable for themselves. To register, click here. Photo from CHET |
Future Events: Save the Date
4th Annual Bronzeville Bike Tour:
Join The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project (CRR19), Organic Oneness, and supporting partners on Saturday, July 30th, 2022 for a bike tour that will travel through the Bronzeville and Bridgeport neighborhoods. A brief program begins at 10am and the 2-hour ride begins at 10:30 am.
On the bike tour, you will learn about the history of Eugene Williams and how his unjust racist killing sparked the Chicago Race Riot of 1919--the worst incident of racial violence in City history and among twenty-five such incidents across the nation that came to be known as the Red Summer.
Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear a helmet. If not vaccinated, please wear a mask and maintain social distance. In the event of rain, the ride will be rescheduled for the following morning, Sunday, July 31st. The event is free with an option for donations. All donations of $30 or more will receive a Chicago Race Riot 1919 shirt at the check-in table.
Date: Saturday, July 30th
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Location: Chicago Military Academy, Bronzeville
3519 S Giles
Chicago, IL 60653
To register please visit the CRR19 Eventbrite.
For more information, please visit the CRR19 website, or watch the CRR19 introductory video here.
Photo courtesy of CRR19
Double Dutch Festival 2022 at Big Marsh Park:
Join Faith in Place as we bring back a blast from the past: Double Dutch.
Parents bring your children and show them a favorite past time. Rain date is August 13, 2022. Activities include Double Dutch Workshop, Break Dancing, Archery, Poetry & Comedy, Old School Lawn Games, Food Vendors, and more!
Date: Aug 06, 2022
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Chicago, 11559 S Stony Is Ave, Chicago, IL 60633, USA
For more information and registration, please click here.
Photo courtesy of Faith in Place
Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States: Technology, Policy, and Societal Dimensions | Pathways to an Equitable and Just Transition Workshop
Date: July 26, 2022
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Online Webinar
The National Academies’ Committee on Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States: Technology Policy and Societal Dimensions will host a one-day workshop on equity and justice in the energy transition. The committee has been tasked to assess a wide spectrum of technological, policy, and societal dimensions of decarbonizing the U.S. economy. The purpose of this workshop is to inform the committee’s development of principles, best practices, and actionable recommendations to operationalize equity and justice in the energy transition with inclusive stakeholder engagement. The committee will hear topical presentations from stakeholders, after which all attendees will collaborate to describe the pathway the country needs to take during the transition. Session topics will include public health and safety, jobs and workforce, equitable access, and energy affordability.
For more information and registration, please click here.
Photo by Singkham
Depave Chicago Summer Workshops :
Depave Chicago is part of a growing depave movement to transform paved sites through resilient nature-based design. Depave programs work with communities to replace unused and abandoned paved areas (such as parking lots and paved school grounds) with community gardens, pocket forests, street trees, pollinator gardens, and natural-play spaces!
They are launching with one more important workshop this summer, following their first workshop on June 16th, to be followed by an actual depave project (Workshop #3). This workshop will teach partners and participants all the steps involved in completing a depave project. The workshop is free for everyone. We also invite anyone who wants specific training as a crew leader to contact us ASAP. Spaces and stipends are available for this training.
Interested? Learn more about specific workshop topics and registration, here.
Photo courtesy of Depave
Depave Chicago is part of a growing depave movement to transform paved sites through resilient nature-based design. Depave programs work with communities to replace unused and abandoned paved areas (such as parking lots and paved school grounds) with community gardens, pocket forests, street trees, pollinator gardens, and natural-play spaces!
They are launching with one more important workshop this summer, following their first workshop on June 16th, to be followed by an actual depave project (Workshop #3). This workshop will teach partners and participants all the steps involved in completing a depave project. The workshop is free for everyone. We also invite anyone who wants specific training as a crew leader to contact us ASAP. Spaces and stipends are available for this training.
- Workshop #2: Thursday, July 21st, 6 - 8:30 PM CST (online via Zoom)
- Workshop #3: TBD, in September or October 2022 (in-person)
Interested? Learn more about specific workshop topics and registration, here.
Photo courtesy of Depave
Job Opportunities
The Forest Preserves of Cook County is seeking a Licensing and Land Use Specialist. Under the supervision of the Licensing & Land Use Records Manager, candidate will review licenses and various other agreements for use of District property and ensure compliance with the terms of the District’s approvals. They will provide support to the District’s land use and acquisition activities including property research and review of ALTA/ACSM, topographic, and construction surveys., and administer and maintain the database of new, existing, and renewal licenses for various improvements built by others on District property. Preferred qualities include: currently a licensed as a surveyor in the State of Illinois OR currently a surveyor intern in the State of Illinois; OR Possession of at least one season of work experience with the Forest Preserves of Cook County; OR Possession of at least one season of work experience as a Conservation Corp Crew member; OR Possession of at least one season of work experience on property of the Forest Preserves of Cook County with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Greencorps Chicago; OR Possession of at least one season of work experience with other partners such as, Friends of the Forest Preserves or the Student Conservation Association.
To learn more about the position and how to apply, click here.
To learn more about the position and how to apply, click here.
In the News
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Chicago's Tree Inequity: Editorial and Response from The Chicago Tribune
To make up for the trees it has lost in the past two decades, Chicago would have to plant at least 15,000 trees per year for 10 years. To make up for the lack of trees in some marginalized neighborhoods will take an even greater effort. In “Chicago’s Tree Inequity,” published late last month, Chicago Tribune reporters Morgan Greene and Joe Mahr contrasted the shaded parkways of the city’s north and east sides with the barren ones on the south and west sides. Check it out: tinyurl.com/4eyyb7tv Reacting to the above investigation into Chicago’s tree-planting strategies and policies, Daniella Pereira of Openlands and Naomi Davis of Blacks in Green wrote that policies and strategies must outlast a mayor’s term of office. Their suggestions included using tactics other cities have successfully used as well as holding accountable city departments responsible for maintaining public trees. Their commentary appeared on June 21, when the temperature hit 97 degrees F. Read more: tinyurl.com/y88mva2k Photo by Felix Mittermeier |
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Overview: When It Comes to Night Lights, Less is More Darksky.org, a watchdog on light pollution, has promulgated “Five Principles for Outdoor Lighting.” Context, rationale and additional information accompany each of the principles, among them values-centered outdoor lighting; outdoor lighting basics; model policies and ordinances; and dark-sky friendly lighting. Read more: tinyurl.com/58eehjuu Photo by Rafael Pires |
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Overview: A coalition of environmental and social justice organizations say they will write a proposed law to end pollution 'sacrifice zones' Mary will send this in Read more here. Photo by Yogendra Singh |
Overview: Data Bike Provides Targeted Trail Improvements in Cook County Forest Preserves
For the past two summers, the Data Bike of the Cook County Forest Preserves traveled the 155 miles of paved trails. The electric bike was equipped with a pole-mounted 360-degree camera, a rear-facing camera and a smartphone loaded with a data collection app. Information gathered included the condition of the trails and “additional assets,” such as culverts, drop-gates, tunnels and benches. The data allowed the Forest Preserves team to decide on where and when to make improvements to the trails. Read more: tinyurl.com/4fusbmux Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh 
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Connect with Us!
We are currently taking requests for our Coffee & Discussion Series - Please submit Coffee and Discussion suggestions here.
We are also 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 currently taking requests for our Coffee & Discussion Series - Please submit Coffee and Discussion suggestions here.
We are also 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].