Newsletter from Tuesday, June 13th, 2023
Dear NCH2 Community,
Communities around Chicago are finding new and innovative ways to add or renew spaces outdoors to enhance access to and engage people in nearby nature. The new nature play space picture above is in the Austin community as part of the Harambee Community Garden, Nature Curiosity and Exploration Center, a new space created from many collaborators and funders. The community garden itself enjoys many gardeners with over 20 plots and visitors who come to see the with the goat herd, which supplies goat milk, soaps, and cheese. The local Front Porch Arts Center hosted its first Art and Play workshop there this past Saturday and will host five more this summer!
Another new community gathering spaces include the new art installation "Prairie Boat," a gathering space in Beaubien Woods on Chicago's South side adjacent to the boat launch. The partnership that facilitated this new space is vibrant and diverse, just as with the Harambee Gardens space. And with the installation of 12 new E(art)h art pieces throughout the region, there are so many outdoor spaces to explore. Redemptive Plastics has several installations in the Austin neighborhood. With many Juneteenth celebrations occurring this week, please send us photos and locations of where they occurred so we can feature on the website and newsletter.
Shout Out to recruit Volunteers! Two events that need volunteers--one this weekend! Blacks in Green in partnership with the Delta Institute are hosting a Bioblitz and Juneteenth celebration this Saturday and need volunteers! Volunteers needed also to assess the impact of intense heat in Chicago this summer (see below In The News).
Correction: Last week the email announcing the new NCH2 blog had an error--the published paper was a systematic review not a "systemic" one.
Communities around Chicago are finding new and innovative ways to add or renew spaces outdoors to enhance access to and engage people in nearby nature. The new nature play space picture above is in the Austin community as part of the Harambee Community Garden, Nature Curiosity and Exploration Center, a new space created from many collaborators and funders. The community garden itself enjoys many gardeners with over 20 plots and visitors who come to see the with the goat herd, which supplies goat milk, soaps, and cheese. The local Front Porch Arts Center hosted its first Art and Play workshop there this past Saturday and will host five more this summer!
Another new community gathering spaces include the new art installation "Prairie Boat," a gathering space in Beaubien Woods on Chicago's South side adjacent to the boat launch. The partnership that facilitated this new space is vibrant and diverse, just as with the Harambee Gardens space. And with the installation of 12 new E(art)h art pieces throughout the region, there are so many outdoor spaces to explore. Redemptive Plastics has several installations in the Austin neighborhood. With many Juneteenth celebrations occurring this week, please send us photos and locations of where they occurred so we can feature on the website and newsletter.
Shout Out to recruit Volunteers! Two events that need volunteers--one this weekend! Blacks in Green in partnership with the Delta Institute are hosting a Bioblitz and Juneteenth celebration this Saturday and need volunteers! Volunteers needed also to assess the impact of intense heat in Chicago this summer (see below In The News).
Correction: Last week the email announcing the new NCH2 blog had an error--the published paper was a systematic review not a "systemic" one.
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
Brushwood Center Artistic Expression Dovetails with the Upcoming Report Health, Equity, and Nature: A Changing Climate in Lake County
Curiosity, 2020 Photography by Dawaune Lamont Hayes
Performance by Grupo Folklorico Mexico en la piel
On June 11th the Brushwood Center celebrated its latest art exhibit Visible with works from twenty-six artists including the photographer's Dawaune Lamont Hayes' work noted above. Visible showcases a broad variety of artistic expressions including interviews, videos, sculpture, maps, and photography "highlighting how systemic inequities impact people's access to a healthy environment, and how our resilient community is already working to create change." Interwoven among the artworks are descriptive excerpts from the Accelerator launch, purpose, and process that staff followed to collect quantitative and qualitative data for its first report. To underscore the community assets of Lake County, Waukegan-based dance group Ballet Folklorico Mexico En La Piel Academia brought exuberance and warmth to a chilly June afternoon.
The report Health, Equity, and Nature: A Changing Climate in Lake County will be released in late June.
The report Health, Equity, and Nature: A Changing Climate in Lake County will be released in late June.
Upcoming Events
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Illinois Free Fishing Days: Father’s Day (Week)
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources sponsors one weekend each summer to sample fishing without requiring a fishing license, and here’s the bonus — it’s Father’s Day and the week leading up to it! A few events include the following:
Busse Woods
Hidden Lakes Trout Farm
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources sponsors one weekend each summer to sample fishing without requiring a fishing license, and here’s the bonus — it’s Father’s Day and the week leading up to it! A few events include the following:
Busse Woods
Hidden Lakes Trout Farm
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Greentown Climate and Equity Conference
This daylong event in West Cook County will bring together public and private sectors from across the region to make a more vibrant community. This Greentown Climate and Equity conference will address how climate solutions and equity go hand in hand to create a healthy and sustainable for all. Attention all emerging leaders! Greentown Climate is offering an Emerging Leaders Plenary Session that aims to bring together young leaders to discuss, connect, and act. For general details and to register, go here. When: June 22, 8:30 a.m. -- 4:00 p.m. Where: Triton College See map here |
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Self-Love in Nature with Light of Loving Kindness
Free yoga, art, and meditation in nature! Light of Loving Kindness Executive Director Cassandra Powell will lead gentle yoga, meditation and painting in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Register Here. When: June 17th, 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. Where: Green Lake Woods Torrence Ave.; North of 159th Street in Calumet City |
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Learn how to Ride a Bike/Improve your Skills
Starting June 17th, We Keep you Rollin', in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County and Ride Illinois, will offer free bike-riding workshops--learn from scratch or burnish your riding skills. Free and All are welcome. Please bring your helmet and bike or borrow from We Keep You Rollin's inventory. Email [email protected] to reserve a spot. come for the afternoon and evening only or stay overnight for a Night sky watch, fun activities, and an early morning bird watch for those that have had their first cup of coffee. For more information and registration, look here. When: Starting June 17th 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Where: Beaubian Woods Boat Launch |
Herb Walks with Urban Growers Collective
Learn more about cultivated and wild herbs with Urban Growers Collective (UGC) at their South Chicago Farm. Led by UGC staff and Herbalism Conductor Kim Crutcher the walks offer learning, community, and knowledge sharing. Offered several times this summer, check out the schedule and to register Here.
Future Events and Ongoing Resources
Lyrics from Luke Wallace
2nd Annual EcoVoice Festival
This Festival celebrates collaborations in Chicago, Evanston, and Barrington. Headlining the festival will be singer/songwriter and activist Luke Wallace , who will present several performances, as well as an eco-songwriting workshop. The Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology will host our festival Soundwalk, and the New Earth Ensemble will perform Nicholas Cline’s Watersheds.
When: July 7-9th, Register Here
This Festival celebrates collaborations in Chicago, Evanston, and Barrington. Headlining the festival will be singer/songwriter and activist Luke Wallace , who will present several performances, as well as an eco-songwriting workshop. The Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology will host our festival Soundwalk, and the New Earth Ensemble will perform Nicholas Cline’s Watersheds.
When: July 7-9th, Register Here
Photo, Courtesy of CRR19
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5th Annual Commemorative Race Riot of 1919 Community Bike Ride
Bicycle in community; tour historic sites in Bronzeville, and learn about the history of Eugene Williams who unjustly died in the summer of 1919 due to racist beliefs. CRR19, a broad coalition of organizations in Bronzeville and beyond, have organized this event to bring awareness to this once-erased event, which sparked over twenty-five such incidents across the nation that came to be known as the Red Summer. After the ride, you will enjoy a a free lunch, music, and opportunity to engage with local organizations and resources tables. For more information and to register go here. |
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Ongoing Resources: Transportation to Pullman National Park and Forest Preserves of Cook County
Did you know that Pullman National Monument has become a National Park? We now have two National Parks in our region. Visit Pullman as well as another terrific nearby museum, the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum. The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust offers grants of $500 or less to provide bus transportation to the Park on the South Side of Chicago. Applicants are available for schools that have a confirmed, ranger or park staff-led program at Pullman National Historical Park and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. More on this grant here. Nature Bus Express--Have a large group of 25 or more that want to attend an event or a preserve in the Forest Preserves of Cook County and need transportation? Check out these free resources here. |
Photo courtesy of NPS, Ve-Amber D. Miller
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Job Opportunities
New listings:
Black Oaks Farm is looking to hire for its current growing season. See listings Here.
Other listings:
Experimental Station has two new positions Deputy Director of Finance / Human Resources and Senior Program Manager - Link Up Illinois. For more information, go Here.
Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC) is searching for a new Grant Assistant. Must apply electronically Here. Any questions should be directed to HR here: [email protected]
Several other job opportunities are listed on this page including Budget Analyst and Accessibility Coordinator.
The FPCC is also seeking Spanish speaking volunteers for several events and roles to make their events available to more people. For more information, click 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.
Other Listings
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has multiple positions open. 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. Learn more here.
Imani Green Health Advocates Is looking for applicants for its Paid Trainee and Mentor positions. Learn more here.
STRONG Manoomin Collective is looking for two postdoctoral scholars in Indigenous Environmental Governance. Each postdoc is for 2-year terms (with possibility of renewal) beginning in Fall 2023 to be based at Northwestern University located in Evanston. Details of the positions are available here. Or if you have questions, contact Kelly Wisecup at [email protected].
Openlands is looking to fill four positions, including Chief Executive Officer! Learn more here.
Star Farm is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
Black Oaks Farm is looking to hire for its current growing season. See listings Here.
Other listings:
Experimental Station has two new positions Deputy Director of Finance / Human Resources and Senior Program Manager - Link Up Illinois. For more information, go Here.
Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC) is searching for a new Grant Assistant. Must apply electronically Here. Any questions should be directed to HR here: [email protected]
Several other job opportunities are listed on this page including Budget Analyst and Accessibility Coordinator.
The FPCC is also seeking Spanish speaking volunteers for several events and roles to make their events available to more people. For more information, click 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.
Other Listings
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has multiple positions open. 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. Learn more here.
Imani Green Health Advocates Is looking for applicants for its Paid Trainee and Mentor positions. Learn more here.
STRONG Manoomin Collective is looking for two postdoctoral scholars in Indigenous Environmental Governance. Each postdoc is for 2-year terms (with possibility of renewal) beginning in Fall 2023 to be based at Northwestern University located in Evanston. Details of the positions are available here. Or if you have questions, contact Kelly Wisecup at [email protected].
Openlands is looking to fill four positions, including Chief Executive Officer! Learn more here.
Star Farm is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
In the News
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Heat Watch Seeks Volunteer Data Collectors
Earlier this month, the City of Chicago joined a nationwide campaign of the NOAA to measure heat throughout the city. Launched locally at Stone Temple Baptist Church, the program is a “community heat-mapping project that brings together local volunteers, public and private organizations, universities, and non-profit organizations to co-produce high-resolution heat maps and generate creative and collaborative solutions for extreme heat in Chicago,” Vivian La wrote on June 5 in The Chicago Tribune. With the help of the National Weather Service Chicago Forecast Office, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will train and mobilize volunteer resident scientists on one of the hottest days of the year to drive with specially designed heat sensors on their cars in the morning, midday, and evening on routes informed by the community. This information will help them better plan and equip the city during intense heat events. Volunteers – about 150 of them – are need to collect temperature and humidity measurements on “campaign days,” which will be determined by weather experts. To volunteer or to learn more, visit Heat Watch 2023. More than 700 Chicagoans died during the heat wave in 1995. Read more of the Tribune story here. |
Photo, Laura Derks
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Photo Laura Derks
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Fabulous Fox! Is a New National Recreation Trail
Celebrating Great Outdoors Month (June) and National Trails Day (June 3), U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland designated nine new recreation trails, including one in Illinois. The Fabulous Fox! Water Trail runs from the border of southeast Wisconsin to northeast Illinois. At 158 miles and with over 70 access points, this water trail offers paddlers the opportunity to recreate, as well as explore vibrant Midwest communities and varying landscapes along the Fox River. Read more here. |
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Bell Bowl Prairie Topsoil Transplant Yields Some Rare Flowers and Grasses
Twenty dump trucks loaded with topsoil from the 8,000-year-old Bell Bowl Prairie in Rockford deposited the dirt at nearby Cedar Cliff Forest Preserve. Violet wood sorrel has begun to grow, Nara Schoenberg wrote on June 2 in The Chicago Tribune, and other plants have been found. The Rockford airport, whose expansion will destroy much of the Bell Bowl Prairie, allowed the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County to cart away these 20 dump truck loads of soil that had been removed during construction. Environmentalists had tried to stop the $50 million expansion, which, Ms., Schoenberg wrote, “is home to uncommon plants, and a foraging ground for the federally endangered rusty patched bumblebee.” Read more here. |
Photo, Laura Derks
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Treeplanting, Openlands
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Arboretum and Partners to Study Drought’s Effect on Trees
With 49% of the State of Illinois in moderate drought, according to drought.gov/Illinois, experts are looking at how trees are responding. Morton Arboretum, State Climatologist Trent Ford and Argonne National Laboratory are main partners in this study, according to a June 9 post by Patti Wetli in WBEZ’s Science & Nature. Weil wrote of information from Christy Rollinson, the forest ecologist for Morton Arboretum that information is sparse and somewhat messy. “There are species like the river birch, which is definitively intolerant of drought. But then there are mixed reviews on species like basswood, and question marks for plenty of others, including silver maple and hackberry. The team is aiming to back up any assertions with data, which then can be disseminated among tree specialists, Rollinson said.” Early satellite images look similar to those from the dry year 2012. For now, the advice is water, water, water. “‘If we want trees to cool cities, they need water,’ Rollinson said.” (And mulching trees three inches around the base helps prevent moisture from evaporating after watering!) |
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].