Newsletter from Thursday, June 9th, 2022
Dear NCH2 Community,
We hope you and your families are staying safe and healthy. Please submit materials for the next newsletter by June 22nd, 2022 so we can make sure to include them. Submit items by emailing [email protected].
This week's newsletter includes a debrief from our event with Big Marsh Park, local events, information on upcoming festivals and workshops, information on the return of Walk with a Future Doc, job opportunities, and links to articles in the popular press.
This week's newsletter includes a debrief from our event with Big Marsh Park, local events, information on upcoming festivals and workshops, information on the return of Walk with a Future Doc, job opportunities, and links to articles in the popular press.
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Follow Us!
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. All can be found using the handle @NCH2Network or by clicking the links below: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter 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! Keep us updated on local events, exciting opportunities in the area, and send us pictures of local nature to be featured on the website. Contact us at [email protected]. |
A Bird's Eye on our Big Marsh Park Event
Over 40 community leaders and organizations gathered on May 17th at Big Marsh Park on Chicago’s southeast side for our Discovering Mental Health In Nature workshop. As the initial kick-off to the Walder Foundation-funded Nature, Culture, and Human Health Catalyst, this event offered the opportunity for in-person brainstorming, networking, and connection. The Southeast corner of Chicago has been identified by many as a growth area for improved nature spaces and new ones as well. Friends of Big Marsh discussed the community engagement process that helped create a new and unique way in Chicago to recreate in nature. Paul Fitzgerald and Fatimah Al-Nurridin also presented a map that charts this asset and other nature spots. (Available upon request).
Community engagement leaders from the Lincoln Park Zoo, Vince Gomez and Jaeda Branch, helped facilitate an animated discussion about the authentic co-creation of community programming. Executive Director Cassandra Powell with Light of Loving Kindness offered the group her personal story about how walking through nature restore her health and well-being. Small group discussions identified nature assets and how to overcome the existing barriers in the way of many who could benefit from them.
Asked to assess the impact of the morning, participants thought the morning was well-paced and facilitated "with a strong sense of building trust." Others gave a "shout out" to the walking meditation, the fabulous weather, and time in person.
Photo: Participants spot a bald eagle during the walking meditation.
Community engagement leaders from the Lincoln Park Zoo, Vince Gomez and Jaeda Branch, helped facilitate an animated discussion about the authentic co-creation of community programming. Executive Director Cassandra Powell with Light of Loving Kindness offered the group her personal story about how walking through nature restore her health and well-being. Small group discussions identified nature assets and how to overcome the existing barriers in the way of many who could benefit from them.
Asked to assess the impact of the morning, participants thought the morning was well-paced and facilitated "with a strong sense of building trust." Others gave a "shout out" to the walking meditation, the fabulous weather, and time in person.
Photo: Participants spot a bald eagle during the walking meditation.
Local Events
Mama & Me June Birdwatching Event
Date: Sat, June 11th
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 am CT
Location: Rainbow Beach - Chicago
Located at 77th St. and the Lake
Description: If you're looking for a great activity to do with your kiddies this Saturday, you and your little ones are invited to our June Birdwatching event!
Binoculars will be provided but feel free to bring your own.
We will have a BYO Picnic lunch (don’t forget the blanket and/or portable chairs), so we can talk and the children can play! Make sure you and your babies WEAR comfortable shoes!
While registration is NOT required, please contact Mamas & Me Program Coordinator Hope Kyle at [email protected] to RSVP so we can have the most accurate count for snacks, etc. and if you have ANY questions!
Please bring water to stay hydrated. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring masks to wear because all outdoor COVID protocols will be followed.
Photo from Mamas & Me
Date: Sat, June 11th
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 am CT
Location: Rainbow Beach - Chicago
Located at 77th St. and the Lake
Description: If you're looking for a great activity to do with your kiddies this Saturday, you and your little ones are invited to our June Birdwatching event!
Binoculars will be provided but feel free to bring your own.
We will have a BYO Picnic lunch (don’t forget the blanket and/or portable chairs), so we can talk and the children can play! Make sure you and your babies WEAR comfortable shoes!
While registration is NOT required, please contact Mamas & Me Program Coordinator Hope Kyle at [email protected] to RSVP so we can have the most accurate count for snacks, etc. and if you have ANY questions!
Please bring water to stay hydrated. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring masks to wear because all outdoor COVID protocols will be followed.
Photo from Mamas & Me
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Forest Preserves of Cook County: Without Limits - Recreation for All!
Date: Sat, June 11th Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Location: Busse Lake Boating Center E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53 Cook County, IL 60007 Description: Individuals of all abilities can enjoy rich and challenging outdoor adventures and experience exploring nature through adaptive cycling, paddling and more. In partnership with Adaptive Adventures and Cycling without Age. Registration Required: Call 773-758-8899. For more information, click here. Photo from FPCC |
Metro Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Guided Bird and Nature Walk
Date: Sun, June 12th
Time: 10:30 - Seed and Sapling Giveaway; 11:00 - Walk Begins
Location: Park 538, West Rogers Park
Description: MWRD is joining the Jewish Neighborhood Development Council of Chicago and Chicago Audubon Society at Park 538 this summer for nature walks beginning on June 12. Sightings of herons, swallows and kingfishers are possible! They will be distributing saplings and milkweed seeds.
Register at https://bit.ly/3NHGk0d.
Photo from MWRD
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47th Ward Ecofest Date: Sat, June 18th Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Location: Welles Park 2333 W Sunnyside Ave Chicago, IL 60618 Description: Join Chicago Alderman Matt Martin, 47th Ward and other officials at Eco Fest on June 18 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Welles Park. We welcome environmentalists, big and small, to join us for the first ever 47th Ward Eco Fest. This event will bring together small businesses, non-profits, and other vendors from across the city for a day of learning, activities, and fun focused on a sustainable future. The MWRD will be giving away free oak saplings, bags of compost and having a drawing for a free rain barrel! For more information and opportunities to volunteer at the event, click here. |
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Forest Preserves of Cook County: Pond Paddle
Date: Wed, June 22nd Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm Location: Trailside Museum of Natural History 738 Thatcher Ave River Forest, IL 60305 Description: Enjoy an afternoon out paddling. Instruction, sanitized equipment and kayaks provided. Registration Required: Call 312-533-5751. For more information, click here. Photo by Adriaan Greyling |
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Announcing 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.
Walk with a Future Doc Resumes
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.
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.
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 two important workshops this summer to be followed by an actual depave project (Workshop #3). The workshops will teach partners and participants all the steps involved in completing a depave project. The workshops are 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
They are launching with two important workshops this summer to be followed by an actual depave project (Workshop #3). The workshops will teach partners and participants all the steps involved in completing a depave project. The workshops are 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 #1: Thursday, June 16th, 6 - 8:30 PM CST (online via Zoom)
- 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 Deputy Director to assist the Director of Conservation & Experiential
Programming (CEP) Department with all aspects and operations of the department, its staff, and contract management. The
Deputy Director will assist in implementing the Department's vision, mission, and strategies. The CEP Department advances
the Forest Preserve’s mission by connecting people to nature through interpretation, education, and outdoor recreation.
The CEP Department includes 121 staff members (52 full-time, 41 part-time year-round, and 21 seasonal staff) who are
responsible for public engagement, including interpretative programs for the public, schools, and community groups; nature
center management; ambassador animal care; campground and aquatic center management; and community engagement,
partnerships, and outreach. CEP manages the contract and vendor management for Campground Management (five
campgrounds) and Aquatic Center Management (three seasonal Aquatic Centers) for the Forest Preserves.
To learn more about the position and how to apply, click here.
Programming (CEP) Department with all aspects and operations of the department, its staff, and contract management. The
Deputy Director will assist in implementing the Department's vision, mission, and strategies. The CEP Department advances
the Forest Preserve’s mission by connecting people to nature through interpretation, education, and outdoor recreation.
The CEP Department includes 121 staff members (52 full-time, 41 part-time year-round, and 21 seasonal staff) who are
responsible for public engagement, including interpretative programs for the public, schools, and community groups; nature
center management; ambassador animal care; campground and aquatic center management; and community engagement,
partnerships, and outreach. CEP manages the contract and vendor management for Campground Management (five
campgrounds) and Aquatic Center Management (three seasonal Aquatic Centers) for the Forest Preserves.
To learn more about the position and how to apply, click here.
The Horton Research Group at Northwestern University is hiring a new Research Study Coordinator. The successful candidate will coordinate research and community engagement projects that examine the role of urban green space as an environmental determinant of mental and physical wellbeing. The Research Study Coordinator (RSC) manages collection, analysis, processing & reporting of data & assists Principal Investigator (PI) in judging the validity of test data obtained in regard to biomedical &/or social-behavioral research study(ies) involving co-investigators, multiple campuses &/or universities. This is a full-time position, with a generous benefits package.
The full position description can be found on the NU Human Resources website https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/careers/apply/, search for Job # 44256 Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The full position description can be found on the NU Human Resources website https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/careers/apply/, search for Job # 44256 Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Keller Science Action Center is hiring a Program Assistant and a Senior Program Manager.
The Program Assistant would support the City of Chicago, Youth Conservation Action, and Calumet Initiatives during the peak seasons of activity involving planting native gardens, support for programs, and community engagement events, especially in the far south side of the Chicago portion the Calumet region. This is a limited 6-month term position.
The Senior Program Manager would manage the Chicago Region program by deploying supports that multiply our success: annual and strategic planning, meeting design and facilitation, program evaluation, and budgeting and reporting. The Senior Program Manager will lead one or more initiatives, fostering coordination across all and supporting team learning. The Senior Program Manager reports to the Chicago Region Program Director and partners with the Center’s senior leaders from the Center’s two other programs, Conservation Tools and Andes-Amazon, and other team leads across the Museum.
Click here to learn more about the Program Assistant role, and here to learn more about the Senior Program Manager role.
The Program Assistant would support the City of Chicago, Youth Conservation Action, and Calumet Initiatives during the peak seasons of activity involving planting native gardens, support for programs, and community engagement events, especially in the far south side of the Chicago portion the Calumet region. This is a limited 6-month term position.
The Senior Program Manager would manage the Chicago Region program by deploying supports that multiply our success: annual and strategic planning, meeting design and facilitation, program evaluation, and budgeting and reporting. The Senior Program Manager will lead one or more initiatives, fostering coordination across all and supporting team learning. The Senior Program Manager reports to the Chicago Region Program Director and partners with the Center’s senior leaders from the Center’s two other programs, Conservation Tools and Andes-Amazon, and other team leads across the Museum.
Click here to learn more about the Program Assistant role, and here to learn more about the Senior Program Manager role.
In the News
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Overview: Bike Hikes Newcomers as well as long-time residents may find the perfect bike trip to public lands in and around the Chicago area. Bicyclists can search the website to learn the distance to a specific destination as well as the amenities – such as accessibility, playgrounds and wildlife – to be found there. Check it out: https://www.50chicagoareahikesbikesbites.com/index.cfm?&secure Photo by Pavel Danilyuk |
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Overview: Stormwater Management The city of Harvey is revitalizing its downtown with green infrastructure. By planting trees, adding green spaces for native plants, it is replacing concrete with nature to address stormwater runoff that can overwhelm sewer systems. The plants and trees will keep the air cooler in the summertime and provide a habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/45351666d568/news-from-the-nature-conservancy-in-illinois-14234923?e=976c8f0d1a Photo by Laura Derks |
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Overview: Diesel Pollution Poses Health Risks The Respiratory Health Association recently issued a report showing that pollution from diesel engines in Illinois is 21% higher than the national average, according to a May 26 article by Caleb Bates about the report. The report was released nearly a year after the Illinois General Assembly urged Gov. Pritzker to join an agreement with 17 other states promising to increase the number of zero-emission trucks sold in coming years. Read more: https://resphealth.org/new-report-shows-elevated-health-risks-from-diesel-engine-pollution-in-illinois/ Photo by Gustavo Fring |