Newsletter from Thursday, March 31st, 2022
Dear NCH2 Community,
We hope you and your families are staying safe and healthy. Please submit materials for the next newsletter by April 13th, 2022 so we can make sure to include them. Submit items by emailing NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com.
This week's newsletter includes information on the next NCH2 coffee and discussion event, upcoming local events, a save-the-date for an in-person "May as Mental Health Awareness Month" event, volunteer and job opportunities, information on the City Nature Challenge, and links to articles in the recent research literature and popular press.
This week's newsletter includes information on the next NCH2 coffee and discussion event, upcoming local events, a save-the-date for an in-person "May as Mental Health Awareness Month" event, volunteer and job opportunities, information on the City Nature Challenge, and links to articles in the recent research literature and popular press.
Next NCH2 Coffee and Discussion
On April 7th, 2022, from 12 noon to 1:15 CST, join us on Zoom for Accelerating Health and Nature Collaboration
Description: Although research demonstrates the physical and mental health benefits of time spent in nature, historic and systemic injustices prevent equitable access to these benefits, particularly for individuals from low-income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities. Like other social determinants of health, access to a clean and healthy environment is not incentivized through traditional fee-for-service models of healthcare. In contrast, value-based care, or VBC, (driven by quality of patient care, not quantity) presents opportunities for bridging healthcare and nature-based organizations to improve patient outcomes. This study explores the institutional and financial potential for this collaboration in the Chicagoland region, employing interviews with 27 leaders in healthcare and conservation, as well as breakout discussions with 60 community leaders in Lake County, IL. The results identify six key categories of themes, including both near term and long term opportunities and strategies for driving equitable nature-based healthcare solutions. This data has informed the development of an emerging Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator at Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods in the northern Chicago region. Significant opportunity remains for additional investigation in other regions of the United States given, the varied implementation of VBC across the country.
Presented by: The Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods. Catherine Game, Dani Abboud, and Natalia Ospin.
Attendance is free and open to the public. Register in advance for this meeting here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom
Description: Although research demonstrates the physical and mental health benefits of time spent in nature, historic and systemic injustices prevent equitable access to these benefits, particularly for individuals from low-income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities. Like other social determinants of health, access to a clean and healthy environment is not incentivized through traditional fee-for-service models of healthcare. In contrast, value-based care, or VBC, (driven by quality of patient care, not quantity) presents opportunities for bridging healthcare and nature-based organizations to improve patient outcomes. This study explores the institutional and financial potential for this collaboration in the Chicagoland region, employing interviews with 27 leaders in healthcare and conservation, as well as breakout discussions with 60 community leaders in Lake County, IL. The results identify six key categories of themes, including both near term and long term opportunities and strategies for driving equitable nature-based healthcare solutions. This data has informed the development of an emerging Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator at Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods in the northern Chicago region. Significant opportunity remains for additional investigation in other regions of the United States given, the varied implementation of VBC across the country.
Presented by: The Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods. Catherine Game, Dani Abboud, and Natalia Ospin.
Attendance is free and open to the public. Register in advance for this meeting here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom
Save the Date -
Discovering Mental Health in Nature: Big Marsh Park
Discovering Mental Health in Nature: Big Marsh Park
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Date: Tues, May 17th Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: Big Marsh Natural Area 11555 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60617 (Parking onsite) Description: Save the date for this community leaders engagement event at Big Marsh Park on Chicago’s South Side during Mental Health Awareness Month. Join us as we:
We hope to see you there for this informative and fun in-person event highlighting nature and mental health in the Chicago area! |
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Local Events
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Forest Preserves of Cook County: Pond Dipping
Date: Sun, April 3rd Time: 1 pm - 3 pm Location: Bode Lake E Bode Rd, east of Bartlett Rd Hoffman Estates, IL 60107 Description: Net dip to investigate macroinvertebrates and learn what they can tell us about aquatic habitats. Ages 5 & up. Registration Required: Call 224-456-8602. For more information, click here. Photo Credit: Forest Preserves of Cook County |
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Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods Film Screening: "The Power of Us - Confronting Our Climate Crisis"
Date: Sun, April 3rd
Time: 2 pm - 3 pm
Location: Byron Colby Barn, Prairie Crossing Charter School
1561 Jones Point Rd.
Grayslake, IL 60030
Description: Join Brushwood Center and Prairie Crossing Charter School for the screening of "The Power of Us: Confronting our Climate Crisis". The climate crisis is a problem affecting people of all ages — and it needs an intergenerational, collaborative movement to fight it. 82-year-old retired Chicagoland engineer Jim Goodman and his wife Annie are alarmed about the climate change crisis, and know their generation has failed to adequately address it. With the environmental clock ticking, the Goodmans enlist the aid of some equally concerned young people, from those directly impacted by climate change’s disastrous impacts to those that are coming up with their own innovative solutions. "The Power of Us" underscores the urgency of the crisis and shows the power of an intergenerational climate movement, with youth leading the charge into the future. Executive Producers Annie and Jim Goodman and one of the film’s youth activists, Tess Russell, will be present for pre-screening conversation and post-screening Q&A. Tickets are free, but registration preferred.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo by Porapak Apichodilok
Date: Sun, April 3rd
Time: 2 pm - 3 pm
Location: Byron Colby Barn, Prairie Crossing Charter School
1561 Jones Point Rd.
Grayslake, IL 60030
Description: Join Brushwood Center and Prairie Crossing Charter School for the screening of "The Power of Us: Confronting our Climate Crisis". The climate crisis is a problem affecting people of all ages — and it needs an intergenerational, collaborative movement to fight it. 82-year-old retired Chicagoland engineer Jim Goodman and his wife Annie are alarmed about the climate change crisis, and know their generation has failed to adequately address it. With the environmental clock ticking, the Goodmans enlist the aid of some equally concerned young people, from those directly impacted by climate change’s disastrous impacts to those that are coming up with their own innovative solutions. "The Power of Us" underscores the urgency of the crisis and shows the power of an intergenerational climate movement, with youth leading the charge into the future. Executive Producers Annie and Jim Goodman and one of the film’s youth activists, Tess Russell, will be present for pre-screening conversation and post-screening Q&A. Tickets are free, but registration preferred.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo by Porapak Apichodilok
Northwestern One-Book Panel on Climate Change Education
Date: Tues, April 5th
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Location: via Zoom
Description: Join One Book One Northwestern on April 5th from 5-6:30pm CT for a virtual panel discussion on Climate Change Education. During this conversation practitioners representing K-12 and collegiate spaces will discuss topics such as education methods, teaching philosophies, and classroom specific strategies for engaging students. This program is open to all, particularly those interested in education, science communication, and student learning. Registration required for virtual panel link.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo Credit: Northwestern One-Book
Date: Tues, April 5th
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Location: via Zoom
Description: Join One Book One Northwestern on April 5th from 5-6:30pm CT for a virtual panel discussion on Climate Change Education. During this conversation practitioners representing K-12 and collegiate spaces will discuss topics such as education methods, teaching philosophies, and classroom specific strategies for engaging students. This program is open to all, particularly those interested in education, science communication, and student learning. Registration required for virtual panel link.
For more information and registration, click here.
Photo Credit: Northwestern One-Book
Forest Preserves of Cook County: Conservation@Home - Go Native and Get Wild
Date: Sat, April 9th
Time: 2 pm
Location: via Zoom
Description: Learn about the best plant species as well as benefits to yourself, pollinators and birds of planting native flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees in your backyard. Ages 18 & up. Registration required for Zoom link: Call Trailside at 708-366-6530.
For more information, click here.
Photo by Gail Kahover
Date: Sat, April 9th
Time: 2 pm
Location: via Zoom
Description: Learn about the best plant species as well as benefits to yourself, pollinators and birds of planting native flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees in your backyard. Ages 18 & up. Registration required for Zoom link: Call Trailside at 708-366-6530.
For more information, click here.
Photo by Gail Kahover
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Forest Preserves of Cook County: Spring Stroll
Date: Sun, Apr 10th Time: 1:30 pm Location: River Trail Nature Center 3120 Milwaukee Ave Northbrook, IL 60062 Description: Join us for a walk to highlight the signs of spring. Registration required: Call River Trail at 847-824-8360. For more information, click here. Photo by Kris DaPra |
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Urban Forest Connections Webinar: Greenspace Preservation in Distressed Communities
Date: Wed, April 13th
Time: 1:00 – 2:15 pm ET
Location: via Teams
Description: The Forest Service Urban Forest Connections webinar series brings experts together to discuss the latest science, practice, and policy on urban forestry and the environment. Dr. Cassandra Johnson, Research Social Scientist with the USDA Forest Service, will present research findings on the tension between distressed social conditions and environmental preservation in Atlanta’s South River watershed. Allen Doyle, with the South River Forest Coalition, will outline recent efforts the coalition has made to establish the “South River Forest,’ which could include 3,500 acres of both green and developed spaces. The presentation will also focus on historical underpinnings of greenspace emergence in Metro Atlanta, greenspace and urban forest preservation across municipal boundaries, how existing social inequities may detract from popular, civic environmentalism, and efforts to include neighborhoods and stakeholders that have sometimes been overlooked.
For more information and Teams link, click here.
Date: Wed, April 13th
Time: 1:00 – 2:15 pm ET
Location: via Teams
Description: The Forest Service Urban Forest Connections webinar series brings experts together to discuss the latest science, practice, and policy on urban forestry and the environment. Dr. Cassandra Johnson, Research Social Scientist with the USDA Forest Service, will present research findings on the tension between distressed social conditions and environmental preservation in Atlanta’s South River watershed. Allen Doyle, with the South River Forest Coalition, will outline recent efforts the coalition has made to establish the “South River Forest,’ which could include 3,500 acres of both green and developed spaces. The presentation will also focus on historical underpinnings of greenspace emergence in Metro Atlanta, greenspace and urban forest preservation across municipal boundaries, how existing social inequities may detract from popular, civic environmentalism, and efforts to include neighborhoods and stakeholders that have sometimes been overlooked.
For more information and Teams link, click here.
Volunteer Opportunities
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Volunteer in Evanston Parks with Citizens for Greener Evanston/Natural Habitat Evanston (https://greenerevanston.org/community-habitat-certification-program) to pick up trash, remove invasive species, and do trail maintenance. Days and times vary with park. Each park has a steward who organizes workdays. You will also need to sign a waiver to participate in workdays. Bring your own gloves, mask, tools if you have them, and physically distance when working. Here is a list of parks with regular workdays and stewards.
Photo by Anna Shvets |
Job Opportunity
- Study of Active Neighborhoods Detroit (STAND): Field Staff Member
an example of healthy, active neighborhoods for other cities across the USA. You will be responsible for a variety of tasks including study material transportation, participant consent and enrollment at events, transporting participants to and from our
office, and taking height, weight, blood pressure, a finger prick, and administering surveys using a tablet computer.
You will be trained on all these techniques – no prior experience is necessary. You will be part of a Detroit-based team and will be assisted
by a team at Michigan State University and supported by two Detroit-based coordinators and the
overall Study Coordinator.
To learn more about the STAND Project, click here.
To apply, click here. (Job number: 766119)
Chicago Wilderness:
Calling All Community Scientists and Conservation Organizations - The City Nature Challenge Is Almost Here
Calling All Community Scientists and Conservation Organizations - The City Nature Challenge Is Almost Here
We need your help organizing events to document the wildlife that calls our communities home. Together, we can break last year's amazing record!
The City Nature Challenge, a global biodiversity competition, takes place from April 29 through May 2, 2022.
It's a great opportunity for you to engage city residents and visitors in learning about their local nature.
Your event also helps researchers and land managers better understand and protect urban nature.
Ideas for your City Nature Challenge event
We'll help promote the events and share your results.
Want to do even more? After the City Nature Challenge is over, we need experts and community scientists to help with species identification. It's a great way to stay involved year round.
Learn more about the City Nature challenge here.
Submit your City Nature Challenge Event here.
Photo Credit: Chicago Wilderness
The City Nature Challenge, a global biodiversity competition, takes place from April 29 through May 2, 2022.
It's a great opportunity for you to engage city residents and visitors in learning about their local nature.
Your event also helps researchers and land managers better understand and protect urban nature.
Ideas for your City Nature Challenge event
- Host a group hike or a BioBlitz, or create a "do your own BioBlitz"
- Explore a city street or local park and show people how to use iNaturalist
- Have an afternoon for journaling, nature writing, or art about the species in your location
- Invite people to document bees, butterflies, or trees in their garden or schoolyard
- Have a guided sunset stroll or early morning bird walk
- Host a night time moth or bat watch, with flashlights and s'mores
We'll help promote the events and share your results.
Want to do even more? After the City Nature Challenge is over, we need experts and community scientists to help with species identification. It's a great way to stay involved year round.
Learn more about the City Nature challenge here.
Submit your City Nature Challenge Event here.
Photo Credit: Chicago Wilderness
Recent Research
Citation: He J, Li L, Li J. Generating Inclusive Health Benefits from Urban Green Spaces: An Empirical Study of Beijing Olympic Forest Park. Buildings. 2022;12(4):397. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/4/397
NCH2 Comments: Considerable and necessary discussion is taking place in the US about the need to increase the inclusivity of parks and natural areas to diverse communities. This open access paper documents that concerns about inclusivity are not limited to the US. This study, conducted in the Beijing Olympic Forest Park, identifies inequities of use. The authors found that for every one-unit of increased knowledge about the health benefits of nature there was a 12.8% increase in visit frequency. Men and older individuals were more likely to visit, as were those who lived closer to the park even though the park is readily accessible by public transit. Individuals with higher incomes were also more likely to visit the park. The authors did not directly address the difference in the use of the park by men and women or the relationship to income. Contrary to many other studies, this study found that more frequent visitors tended to have less-than-ideal health status. The authors speculate that this may reflect a desire to improve health by engaging in outdoor walking and visiting the park. The authors emphasize the roll that education about the health benefits of nature through public education campaigns might play in increasing the use of the park by those who are less frequent users
NCH2 Comments: Considerable and necessary discussion is taking place in the US about the need to increase the inclusivity of parks and natural areas to diverse communities. This open access paper documents that concerns about inclusivity are not limited to the US. This study, conducted in the Beijing Olympic Forest Park, identifies inequities of use. The authors found that for every one-unit of increased knowledge about the health benefits of nature there was a 12.8% increase in visit frequency. Men and older individuals were more likely to visit, as were those who lived closer to the park even though the park is readily accessible by public transit. Individuals with higher incomes were also more likely to visit the park. The authors did not directly address the difference in the use of the park by men and women or the relationship to income. Contrary to many other studies, this study found that more frequent visitors tended to have less-than-ideal health status. The authors speculate that this may reflect a desire to improve health by engaging in outdoor walking and visiting the park. The authors emphasize the roll that education about the health benefits of nature through public education campaigns might play in increasing the use of the park by those who are less frequent users
In the News
Overview: Seeds for Continuity
Many people know of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (SGSV), a “Noah’s ark” of seeds from around the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), more than 75 per cent of genetic diversity has been lost because of farmers transitioning to varieties of high-yield, genetically uniform crops.
Nicole Mortillaro reported on how Sködt McNalty of the Canadian Broadcasting System looked at how some indigenous cultures consider seeds – not just as the means to grow food but as an extension of the family. He says, “Indigenous people have long preserved seeds because they have important cultural ties within the community.”
He also quotes Alejandro Argumedo, director of programs at the U.S.-based Swift Foundation, who is Quechua from Ayacucho, Peru. "Indigenous people see them more as members of an extended family and to which you have to [tend] with care. Because there will be a reciprocity — they will be providing you ... food, will be caring about you."
Read more on how indigenous people look at seeds: https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/what-on-earth-indigenous-seeds-tradition-1.5617755
Read more on the seed vault: www.lonelyplanet.com/norway/svalbard/longyearbyen/attractions/svalbard-global-seed-vault/a/poi-sig/1580277/360264
Photo by Dawafenjo Gurung
Many people know of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (SGSV), a “Noah’s ark” of seeds from around the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), more than 75 per cent of genetic diversity has been lost because of farmers transitioning to varieties of high-yield, genetically uniform crops.
Nicole Mortillaro reported on how Sködt McNalty of the Canadian Broadcasting System looked at how some indigenous cultures consider seeds – not just as the means to grow food but as an extension of the family. He says, “Indigenous people have long preserved seeds because they have important cultural ties within the community.”
He also quotes Alejandro Argumedo, director of programs at the U.S.-based Swift Foundation, who is Quechua from Ayacucho, Peru. "Indigenous people see them more as members of an extended family and to which you have to [tend] with care. Because there will be a reciprocity — they will be providing you ... food, will be caring about you."
Read more on how indigenous people look at seeds: https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/what-on-earth-indigenous-seeds-tradition-1.5617755
Read more on the seed vault: www.lonelyplanet.com/norway/svalbard/longyearbyen/attractions/svalbard-global-seed-vault/a/poi-sig/1580277/360264
Photo by Dawafenjo Gurung
Overview: Plants for Mental Health
A post in Urban Cultivator described the connection between growing plants and mental health. The article offers some reasons that gardening, or even tending to plants, can be beneficial to mental health.
Gardening gives a sense of responsibility, connects people with living things, helps people be more mindful and promotes brain health.
Read more: www.urbancultivator.net/connection-growing-plants-mental-health/
Photo by Huy Phan
Overview: Daylight WHAT-time? The Senate recently passed a bill making daylight savings time permanent. An article posted last week in Psychology Today, reviewed by Gary Drevitch describes some negative effects of springing forward and falling back.
Recent research, for example, appears to demonstrate the twice-yearly changing of clocks leads to sleep loss and disruptions that can last nearly a week, causing behavior and health problems.
Examining studies that may show the effects of daylight savings time, the article concludes, “Still, the health effects of changing our clocks are so clear that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has called for getting rid of daylight saving time for the past two years.” However, the Academy advocates for a switch to permanent standard time as it more closely aligns with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
Read more: jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.8780; https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/202203/the-health-effects-daylight-savings-time
An article on how daylight savings time can affect people with autism can be found here: www.elemy.com/studio/daylight-saving-time-and-autism/
Photo by Karl Solano
Recent research, for example, appears to demonstrate the twice-yearly changing of clocks leads to sleep loss and disruptions that can last nearly a week, causing behavior and health problems.
Examining studies that may show the effects of daylight savings time, the article concludes, “Still, the health effects of changing our clocks are so clear that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has called for getting rid of daylight saving time for the past two years.” However, the Academy advocates for a switch to permanent standard time as it more closely aligns with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
Read more: jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.8780; https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/202203/the-health-effects-daylight-savings-time
An article on how daylight savings time can affect people with autism can be found here: www.elemy.com/studio/daylight-saving-time-and-autism/
Photo by Karl Solano
Overview: “I don’t have a carbon footprint; I drive a car.” April Fool’s Day is tomorrow, and Nature is not above practical jokes; daffodils can find themselves up to their perianth in snow.
Here is one website for jokes about nature:
33 Great Nature Jokes To Give You a Hill-arious Laughter (funnyjokestoday.com)
Photo by Daria Liudnaya
Overview: “I don’t have a carbon footprint; I drive a car.” April Fool’s Day is tomorrow, and Nature is not above practical jokes; daffodils can find themselves up to their perianth in snow.
Here is one website for jokes about nature:
33 Great Nature Jokes To Give You a Hill-arious Laughter (funnyjokestoday.com)
Photo by Daria Liudnaya