Newsletter from Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023
Photo taken by Deloris Lucas
Dear NCH2 Community--We have heard from many of you about Earth Day events. Thousands of residents across Chicagoland volunteered in local parks, waterways, and nature areas to clean up litter, mulch trees, attend Earth celebration events, and have fun, despite blustery, wintery weather. Sharing some here:
In Golden Gate Park, on Chicago's South Side, volunteers mulched trees and shared light refreshments while planning "Earth Day II" when they will use grant funds from the Chicago Park District Gardens in the Park program to plant perennial flowers, an effort to help pollinators and further beautify the park. Deloris DeLucas, VP of the Golden Gate Park Advisory Council and founder of We Keep You Rollin' commented. "All hands were on deck. We're also seeking Volunteers to assist in planting the perennials. Interested? Please text to 773-344-4524."
In Columbus Park, a collaboration among BUILD Chicago, the Field Museum, One Earth Collective, Openlands, Columbus Park Advisory Committee, and Friends of the Parks brought over 125 volunteers together to collect 65 bags of trash and recyclables, and mulch over 120 trees. Brandon Johnson, Mayor-elect, and Rosa Escareno, CPD General Superintendent visited the Earth Day festivities to raise awareness and express gratitude for the volunteers and for the city's parks.
In Golden Gate Park, on Chicago's South Side, volunteers mulched trees and shared light refreshments while planning "Earth Day II" when they will use grant funds from the Chicago Park District Gardens in the Park program to plant perennial flowers, an effort to help pollinators and further beautify the park. Deloris DeLucas, VP of the Golden Gate Park Advisory Council and founder of We Keep You Rollin' commented. "All hands were on deck. We're also seeking Volunteers to assist in planting the perennials. Interested? Please text to 773-344-4524."
In Columbus Park, a collaboration among BUILD Chicago, the Field Museum, One Earth Collective, Openlands, Columbus Park Advisory Committee, and Friends of the Parks brought over 125 volunteers together to collect 65 bags of trash and recyclables, and mulch over 120 trees. Brandon Johnson, Mayor-elect, and Rosa Escareno, CPD General Superintendent visited the Earth Day festivities to raise awareness and express gratitude for the volunteers and for the city's parks.
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In Evanston Northwestern University’s Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance hosted the second annual Spring Pow Wow at Welsh-Ryan Arena on April 22. Because the date of the Pow Wow coincided with Earth Day, the theme was “Honoring the Land.”
The Pow Wow, an intergenerational cultural celebration with food, art, music and dance, attracted nearly 200 people on a cold, wet and sometimes snowy Saturday. The Grand Entry, led by military veteran Vincent Romero of the Laguna Pueblo, opened the Pow Wow. Dancers, visiting royalty, community members and guests followed the veterans. |
Image, taken with permission, by Larry Gavin
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Index
Mental Health Awareness Month Spotlight
Upcoming Events
Future Events: Save the Date
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Mental Health Awareness Month Spotlight
Upcoming Events
Future Events: Save the Date
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Spotlight May, Mental Health Awareness Month
o Image from Mental Health America 2023
For the fourth year, NCH2 is promoting May, Mental Health Awareness Month, supporting Mental Health America's efforts to raise awareness about and how to care for Mental Health. May 4th is World Mental Health Day.
This year's theme is "Look Around, Look Within" emphasizing that our surroundings can have such a powerful impact on mental well-being. As many of our community members know, research shows that being in nature can reduce stress, perceived anxiety, feelings of isolation, and depression. Mental Health America has a toolkit that anyone can use and is downloadable here. Here are some simple ways Mental Health America encourages us to take time to be outside:
This year's theme is "Look Around, Look Within" emphasizing that our surroundings can have such a powerful impact on mental well-being. As many of our community members know, research shows that being in nature can reduce stress, perceived anxiety, feelings of isolation, and depression. Mental Health America has a toolkit that anyone can use and is downloadable here. Here are some simple ways Mental Health America encourages us to take time to be outside:
- Slow down and be present in green spaces, like a park, community garden, among the trees
- Watch the sunrise or sunset
- Take a walk around the block with your pet, friends, or family
- Create your own green oasis - flowers, plants, or vegetables in your home, workspace, or community
- Find a sunny spot to read or journal
- Enjoy your breakfast, lunch, or dinner al fresco
- Encourage kids to spend time outdoors.
Upcoming Events
Palos Preserves Dark Sky Monitor Training
Interested in learning more about the constellations and places in the beautiful Palos region where you can see them? Join fellow curious volunteers at a training to learn how to collect data on light levels in the Palos Preserves after dusk. This is a pilot program that will take place in the Palos Preserves- Urban Night Sky Place in the Southwest Region of the Forest Preserves of Cook County in partnership with the Adler Planetarium and Dark Sky International. Register here
When: Saturday, May 13th
When: 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Interested in learning more about the constellations and places in the beautiful Palos region where you can see them? Join fellow curious volunteers at a training to learn how to collect data on light levels in the Palos Preserves after dusk. This is a pilot program that will take place in the Palos Preserves- Urban Night Sky Place in the Southwest Region of the Forest Preserves of Cook County in partnership with the Adler Planetarium and Dark Sky International. Register here
When: Saturday, May 13th
When: 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Photo by Laura Derks
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Arbor Day Tree Plantings and Treemendous Programs
The Chicago Regional Trees Initiative is hosting many Tree Plantings and Tree Walks in the region. They are also hosting trainings in how to do Tree Inventories and How to become a Tree Advocate. All of these opportunities are detailed as well as registration here. Date: First week of May |
Photo by Laura Derks
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The Great Lakes Spring Bird Migration is Upon Us! Area Bird Walks
Rollins Savanna Bird Walk (Lake County) Rollins is an Oak Savanna in NW Lake County with an eBird list of 250 species. There’s the potential for a wide range of bird species from sparrows and warblers to bobolinks, raptors, herons, and flycatchers. When: Saturday, May 7th For more info and to sign up, use this link Hickory Grove Highlands Hike (McHenry County) Hickory Grove Highlands Conservation Area is located in McHenry County and is part of a complex of preserves along the Fox River. A popular spot during migration, Hickory Grove attracts a variety of warblers, flycatchers, cuckoos, sparrows and more. It is also a reliable spot for breeding Wilson’s Snipe, Henslow’s Sparrow, Orchard Oriole and Scarlet Tanager, just to name a few. When: Sunday, May 13th For more info and to register: use this link. Faith in Place along the Burnham Wildlife Corridor (Cook County) Bird at the McCormick Nature Sanctuary with Faith in Place and the Chicago Park District. Binoculars and other materials will be provided. We encourage you to wear a sturdy pair of shoes, pack some water, and download the free Merlin Bird ID app ahead of time for an enhanced experience. When: Saturday, May 6th, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Register: Here Meet up: Off S. Lake Shore Drive near the McCormick Place Parking Lot C on Fort Dearborn Drive |
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Green and Growing Summit
Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Openlands, Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC), and Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA) are coming together to host the inaugural Green and Growing Summit "Imagine What's Possible." The Summit seeks to "strengthen the connectivity of Chicago’s garden education movement building on the work of the Green Teachers Network and the CPS Garden Educator Cohort [with the] goal to amplify participants’ knowledge of garden, nature, and sustainability education through workshops and networking opportunities." When: Saturday, May 6th, 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Where: Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 W. 111th Street, Chicago Register Here |
Future Events: Save the Date
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Chicago Walk-With-A-Doc Program South Side
Presented by the Chicago Parks Foundation in partnership with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, the Walk with a Future Doc program kicks off in 2023 in an effort to present a low-key way to experience better health in the outdoors. All community members are invited to participate, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Learn more and sign up for the first walk on the South Side -- Promontory Walk in Hyde Park here. |
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Volunteer for Chicago River Day
Amazing volunteers have come together every year since 1992 to give the Chicago and Calumet Rivers a good spring cleaning on Chicago River Day, part of the effort to create a Litter Free Chicago-Calumet river system. Its health is rebounding but litter remains a stubborn problem. Have fun, get inspired by fellow volunteers, and make a positive impact on the health of the river cleaning the watershed from Lake County to the Calumet. Register before May 5th to receive a Chicago River Day T-shirt! Learn more here. Date: Saturday, May 13 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Click here to find a location here you |
Photo by Radhika Chopra
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Photo by Laura Derks
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Out-In-Nature Spring Wildflower Walk
OIN Spring Wildflowers Walk at Indiana Dunes National Park. Join Out In Nature to travel along the 3.3. miles Heron Rookery Trail to observe spring wildflowers at Indiana Dunes National Park Date: Saturday, May 13th Time: 11:00 AM-2:00 PM Central Time! To register and to learn more about the National Park, check it out here. |
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Spring Festival & Trailside’s 90th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate 90 years of nature education and springtime at Trailside Museum! Enjoy an ice cream social and participate in family-friendly historical activities. Enjoy animal encounters, kids’ tree climb, guided wildflower walks, bird banding, dip netting, building a bird house to take home, and much more! Learn more here. Date: Sunday May 7th Time: 11 AM - 3 PM Location: Trailside Museum of Natural History |
Photo by Forest Preserves of Cook County
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Job Opportunities
Elevate is looking to fill several positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Lake County Forest Preserves is looking for applicants for its Youth Conservation Corp positions. Learn more here.
Equiticity has two 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.
Land Trust Alliance is looking for candidates for the Community-Centered Conservation Program Manager role. Deadline for applications is April 30th. Learn more here.
STRONG Manoomin Collective is looking for 2 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 two positions: Institutional Grants Manager and the Policy and Advocacy Associate. Learn more here.
Save the Dunes is now accepting applications for community engagement coordinator a full-time position. Interested applicants should email their resume and cover letter no later than Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 11:59pm CST to [email protected].
Seven Generations Ahead is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Star Farm is looking to fill several positions. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
Lake County Forest Preserves is looking for applicants for its Youth Conservation Corp positions. Learn more here.
Equiticity has two 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.
Land Trust Alliance is looking for candidates for the Community-Centered Conservation Program Manager role. Deadline for applications is April 30th. Learn more here.
STRONG Manoomin Collective is looking for 2 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 two positions: Institutional Grants Manager and the Policy and Advocacy Associate. Learn more here.
Save the Dunes is now accepting applications for community engagement coordinator a full-time position. Interested applicants should email their resume and cover letter no later than Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 11:59pm CST to [email protected].
Seven Generations Ahead is looking to fill several positions. 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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Gardening for the Stressed and Rest
The physical and mental health benefits of gardening are so well known these days that they do not have to be greatly documented. But, wrote Randi Mazzella in a March 30 column, “You don’t have to be riddled with anxiety to get a mood boost from growing things. People without pre-existing mental health issues benefit, too.” She cites a study from the University of Colorado published this past January in Lancet Planetary Health that found that people who started gardening saw their stress and anxiety levels decrease significantly. Gardening stimulates the physical senses of touch, smell, and sight. Read more here: |
Photo by Laura Derks
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Photo Laura Derks
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Getting the lead out: Chicago is finally replacing lead service-lines
Even after a federal study of Chicago homes showed that that most of the existing service lines allow brain-damaging lead into household water supplies, the City of Chicago continued to use these old service lines, wrote Michael Hawthorne in an April 30 story in the Chicago Tribune. Service lines are the lines that connect a home’s water supply to the nearby water main; many if not most of these are made of substances that contain lead, the damage from which is irreversible. “Last year alone lead was detected in water from at least one home in more than 60% of the Illinois water systems tested, state records show. Several results were significantly higher than 5 parts per billion, the Food and Drug Administration’s limit for bottled water,” he wrote. Recently, though, Chicago revised its practice and crews are now removing the lead pipes as they replace the larger pipes. There are about 400,000 such lead lines in the city. State laws, delayed by lobbying groups, have finally been enacted, requiring replacement of lead service lines. Read more here. |
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Imani, a Famous Piping Plover, Returns to Montrose Beach
Blockclub Chicago’s Joe Ward reported last week that the piping plover Imani, the “prodigal bird son of Montrose Beach” had returned to his birthplace. Tamima Itani, vice president with the Illinois Ornithological Society and volunteer organizer with Chicago Piping Plovers, reported seeing the nearly 2-year-old orphan in the protected area of Montrose Beach. To keep up with Chicago’s piping plovers, check out them out here. |
Photo of Imani's mother Rose, by Ann Gunkel
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Photo by Laura Derks
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Farm to School Collaboration: $16 million for states adjacent to Lake Michigan
As reported in the Zero Waste April Newsletter, the new Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub Grant will be administered by the Illinois Public Health Institute. This hub will strengthen the K-12 school food supply chain, improving access to nutritious, locally grown, and culturally relevant foods for children in the Lake Michigan region in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. The United States Department of Agriculture awarded $16 million to help schools address challenges such as increased food purchasing costs and limitations with staffing, training, physical space, and kitchen equipment. The first round of sub-grants, called Spark Awards, are anticipated for the fall of 2023. |
Connect with Us!
We are 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].
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 which can be done here. You can also submit materials for the next newsletter by emailing [email protected].
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].