Newsletter Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Dear NCH2 Community-
It has been awesome to see how you all are lifting up May as Mental Health Awareness Month (MMHAM) with the theme "Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World." Started in 1949, MMHAM has a long track record of education, advocacy, improving better understanding and awareness, and identifying resources for anyone who wants to learn more. We have seen many educational messages and programs that you are hosting and promoting on Instagram and through other outlets. Thank you! If you have any others you would like us to promote, do not hesitate to send them our way at [email protected]. We hope that you, your friends, and families tap into the mental health benefits of spending time outside in safe and welcoming spaces.
Periodical Cicadas Sited in the Suburbs and will Soon Arrive!
For naturalists, the emergence of trillions of cicadas over the next few weeks and into the summer creates quite a bit of excitement. Experiencing two broods of cicadas emerging simultaneously hasn't occurred in our region for two centuries (221 years to be exact). The event does bring some confusion about how to care for young, newly planted trees, so our friends at Our Roots Chicago are helping circulate information here: Morton and Botanic info sheets and instructional videos including one on how to net your tree. The NWF also has a great site for additional information.
Bird Intelligence (observed through Human-generated Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You may have been hearing too much about how to use artificial intelligence or how it is being used on you. Recently we have learned about a very cool use of AI in bird evolution research. Relayed in the book The Bird Way, by Jennifer Ackerman, British researcher Mary Caswell Stoddard and computer scientist Chris Town created an AI tool "NaturePatternMatch" to identify features and markings on bird eggs that might be important to the male/female parents. Parasitic birds, ones that lay their eggs in other birds' nests, use many different ways to mask their eggs, including ensuring their eggs look like the host bird eggs, so that they are not eliminated from the host bird nest. This new software is able to determine that a host bird changed the markings on their eggs so that they could easily identify their own brood, and know the ones of the parasitic bird--these changes to the eggshells were achieved in just a few decades--a blink of an eye in evolutionary terms. We would never know this with out AI, as these changes were not discernible to the human eye. All we can say is wow.
It has been awesome to see how you all are lifting up May as Mental Health Awareness Month (MMHAM) with the theme "Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World." Started in 1949, MMHAM has a long track record of education, advocacy, improving better understanding and awareness, and identifying resources for anyone who wants to learn more. We have seen many educational messages and programs that you are hosting and promoting on Instagram and through other outlets. Thank you! If you have any others you would like us to promote, do not hesitate to send them our way at [email protected]. We hope that you, your friends, and families tap into the mental health benefits of spending time outside in safe and welcoming spaces.
Periodical Cicadas Sited in the Suburbs and will Soon Arrive!
For naturalists, the emergence of trillions of cicadas over the next few weeks and into the summer creates quite a bit of excitement. Experiencing two broods of cicadas emerging simultaneously hasn't occurred in our region for two centuries (221 years to be exact). The event does bring some confusion about how to care for young, newly planted trees, so our friends at Our Roots Chicago are helping circulate information here: Morton and Botanic info sheets and instructional videos including one on how to net your tree. The NWF also has a great site for additional information.
Bird Intelligence (observed through Human-generated Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You may have been hearing too much about how to use artificial intelligence or how it is being used on you. Recently we have learned about a very cool use of AI in bird evolution research. Relayed in the book The Bird Way, by Jennifer Ackerman, British researcher Mary Caswell Stoddard and computer scientist Chris Town created an AI tool "NaturePatternMatch" to identify features and markings on bird eggs that might be important to the male/female parents. Parasitic birds, ones that lay their eggs in other birds' nests, use many different ways to mask their eggs, including ensuring their eggs look like the host bird eggs, so that they are not eliminated from the host bird nest. This new software is able to determine that a host bird changed the markings on their eggs so that they could easily identify their own brood, and know the ones of the parasitic bird--these changes to the eggshells were achieved in just a few decades--a blink of an eye in evolutionary terms. We would never know this with out AI, as these changes were not discernible to the human eye. All we can say is wow.
Index
Community Spotlight
Events and Save the Dates
Funding Opportunities and Resources
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Community Spotlight
Events and Save the Dates
Funding Opportunities and Resources
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Understanding and Experiencing the Sounds of Nature
Image: Openlands Birds in my Neighborhood manager Jorge Garcia led the Healing Sounds of Nature workshop in Garfield Park (Fieldhouse pictured here)
Openlands' Birds in my Neighborhood Coordinator Jorge Garcia guided an eager group on a listening tour of the bird and nature sounds in Garfield Park, Chicago, during the first wave of spring bird migration. One of his favorite birding sites, Garfield Park offers not only a great stopover spot for migrating birds but also for year round birds. He mapped out the cardinal directions from our sit spot and challenged us to write out the sounds we heard on a map of the nearby area. Among many species of birds, frogs, and insects, we heard yellow-rumped warblers, white-throated sparrows, bullfrogs, and saw a quiet, stately blue heron on the fence. A Landmark Park in the Chicago Park District, Garfield Park is an excellent and accessible spot for a nearby nature escape.
Lupe Escargeca Openlands' School Garden Coordinator assisted with the workshop and circulated these resources afterwards:
The Birdsong Project (collection of music, art, and poems inspired by birds and their songs)
Article from the Washington Post about bird songs and mental health
The Noise Report- Podcast episode from Bring Birds Back
Chicago Bird Alliance bird walks coming up
Birds in my Neighborhood timecounts to sign up for field trips!
BirdCast- to check out the bird forecast!
Lupe Escargeca Openlands' School Garden Coordinator assisted with the workshop and circulated these resources afterwards:
The Birdsong Project (collection of music, art, and poems inspired by birds and their songs)
Article from the Washington Post about bird songs and mental health
The Noise Report- Podcast episode from Bring Birds Back
Chicago Bird Alliance bird walks coming up
Birds in my Neighborhood timecounts to sign up for field trips!
BirdCast- to check out the bird forecast!
Upcoming Events
 Image, Laura Derks
Nature Contact: A Social Determinant of Health for People, Population, and Planet Join the Discussion! All are Welcome. Join Professor David Victorson, Ph.D. for this talk and discussion about how our contact with and experience in nature can affect our physical and mental health. Sponsored by the Institute for Public Health and Medicine at Northwestern, the discussion will offer "basic knowledge on some of the mental health benefits of spending time in nature... (and) mental health outcomes of an immersive, nature-based program with young adult cancer survivors." Dr. Victorson is a Professor of Medical Social Sciences at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. He will also "discuss the importance of reciprocity and independence between human health and the health of the planet." Register Here. When: May 16, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Where: Online |
 Image, Laura Derks
Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network Training Workshops
Joint the last virtual session! This year’s beginner training workshops will be held jointly between University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Odonate Survey on zoom. The workshops consist of two sections. The first covers how to get started monitoring in both programs and how to follow the survey protocols. For the second half, the trainees will split into breakout rooms for butterfly and dragonfly/damselfly id. When: Sun May 19th, 9am-11:30am Where: Zoom |
Image, IN Birding Festival website
Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
The Chicago BIPOC Birders are organizing a group effort to attend this festival-check out their Instagram site for more information @chicago.bipoc.birders. Otherwise go to this website for all of the details. Signup for the email alerts!
When: May 16-19. Where: Indiana Dunes
Save the Date for Black Birders Week events in early June!
The Chicago BIPOC Birders are organizing a group effort to attend this festival-check out their Instagram site for more information @chicago.bipoc.birders. Otherwise go to this website for all of the details. Signup for the email alerts!
When: May 16-19. Where: Indiana Dunes
Save the Date for Black Birders Week events in early June!
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Join the Will County Forest Preserves for a Trail Ride
Free for all 12 and up on the Veterans Memorial Trail--"up to 10 miles round trip. Experienced riders only please. A bicycle and helmet are required for each participant. The trails are paved or crushed limestone. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should mention their request when registering, or submit a request on-line no later than 48 hours before the program." When: May 25, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Where: Hadley Valley — Gougar Road Access |
Image, Wil County Forest Preserves website
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Image, Laura Derks
Save the Date: Summer Wellness Walks
Enjoy these nature-immersive walks with mindfulness and meditative practices during slow leisurely walks with a tea ceremony afterwards. Ages 18+ and free in the Forest Preserves of Cook County Central area led by the University of Illinois Extension. All times are 10:00 - 12:00 p.m. For more information and to know about what UI Extension is doing in our region.
Where and When:
June 8, Miller Meadow
Enjoy these nature-immersive walks with mindfulness and meditative practices during slow leisurely walks with a tea ceremony afterwards. Ages 18+ and free in the Forest Preserves of Cook County Central area led by the University of Illinois Extension. All times are 10:00 - 12:00 p.m. For more information and to know about what UI Extension is doing in our region.
Where and When:
June 8, Miller Meadow
Funding Opportunities and other Nature Resources
Image, Park 566 Derks
A Nearby Nature Escape: Park 566
According to the Chicago Ornithological Society, Park 566 is outstanding for bird watching! "Stretching for over a mile along the Chicago lake front
from 78th to 85th streets, (the park is) a remnant of the once
massive U.S. Steel South Works site... a
by product of the steel production process, with no
natural shoreline. Approximately half of the site was
acquired by the Chicago Park District while half
remains with U.S. Steel and subject to possible
development. Despite this history and the only very recent
commencement of restoration, the park has proven to
be an incredibly important site for birds." (and many pollinators).
How to get there: Bus 26 will get you there from Downtown Chicago or you can park your car, scooter, or bike at Rainbow Beach
According to the Chicago Ornithological Society, Park 566 is outstanding for bird watching! "Stretching for over a mile along the Chicago lake front
from 78th to 85th streets, (the park is) a remnant of the once
massive U.S. Steel South Works site... a
by product of the steel production process, with no
natural shoreline. Approximately half of the site was
acquired by the Chicago Park District while half
remains with U.S. Steel and subject to possible
development. Despite this history and the only very recent
commencement of restoration, the park has proven to
be an incredibly important site for birds." (and many pollinators).
How to get there: Bus 26 will get you there from Downtown Chicago or you can park your car, scooter, or bike at Rainbow Beach
Image, Laura Derks
Tree Planting Grants
Illinois Community Canopy Planting Grant
A new partnership between Trees Forever, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service is making funds available to Illinois communities to restore and plant trees in community forests. The Illinois Community Canopy grant program funds "tree-planting projects that diversify the tree canopy in 'disadvantaged' (a definition specified and required in the U.S. Forest Service grants) Illinois communities. Projects may include planting trees in public areas such as "along streets, trails, community entryways, at schools, public buildings, cemeteries, parks and more." Grants of $3,000-15,000 are available. For more information, go here.
Openlands Treeplanters Grant
Openlands' regional goal of restoring and maintaining the tree canopy is focusing on planting new trees in communities with low canopy cover. These communities include Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, McKinley Park, New City, South Lawndale, West Elsdon, West Lawn. These neighborhoods are priority areas for Treeplanter Grants. Other neighborhoods in Chicago are also welcome to apply.
According to the Openlands website: "TreePlanters Grants are awarded to people, groups, or organizations that can bring together and coordinate their neighbors to plant 10-40 trees in predetermined locations in their neighborhood." The grant application is relatively simple--check out the application here.
Illinois Community Canopy Planting Grant
A new partnership between Trees Forever, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service is making funds available to Illinois communities to restore and plant trees in community forests. The Illinois Community Canopy grant program funds "tree-planting projects that diversify the tree canopy in 'disadvantaged' (a definition specified and required in the U.S. Forest Service grants) Illinois communities. Projects may include planting trees in public areas such as "along streets, trails, community entryways, at schools, public buildings, cemeteries, parks and more." Grants of $3,000-15,000 are available. For more information, go here.
Openlands Treeplanters Grant
Openlands' regional goal of restoring and maintaining the tree canopy is focusing on planting new trees in communities with low canopy cover. These communities include Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, McKinley Park, New City, South Lawndale, West Elsdon, West Lawn. These neighborhoods are priority areas for Treeplanter Grants. Other neighborhoods in Chicago are also welcome to apply.
According to the Openlands website: "TreePlanters Grants are awarded to people, groups, or organizations that can bring together and coordinate their neighbors to plant 10-40 trees in predetermined locations in their neighborhood." The grant application is relatively simple--check out the application here.
Job Opportunities
New
Imani Village in Chicago is hiring Green Health Advocates for this Summer and Fall Paid Temporary Position.
The Nature Conservancy Illinois is seeking a summer interpreter to "engage with public visitors at the Emiquon Preserve. See more here.
The Mitchell Museum is searching for a Traditional Gardener and Food Sovereignty Manager. See more here.
Rush University Medical Center is looking for an Americorps member to serve as part of the Comprehensive Care, Community, and Culture (C4P) AmeriCorps Program. Learn more here.
Senior Lawyer with the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
2024 One Summer Chicago--Application is now open for over 28,000 paid opportunities to individuals aged 14-24 across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. One Summer Chicago begins on Monday, June 24th, and will conclude on Friday, August 2nd. The application deadline is May 3rd, and we encourage individuals to apply early to increase their chances of receiving a job offer.
Continuing
Communications Associate at the Active Transportation Alliance. Consider applying if "you’re someone with a talent for crafting compelling narratives, distilling key messages, and producing content across a range of platforms"--full-time role, based in Chicago.
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Faith in Place has several positions open.
The Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum is hiring for two positions and two internships (Pollinator Conservation and Chicago Green Ambassadors Program).
The Friends of the Forest Preserves has several new positions. Learn more here.
Illinois Nature Conservancy, Illinois Youth Environmental Thinkers Intern (age 16-18)– (Job 54847). Deadline to apply is May 3rd.
A Natural Resource Specialist at the Lake County Forest Preserves. Three-year full-time position.
Openlands has a Forestry Coordinator position open.
Adventure Sports Coordinator with R.E.A.C.H. here (Scroll down, there are several other job openings)
Urban Growers Collective has 7 full-time positions open here.
The UGC Internship Program is open and accepting applications---must be 18 and older.
Windy City Harvest is accepting applications for its Apprenticeship program.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
Imani Village in Chicago is hiring Green Health Advocates for this Summer and Fall Paid Temporary Position.
The Nature Conservancy Illinois is seeking a summer interpreter to "engage with public visitors at the Emiquon Preserve. See more here.
The Mitchell Museum is searching for a Traditional Gardener and Food Sovereignty Manager. See more here.
Rush University Medical Center is looking for an Americorps member to serve as part of the Comprehensive Care, Community, and Culture (C4P) AmeriCorps Program. Learn more here.
Senior Lawyer with the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
2024 One Summer Chicago--Application is now open for over 28,000 paid opportunities to individuals aged 14-24 across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. One Summer Chicago begins on Monday, June 24th, and will conclude on Friday, August 2nd. The application deadline is May 3rd, and we encourage individuals to apply early to increase their chances of receiving a job offer.
Continuing
Communications Associate at the Active Transportation Alliance. Consider applying if "you’re someone with a talent for crafting compelling narratives, distilling key messages, and producing content across a range of platforms"--full-time role, based in Chicago.
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Faith in Place has several positions open.
The Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum is hiring for two positions and two internships (Pollinator Conservation and Chicago Green Ambassadors Program).
The Friends of the Forest Preserves has several new positions. Learn more here.
Illinois Nature Conservancy, Illinois Youth Environmental Thinkers Intern (age 16-18)– (Job 54847). Deadline to apply is May 3rd.
A Natural Resource Specialist at the Lake County Forest Preserves. Three-year full-time position.
Openlands has a Forestry Coordinator position open.
Adventure Sports Coordinator with R.E.A.C.H. here (Scroll down, there are several other job openings)
Urban Growers Collective has 7 full-time positions open here.
The UGC Internship Program is open and accepting applications---must be 18 and older.
Windy City Harvest is accepting applications for its Apprenticeship program.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
In the News
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Michigan Attorney General to Sue Fossil Fuel Companies
Even though her term of office may be over before a verdict or settlement is reached, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is planning to sue fossil fuel companies over the damages they have wreaked on the climate. A recent article in Bridge Michigan quoted AG Nessel as saying that Michigan taxpayers face "‘billions of dollars of losses' as climate change fuels extreme weather, warms lakes and rivers to the point of crisis for fish species, destroys northern forests and threatens the state’s people and economy. ... All of this, Nessel said, was "caused by these companies that knew exactly what they were doing.” Her office is seeking applications from lawyers and law firms to work with her on the case. This will be a state rather than federal lawsuit, since the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed in 2011 a climate lawsuit.Criticism of this and similar lawsuits is that they are a “‘meritless’ waste of taxpayer resources.'" Read more here. |
Image, API website
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Image, Derks
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Connecting Green Space and Children’s Mental Health
A recent article posted on the National Institute of Health(NIH) website described the results of a study by a team of researchers from NIH’s Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. The team, led by Dr. Nissa Towe-Goodman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, found that young children who lived in areas with more green space had fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. They studied more than 2,000 children in 200 counties across 41 states and the results of their study were published in JAMA Network Open on April 10, 2024. The NIH article said they study found that “green space around the home was associated with fewer internalizing and externalizing symptoms during early childhood. … No relationships were found between green space and any symptoms during middle childhood. The researchers suggest this may be because children in this age range spend more time at school and less at home.” While further research is recommended, the results suggested that parks, urban forest programs, and protected natural areas could help increase exposure to green spaces. Read more about the study, including references and related links |
Image, Laura Derks
Linking Allergens and Anxiety
Some experts suggest that seasonal allergies are connected to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, according to a May 8 article by Christina Caron in the New York Times. Dr. David A. Gudis, chief of the division of rhinology and anterior skull base surgery at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said that allergies “affect sleep, energy levels, sense of smell, mental sharpness and productivity — which, in turn, can affect our mental well-being.”
Experiments with rodents have shown that allergens caused signs of anxiety, an increase in the production of cytokines in their brains, as well as higher levels of a stress hormone, Dr. Gudis said.
Although no direct causation has been found, studies in this country have “suggested that allergy sufferers are around one and a half times as likely to have major depression, a link that is particularly strong among women,” she wrote. Other studies have shown correlations with more serious mental disorders. Read more here.
Some experts suggest that seasonal allergies are connected to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, according to a May 8 article by Christina Caron in the New York Times. Dr. David A. Gudis, chief of the division of rhinology and anterior skull base surgery at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said that allergies “affect sleep, energy levels, sense of smell, mental sharpness and productivity — which, in turn, can affect our mental well-being.”
Experiments with rodents have shown that allergens caused signs of anxiety, an increase in the production of cytokines in their brains, as well as higher levels of a stress hormone, Dr. Gudis said.
Although no direct causation has been found, studies in this country have “suggested that allergy sufferers are around one and a half times as likely to have major depression, a link that is particularly strong among women,” she wrote. Other studies have shown correlations with more serious mental disorders. Read more here.
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].