Newsletter Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Dear NCH2 Community-
The 2024 increase in Mental Health Awareness Month (May) recognition, events, and programs is noteworthy! As we wind down our promotion of this month, we are thinking about ways to continue to promote these messages during the remaining 11 months of the year. How can we raise the bar in overall awareness and understanding about how nature-based experiences can be a "dose of prevention" for your mental health? The American Psychological Association, the Mental Health Foundation and Mental Health America all have promoted peer-reviewed research showing associations between mental health and time spent in nature. Also, be sure and check out our Steering Committee member David Victorsso's recent presentation here. And one of our favorite Instagram accounts @wiscobirder has promoted the month several times -- check him out. In our opinion, his enthusiasm for nature is unmatched.
As part of the NCH2 community, you all can carry this message to your local public health departments, health care and mental health care providers, and park districts so that they can also support initiatives to encourage time in safe and accessible nature spaces.
Cicadas – Helping our Regional Ecosystem--Everywhere!
It has been simply fascinating to see the waves of cicadas emerge over the past week. If you are curious about the lifecycle of this unique insect, check out this very clever video the Forest Preserves of DuPage County put together here. This truly awesome addition to our ecosystem is helping our soil, other insect-eating creatures (including our dogs), and alerting us to summer's imminence. And to think this double emergence of two cicada species has not happened for over 200 years! Did you know they have one of the longest lifecycles in the insect world? If you work with young people the might enjoy joining the "singing insects" monitoring crew to watch for and report the four waves of singing insects that will arrive in the area--check out this website.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is raising awareness about another summer-connected insect -- lightening bugs/ fireflies. On Instagram USFWS posted recently: "we are asked frequently - why don't I see that many lightning bugs anymore? The simple answer is, maybe your community is no longer a good habitat for them...Fireflies lay their eggs in the ground where they then mature into glow worms. It's during this larval stage where they spend all their time eating other, tinier insects. Born and raised in the duff, they need the leaves that naturally litter the ground." Another reason to Leave the Leaves in the fall! For other ways to ensure biodiversity in and around your house or apartment, USFWS has published this article to help you get started.
Congratulations!
To Light of Loving Kindness Cassandra Powell, NCH2 Steering Committee Member, who was one of a 6 organizations that recently received a micro grant from "Together Outdoors" to promote greater equity in accessing nature!
Black Birders Week
It is Black Birders Week--follow @tykeejames who will host a series of events calling for inclusivity during Black Birders Week--called "Birding for the Bold." Check out the link in his Instagram bio. Enjoy this gorgeous weather!
The 2024 increase in Mental Health Awareness Month (May) recognition, events, and programs is noteworthy! As we wind down our promotion of this month, we are thinking about ways to continue to promote these messages during the remaining 11 months of the year. How can we raise the bar in overall awareness and understanding about how nature-based experiences can be a "dose of prevention" for your mental health? The American Psychological Association, the Mental Health Foundation and Mental Health America all have promoted peer-reviewed research showing associations between mental health and time spent in nature. Also, be sure and check out our Steering Committee member David Victorsso's recent presentation here. And one of our favorite Instagram accounts @wiscobirder has promoted the month several times -- check him out. In our opinion, his enthusiasm for nature is unmatched.
As part of the NCH2 community, you all can carry this message to your local public health departments, health care and mental health care providers, and park districts so that they can also support initiatives to encourage time in safe and accessible nature spaces.
Cicadas – Helping our Regional Ecosystem--Everywhere!
It has been simply fascinating to see the waves of cicadas emerge over the past week. If you are curious about the lifecycle of this unique insect, check out this very clever video the Forest Preserves of DuPage County put together here. This truly awesome addition to our ecosystem is helping our soil, other insect-eating creatures (including our dogs), and alerting us to summer's imminence. And to think this double emergence of two cicada species has not happened for over 200 years! Did you know they have one of the longest lifecycles in the insect world? If you work with young people the might enjoy joining the "singing insects" monitoring crew to watch for and report the four waves of singing insects that will arrive in the area--check out this website.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is raising awareness about another summer-connected insect -- lightening bugs/ fireflies. On Instagram USFWS posted recently: "we are asked frequently - why don't I see that many lightning bugs anymore? The simple answer is, maybe your community is no longer a good habitat for them...Fireflies lay their eggs in the ground where they then mature into glow worms. It's during this larval stage where they spend all their time eating other, tinier insects. Born and raised in the duff, they need the leaves that naturally litter the ground." Another reason to Leave the Leaves in the fall! For other ways to ensure biodiversity in and around your house or apartment, USFWS has published this article to help you get started.
Congratulations!
To Light of Loving Kindness Cassandra Powell, NCH2 Steering Committee Member, who was one of a 6 organizations that recently received a micro grant from "Together Outdoors" to promote greater equity in accessing nature!
Black Birders Week
It is Black Birders Week--follow @tykeejames who will host a series of events calling for inclusivity during Black Birders Week--called "Birding for the Bold." Check out the link in his Instagram bio. Enjoy this gorgeous weather!
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
Creating Nearby Nature in the Community
Image: Laura Derks
On a lovely spring day, NCH2 walked with Natalie Perkins, Neighborspace staffer and South Shore neighbor and community "rockstar." Her energy and enthusiasm for the South Shore community underscored the importance of nature-based entrepreneurship at the community level. Between Merrill community garden, the Space to Grow O'Keefe School of Excellence Elementary play space, and the Crandon Community Garden, this part of the South Shore community has created its own nature corridor. Crandon Community Garden has almost two decades of gardening experience at this corner on 71st street, and has now developed a native plant corridor on the parkway, adjacent to the garden with labels on each plant to help educate the public. With the Lake Michigan shoreline within walking, strolling, and rolling distance at South Shore Nature Sanctuary and Cultural Center, this area has many nature-based assets.
Upcoming Events
Image, Brookfield Zoo
Monarch Festival
Join the Brookfield Zoo and the Illinois Monarch Project on June 19 for their Monarch Conference and Celebration featuring "special guest speakers, engaging pollinator talks, informative native plant sessions, fun-filled activities, giveaways and much more!" For more info email us at [email protected].
If you ever see a monarch caterpillar or a monarch butterfly, make sure to register your sighting at journeynorth.org. They map all stages from egg, to pupa, to butterfly to track population trends. Last year a 60 percent decline in monarch butterflies raised even more "red flags" about this endangered species. Become a community scientist by reporting your findings!
Where and When:Brookfield Zoo
When: June 19, 2024 10 AM - 3 PM
Join the Brookfield Zoo and the Illinois Monarch Project on June 19 for their Monarch Conference and Celebration featuring "special guest speakers, engaging pollinator talks, informative native plant sessions, fun-filled activities, giveaways and much more!" For more info email us at [email protected].
If you ever see a monarch caterpillar or a monarch butterfly, make sure to register your sighting at journeynorth.org. They map all stages from egg, to pupa, to butterfly to track population trends. Last year a 60 percent decline in monarch butterflies raised even more "red flags" about this endangered species. Become a community scientist by reporting your findings!
Where and When:Brookfield Zoo
When: June 19, 2024 10 AM - 3 PM
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Save the Date: Englewood Village Plaza Ribbon Cutting and Celebration
Enjoy the newly redesigned plaza of this community gathering space and the season opening of the Englewood Village Market for fresh produce, music, and other vendors. Stay up to date and follow @growgreaterenglewood. When: June 22, 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Where: 5822 S. Halsted Street, Chicago |
Image, Grow Greater Englewood website
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Image, Laura Derks
Last in the series--Summer Wellness Walk
Enjoy this 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.
For more information and to know about what UI Extension is doing in our region.
Where and When:
June 8, Miller Meadow 10:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Enjoy this 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.
For more information and to know about what UI Extension is doing in our region.
Where and When:
June 8, Miller Meadow 10:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Funding Opportunities and other Nature Resources
Image, Derks
A Nearby Nature Escape: Columbus Park
When Montrose Bird Sanctuary was closed during the pandemic, birders discovered another terrific place to bird on Chicago's West Side--Columbus Park, especially near the domed-refectory on Jackson Boulevard. From Terns to Herons to songbirds, the park has had over 75 species coursing through it. The only Chicago Park District park exclusively designed by Jens Jensen, it offers a unique nature escape for anyone searching for a quiet wooded spot, a local fishing hole, and a paved pathway spot for rolling. If you are hungry for a slice of pie, Happy Apple Pie Shop is not far away.
How to get there: The Blue Line, Bus 91 gets you the closest on the CTA. Parking available as well.
When Montrose Bird Sanctuary was closed during the pandemic, birders discovered another terrific place to bird on Chicago's West Side--Columbus Park, especially near the domed-refectory on Jackson Boulevard. From Terns to Herons to songbirds, the park has had over 75 species coursing through it. The only Chicago Park District park exclusively designed by Jens Jensen, it offers a unique nature escape for anyone searching for a quiet wooded spot, a local fishing hole, and a paved pathway spot for rolling. If you are hungry for a slice of pie, Happy Apple Pie Shop is not far away.
How to get there: The Blue Line, Bus 91 gets you the closest on the CTA. Parking available as well.
Image, GRIT All-Terrain Wheelchair website (for illustration only)
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All-Terrain Wheelchair Offers All-Access to Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
Lake County Openlands offers the free use of an all-terrain wheelchair for its pathways at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve. Reservations required to use it-- LEARN MORE |
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 now closed -- to sign up for the next rounds of grants, 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 now closed -- to sign up for the next rounds of grants, 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.
Image, Laura Derks
Apply for the Second Round of Chicago Community Growers Grants (see story below)
Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and NeighborSpace are offering a grant opportunity to reduce the barriers to urban agriculture by "supporting urban growers with access to resources to build long-term urban agriculture sites and technical support." City-based growers interested in applying to participate in the program in this second round can do so from May 1st through June 30th, 2024, by visiting Neighbor-Space.org.
NeighborSpace is managing the application review and selection process. "NeighborSpace will provide financial and technical assistance to urban growers. This work is being done with the goal of increasing access to healthy food in communities facing high levels of food insecurity. To learn more, go here.
Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and NeighborSpace are offering a grant opportunity to reduce the barriers to urban agriculture by "supporting urban growers with access to resources to build long-term urban agriculture sites and technical support." City-based growers interested in applying to participate in the program in this second round can do so from May 1st through June 30th, 2024, by visiting Neighbor-Space.org.
NeighborSpace is managing the application review and selection process. "NeighborSpace will provide financial and technical assistance to urban growers. This work is being done with the goal of increasing access to healthy food in communities facing high levels of food insecurity. To learn more, go here.
Job Opportunities
Posted in May
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.
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 (Energy) is looking to fill many positions including several internships. Look through their career opportunities here.
Faith in Place has several positions open including an Environmental Justice internship and a coordinator.
The Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum is hiring for one position and one internship.
The Friends of the Forest Preserves has several new positions including Development Director. Learn more here.
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 5 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.
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 (Energy) is looking to fill many positions including several internships. Look through their career opportunities here.
Faith in Place has several positions open including an Environmental Justice internship and a coordinator.
The Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum is hiring for one position and one internship.
The Friends of the Forest Preserves has several new positions including Development Director. Learn more here.
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 5 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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New Round of Applications for Chicago’s Community Growers Program
At the beginning of May, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), and program partner agency NeighborSpace, announced that the City’s Community Growers Program was again open for applications. The program offers financial aid and technical support for growing local produce, providing a source of healthy food to communities. The Community Growers Program will invest $2 million urban agriculture with the goal to increase food equity in “disinvested” communities by encouraging urban agriculture sites. The announcement, from Mayor Johnson’s office, quoted Mike Trout, Founder and Executive Director of Young Men's Educational Network (and an NCH2 seed grant recipient) and a Community Growers Program first round recipient: “With the support of the Community Growers Program, a collaborative team of community stakeholders in North Lawndale, called the Garden to Table Pipeline, have brought life back to a 17,000 square foot property that has been neglected for decades!” More about the program and the partners can be found here. |
Image, Merrill Community Garden, Derks
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Image, Laura Derks
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Conserve ‘Finite’ Fresh Water
In a May 6 op-ed piece in the Chicago Tribune, Governor J. B. Pritzker, Tony Evers and Alaina Harkness wrote of described the “perils” facing world’s supply of fresh water: climate change, increasing population and forever chemicals, among others. . “One-fifth of the planet’s surface freshwater sits in our Great Lakes,” they wrote. “Demand for it will only grow, which gives us both an opportunity and a responsibility to speed the pace of water innovation. We must manage and conserve our finite fresh water as if it were a sea of diamonds.” Even “waste” water has value, as the coalition Great Lakes ReNEW plans to invest millions of dollars “in new technologies to recover and recycle valuable minerals, such as nickel, cobalt and lithium, from our water, and remove toxic chemicals such as per- and polyfluorinated substances, known as PFAS. The goal is to destroy what’s toxic and reuse what’s valuable,” they wrote. Some challenges to conserve and re-use water from the Great Lakes are using precision separation, doing this with less energy than is currently being used, and getting industries and governments to accept these processes. If these challenges are met, wastewater can be turned into wealth. Read the Tribune guest essay here (reprinted in the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District newsletter): |
Image, Laura Derks
Sierra Club Backs Transit to Trails Legislation in Illinois
The Conservation & Outdoors team of the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club was instrumental in getting the legislation HB 5277 approved by the Illinois House last month, according to the April newsletter by Ian Brickey. The bill would "require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program through which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for projects that facilitate travel by public transportation to public outdoor recreation sites for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, or other nature-based activities. The bill also "provides that the Secretary shall offer grants through the Transit to Trails program on an annual basis."
The Illinois Senate may consider this bill in May then pass it to Governor J.B. Pritzker to sign. NCH2 serves on the national Transit to Trails committee for the Sierra Club and additionally the Illinois Chapter has also been involved in the national Transit to Trails campaign.
The Conservation & Outdoors team of the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club was instrumental in getting the legislation HB 5277 approved by the Illinois House last month, according to the April newsletter by Ian Brickey. The bill would "require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program through which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for projects that facilitate travel by public transportation to public outdoor recreation sites for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, or other nature-based activities. The bill also "provides that the Secretary shall offer grants through the Transit to Trails program on an annual basis."
The Illinois Senate may consider this bill in May then pass it to Governor J.B. Pritzker to sign. NCH2 serves on the national Transit to Trails committee for the Sierra Club and additionally the Illinois Chapter has also been involved in the national Transit to Trails campaign.
Image, The Alaska Center Education Fund
Alaska Youth File Suit Over Environment
Our Children’s Trust has filed a lawsuit in yet another state, claiming this time on behalf of eight Alaska youth that the State violated two of their Constitutional rights: first, to have protected natural resources for current and future generations, and second, to be free from government infringement on life, liberty and property. The plaintiffs allege that global warming is already interfering with their development, disrupting their cultural traditions and limiting their access to necessary natural resources.
The article, “Young Alaskans sue state over fossil fuel project they claim violates their rights” by Dharna Noor, fossil fuels and climate reporter for The Guardian, was posted there on May 23. Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, which is owned by the State, wishes to construct a $38.7 billion project that would “roughly triple the state’s greenhouse gas emissions for decades,” according to the lawsuit. The project, the Alaska LNG Project, “would involve the construction of a gas treatment plant on the state’s North Slope, an 800-mile pipeline and liquefaction plant on the Kenai Peninsula which would prepare the gas for export to Asia,” the article stated.
Roadblocks to the success of this lawsuit are the fact that in 2014, Alaska lawmakers amended several state laws to “direct the state to see the project through,” and that in 2017 the Alaska Supreme Court narrowly dismissed a similar lawsuit, wrote Ms. Noor.
Our Children’s Trust, however, won a climate victory on behalf of young Montanans last year. The organization also has pending state lawsuits in Hawaii, Florida, Utah and Virginia. Read more here.
Our Children’s Trust has filed a lawsuit in yet another state, claiming this time on behalf of eight Alaska youth that the State violated two of their Constitutional rights: first, to have protected natural resources for current and future generations, and second, to be free from government infringement on life, liberty and property. The plaintiffs allege that global warming is already interfering with their development, disrupting their cultural traditions and limiting their access to necessary natural resources.
The article, “Young Alaskans sue state over fossil fuel project they claim violates their rights” by Dharna Noor, fossil fuels and climate reporter for The Guardian, was posted there on May 23. Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, which is owned by the State, wishes to construct a $38.7 billion project that would “roughly triple the state’s greenhouse gas emissions for decades,” according to the lawsuit. The project, the Alaska LNG Project, “would involve the construction of a gas treatment plant on the state’s North Slope, an 800-mile pipeline and liquefaction plant on the Kenai Peninsula which would prepare the gas for export to Asia,” the article stated.
Roadblocks to the success of this lawsuit are the fact that in 2014, Alaska lawmakers amended several state laws to “direct the state to see the project through,” and that in 2017 the Alaska Supreme Court narrowly dismissed a similar lawsuit, wrote Ms. Noor.
Our Children’s Trust, however, won a climate victory on behalf of young Montanans last year. The organization also has pending state lawsuits in Hawaii, Florida, Utah and Virginia. 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].