Newsletter Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Dear NCH2 Community,
As Fall advances, the sky and trees shimmer with vibrancy and color! Over 50 people experienced the fall season at its finest on a gorgeous day in Oak Park. Sustainability outreach organization Community Outreach to Oak Park (COOP) organized a Tree Walk with the Chicago Regional Tree Initiative, West Cook Wild Ones, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County. With leaf rubbings and tree ID pointers, the guides helped everyone understand how trees are assets in our community. We hope you have the chance to get outside to experience the colors of the season.
NCH2 Social Media is popping (especially Instagram)! At least, we hope you might have noticed. We are so excited that Nicole Bradley has joined us as our Social Media Strategist. Please welcome her by following us and giving her a shout out on our active social media handles: IG and Facebook.
Funding opportunities:
As Fall advances, the sky and trees shimmer with vibrancy and color! Over 50 people experienced the fall season at its finest on a gorgeous day in Oak Park. Sustainability outreach organization Community Outreach to Oak Park (COOP) organized a Tree Walk with the Chicago Regional Tree Initiative, West Cook Wild Ones, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County. With leaf rubbings and tree ID pointers, the guides helped everyone understand how trees are assets in our community. We hope you have the chance to get outside to experience the colors of the season.
NCH2 Social Media is popping (especially Instagram)! At least, we hope you might have noticed. We are so excited that Nicole Bradley has joined us as our Social Media Strategist. Please welcome her by following us and giving her a shout out on our active social media handles: IG and Facebook.
Funding opportunities:
- The state of Illinois and the Field Foundation have launched a new partnership called Healing Illinois , a grant opportunity that focuses on racial healing and is "designed to support organizations across the state to begin, or continue" this essential work.
- The Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (ARCC) has announced its next round of seed grants here. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please let us know and we will personally connect you.
- Lastly, NCH2 will start the Second Round of Triple Aim Catalyst Seed Grants next week, November 8th!! Check out our First Round grantees here.
Index
Community spotlight
Upcoming Events
Future Events and Ongoing
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Community spotlight
Upcoming Events
Future Events and Ongoing
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Join the Relaunch of a Statewide Coalition to Improve Health
NCH2 is very fortunate to have Sarah Chusid with The Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI) on our Steering Committee. Along with other IPHI staff, she has led a statewide coalition, The Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity, or IAPO, that focuses on advocacy, technical support, and guidance on programs that help prevent obesity and chronic disease. After a rigorous program evaluation with input from many public and private organizations across the state, IAPO is rebranding as the Illinois Alliance to Promote Opportunities for Health (IAPOH). This rebranding reflects an expansion of the coalition’s scope with new areas of focus, including the importance of nature spaces, green spaces, and parks and being active there.
According to IPHI, IAPOH is "a multi-sector coalition working to support chronic disease prevention and advance health equity through a common policy and systems change agenda." Its IAPOH is updated Strategic Framework and structure are detailed here. Checkout this comprehensive effort in Illinois to support active transport (including a transit to trails effort), more and higher quality green spaces and built environment. They are looking for new partners and we encourage you to join us in this effort. If you would like to endorse this new coalition and get involved, take a look at the form here. If more than one person would like to join per organization, they ask that each person sign up individually.
According to IPHI, IAPOH is "a multi-sector coalition working to support chronic disease prevention and advance health equity through a common policy and systems change agenda." Its IAPOH is updated Strategic Framework and structure are detailed here. Checkout this comprehensive effort in Illinois to support active transport (including a transit to trails effort), more and higher quality green spaces and built environment. They are looking for new partners and we encourage you to join us in this effort. If you would like to endorse this new coalition and get involved, take a look at the form here. If more than one person would like to join per organization, they ask that each person sign up individually.
Upcoming Events
Image, Equiticity
Equiticity Organizes the Annual Chicago Bike Collective Ride
Join fellow cyclists in the fourth annual event to " celebrate all of the bike collectives serving Black and Brown communities here in Chicago, including, though not limited to, community bike shops, clubs, organizations, and retailers. The ride will start and finish at the Palmisano Park. Register here.
When: November 3, 2023, Meetup 6pm | Ride 7pm
Where: Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park, 2700 South Halsted Street, Chicago
Join fellow cyclists in the fourth annual event to " celebrate all of the bike collectives serving Black and Brown communities here in Chicago, including, though not limited to, community bike shops, clubs, organizations, and retailers. The ride will start and finish at the Palmisano Park. Register here.
When: November 3, 2023, Meetup 6pm | Ride 7pm
Where: Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park, 2700 South Halsted Street, Chicago
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Celebrate Dia de los Muertos
Join this free family-friendly event to celebrate at Eggers Grove. With salsa dancing instruction, vendors, community altar installation, slam poetry and open mic, bonfire pits and smores, and refreshments while supplies last. This community event is sponsored and organized by the Southeast Youth Alliance, Southeast Environmental Task Force, Bridges/Puentes, Friends of the Forest Preserves and Forest Preserves of Cook County. Register Here. When: November 4, 3:00-7:45 p.m. Where: Eggers, Grove 11251-11249 South Avenue B Chicago |
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Family Campfires: Native American Storytelling
Join family campfires this fall! Guides from Lake Forest Open Lands and Trickster Cultural Center's, Gina Roxas will lead your family on an evening hike through the prairie to the Jens Jensen council ring to learn about our landscape through Native American stories and s’mores by the fire. Click Here for more information, including cost and registration. When: November 3, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Where: Melody Farm Nature Preserve |
Photo, Laura Derks
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Image, Illinois State University 2022
Pumpkin Smash This Saturday!!
The pumpkin smash is a community effort to keep pumpkins out of our landfills. To participate, collect pumpkins and other organic fall decorations from your home neighborhood, school, or workplace. Remove candles, ribbons, and other non-organic materials. Drop off the pumpkins at a smash site and they will be transported to a composting facility. Participants will have the opportunity to smash the pumpkins to break them down for composting. No sign-up is needed for this free, family friendly event.
Lake County
When: November 3rd 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Zion-Benton Township High School, 3901 21st St., Zion, IL 60099
Kane County
When: November 3, 3:00--5:00 p.m
Where: McCleary Elementary School, 1002 W. Illinois Ave. Aurora, IL 60506
Cook County
When: November 4th, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Where:
The pumpkin smash is a community effort to keep pumpkins out of our landfills. To participate, collect pumpkins and other organic fall decorations from your home neighborhood, school, or workplace. Remove candles, ribbons, and other non-organic materials. Drop off the pumpkins at a smash site and they will be transported to a composting facility. Participants will have the opportunity to smash the pumpkins to break them down for composting. No sign-up is needed for this free, family friendly event.
Lake County
When: November 3rd 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Zion-Benton Township High School, 3901 21st St., Zion, IL 60099
Kane County
When: November 3, 3:00--5:00 p.m
Where: McCleary Elementary School, 1002 W. Illinois Ave. Aurora, IL 60506
Cook County
When: November 4th, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Where:
- Chicago High School for Agricultural Science, 3857 W. 111th St, Chicago, IL 60655
- Coonley Elementary School, 4046 N. Leavitt St. Chicago, IL 60618
- Comer Crops Youth Farm, 7200 Ingleside Ave., Chicago, IL 60619
- Disney II Magnet School, 3815 N. Kedvale Ave., Chicago, IL 60641
- George Washington High School, 3535 E. 114th St. Chicago, IL 60617
- Linné Elementary School, 3221 N. Sacramento Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
- Morton School of Excellence, 431 N. Troy St. Chicago, IL 60612
- Plant Chicago, 4459 S. Marshfield Ave, Chicago, IL 60609
- Solorio High School, 5400 S. St Louis Ave. Chicago, IL 60618
Future Events
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Growing and Supporting Next Generation Scientists and Advocates for Nature in Cities
Join U.S. Forest Service scientists and educators, along with local community-based practitioners and youth corps members as they share how the “moss method” in Seattle’s Duwamish Valley has advanced community priorities. The engagement of community leaders—both adults and youth—in data collection, analysis, and communications has supported mutual-learning opportunities and resulted in urban planting, restoration, and advocacy for more trees and green space as a public health. When, November 8, 12:00 p.m. Where: Online Webinar; Link is here. |
Soundscapes: Visualizing the Healing Sounds of Nature
Join the At Ease Initiative at the Brushwood Center and the many artists at the opening reception for this new exhibit.
When: Exhibit runs November 5-26.
Opening reception November 12, 2023, 1:00-3:00 PM.
Where: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
Join the At Ease Initiative at the Brushwood Center and the many artists at the opening reception for this new exhibit.
When: Exhibit runs November 5-26.
Opening reception November 12, 2023, 1:00-3:00 PM.
Where: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
Image, Laura Derks Treeplanting
Chicago Regional Trees Initiative Online Information Session: Building the Tree Canopy in your Community
Join an informative Zoom session that will explain funding opportunities for communities across the state of Illinois. Co-hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the CRTI, this session will provide valuable insights into the new Inflation Reduction Act funding and how communities, especially under-resourced ones, can apply for grants with no match requirements. This session is ideal for local government officials and staff, community groups and leaders, and environmental organizations.
Register for this session here.
When: November 14 , 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Join an informative Zoom session that will explain funding opportunities for communities across the state of Illinois. Co-hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the CRTI, this session will provide valuable insights into the new Inflation Reduction Act funding and how communities, especially under-resourced ones, can apply for grants with no match requirements. This session is ideal for local government officials and staff, community groups and leaders, and environmental organizations.
Register for this session here.
When: November 14 , 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Image, Chicago Ornithological Society
Family Owl Prowl
In partnership with the Chicago Ornithological Society, all are welcome to this free event to learn about these nocturnal birds of prey. This event includes guided walks that will lead participants through the preserve in search of owls. Beginning birders and all ages welcome! Total trip distance is approximately 1 mile walking. Trails are a combination of crushed gravel and mulch. Please dress appropriately for the weather with multiple layers as temperatures can drop rapidly after sunset and owling is frigid business. Flashlights permitted but not required.
When: November 17, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: North Park Village Nature Center
In partnership with the Chicago Ornithological Society, all are welcome to this free event to learn about these nocturnal birds of prey. This event includes guided walks that will lead participants through the preserve in search of owls. Beginning birders and all ages welcome! Total trip distance is approximately 1 mile walking. Trails are a combination of crushed gravel and mulch. Please dress appropriately for the weather with multiple layers as temperatures can drop rapidly after sunset and owling is frigid business. Flashlights permitted but not required.
When: November 17, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: North Park Village Nature Center
Job Opportunities
Current
BUILD Chicago has multiple positions open including a Director of Enrichment.
Chicago United for Equity-Director of Communications and Narrative Strategy
Cultivate Collective is hiring for two positions: Associate Director, Cultivate Collective
Community Engagement Coordinator, Cultivate Collective
Greening Americas' Cities Community Fellow with the Chicago Community Trust. More about this fellowship Here.
Dupage Forest Preserves has an opening for Natural Resources Restoration Supervisor here
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has two positions open including Director of Finance. Learn more here.
Faith in Place Eco-Ambassador applications for academic high school students from Southern Illinois and the North & West Suburbs. Teens (14-18 years old) with a particular interest in Environmental Justice, Climate Change, and STEM education are encouraged to apply! Learn more here.
Northwestern Feinberg Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities-Assistant Director
One Earth Collective, is seeking a Development Manager to start immediately.
Openlands is looking to fill its Land Management Specialist--Learn more here.
The Friends of the Forest Preserves is looking to fill several positions in the Adult Conservation Corps. Learn more here.
The Sinai Health Institute in Chicago is accepting applications for the virtual 2024 SUHI Equity Research Fellows program until October 13, 2023. Fellows in this program are immersed in our unique, community-focused research center, working on collaborative research related to advancing health equity. The Fellowship runs from January 1 – December 30, 2024. For more information see their website.
Windy City Harvest is accepting applications for its Apprenticeship program.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
BUILD Chicago has multiple positions open including a Director of Enrichment.
Chicago United for Equity-Director of Communications and Narrative Strategy
Cultivate Collective is hiring for two positions: Associate Director, Cultivate Collective
Community Engagement Coordinator, Cultivate Collective
Greening Americas' Cities Community Fellow with the Chicago Community Trust. More about this fellowship Here.
Dupage Forest Preserves has an opening for Natural Resources Restoration Supervisor here
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has two positions open including Director of Finance. Learn more here.
Faith in Place Eco-Ambassador applications for academic high school students from Southern Illinois and the North & West Suburbs. Teens (14-18 years old) with a particular interest in Environmental Justice, Climate Change, and STEM education are encouraged to apply! Learn more here.
Northwestern Feinberg Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities-Assistant Director
One Earth Collective, is seeking a Development Manager to start immediately.
Openlands is looking to fill its Land Management Specialist--Learn more here.
The Friends of the Forest Preserves is looking to fill several positions in the Adult Conservation Corps. Learn more here.
The Sinai Health Institute in Chicago is accepting applications for the virtual 2024 SUHI Equity Research Fellows program until October 13, 2023. Fellows in this program are immersed in our unique, community-focused research center, working on collaborative research related to advancing health equity. The Fellowship runs from January 1 – December 30, 2024. For more information see their website.
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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Exciting Plans for the Cook County Forest Preserves
Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Cook County Board as well as the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC), is poised to bring new energy to the care of the 70,000 acres of natural areas that comprise the District. Encompassing, among other areas, the land where the Chicago Botanic Gardens and the Brookfield Zoo sit, Cook County’s preserves are among the largest in the country. At $189 million, the proposed 2024 budget for the Forest Preserves shows a 4% increase over last year’s budget – thanks to a referendum last year in which taxpayers approved additional funding for the preservers. Among the priorities for the preserves are making the areas “a more equitable place to work and visit by deepening partnerships with the Indigenous American community and hiring a full-time racial equity coordinator,” according to a story by Kristen Schorsch for WBEZ. Read more here. |
Image Laura Derks, Beaubien Woods, FPCC
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Image, Laura Derks
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Local, Accessible Parks Bring Community Value
The real value of a park may be in its accessibility rather its cost. Journalist Patrick Sission recently spoke with radio show “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal about how developers are building parks on low budgets and expanding residents’ access to green spaces. Mr. Sisson described how the company Surfacedesign developed a linear park in Hayward, California for about $7.50 per square foot – about one-seventh of the typical cost for this type of park. As an example, he said, the builders re-used wood from old fallen trees to make benches. The park, which had been mainly used by dog-walkers, is now a community gathering place. The 10-minute-park campaign by the Trust for Public Land would like to create so many parks that no one would have to walk more than 10 minutes to get to one. At present, 1 in 3 people in this country does not have that privilege. Read more here. |
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, kayak launch
Savings – in Lives and Dollars – from using Electric Vehicles (EV)
A study by Northwestern University researchers published Sept. 13 in the journal Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability indicates that electrifying 30% of the vehicles on the roads in the Chicago area would prevent many premature deaths from pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Amanda Morris described the study in a Sept. 13 article for Northwestern, “The new study, which simulates air quality at a neighborhood scale, also found that areas with predominantly Black, Hispanic and Latinx residents would benefit most.” Because the electricity for most vehicles comes at present from fossil fuel sources, the study acknowledged, deaths from ozone would likely increase. Read more here. Find out more about the Illinois EV Rebate program here for purchases of new and used EVs! 
Image, Bur Oak in the Winter
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Dry Feet, no Wheelchair – an Accessible Kayak Launch in Will County
On a recent fall day, Bill Bogdan rolled down a ramp while pulling his kayak on an adjacent gangway to a floating dock at the new kayak/canoe launch at Lake Chaminwood Preserve near Channahon. He transferred himself to the kayak using a three-level seat and he uses the launch’s overhead bars and side rails to pull himself out of the chute and into the water. An adaptive recreationalist from Mokena, Bogdan is an incomplete paraplegic because he is paralyzed from his knee down on his left leg and from his hip down on his right leg. He works as a disability liaison for the Secretary of State’s office and has participated in many adaptive sports, and noting here, "The best thing I love about kayaking is that I get to leave my wheelchair behind.” in a recent story posted by WJOL. The kayak launch and floating dock, funded in part by an $80,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will remain in the water year-round. Kayaking on Forest Preserve lakes is only prohibited when there is ice on the water. Read more here. 
Image, Illinois EPA
Kane County Development Takes Out Historic Trees Just after Labor Day, Oak Brook-based Midwest Industrial Funds cut down and cleared historic bur oak trees growing on a parcel of land near Geneva. Writing in the Chicago Tribune on Oct. 29, Rebecca Johnson described residents’ dismay at the loss of these trees. One resident told the Geneva City Council that the town should be “Stump City USA” instead of “Tree City USA.” Even though Geneva has a tree-preservation ordinance, this area was in unincorporated Kane County, adjacent to Geneva and the Geneva Council had no jurisdiction over the property, so the clear cutting was allowed. Now Midwest Industrial Funds wishes to annex the 211 acres to Geneva. Activists hope that communities will enact comprehensive ordinances to preserve trees – measures approved by Chicago, Evanston and other area municipalities. 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].