Newsletter Tuesday, September 5th, 2023
Dear NCH2 Community,
Pictured above is one of the many "community mobility rituals" Equiticity organizes throughout the year. This past weekend a group of 40 cyclists of all ages rolled through the Austin, west Garfield Park, and North Lawndale neighborhoods to focus on the Safety of the streets and the communities' call for peace. Equiticity is another community-focused organization that activates the NCH2 Triple Aim where programs that integrate Equity, Community Health, and Care for our Lands have an amplified impact. They also have a multifactorial mission with a laser focus on its racial equity movement with "programming and (advocacy) for racial equity, increased mobility, and racial justice to make our neighborhoods and cities more accessible and livable for Black, Brown, and Indigenous people of color in Chicago and beyond."
Much of the area we traveled through is part of the area NCH2 mapped in the Austin community during Chicago's Heatwatch Activation Day July 28, where volunteers throughout the city (all 77 community areas!) charted ambient temperatures and humidity. At a recent Heatwatch volunteer appreciation event, NCH2 Steering Committee Chair Terry Horton, Ph.D. explained why it is so essential to not only understand the distribution of heat in Chicago but also to partner with community members to assess a community's vulnerability to intense heat. These vulnerabilities include health status, housing stock, access to air conditioning and cooling centers, trees and other green spaces, and other potential risk factors. Heatwatch Chicago will combine all of these variables to develop a Heat Vulnerability Index to develop policy and action for city's future in urban heat management. To stay in touch with this effort email CoolChi@cityofchicago.org.
Also, check out the recap of the public hearing on the Damen Silos - In the News Section
Pictured above is one of the many "community mobility rituals" Equiticity organizes throughout the year. This past weekend a group of 40 cyclists of all ages rolled through the Austin, west Garfield Park, and North Lawndale neighborhoods to focus on the Safety of the streets and the communities' call for peace. Equiticity is another community-focused organization that activates the NCH2 Triple Aim where programs that integrate Equity, Community Health, and Care for our Lands have an amplified impact. They also have a multifactorial mission with a laser focus on its racial equity movement with "programming and (advocacy) for racial equity, increased mobility, and racial justice to make our neighborhoods and cities more accessible and livable for Black, Brown, and Indigenous people of color in Chicago and beyond."
Much of the area we traveled through is part of the area NCH2 mapped in the Austin community during Chicago's Heatwatch Activation Day July 28, where volunteers throughout the city (all 77 community areas!) charted ambient temperatures and humidity. At a recent Heatwatch volunteer appreciation event, NCH2 Steering Committee Chair Terry Horton, Ph.D. explained why it is so essential to not only understand the distribution of heat in Chicago but also to partner with community members to assess a community's vulnerability to intense heat. These vulnerabilities include health status, housing stock, access to air conditioning and cooling centers, trees and other green spaces, and other potential risk factors. Heatwatch Chicago will combine all of these variables to develop a Heat Vulnerability Index to develop policy and action for city's future in urban heat management. To stay in touch with this effort email CoolChi@cityofchicago.org.
Also, check out the recap of the public hearing on the Damen Silos - In the News Section
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
Light of Loving Kindness and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Promote Self-Love in Nature
Refreshment time after a forest bathing session at Sauk Trail Woods
Cassandra Powell, Executive Director and Founder, Light of Loving Kindness (LOLK) recently hosted another Self-love in Nature event at Sauk Trail Woods, on the southeast corner of the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC). With Forest Therapy guide Alison Paul, LOLK offered a Spanish, English bilingual opportunity for participants to enjoy this ecologically rich forest. This LOLK program is one of many that the FPCC has sponsored free of charge this past year.
The partnership with FPCC has been central to supporting LOLK's focus on connecting more BIPOC communities of all ages to nature in the region. Cassandra notes, "The partnership with the forest preserves has been amazing. 98% of our teens (in the self-love boot camp) have never been to a forest preserve. It is wonderful for them to have the experience of open space, water, and the forest." She has seen the impact nature has on LOLK participants, especially when they may not feel comfortable. "At times people of color do not always feel safe, and it is fabulous to see the transformation that can happen, just by sitting by flowing water, and have (their) friends join them."
There are many Monarch celebrations upcoming in the next two weeks--check out Migrating Monarchs and Festival de la Monarca.
The partnership with FPCC has been central to supporting LOLK's focus on connecting more BIPOC communities of all ages to nature in the region. Cassandra notes, "The partnership with the forest preserves has been amazing. 98% of our teens (in the self-love boot camp) have never been to a forest preserve. It is wonderful for them to have the experience of open space, water, and the forest." She has seen the impact nature has on LOLK participants, especially when they may not feel comfortable. "At times people of color do not always feel safe, and it is fabulous to see the transformation that can happen, just by sitting by flowing water, and have (their) friends join them."
There are many Monarch celebrations upcoming in the next two weeks--check out Migrating Monarchs and Festival de la Monarca.
Upcoming Events
Walk With A Future Doc
Get outside and walk with a medical student before the season ends in September! Join local medical students on 45-min weekly park walks and informal discussions on health-related topics. This is a free, low-pressure way to get moving, connect with your neighbors, and learn more about your own health. Locations on both the South Chicago Lakefront at Promontory Point and near Northwestern Medical Center All Ages and Free! Learn more Here.
Get outside and walk with a medical student before the season ends in September! Join local medical students on 45-min weekly park walks and informal discussions on health-related topics. This is a free, low-pressure way to get moving, connect with your neighbors, and learn more about your own health. Locations on both the South Chicago Lakefront at Promontory Point and near Northwestern Medical Center All Ages and Free! Learn more Here.
Photo, Laura Derks
|
Mindful Paddle in Will County
Experience paddling in a new and immersive, restorative way--register for a guided reflective experience on the waters of Monee Reservoir. The Conservation Foundation and Forest Preserve District of Will County have collaborated to offer this unique experience. A certified forest therapy instructor will demonstrate the practice of forest bathing on the water. Where: Monee Reservoir When: September 8, 4-6:00 p.m. Registration required $20; Age 18 + More information and registration is Here. |
|
Humboldt Park Community Walk
Join Equiticity and the Chicago Puerto Rican Cultural Center for a community walk on September 8th to celebrate the vibrant Humboldt Park neighborhood. The walk will start at the Corridor Ambassador Office (3411 W North Ave.) and end at WEPA Mercado del Pueblo (4013 W North Ave.) All are welcome to join! When: September 8th, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Where: 3411 W. North Avenue Register Here. |
Photo, Laura Derks
|
Image, Morton Arboretum
Celebracion de los Arboles
Join this two-day family friendly event at the Morton Arboretum. Come one or both days! Celebrate the cultures and traditions of Latin America--music, food, dance, as well as experience some of the research that helps support Latin American trees that thrive there. More information about the event here
When: September 16-17, Admission 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Join this two-day family friendly event at the Morton Arboretum. Come one or both days! Celebrate the cultures and traditions of Latin America--music, food, dance, as well as experience some of the research that helps support Latin American trees that thrive there. More information about the event here
When: September 16-17, Admission 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Future Events
Photo, Laura Derks
Sunday Stroll at Spring Bluff in Lake County
Join the Lake County Forest Preserves District in a leisurely walk at this lovely nature spot. Take a closer look at plants, birds and other wildlife and enjoy the community of others. All ages are welcome but you need to reserve a spot. Service dogs welcome. For more information look here.
When: September 24th, 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Where: Winthrop Harbor, IL
Join the Lake County Forest Preserves District in a leisurely walk at this lovely nature spot. Take a closer look at plants, birds and other wildlife and enjoy the community of others. All ages are welcome but you need to reserve a spot. Service dogs welcome. For more information look here.
When: September 24th, 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Where: Winthrop Harbor, IL
 Image, FPDCook County
|
National Public Lands Day--Salsa Dance Party for the Preserves OR head to the Dunes!
Celebrate national public lands day in your local forest preserves or at your closest National Park: 1) A Salsa Dance Party. Dance lessons and a live salsa band will provide entertainment. Also, enjoy bi-lingual hikes and family activities. Where: Thatcher Woods Pavilion. 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest. When: Saturday, September 23 • 11am - 2 pm 2) Join Brown Faces Green Spaces in partnership with Save the Dunes for a hike with the rangers of the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education to celebrate National Public Lands Day on the new, fully accessible pollinator trail in Miller Woods. Get a free Hydroflask! More info here. When: Saturday, September 23, 11: a.m.- 2:00 p.m. |
Image, The Nature Conservancy
Join NCH2 at the Awe of Nature Festival--Save the Date
Join us with The Nature Conservancy and the Forest Preserves of Cook County in Markham for a free family friendly event. Join us for many nature-based activities and food at Midlothian Meadows.
When: October 7, 11 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Midlothian Meadows
Join us with The Nature Conservancy and the Forest Preserves of Cook County in Markham for a free family friendly event. Join us for many nature-based activities and food at Midlothian Meadows.
When: October 7, 11 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Midlothian Meadows
Job Opportunities
Northwestern Feinberg Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities-Assistant Director
Brushwood Center:
Coalition Building Manager--With experience in community organizing and engagement as well as a passion for public health, the outdoors, and community-building.
Youth Education Coordinator--Will lead the coordination and implementation of bilingual youth programming with partners across Lake County.
BUILD Chicago has multiple positions open including a Director of Clinical and Community Wellness.
Center for Neighborhood Technology-Senior Project Manager or Program Director, Water Equity
Chicago United for Equity-Director of Communications and Narrative Strategy
Metropolitan Planning Council is currently hiring a Development Director.
Windy City Harvest is accepting applications for its Apprenticeship program.
Urban Growers Collective is hiring for two positions --here.
Dupage Forest Preserves has an opening for Natural Resources Restoration Supervisor here
The Experimental Station has its Deputy Director of Finance position open. For more information, go Here.
Friends of the Parks is looking to fill the Director of Policy and Advocacy. Applicants should send their resume and cover letter to careers@fotp.org. The position will be posted on their website soon.
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has multiple positions open including Senior Director of Development and Director of Finance. 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 in the Adult Conservation Corps. Learn more here.
Imani Village Green Health Advocates (Conservation and Is looking for applicants for its Paid Trainee position--preference for South Side residents. Learn more here.
Openlands is looking to fill its Birds in My Neighborhood Associate, Director of Development, and Chief Executive Officer! Learn more here.
Star Farm is looking to fill two positions. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
Brushwood Center:
Coalition Building Manager--With experience in community organizing and engagement as well as a passion for public health, the outdoors, and community-building.
Youth Education Coordinator--Will lead the coordination and implementation of bilingual youth programming with partners across Lake County.
BUILD Chicago has multiple positions open including a Director of Clinical and Community Wellness.
Center for Neighborhood Technology-Senior Project Manager or Program Director, Water Equity
Chicago United for Equity-Director of Communications and Narrative Strategy
Metropolitan Planning Council is currently hiring a Development Director.
Windy City Harvest is accepting applications for its Apprenticeship program.
Urban Growers Collective is hiring for two positions --here.
Dupage Forest Preserves has an opening for Natural Resources Restoration Supervisor here
The Experimental Station has its Deputy Director of Finance position open. For more information, go Here.
Friends of the Parks is looking to fill the Director of Policy and Advocacy. Applicants should send their resume and cover letter to careers@fotp.org. The position will be posted on their website soon.
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has multiple positions open including Senior Director of Development and Director of Finance. 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 in the Adult Conservation Corps. Learn more here.
Imani Village Green Health Advocates (Conservation and Is looking for applicants for its Paid Trainee position--preference for South Side residents. Learn more here.
Openlands is looking to fill its Birds in My Neighborhood Associate, Director of Development, and Chief Executive Officer! Learn more here.
Star Farm is looking to fill two positions. Learn more here.
Please send us your job openings to be featured!
In the News
|
Environmental Justice, History and Development at Stake with Damen Silos
The abandoned grain silos along the 2900 block of Damen Avenue represent at least four different things to people in the area: an historical monument to the agricultural history of the area, an example of environmental injustice, potential for development after they are razed, and health and environmental hazards if that occurs. In an Aug. 25th article in The Chicago Tribune (“Neighbors voice concerns about health and history for plan to raze century-old Damen Silos”) Caroline Kubzansky described the neighbors’ concerns about the new owner of the site, MAT (Michael Tadin Jr. is a principal), and his plans to develop it, as well as its promises to keep the site environmentally safe. Read more here. |
Image, replicated from Mark Capapas, Chicago Sun Times
|
Image, Laura Derks
|
Vermont by 2050: Half for Nature, Half for People
Some lawmakers in Vermont would like to see 50% of its land set aside as conservation areas (what NCH2 would call "caring for the land") by the year 2050, extending the “30 by 30” plans of Vermont itself and four other states to conserve 30% of the land by 2030 (Illinois is one of these states). In an August 10 article for the Sierra Club of Vermont Lindsay Botts wrote that when Vermont became the fifth “30 by 30” state, “lawmakers also added a target to conserve 50 percent of the state’s forests and biodiverse working lands by 2050. It's the first state in the United States to pass such a law and, by most accounts, the first government in the world to do so.” (To read more about Illinois' 30 x 30 plan go here.) The legislation was intended to encourage local efforts and partnerships between citizens groups and state and country groups. The hopes is that groups will use a framework created by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), called Vermont Conservation Design. Read more about Vermont’s ambitious plan here. |
Image, Laura Derks
 Image, Laura Derks
|
Grassland Birds’ Disappearance Warns of Environmental Changes
It’s been half a century since the Endangered Species Act was adopted, and some grassland birds are “deeply in trouble,” according to an AP News story (“North American grassland birds in peril, spurring all-out effort to save birds and their habitat”) by Tammy Webber. More grassland birds than any other types of birds have been lost –and much of the grassland bird habitat – to farming, urbanization, and, yes, trees. “So biologists, conservation groups, government agencies and, increasingly, farmers and ranchers are teaming up to stem or reverse losses,” she wrote. Ms. Webber quotes Amanda Rodewald, senior director of the Center for Avian Population Studies at Cornell University’s ornithology lab: “Birds are the canary in the coal mine. … They’re an early warning of environmental changes that also can affect us.” Read more here: Miyawaki Tiny Forests Come to the U.S.
The idea of Japanese botanist and plant ecologist Akira Miyawaki to plant “tiny forests,” with many native flora of varying heights, has finally come to the United States, having found popularity in Europe, Africa, South America and the Middle East. These Miyawaki forests grow quickly, sequestering carbon and supporting wildlife, according to a New York Times article (“Tiny Forests With Big Benefits) by Cara Buckley. Ms. Buckley quotes Katherine Pakradouni, a native plant horticulturist who oversaw the forest planting in Los Angeles’s Griffith Park. “This isn’t just a simple tree-planting method. This is about a whole system of ecology that supports all manner of life, both above and below ground.” Read more here. (NCH2 community member Nordson Green Earth is our local supporter of Miyawaki forests and is working closely with communities to create these nature spaces!) |
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 NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com. 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 NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com.
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 NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com. 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 NCH2.Chicago@gmail.com.