Newsletter Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Happy upcoming Earth Day NCH2 Community!
How are you planning to get outside this upcoming Saturday--weather looks perfect for a park clean-up, a birding event, or an outdoor walk with your friends and family? As Robin Wall Kimmerer, enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, botanist, and author, notes "What does the Earth Ask of Us--Gratitude and Reciprocity". There are so many ways we can reciprocate the gifts of the Land. To list just a few--growing edible and native plants, enjoying locally grown food, experiencing nearby nature, and advocating for clean air and water for all. Other Earth-grateful actions to take:
Next month is Mental Health Awareness Month...watch our Instagram for choice places in Nearby Nature to quiet your mind and restore.
How are you planning to get outside this upcoming Saturday--weather looks perfect for a park clean-up, a birding event, or an outdoor walk with your friends and family? As Robin Wall Kimmerer, enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, botanist, and author, notes "What does the Earth Ask of Us--Gratitude and Reciprocity". There are so many ways we can reciprocate the gifts of the Land. To list just a few--growing edible and native plants, enjoying locally grown food, experiencing nearby nature, and advocating for clean air and water for all. Other Earth-grateful actions to take:
- The Planetary Health Alliance released an ebook to help readers embrace their connection with nature “Growing Green Hearts: Inspiring the Next Generation with Planetary Health.” This downloadable book isn't a prescriptive guide, but offers stories and ideas that are meant to encourage educators to apply these experiences to their specific educational context.
- Read through our Funding Opportunities section below for the Green Latinos Urban Greening Initiative grant opportunity. This $2.3 million initiative invites "Latino/a/e environmental, conservation, or climate justice frontline organizations" to create vibrant and sustainable urban environments.
- Resources for your nature outing--check out our website here.
- And if you want to prepare yourself for a September event that hasn't happened in 100 years--start swimming!
Next month is Mental Health Awareness Month...watch our Instagram for choice places in Nearby Nature to quiet your mind and restore.
Index
Creating Welcoming Spaces in Nature: Community Spotlight
Events and Save the Dates
Funding Opportunities and Resources
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Creating Welcoming Spaces in Nature: Community Spotlight
Events and Save the Dates
Funding Opportunities and Resources
Job Opportunities
In the News
Connect with Us
Compassionate Resources at the Englewood Community Healing Fair
Image: Over 100 attendees and vendors stopped by the NCH2, Light of Loving Kindness, and Faith in Place table this past Saturday
On the South Side of Chicago, State Rep. Sonya Harper and State Senator Mattie Hunter hosted a Community Healing Fair this past Saturday at the Lindblom Math and Science Academy. An initiative coordinated by the Violence Reduction and Trauma Response Advisory Committee, the Fair offered a broad range of resources from many vendors including CountyCare, Growing Home organic urban farm, the Illinois Department of Human Services--and nature-based resources-- including Grow Greater Englewood, NCH2, Light of Loving Kindness, and Faith in Place.
Over 100 residents, as well as other vendors, visited with us at our table to play the "Nature Mystery" game, peruse our nearby nature resources, and discuss how nature (that is "safe and welcoming") can be restorative and healing. We are grateful that State Rep. Sonya Harper, keynote at the NCH2 Summit and lead sponsor of the Outdoor Rx Act, encouraged us to table at this event. Looking forward to continuing our partnership!
Over 100 residents, as well as other vendors, visited with us at our table to play the "Nature Mystery" game, peruse our nearby nature resources, and discuss how nature (that is "safe and welcoming") can be restorative and healing. We are grateful that State Rep. Sonya Harper, keynote at the NCH2 Summit and lead sponsor of the Outdoor Rx Act, encouraged us to table at this event. Looking forward to continuing our partnership!
Upcoming Events
Image, Treeplanting in west Chicago
Earth Month Action
1) McKinley Park Earth Day Clean-up Saturday, April 20th 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Meet by the stone planters south of the lagoon, supplies provided by McKinley Park Stewardship. Plant giveaway by Neighbors for Environmental Justice. More info on Instagram @mckinleyparkstewardship
2) Steelworkers Park Spring Re-Set, Sunday, April 14th 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Chicago's diverse climbing groups will work to set over a dozen new routes on the ore walls. There will be food trucks, music, games, community. Free and all welcome. 87th and Lake Michigan.
3) Hazel Johnson EJ Way Clean Up, Monday April 22--Earth Day to clean up the Hazel Johnson EJ Way in honor of Earth Day 2024 and PCR's founder Hazel Johnson, known as the mother of the environmental justice movement. Register here.
4) Will County Forest Preserves is hosting fun all month long. Recycling bicycles, cleaning the riverside, trash pickup!
5) Dupage County River Sweep, this annual event will be on May 4, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. It is a county-wide self-coordinated stream cleanup held each spring. Register here.
6) The Chicago Park District organizes park cleanups on April 20 every year. If you don't see one organized for your local park, let them know you would like to help.
7) Evanston Ecology Center's 50th birthday at the Earth Day Fest Saturday, April 20, from noon to 3 p.m., at Ingraham Park, located directly behind the Morton Civic Center. Enjoy games, tree plantings, food trucks, earth-friendly resources, and more.
8) Adopt-a-Beach cleanups through the Alliance for the Great Lakes--are easy way to give back to your community and keep plastic pollution out of our Great Lakes--join as a volunteer this year!
1) McKinley Park Earth Day Clean-up Saturday, April 20th 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Meet by the stone planters south of the lagoon, supplies provided by McKinley Park Stewardship. Plant giveaway by Neighbors for Environmental Justice. More info on Instagram @mckinleyparkstewardship
2) Steelworkers Park Spring Re-Set, Sunday, April 14th 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Chicago's diverse climbing groups will work to set over a dozen new routes on the ore walls. There will be food trucks, music, games, community. Free and all welcome. 87th and Lake Michigan.
3) Hazel Johnson EJ Way Clean Up, Monday April 22--Earth Day to clean up the Hazel Johnson EJ Way in honor of Earth Day 2024 and PCR's founder Hazel Johnson, known as the mother of the environmental justice movement. Register here.
4) Will County Forest Preserves is hosting fun all month long. Recycling bicycles, cleaning the riverside, trash pickup!
5) Dupage County River Sweep, this annual event will be on May 4, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. It is a county-wide self-coordinated stream cleanup held each spring. Register here.
6) The Chicago Park District organizes park cleanups on April 20 every year. If you don't see one organized for your local park, let them know you would like to help.
7) Evanston Ecology Center's 50th birthday at the Earth Day Fest Saturday, April 20, from noon to 3 p.m., at Ingraham Park, located directly behind the Morton Civic Center. Enjoy games, tree plantings, food trucks, earth-friendly resources, and more.
8) Adopt-a-Beach cleanups through the Alliance for the Great Lakes--are easy way to give back to your community and keep plastic pollution out of our Great Lakes--join as a volunteer this year!
Image, Star Farm website
Learn More About Growing Food!
Star Farm is hosting workshops for a small fee to learn "everything there is to know about planting and growing" your own vegetables. Have you ever wanted easy to use information on which seeds to choose, soil details, how to plant, where to plant, how and when to harvest? Join these workshops and register here. You don’t need to have attended the first to attend the next. All are welcome! Suggested donation is $25, but less or more is accepted.
Second workshop - April 26th
Final workshop - May 30th
Star Farm is hosting workshops for a small fee to learn "everything there is to know about planting and growing" your own vegetables. Have you ever wanted easy to use information on which seeds to choose, soil details, how to plant, where to plant, how and when to harvest? Join these workshops and register here. You don’t need to have attended the first to attend the next. All are welcome! Suggested donation is $25, but less or more is accepted.
Second workshop - April 26th
Final workshop - May 30th
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Northwestern University's Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance Spring Pow-Wow
This free event is open to all and is a space for Native and non-Native people to gather together to dance, eat, socialize, share art, be in community, and much more. For more information, visit this website. When: April 27, Doors open at 11:00 .m. Where: Welsh Ryan Arena, Evanston, IL |
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One Earth Film Festival -- Join this Local AND International Film Festival this Week: April 17-23
Make sure to join the thousands of viewers in the Chicago region and around the world who take part in this gem of a film festival that showcases many relevant topics on how to sustain our Earth from environmental justice, to clean water, to the carbon cycle!
Check out the listings for this year's festival here.
Make sure to join the thousands of viewers in the Chicago region and around the world who take part in this gem of a film festival that showcases many relevant topics on how to sustain our Earth from environmental justice, to clean water, to the carbon cycle!
Check out the listings for this year's festival here.
Celebrate the Earth Festival
Cultivate Collective is hosting a community Earth Festival with many kinds of activities for families and residents. From arts and crafts activities to educational workshops, this festival will offer something for everyone. Join NCH2, and Women for Green Spaces at this free event. Learn more here.
When: April 27, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: 4942 West 44th Street, Street Parking
Cultivate Collective is hosting a community Earth Festival with many kinds of activities for families and residents. From arts and crafts activities to educational workshops, this festival will offer something for everyone. Join NCH2, and Women for Green Spaces at this free event. Learn more here.
When: April 27, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: 4942 West 44th Street, Street Parking
Monday Bird Walks Lake Forest Openlands
Join this weekly outing to check out the resident and migrating birds in Lake Forest! Starting Monday, April 29 through May 20 at 7:00-8:30 a.m. | All 18+ are welcome. With a different preserve each week, monitor their website.
When and Where: Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest IL; April 29 at 7:00 a.m. for the first walk.
Join this weekly outing to check out the resident and migrating birds in Lake Forest! Starting Monday, April 29 through May 20 at 7:00-8:30 a.m. | All 18+ are welcome. With a different preserve each week, monitor their website.
When and Where: Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest IL; April 29 at 7:00 a.m. for the first walk.
Image, Laura Derks
Save the Date: Spring and 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. All times are 10:00 - 12:00 p.m. For more information and to know about so much more that UI Extension is doing in our region.
Where and When:
May 18, Thatcher Woods
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. All times are 10:00 - 12:00 p.m. For more information and to know about so much more that UI Extension is doing in our region.
Where and When:
May 18, Thatcher Woods
June 8, Miller Meadow
Funding Opportunities and other Resources
Image, Laura Derks
Tree Planting Grants
Illinois Community Canopy Planting Grant
A new partnership between Trees Forever, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service, funds are now available to restore and plant trees in community forests to llinois communities. The Illinois Community Canopy grant program funds "tree-planting projects that diversify the tree canopy in 'disadvantaged' 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 much more information, go here.
Openlands Treeplanters Grant
Openlands regional focus on restoring and maintaining the tree canopy is focusing on new tree planting in communities with low canopy cover including Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, McKinley Park, New City, South Lawndale, West Elsdon, West Lawn. 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, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service, funds are now available to restore and plant trees in community forests to llinois communities. The Illinois Community Canopy grant program funds "tree-planting projects that diversify the tree canopy in 'disadvantaged' 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 much more information, go here.
Openlands Treeplanters Grant
Openlands regional focus on restoring and maintaining the tree canopy is focusing on new tree planting in communities with low canopy cover including Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, McKinley Park, New City, South Lawndale, West Elsdon, West Lawn. 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.
Urban Greening Initiative Grant Program
The GreenLatinos Sustainable Cities Urban Greening Initiative has allocated over $2.6 million in grants for urban greening projects. Funded by the Bezos Earth Fund's Greening America's Cities Initiative, this grant opportunity is focused on Albuquerque, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Anyone who is a 501(c)(3)organization, federally recognized Indian tribe, or those recognized under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act can apply. Grants range from $100,000 - $300,000 and are awarded preferably to projects in the implementation stage.The first round opens on March 29 and closes on April 29. For more information go to this website.
The GreenLatinos Sustainable Cities Urban Greening Initiative has allocated over $2.6 million in grants for urban greening projects. Funded by the Bezos Earth Fund's Greening America's Cities Initiative, this grant opportunity is focused on Albuquerque, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Anyone who is a 501(c)(3)organization, federally recognized Indian tribe, or those recognized under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act can apply. Grants range from $100,000 - $300,000 and are awarded preferably to projects in the implementation stage.The first round opens on March 29 and closes on April 29. For more information go to this website.
Image, South Shore Nature Sanctuary, Laura Derks
Job Opportunities
New
Faith in Place has several positions open.
Lincoln Park Zoo is hiring a horticulturalist.
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.
Openlands has a Forestry Coordinator and a Staff Accountant position open.
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.
Chicago Regional Trees Initiative: Grant Administrator Learn more and apply
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has several positions open including Director of Finance and other positions. Learn more here.
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.
llinois 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.
Chief Sustainability Officer, Village of Oak Park
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!
Faith in Place has several positions open.
Lincoln Park Zoo is hiring a horticulturalist.
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.
Openlands has a Forestry Coordinator and a Staff Accountant position open.
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.
Chicago Regional Trees Initiative: Grant Administrator Learn more and apply
Elevate is looking to fill many positions. Look through their career opportunities here.
Equiticity has several positions open including Director of Finance and other positions. Learn more here.
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.
llinois 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.
Chief Sustainability Officer, Village of Oak Park
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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Committing More ‘Space to Grow’ Funds For Chicago Schools and Neighborhoods
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Board of Commissioners last month approved a $15.9 million plan to continue its Space to Grow program, which converts playlots at Chicago Public Schools into sustainable places to play and learn. A March 14 press release from MWRD said it will enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the Chicago Department of Water Management (CDWM), Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) and Openlands to create “beautiful, vibrant and functional community spaces for physical activity, outdoor learning, environmental literacy and engagement with art, while addressing neighborhood flooding.” Selection criteria, for schools chosen each year, include degree of flooding, school capacity, impervious areas, and equity. Since 2014, MWRD said, the partners have revitalized 34 schoolyards across the city, all in underserved communities disproportionately impacted by flooding. Read more here. |
Image, MWRD Space to Grow Conversion at Whistler Elementary
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Image, Laura Derks
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Butterflies to Alight in Chicago Parks
This summer, 29 giant butterflies will adorn parks in Chicago. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences is commissioning these six-foot sculptures to be placed along the Magnificent Mile, in Lincoln Park, and in city parks on the South and West sides. The installation is part of a new initiative called “Flight of Butterflies,” which features an intersection of art, nature and storytelling. Local artists such as Ravi Arupa and Janell Nelson are participating in this project, according to an April 3 article by Erica Thompson in the Chicago Sun-Times. From late April until the end of June, visitors will be able to see the sculptures outside the museum at 2430 N. Cannon Drive in Chicago. The butterflies will be dispersed and installed throughout the city in July. Read more here: |
Study Assesses Mental Health of Residents in Nature-full Neighborhoods
Researchers at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health have found indications that city dwellers who have more exposure to urban green spaces require fewer mental health services, according to a release by Abby Santoro of the University’s Marketing and Communications Division. The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, was conducted by Jay Maddock, Ph.D., Regents Professor of environmental and occupational health at Texas A&M, and colleagues from the Center for Health and Nature, a collaboration among Texas A&M Health, Houston Methodist and Texan by Nature. Maddock also directs the center.
The researchers measured urban greenness with NatureScore, which uses numerous data sets related to factors such as air, noise and light pollution, parks and tree canopies to calculate the amount and quality of natural elements for any known address in the United States, according to the article. “We found that a NatureScore above 40 — considered Nature Adequate — seems to be the threshold for good mental health,” Maddock said. “People in these neighborhoods have a 51 percent lower likelihood of developing depression and a 63 percent lower likelihood for developing bipolar disorders.”
Read more here.
Researchers at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health have found indications that city dwellers who have more exposure to urban green spaces require fewer mental health services, according to a release by Abby Santoro of the University’s Marketing and Communications Division. The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, was conducted by Jay Maddock, Ph.D., Regents Professor of environmental and occupational health at Texas A&M, and colleagues from the Center for Health and Nature, a collaboration among Texas A&M Health, Houston Methodist and Texan by Nature. Maddock also directs the center.
The researchers measured urban greenness with NatureScore, which uses numerous data sets related to factors such as air, noise and light pollution, parks and tree canopies to calculate the amount and quality of natural elements for any known address in the United States, according to the article. “We found that a NatureScore above 40 — considered Nature Adequate — seems to be the threshold for good mental health,” Maddock said. “People in these neighborhoods have a 51 percent lower likelihood of developing depression and a 63 percent lower likelihood for developing bipolar disorders.”
Read more here.
Image, Mary Gavin:
Mallards enjoy this often flooded backyard
Four Ways to Address Urban Flooding
Nicole Chavas, president, and Kristin Ihnchak, vice president, of Chicago-based Greenprint Partners, a green infrastructure consulting and project development firm, posted a commentary on April 15 in the Crain’s Chicago Business forum on urban flooding. They said last summer’s storms sent about 9 inches of rain at one time on the South and West sides of Chicago "highlights how our city’s most vulnerable communities face the greatest risks, worsened by a history of redlining and disinvestment. This disaster should be a wake-up call for our region’s leaders, making clear the urgent need to tackle these interconnected problems so our most affected residents don’t have to live in fear every time it rains.”
They offered four recommendations of how Chicago can address stormwater and become more resilient to the climate crisis:
Nicole Chavas, president, and Kristin Ihnchak, vice president, of Chicago-based Greenprint Partners, a green infrastructure consulting and project development firm, posted a commentary on April 15 in the Crain’s Chicago Business forum on urban flooding. They said last summer’s storms sent about 9 inches of rain at one time on the South and West sides of Chicago "highlights how our city’s most vulnerable communities face the greatest risks, worsened by a history of redlining and disinvestment. This disaster should be a wake-up call for our region’s leaders, making clear the urgent need to tackle these interconnected problems so our most affected residents don’t have to live in fear every time it rains.”
They offered four recommendations of how Chicago can address stormwater and become more resilient to the climate crisis:
- Take advantage of available federal funding;
- Use simple and effective branding and communications;
- Develop partnerships that activate government, institutions, businesses and residents to implement creative solutions; and
- Center underserved communities in determining the solutions. 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].