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News and Event Highlights Archive
An archive of Chicago Wilderness news, events, and announcements.
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
- Leave No Child Inside: Field Guides for Family Adventures
- Bird Conservation Network (BCN) Census Workshops, Various Sites, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- My Space is Green Space: Earth Day T-Shirt Design Contest
- Earth Hour, March 29, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Save the Date! Forest Preserve District of Cook County Conference: Prescribed Fire for Healthy Forest Preserves, April 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Brookfield Zoo Discovery Center
- 2008 Plants of Concern Workshops
- Big Bugs, April 25 to July 20, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL
- Chicago Matters: Growing Forward
- Shifting Ground: Public Radio Series
- The Green Gym
- Leave No Child Inside: Wilderness in Your Backyard
- Green Drinks: The State of Sustainable Chicago, February 20, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Jefferson Tap & Grille, Chicago
- Illinois Rain Garden Initiative Grant, Deadline: February 29, 2008
- Chicago Green Homes Fair, March 15, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Chicago Center for Green Technology, Chicago
- Governor's Green Youth Award, Deadline: March 17, 2008
- Save the Date! Garfield Park Conservatory Grand Centennial, April 13, 2008, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Garfield Park, Chicago
- McHenry County Conservation District 2008 Ecological Restoration Certificate Program
- Leave No Child Inside: Winter Activities
- Free! Forest Preserve District of Cook County 2008 Calendar
- Junk Mail Woes
- 2008: Your Year to Volunteer
- Chicago Wilderness Calling Frog Survey Frog Monitors Needed!
- Think Ahead to Spring
- Protecting Farmland in Northeastern Illinois 2008 Conference, Elgin Community College, February 1, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and February 2, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Illinois Conservation Stewardship Program
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Off-Campus Programs
- The Great Lakes Rock!
- Call for Photographs!
Leave No Child Inside: Field Guides for Family Adventures
When you explore nature with your children, it is important to realize that you don’t need to have all the answers – you can make discovering new things together part of the fun! However, for families who enjoy nature walks and identifying plants and animals in the backyard, field guides are helpful references. Jane Kirkland, author of the "Take A Walk®" series of nature discovery books, recommends the following age-appropriate guides: - For K-5 students: photographic introductory guides such as Golden Guides (St. Martin’s Press), Peterson’s First Field Guides (Houghton Mifflin), Stokes Beginner Guides, and the National Audubon Society’s Pocket Guides highlight the most common of plants and animals, so they are appropriate resources for beginners.
- For grades 4 and up: Kaufman Focus (Houghton Mifflin) guides provide information on a greater variety of all species of birds, insects, butterflies and mammals
- For birding, Jane recommends the Stokes Field Guide to Birds (Little, Brown, and Company) as a general resource for K-12 students; Stokes features large photographs and species information, including facts on behavior and nesting. The Sibley Field Guide to Birds (Knopf) is more detailed and would be appropriate for middle and high school students and experienced birders.
For more of Jane Kirkland’s tips on connecting kids and nature, visit http://www.greenhour.org/content/blog/list_posts/author/3273. (Posted 03/11/2008)
Bird Conservation Network (BCN) Census Workshops, Various Sites, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lake County - March 15, Ryerson Woods Welcome Center, Deerfield Cook County North - March 29, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Chicago and Cook County South - April 5, South Shore Cultural Center, Chicago Workshops include instructions for new and prospective bird monitors and will feature brush-up sessions on songs and calls; discussions of best practices by some of the region’s most experienced monitors; planning for cooperation between monitors, land managers, and stewards; and county updates about on-the-ground projects. If you have questions, or to RSVP, please contact Judy Pollock at 847-965-1150, ext 21 or chicagowildthings@yahoo.comm. Information about the workshops can be found on the BCN website at www.bcnbirds.org. (Posted 03/11/2008)
My Space is Green Space: Earth Day T-Shirt Design Contest
Deadline: March 21, 2008 Children grades 1-8 are invited to submit a design for this year’s Friends of the Parks’ Annual Earth Day Parks & Preserves Clean-Up t-shirt which will be worn proudly by over 3,500 volunteers. The contest winner and his or her family will be invited to attend an Earth Day Kick-Off event where the Earth Day 2008 design will be unveiled and the winner will be awarded prizes. For contest details, and to learn more about volunteering on Earth Day, visit http://www.fotp.org/events/earthday.asp. (Posted 03/11/2008)
Earth Hour, March 29, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Earth Hour is a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiative to "turn off the lights" in cities around the world for one hour, from 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on March 29 to inspire individuals and businesses to take practical action to reduce their own carbon footprint. Chicago is the U.S. Earth Hour flagship city. Mayor Richard M. Daley has declared the event a major part of his environmental program “Conserve Chicago Together” and several signature skyscrapers, shops on the Magnificent Mile, and key landmarks, such as the Sears Tower, Navy Pier’s Ferris Wheel, and Wrigley Field. Earth Hour is a completely voluntary program, so the city won’t go completely dark. Planners for the event have been working closely with city public safety officials and building engineers to ensure that while Chicago makes a dramatic statement with its lights out, it will do so safely. Street lights, lobby lights in public spaces, hospital lights and any lights deemed to impact public safety or vital services will remain on. It is also advisable to use flashlights instead of candles during Earth Hour. ComEd, a member of the Chicago Wilderness Corporate Council, is a major sponsor of Earth Hour. More information, along with interactive features and resources for families, individuals, businesses and communities can be found at www.earthhour.org. (Posted 03/11/2008)
Save the Date! Forest Preserve District of Cook County Conference: Prescribed Fire for Healthy Forest Preserves, April 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Brookfield Zoo Discovery Center
The conference is an opportunity for elected officials, natural resource professionals, and the general public to learn why prescribed fire is an essential, safe and cost effective way to keep native plant and animal populations diverse and healthy in natural areas. Topics include: Description of brushpile and prescribed burns; Communications tools for discussing prescribed fire with neighbors and constituents; Information for fire control professionals; Smoke management; Safety and health issues; Benefits of prescribed fire for plants, animals and people. The conference is free and includes breakfast and lunch. RSVP required. For more information, please contact fire@cookcountygov.com or 708-514-0197. The program is funded by a grant from the USDA Forest Service. (Posted 03/11/2008)
2008 Plants of Concern Workshops
April 5, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Volo Bog
April 17, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Midewin Tallgrass Prairie
April 27, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Chicago Botanic Garden
Plants of Concern is a rare plant monitoring program for Northeast Illinois, funded by Chicago Wilderness, the Wildlife Preservation Fund, USFS (Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie), CorLands, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and C2000. The Plants of Concern workshops train volunteers in the basics of monitoring techniques, including measuring and mapping populations using a GPS unit. The workshops also present an opportunity to meet representatives of the Forest Preserve Districts and Illinois Department of Natural Resources as well as experienced monitors. Registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Marian Hofherr, POC Program Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator at mhofherr@chicagobotanic.org or 847-835-6873. For more information on Plants of Concern, visit the program web site at http://www.plantsofconcern.org. (Posted 03/11/2008)
Big Bugs, April 25 to July 20, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL
Guests will have no trouble seeing David Rogers’ Big Bugs at The Morton Arboretum. Rogers’ gargantuan creations are built mainly of trees, dried branches, tree roots, and green saplings. The daddy longlegs sculpture is 17 feet in diameter, weighs 450 pounds, and is made of willow; the eyes and long, spindly legs are red cedar. Other creatures guests will encounter include three 25-feet-long ants and a 1,200 pound praying mantis carved of black locust. The huge bugs are intended to inspire children to learn more about the world we share with bugs and kids are urged to continue their bug exploration by becoming bug detectives in their own backyard. For more information, visit www.mortonarb.org. (Posted 03/11/2008)
Chicago Matters: Growing Forward
Now in its 18th year, Chicago’s award-winning multimedia series returns in 2008 with Chicago Matters: Growing Forward to examine how the choices we make today impact our environment and the future of our region. Chicago Matters: Growing Forward will explore the fundamental ways we are connected through our region’s shared resources—the land we live on and the way we travel, the air we breath and the water we drink, the food we eat and the waste we generate. Chicago Matters will feature year long, original programming by WTTW11, Chicago Public Radio, the Chicago Public Library and The Chicago Reporter. The series is funded by The Chicago Community Trust. For more information, and a programming schedule, visit http://www.chicagomatters.org. (Posted 03/11/2008)
Shifting Ground: Public Radio Series
Shifting Ground reveals the complex forces reshaping America and tells the stories of individuals and communities around the country experiencing the on-the-ground impacts of land policy. The series will run on National Public Radio’s acclaimed afternoon news program All Things Considered periodically over the next several weeks. Shifting Ground was produced by David Baron, an award-winning author and journalist. Listen to the first installment, “A Donkey’s Tale: When Urban Sprawl Encroaches,” at www.shifting-ground.com/rural_character.html. Upcoming stories explore conservation easements, the siting of wind farms, the difficulties of removing homes from eroding beaches, and the use of green burials as a land conservation tool. For more information, visit www.shifting-ground.com. (Posted 03/11/2008)
The Green Gym
As the weather gets warmer and shorts and swimsuits come out of storage, many will flock to the gym to burn off winter calories. Consider utilizing the many walking, hiking, and bicycle trails of Chicago Wilderness as well as waterways for canoeing and kayaking, as a natural alternative to the health club. Volunteers can also work up a sweat and keep the Earth in shape by participating in activities such as removing invasive species, planting seeds, and maintaining trails. The Green Gym is a one-two punch: combining fitness with the stress-relief and stimulation of the outdoors. Find local natural areas and volunteer opportunities at http://www.chicagowilderness.org/explore/sites/index.cfm. (Posted 03/11/2008)
Leave No Child Inside: Wilderness in Your Backyard
Backyard Wildlife Habitat On those brisk February days when it’s wise to stay indoors, you and your family can start making plans to plant a native garden. Or, for the more ambitious, encourage your older children to help you create a National Wildlife Federation certified “Backyard Wildlife Habitat” by making sure your backyard includes food and water sources, places for animals to take cover and raise their young, and incorporates sustainable gardening practices such as mulching and recycling rain water. By designing a NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat, your family can create a beautiful, relaxing refuge – for you and for wildlife! You’ll enjoy watching the songbirds, butterflies, frogs, and other critters that visit, and you can share your experience with friends and neighbors to encourage the community to adopt wildlife-friendly, sustainable yards and green spaces. For more information, visit www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat (Posted 02/19/2008)
Green Drinks: The State of Sustainable Chicago, February 20, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Jefferson Tap & Grille, Chicago
Chicago Wilderness will be featured in part two of Chicago Green Drinks “The State of Sustainable Chicago” series. Green Drinks is an informal opportunity for the local sustainability community to socialize, network and learn from one another. The panel discussion will be led by Melinda Pruett-Jones, Executive Director, Chicago Wilderness; Dennis Dreher, Cowhey Gudmunson Leder, Ltd.; and Dr. Doug Stotz, Conservation Ornithologist, The Field Museum Environmental Conservation Program. The discussion is highly interactive; guests are welcome and encouraged to share knowledge and ask questions. Key topics include the Green Infrastructure Vision and other efforts underway to protect local biodiversity. For more information, visit www.chicagogreendrinks.org. (Posted 02/19/2008)
Illinois Rain Garden Initiative Grant, Deadline: February 29, 2008
Rain gardens improve water quality while preventing flooding and drainage problems. They help control rainwater runoff, foster the growth of native perennial flowers and grasses, and create habitat for wildlife such as native birds and butterflies. The Illinois Rain Garden Initiative Grant Program encourages students and communities to design rain gardens by awarding $500 grants to eligible organizations, including public institutions, non-profit groups, and schools. For more information, including a how-to guide for creating rain gardens and a grant application, visit www.raingarden.il.gov. (Posted 02/19/2008)
Chicago Green Homes Fair, March 15, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Chicago Center for Green Technology, Chicago
The City of Chicago is proud to offer engaging opportunities to turn your residence green. This free event offers an introduction to several outstanding new green services for Chicago professionals and homeowners. The Chicago Green Homes Fair will offer an exhibit hall with local green vendors and services, as well as educational courses to introduce you to these exciting new tools. Whether you live in a condo, greystone, bungalow, recent renovation or new construction, the Chicago Green Homes Fair will help you learn how to incorporate environmentally friendly practices and products into your home. For more information, visit www.cityofchicago.org/Environment/GreenTech. (Posted 02/19/2008)
Governor's Green Youth Award, Deadline: March 17, 2008
Illinois students are encouraged to apply for the annual Governor's Green Youth Award. The award recognizes outstanding and inventive efforts of Illinois youth who are working on environmental protection and conservation projects. Students currently enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade at an Illinois public, private, or home school who have participated in an environmental project started no earlier than January 2006 are eligible to submit their project. Clubs and other organizations such as Scouts and 4-H are also encouraged to apply. More information is available online at www.epa.state.il.us/green-youth or by calling 217-557-7826. (Posted 02/19/2008)
Save the Date! Garfield Park Conservatory Grand Centennial, April 13, 2008, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Garfield Park, Chicago
Did you know that the Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago’s botanical gem under glass, has been home to rare tropical plants for almost 100 years? The Garfield Park Conservatory opened to the public in April of 1908. Mark your calendar for the Grand Centennial Opening on April 13th and join the celebration already underway by enjoying a tropical respite from the bitter cold of winter. For exhibit and family programming information, visit http://www.garfieldconservatory.org. (Posted 02/19/2008)
McHenry County Conservation District 2008 Ecological Restoration Certificate Program
McHenry County Conservation District presents an educational program of workshops designed around the practice and philosophy of ecological restoration. The workshops are designed for the general public and those currently working or volunteering in ecological restoration. Take classes a la carte or complete the Ecological Restoration Certificate Program by attending 15 workshops. For a listing of workshops and to register, visit http://www.mccdistrict.org/systems/ors-welcome.asp or call 815-479-5779. (Posted 02/19/2008)
Leave No Child Inside: Winter Activities
Despite the cold, nature is still full of life in winter. Stock the pantry with hot chocolate, bundle up, and enjoy the wonders of winter. Winter Scavenger Hunt Enjoy an invigorating walk or snow-shoe through a local woodland and try to spot one of the many winter birds of Chicago Wilderness, such as the red-bellied woodpecker, cedar waxwing and several species of duck. In February, a visit to a large grassland at dusk could reward you with a glimpse of the short-eared owl hunting for prey. Also during the winter, discover animal tracks in the snow and play a game with your kids to determine which animal made the tracks and where the animal might have been going. FamilyFun.Com (www.familyfun.com) has collected a creative variety of outdoor winter crafts and activities, including a birdseed snow angel, winter fort, and snow-ball throwing contests. Re-use Your Holiday Greeting Cards If the cold is a bit too bitter for a frolic outdoors, gather your family and your pile of holiday cards for this activity, courtesy of the DuPage County Environmental Education Program, SCARCE (www.bookrescue.org). Ø Turn holiday cards into thank you note postcards or holiday invitations by cutting the fronts from old greeting cards. Be sure to cut the cards no larger than 4½" * 6" and no smaller than 3 ½" * 5*, to satisfy postal mailing requirements. Ø Create “To/From” gift tags for the 2008 holiday season by using decorative edged scissors and cutting the cards into fun shapes. Ø Or, mail the fronts of your cards to St. Jude’s Ranch, where children will design “Born Again Cards” sold to fund trips and activities for abandoned and abused children. Mail cards to: St. Jude's Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude's Street, Boulder City, NV 89005. For more information, visit www.stjudesranch.org. (Posted 01/15/2008)
For more information:
KidsOutside.info
Free! Forest Preserve District of Cook County 2008 Calendar
Bring your family to a Cook County Forest Preserve, pick up a free calendar, and spend the afternoon hiking and spotting winter birds and animal tracks. Calendars are available to the public at Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington; River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook; Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland; Trailside Museum, River Forest; and Camp Sagawau, Lemont. For directions to the centers, visit http://fpdcc.com/tier3.php?content_id=5 (Posted 01/15/2008)
Junk Mail Woes
Fresh Squeeze (www.afreshsqueeze.com), a Chicago-based guide to green living, recommends utilizing a new, free online service called Catalog Choice (www.catalogchoice.org) to unclutter your mailbox, which is likely being bombarded by catalogs if you did any holiday shopping via catalog or online. Catalog Choice contacts catalog providers on your behalf and asks them to remove your name from mailing lists. Get only the mail you want, and prevent trees from turning into unwanted catalogs! (Posted 01/15/2008)
2008: Your Year to Volunteer
Chicago Wilderness extends our appreciation and gratitude to all of the volunteers in the region who help make our ambitious goals possible. For all those who are interested in becoming involved but aren’t quite sure where to start, here are some suggestions: The Chicagoland Environmental Network (CEN) is a great place to start! CEN allows you to search for opportunities by county and by interests, such as education, recycling, and habitat restoration/workdays. Also visit CEN for a listing of year-round events in the Chicago region. The Nature Conservancy Volunteer Stewardship Network is thousands of individuals committed to preserving Illinois' native plants and animals in healthy, viable habitats. Browse volunteer opportunities by county here. http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/illinois/volunteer/art18040.html The Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project (www.habitatproject.org) offers many opportunites for passionate individuals who would like to become citizen scientists and help monitor plant and animal populations, advocate for the environment, and shepherd our most treasured natural areas back to good health. (Posted 01/15/2008)
Chicago Wilderness Calling Frog Survey Frog Monitors Needed!
The Calling Frog Survey is part of an amphibian biodiversity recovery plan organized by the CW Habitat Project. Novice frog monitors will learn calls of 13 native frog & toad species, find survey sites, and learn monitoring protocol. Experienced monitors are also encouraged to attend to learn any protocol changes, obtain data sheets, review calls, and share lessons learned from last year.
DuPage County – January 23, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Blackwell Forest Preserve Grounds & Resources Complex, West Chicago; Register with Cindy Hedges at 630-876-5929
Lake County – February 5, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. or February 9, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Ryerson Woods Welcome Center, Deerfield; Register with Tom Smith at 847-968-3329
South Cook County – February 7, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Camp Sagawau, Lemont; Register with Diana Krug at diana.krug@comcast.net
Kane County, February 9, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Pottawatomie Park, St. Charles; Register with Pam Otto 630-513-4346
Will County – February 12, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Isle a la Cache Museum, Romeoville; Register with Renee Gauchat at rgauchat@fpdwc.org
North Cook County – February 18, 7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m., Edgebrook Community Center, Chicago; Register with Diane Huebner at d-huebner@northwestern.edu
McHenry County – February 20, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake; Contact Sara Denham 815-728-8307 with questions. (Posted 01/15/2008)
Think Ahead to Spring
Winter is a great time to plan your spring and summer gardens. This year, consider landscaping with native plants. Native plants are beautiful, hardy, easier to maintain, and are beneficial to the environment since natives significantly reduce the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water and lawn maintenance. Native plants also provide benefits to wildlife. Butterflies, for instance, will visit your garden for the nectar of beautiful native flowers such as purple coneflower, prairie coreopsis, butterfly milkweed, and showy goldenrod. Visit the EPA Green Acres site at http://www.epa.gov/greenacres/nativeplants/factsht.html for a native plant fact sheet and additional resources. (Posted 01/15/2008)
Protecting Farmland in Northeastern Illinois 2008 Conference, Elgin Community College, February 1, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and February 2, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Farmland in Northeastern Illinois is quickly disappearing. Without intervention this land will be lost. The conference will explore a variety of strategies to protect farmland by making it a viable part of the community in which we live. For other questions call Stacy Meyers-Glen, Openlands Policy Coordinator at (312) 863-6265 or visit http://www.openlands.org/policy.asp?pgid=364. The conference is sponsored by Openlands and funded by a grant from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. (Posted 01/15/2008)
Illinois Conservation Stewardship Program
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced in December 2007 that landowners are now able to sign up for the Conservation Stewardship Program, which provides property tax incentives for landowners who develop and follow conservation management plans for their woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. For more information, visit http://dnr.state.il.us/Stewardship/index.htm or contact Lynn Boermann, IDNR, at 847-608-3100 ext. 2041 or Lynn.Boerman@illinois.gov. (Posted 01/15/2008)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Off-Campus Programs
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) now offers an innovative bachelor’s degree completion program in horticulture and an off-campus graduate program in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. If you have thought about getting a NRES degree in order to advance your career opportunities, this may be the program for you! For more information on the Bachelor’s program, visit http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/Dynamic.aspx?PageId=145. Information on the off-campus graduate program is available at http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/Dynamic.aspx?PageId=60 (Posted 01/15/2008)
The Great Lakes Rock!
The Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) presents a free on-line workshop series from January 27 - February 8, focusing on the geology of the lake basin. Participants will have the opportunity to converse with the scientists and educators, expand knowledge of Great Lakes geoscience, collect, and contribute teaching resources. Graduate credit is available. For more information, visit http://coexploration.org/coseegreatlakes (Posted 01/15/2008)
Call for Photographs!
Chicago Wilderness utilizes photographs of our region’s natural wonders for various publications and web sites. If you or your children enjoy taking digital photographs, we welcome and encourage you to submit them Michelle Mohney, CW Communication Coordinator, at michelle.mohney@gmail.com. High-resolution images (300 dpi or greater) are preferred; please include name, age (if under 18), and a brief description of the image and location. Please note, photographers will receive photo credit for all images, but will not be compensated. (Posted 01/15/2008)
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