March 27, 2008
Michelle Kaufmann's Weekly Green Tips
Smart Home designer, Michelle Kaufmann offers weekly green tips. Michelle has designed the Smart Home: Green and Wired that will open on May 8, 2008 at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:33 AM | Permalink |
March 26, 2008
Turn Off Your Lights for Earth Hour
Climate change is perhaps the most significant issue facing our planet today. We are beginning to witness dramatic impacts as a result of the amount of carbon we load into the atmosphere. To alter the current course of climate change we must act now.
That's why you are invited to join thousands of your Chicago friends, neighbors and businesses and millions of people around the world to make a bold statement about climate change on March 29 from 8 to 9 p.m local time.
Turn out your lights for one hour: Earth Hour.
As World Wildlife Fund's flagship city for the United States, Chicago, a leader in environmental initiatives, is encouraging its residents across the region to make the pledge to help fight global warming by voluntarily turning off their lights for 60 minutes. Signature skyscrapers, key landmarks, theater marquees and shops on the Magnificent Mile will voluntarily turn off their lights.
ComEd, the northern Illinois power utility, is a major sponsor of Earth Hour.
Earth Hour's not just about cutting back for one hour. It's about taking a stand and thinking ahead about what you, your neighbors and your city can do to slow climate change.
Seize the Earth Hour moment and change some of your outdated energy-wasting light bulbs to new, efficient and inexpensive compact fluorescents. Think of other ways you can cut your energy usage and trim your electric bill after Earth Hour has passed.
One person can make a difference. Cities, working together, can change the world.
One hour, Chicago: Earth Hour.
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 10:48 PM | Permalink |
March 26, 2008
2008 Healthy Sprouts Award
Program Web site: http://www.kidsgardening.com/healthysprouts.asp
Sponsor: Gardener's Supply
Deadline: October 15, 2008
Purpose: The National Gardening Association and Gardener's Supply Company have partnered to support schools and community organizations that use gardens to teach about nutrition and explore the issue of hunger in the United States. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden and nutrition education and hunger awareness. At least 10% of the food produced from the program should be donated.
Eligibility: To be eligible for the 2008 Healthy Sprouts Awards, your school or organization must plan to garden in 2009 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and nutrition and hunger issues in the United States.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Amount of funding: This year we will present awards to 20 schools or organizations. Each program will receive gift certificates towards the purchase of gardening materials from our sponsoring company. The top 5 will also receive a certificate valued at $500; 15 more will each receive a $200 gift certificate; 25 packets of seeds; a literature package from NGA; and Eat a Rainbow Kit.
Application process: Applications may be downloaded from the Program website.
For more information contact:
National Gardening Association 1100 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 Phone: 800-538-7476 (800-LETSGRO) Fax: 802-864-6889
Summaries of funding programs are provided by RAC for your convenience. Please contact the funder directly for the most complete and current information.
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 5:04 AM | Permalink |
March 25, 2008
Daily Green Tips
Get your daily green tips from CBS 2 Chicago.
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 1:13 AM | Permalink |
March 25, 2008
Mercury in CFLs
The mercury in compact fluorescent light bulbs may pose a threat to health and the environment.
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 12:35 AM | Permalink |
March 22, 2008
Drawing Plants Class
Who: General public, volunteers, lovers of nature
What: Drawing plants, this four session sketching class will help you see nature the way an artist does. Combining drawing skills and plant observation, you will learn how to draw what you see. If you haven't drawn a line, this is a great time to begin. If you love to draw, join us. There is always more to learn. Instructor Bernadine Basile spent many years teaching as a Professor of Art at Towson University, Maryland. She is a University of Illinois Extension Master Garden Intern. Her garden is now her passion, and she loves relaxing in it and drawing what she sees. Pre-register today.
When: Class dates April 7, 14, 28 and May 5. All classes: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: University of Illinois Extension
5527 Miller Circle Drive, Matteson, IL 60443 Conference Room.
How to sign up: Pre-register by April 3. Class size limited. $20 for the series, check payable to University of Illinois Extension.
Call 708-720-7500, speak to the secretary to sign up or e-mail
Nancy Pollard, Horticulture Educator pollard@uiuc.edu
Materials to bring to the first and each class:
Spiral drawing pad, smooth texture, medium or heavy weight. 9" x 12" or 11" x 14"
Sketching kit composed of:
Drawing pencils: 6B (very soft), 4B, 2B, and HB (hard)
Gum Eraser or White Plastic Eraser either leaves minimal smudging
Kneaded Eraser for erasing and toning
Pencil sharpener or Exacto knife to give points to pencils
Optional: Paper Stomp or Tortillion for blending graphite in drawings
Possible source for sketching kit (no endorsement intended): Michaels (in store only) had a sketch kit for around $5 packaged by Loew Cornell, basic starter set SKU 89241 13318. (Not available on web or we would have ordered them for participants.) Other vendors and brand names can be substituted.
Nancy Pollard
Horticulture Educator
Posted by Ron Wolford at 3:38 PM | Permalink |
March 18, 2008
Master Naturalist Project Organizer Position
Greetings:
The new Master Naturalist project organizer position will be based in the Matteson office. This will be a new program in Cook County. We will be collaborating with the Forest Preserve of Cook County, the Field Museum and Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens. Other partners may join us in the future.
On the state level, IL Master Naturalist is collaborating with the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Nature Conservatory, various U of I departments and the Illinois Steward Magazine, and others. Cook County is one of several piloting this program over the next few years.
The closing date for applications for this position is April 15.
Here are the links to two county Master Naturalist pilot sites that are already in place:
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/mn/index.html
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland/mnaturalist/index.html
Nancy Pollard
Horticulture Educator
Cook County / South Suburban Unit
5527 Miller Circle Drive, Suite A, Matteson, Illinois 60443
phone (708) 720-7500. fax (708) 720-7509
email pollard@uiuc.edu
http://cook.extension.uiuc.edu
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 12:42 AM | Permalink |
March 10, 2008
Project Exploration Job Announcement
Title: Youth Development Coordinator
Reports to: Director of Programs
Supervises: Students and interns
Project Exploration Background: Cofounded in 1999 by paleontologist Paul Sereno and educator Gabrielle Lyon, Project Exploration is a nonprofit science education organization that works to make science accessible to the public– especially minority youth and girls–through personalized experiences with science and scientists. Project Exploration meets its mission through youth development programs, services for schools and teachers, and public programs such as exhibits and online initiatives.
Summary of the Position: By utilizing personalized experiences and support, the youth development coordinator is responsible for recruiting and retaining students to Project Exploration's core youth programs, developing and implementing youth programs, and encouraging and supporting students to participate in science leadership opportunities within and outside of the organization.
Core Programs Management:
Junior Paleontologists Program
- Develop, plan, coordinate, and implement all aspects of a three-week classroom and field program for high school students on the topics of geology, anatomy, and paleontology.
- Recruit, interview, and select students and train team leaders for the program.
- Revise and create documents for recruitment, curriculum, evaluation, and wrap-up as necessary.
- Provide various year-round supportive services for participants
Dinosaur Giants Program
- Coordinate and implement an interpretive training program for high school students to earn community service learning hours as volunteer docents at a local museum/exhibit.
- Assist in the coordination, development, and facilitation of training sessions for the Dinosaur Giants program, including recruitment and scheduling of students.
- Identify, recruit, and train part-time staff to serve as on-site coordinators that will implement the program at a local museum/exhibit.
Youth Development Programs and Science Leadership Opportunities:
- Plan, coordinate, and implement a minimum of four annual youth development events and programs for all students to participate in.
Coordinate and implement a summer internship program for two to three students at theUniversity of Chicago Fossil Lab.
Identify, develop, and coordinate science leadership opportunities for students to participate in throughout the year.
Provide on-going support regarding college/career pipeline.
Program Administration:
- Update and maintain student database and student contact information.
- Work with teachers and administrators from partner schools to recruit and retain students to all core youth programs.
- Track students' participation in annual programs and create attendance reports
- Develop, implement and analyze evaluation of student's participation
- Research and implement best youth development practices in all programs.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BA/BS degree in education, social services, or science.
- At least three years experience working with youth in an urban setting.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and organization skills.
- Strong facilitation skills and the ability to communicate information to youth and adults effectively and efficiently.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
- Able to plan, prioritize, and coordinate divergent areas of work and juggle several tasks simultaneously.
- Certification in youth development practices preferred.
- Knowledge of the Chicago Public School system preferred.
- Experience in coordinating and facilitating overnight/in-the-field events for youth.
- Ability and desire to work in a team environment as well as work independently.
- A valid IL driver's license and access to a car is required
- Working occasional weekends and evenings and a willingness to travel out of town, overnight should be expected.
Salary: Competitive; excellent benefits and professional growth opportunities
Position begins: June 1, 2008.
Send cover letter, resume, references, and salary history to:
Director of Operations
Project Exploration
950 East 61st Street
Chicago, IL 60637
773-834-7625 fax
No phone calls, please.
For more information about Project Exploration, visit www.projectexploration.org
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 11:39 PM | Permalink |
March 10, 2008
School Projects Coordinator Job
Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children is looking to hire a School Projects Coordinator. This person will work to strengthen CLOCC's relationships with schools and Chicago Public Schools, staff the school systems working group and coordinate future efforts for CLOCC's role in the area of school-community connections. I think ideally they want someone who knows quite a bit about working the in's and outs of Chicago Public Schools. If you know anyone that might be interested, please send them our way.
http://www.childrensmemorial
Anna Barnes
Youth Coordinator
Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children
2300 Children's Plaza #157
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-573-7766
Fax: 312-573-7825
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 11:24 PM | Permalink |
March 2, 2008
Angelic Organics Job Opening
Dear Friends:
We are very excited to announce that the Learning Center is now accepting applications for an Urban Initiative Program Coordinator! The position will be based in the Chicago office.
We are seeking a responsible, highly organized individual to join our urban initiative team to assist with community food system projects and urban agriculture training. At least three years of related experience is required. This position starts at 20 hours a week in April 2008 with the possibility of a full-time position with benefits by July 2008.
Applications must be received by 3/15/08. Visit www.learngrowconnect.org click on "Now Hiring" for the full job description and application info.
Rasha Abdulhadi
Program Coordinator- Urban Initiative
Angelic Organics Learning Center
Chicago Office
6400 S Kimbark Ave
Chicago, IL 60637
Office: 773-288-5462
Fax: 425-969-0317
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 6:40 PM | Permalink |
