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Calumet Outdoors Series: Big Bird Hike Wrap Up
by Eric Neagu
We had a great hike last weekend with more than 30 participants (See attached photos). Doug Stotz, who in addition to his vast avian knowledge, seems completely immune to insects, led our hike through Beaubien Woods on Chicago’s South Side. Along with all we learned about bird habitat, habits, and sounds, we identified several plants, including catnip (thanks to Laurel for this one). Afterward, Laura Milkert and her colleagues held a picnic and awards ceremony for their volunteer stewards at the Field Museum.
We’re at the halfway point for the year. If anybody has any hike ideas or wants to lead a hike or event next year, please let us know.
P.S. Please note next month’s hike has been changed to International Friendship Gardens in Michigan City, Indiana. This will be part of the Trail Creek Bioblitz, which is taking place July 16th. (Photos provided by Eric Neagu)
TREE COMMISSION PLANTS FOR SUMMERTIME BEAUTIFICATION
By Helen Denham
The Riverdale Tree Commission and Friends planted witch hazel plants and oak trees in the Riverdale Park District. Joining the tree commission in planting were Friends of the Riverdale Tree Commission. The planting is the beginning of summertime beautification in Riverdale. Tree Commissioner, Frank Vaughn, said, "The tree commission is beautifying the village."
Riverdale Arborist, Dave Shepard, demonstrated and explained in detail to the Friends group how important proper planting is for best plant development.
"Some trees and shrubs grow better in sunny areas and some grow better in shady areas."
The Friends of the Tree Commission included the Harris family from Riverdale. This was a first-time tree planting experience for them. Seven-year-old Ameena Harris said, "I think it was loving and caring to put the trees in a better place."
Ameena’s dad, Darryl said, "This is a new experience for me. I never planted a tree before. I do consider myself part of Riverdale. Why Not?"
He looks forward to seeing the plants and trees grow in the coming years. Ameena’s mom, Fatimah, relished in the planting and stated, "I just enjoy getting my hands in the ground into the dirt, connecting with nature, bugs, and worms. It reminds me of my grandmother."
Plantings within the community forest helps qualify the village for the National Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA program. This once-a-year program recognizes villages, towns, and cities that improve their urban forestry program. The Tree Commission has earned this award for 10 years.
Ivanhoe Park Commissioner, Brenda Britt Cox stated, "Ivanhoe Park District appreciates the Tree Commission and its continued dedication to beatifying the Village of Riverdale through tree planting."
The tree commission will visit and monitor the various tree plantings throughout the summer, providing mini-maintenance as needed. 072211
Move over, Yossarian, "Catch-22' is Alive and ---- Persistent!
by Kevin P. Murphy
Many American veterans--of many wars--have come home wounded from those wars. When the wounds were primarily physical, and not permanently debilitating, those veterans had a good chance of again assimilating into the larger society, for which they served--and suffered. When their wounds went beyond the obvious physical damage to the less visible, but no less real, psychological damage, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), treatment and assimilation were problematic.
Thus, homelessness, and the suicide rate among veterans, are disturbingly high, with the veteran rate at nearly 20 percent of the national suicide rate. Contributing to that tragedy is the fact that only about 8 million of the approximately 23 million living veterans are in contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Thus, millions drop below the VA radar screen, many of whom are afflicted by mental illness, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Being unconnected, they do not receive the kinds of aid available to veterans in this country, aid that could get them past the handicap of things like PTSD, the affliction that is cited as a major cause of homelessness and suicides among veterans.
Given that tragic situation, the healing potential of environmental work takes on great importance, for research has shown that working in the environment can have a profoundly positive effect on stress victims. CSI member organizations have had abundant experience of the positive effect of such work on volunteers who keep coming back, event after event, year after year, because they derive something special from their work on environmental projects. The same benefits have been shown to help veterans readjust to their post-combat universe.
With that healing potential in mind, CSI has been involved in attempts to make our environmental work highly visible to regional veterans. To that end, starting in January of 2010, if not earlier, we attempted to contact local university Veterans Affairs offices, in the belief that they would be closest to local veterans. Of all the letters we sent out, not one has produced a response.
As time passed, we raised our sights, reasoning that, at the very least, the Illinois Veterans'Affairs office would have information for us. Their response was, "Check with your local veterans groups," and I wondered why we are paying taxes to support that office.
We then approached the President of the United States, hoping to connect with someone on his staff who might point us at a useful connection. Beyond the polite acknowledgment of our letter (one among tens of thousands), that effort led nowhere.
Then, we learned of Senator Patty Murray, whose home state of Washington has been a visible leader in helping veterans to restore themselves via environmental programs. That, and the fact that she is currently the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, gave us renewed hope. So, naturally, we wrote to her to see if she would point us toward regional agencies who could spread the CSI message to our veterans. And still we wait.
We wonder, after all these attempts, why none of the agencies and individuals who are alleged to be interested in veterans' welfare will not even acknowledge our requests. We believe that we have made it clear that we are not asking them--nor veterans we wish to serve--for their money, their mates, nor their children.
But they do not respond. In other words, the various groups charged with serving veterans do not respond to organizations attempting to provide free, proven, aid to veterans in need. Joseph Heller, wherever you are, take note!
So, we turn to you, our readers--do you know of any way to connect with veterans in our Northwest Indiana/Southeast Chicago region so that we make the potential of the Calumet Stewardship Initiative visible to them? If you do, please send your comments to supgrou@earthlink.net.
Thank you. 072211
