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IL Coastal Management Program |
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Monthly Newsletter - January 2023 |
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In this issue: Featured News, Emerging Research, Emerging Resources, Upcoming Events, Share Your Voice, Funding Opportunities, Job Opportunities, and Great Lakes News.
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State tackling harmful Lake Michigan shoreline erosion at Illinois Beach State Park
"SPRINGFIELD – Two ground-breaking projects underway at Illinois Beach State Park will help protect precious shoreline from erosion caused by Lake Michigan waves and inform future decisions about how to blunt the effects of erosion and climate change, Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Capital Development Board announced today.
Illinois Beach State Park in Lake County, home to unique prairie and wetland habitat and a beloved local and regional recreational draw, features the last remaining natural shoreline in the state. However, the shore is constantly battered by Lake Michigan waves, making it a priority for preservation and mitigation efforts."
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New State Water Plan spotlights 13 critical water-related challenges for Illinois
"SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Water Plan, which serves as a blueprint for addressing key water-related challenges in the state over the next decade, has been updated for the first time since 1984 and is available to help guide state and local leaders in setting priorities for water resources.
Different from previous Illinois state water plans, the updated plan intentionally strives to integrate social and environmental justice perspectives into recommendations in every section to better serve economically and socially marginalized individuals and communities in Illinois. It also addresses climate change impacts for the first time"
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Freshwater fish are significantly more contaminated with toxic forever chemicals than saltwater fish and shellfish, analysis shows
"Eating just one freshwater fish a year can dramatically increase the amount of toxic forever chemicals coursing through a person's blood, according to a new study that reflects more than a half-century of pollution contaminating the Great Lakes and rivers nationwide.
The alarming finding is based on an analysis of hundreds of fish caught by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency since 2013. Though the EPA has concluded some of the chemicals are harmful at any level, the agency hasn't drawn attention to its fish sampling or warned Americans they could be in danger."
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National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Nature-based Solutions Funding Database
The NWF has developed a comprehensive and interactive database of federal funding and technical assistance opportunities.
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Public Comment |
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Request for Information: Framing the National Nature Assessment |
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The US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is seeking input from the public to help inform the framing, development, and use of the National Nature Assessment.
The USGCRP welcomes comments on the definition of nature, what questions the assessment can help answer, potential audiences and engagement processes, trends and projections, and relevant information sources. Comments are due March 31, 2023. More information on how to respond to this request, including guiding questions, can be found here.
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Webinar |
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Great Lakes Region Climate Action Seminar |
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The NY Upstate, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois Chapters of the American Society of Landscape Architects are excited to announce the 2023 Great Lakes Region Climate Action Seminar.
This is the second event in a series aimed to explore and expand landscape architecture’s role regarding climate change impact occurring in urban and natural systems across the Great Lakes Region.
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February 9 & 10
$45 each day for non-ASLA members
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Webinar |
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EPA Tools & Resources Training Webinar |
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EPA’s Climate Change Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-X) is an interactive resource to help local governments effectively deliver services to their communities even as the climate changes.
Decision makers can create an integrated package of information tailored specifically to their needs. Once users select areas of interest, they will find information about: the risks posed by climate change to the issues of concern; relevant adaptation strategies; case studies illustrating how other communities have successfully adapted to those risks and tools to replicate their successes; and EPA funding opportunities. This webinar will provide an overview of ARC-X and how to use it.
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February 9 | 2 - 3 p.m.
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Conference |
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Wild Things 2023 |
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The Wild Things 2023 Conference invites nature enthusiasts from across Illinois and beyond to learn about the flora, fauna, and natural history of the Prairie State! Join a community of 3,000 volunteers, conservationists, and natural resource professionals at the 2023 Conference to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Illinois Nature Preserves. View the lineup here.
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February 25 | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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Our Great Rivers Fund
LOI Deadline: February 10, 2023
The Chicago Community Trust has released a request for proposals for the Our Great Rivers grant. The Trust is seeking proposals for river-related planning, placemaking, urban design, public access, public awareness, research, policy development, advocacy/organizing, economic development, and brick-and-mortar pre-development. For this cycle, the Trust will prioritize projects that align with “River Sites of Interest”* and advance the goals of the living, inviting or productive themes from the Our Great Rivers vision.
Letters of interest are due on Friday, February 10, 2023 and there is an information session to learn more on January 25, 2023. More information about this grant opportunity can be found on the Chicago Community Trust’s website.
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NFWF Sustain Our Great Lakes Program
Pre-Proposal Deadline: February 14, 2023
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) Program that benefit fish, wildlife, habitat and water quality in the Great Lakes basin.
The program will award up to $18.7 million in grants in 2023 to improve and enhance: 1) stream, riparian and coastal habitats to benefit species; 2) water quality in the Great Lakes and its tributaries. Register here for the Applicant Webinar.
*Applicant Webinar January 19, 2023 from 1:00-2:30pm CST
*Pre-proposals due February 14, 2023
*Full proposals due April 25, 2023
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Illinois American Water's Environmental Grant Program
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Illinois American Water is now accepting applications for the 2023 Environmental Grant Program. We are seeking innovative and collaborative programs that result in positive and sustainable environmental changes. Watershed protection and cleanup activities, value of water education efforts, green business innovations and hazardous waste collection efforts are just a few examples of potential projects supported by our Environmental Grant Program. If your community or organization is planning to launch an environmental initiative that focuses on watershed or water source protection, you might be eligible to receive a grant.
Deadline for applications is March 31, 2023. Applications must be emailed to Mike Jones at Mike.Jones@amwater.com. Late entries will not be accepted.
To qualify for Environmental Grant funding, a proposed project must:
- Be located within an Illinois American Water service area
- Address a source water or watershed protection need in the community
- Be completed between May 1, 2023 and November 30, 2023
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Delta Institute |
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Program Specialist |
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Delta Institute is looking to hiring a Specialist for their Nature-Based Climate Solutions program. By 2025, Delta aims to have assisted municipalities in integrating natural and green infrastructure – improving the environment, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and strengthening communities – reducing stormwater impacts by 100 million gallons and leveraging at least $100 million in investment. The Program Specialist will work within this program.
As a Specialist, an employee will know what happens on the ground in the dynamic landscapes of the Midwest and Great Lakes. A Specialist will bring that robust experience to Delta while working within the team to implement a variety of projects that focus on changing how we think about the practices that we implement on the landscape, how we value the environmental impacts, and how to change the structural drivers to create large-scale impacts. For more information on how to apply, visit Delta's website.
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Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant |
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Summer Internship |
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The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) Summer Internship Program provides undergraduate students from around the country the paid opportunity to combine social and environmental conservation science to help address issues impacting coastal communities throughout the Great Lakes. Each year, a diversity of students gain hands-on experience under the mentorship of a career professional. Skills gained cover a variety of practices in research, communication, and outreach that can help lead to Lake Michigan coastal communities making more informed decisions about resource management and everyday activities.
For detailed information on position descriptions, hourly pay, and the application process, visit the IISG Summer Internship page. For questions related to the program, please contact Angela Archer at amcbride@purdue.edu.
Application packets are due on February 6, 2023.
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Sea Grant |
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Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship |
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The application period for the 2024 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship is now open. The fellowship provides a one-year, paid experience for highly qualified early career professionals to work on issues related to coastal, marine and Great Lakes science and policy in offices within the executive or legislative branch of government in Washington, D.C.
Graduate students interested in marine, coastal, and Great Lakes science and policy should explore the information about the fellowship as soon as possible and talk to their local Sea Grant program (or the National Sea Grant Office) at least one month prior to the February 16, 2023 deadline.
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What's going on in the Great Lakes this month? Click to read more!
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Wildlife
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How native animals survive the colder months
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Cultural Resources
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Pullman National Monument Upgraded to National Historical Park – and the Name Change Makes a Big Difference
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Conservation
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Moving species emerges as last resort as climate warms
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Local Policy
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Chicago’s Urban Forestry Advisory Board Officially Takes Root With City
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Share Your Announcement! |
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Have an event, funding opportunity, or job posting that you'd like us to share? Send us an email and we'll include it in our newsletter next month.
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