April 22, 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! The theme of this year’s celebration is Climate Action. Oakton is supporting this theme with a Zoom presentation by Jeff Green from Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Join us on Wednesday, April 22 at 9:30am cst to learn more about the organization and their mission. Their message is twofold: They will begin with a review of the causes and effects of climate change and then move on to a discussion of a piece of legislation they believe is critical to addressing global warming. This is an excellent way for us to all become engaged, even in this period of isolation. Please email dkutska@oakton.edu for the invitation link if you are interested in participating!
Even though this year’s celebration may look a little different, there are still many ways to celebrate Earth Day! If you are looking for other ways to engage, check out some of these options available to you:
We’ll explore the woods and discover the ways it remains a living, dynamic system despite the oncoming winter. We will also take a moment to contemplate how we can incorporate the forest’s teachings into our lives at this time of year.
Meeting Location is outside of exit 10, near the Performing Arts Center, Athletics Office and Parking Lot A
2019-2020 Hike Dates
September 3
Tuesday, 12-1pm
October 2
Wednesday, 12-1pm
November 5
Tuesday, 12-1pm
December 4- Meet @ Exit 10
Wednesday, 12-1pm
January 7
Tuesday, 12-1pm
February 5
Wednesday, 12-1pm
March 3
Tuesday, 12-1pm
April 1
Wednesday, 12-1pm
May 5
Tuesday, 12-1pm
Lunchtime hikes are on alternating first Tuesdays/Wednesdays of each month from 12-1pm, Sept-May. We will meet rain/snow/shine and will cancel only for severe weather, so please dress appropriately.
Wednesday, October 2, 12-1 PM– meet @ Lee Center Outdoor Classroom
This month’s hike will take us out of our busy schedules and into the peaceful, relaxing woods. We’ll take time to re-balance & explore while learning about the forest that makes this campus so special. Long pants, socks covering ankles, and hiking shoes are recommended due to off-trail walking.
I look forward to meeting more students, staff, and faculty during my first year here as the Naturalist! Join me for a monthly lunchtime hike on alternating first Tuesday/Wednesday of each month from 12-1pm, Sept-May. We will meet rain/snow/shine and will cancel only for severe weather, so dress appropriately. The first hike is scheduled for Tuesday September 3, 12-1pm.. This month we will begin at the Lee Center Outdoor Classroom. However, meeting place is subject to change depending on season.
September Hike- Tuesday 9/3, 12-1pm
September is a great time to explore the color, diversity, and abundance of the late-summer prairie. Areas of focus will be later blooming plants of the sunflower family, insects, and observing changes in animal behaviors as winter approaches. Whether you want to learn native plant & animal ID or simply want to get some fresh air outdoors, all are welcome. This will be a light hike over trails, pavement, and some grass. Hiking shoes are recommended.
Lunchtime Hike
Schedule
Tuesday 12-1pm
Wednesday 12-1pm
September 3- Meet @ Lee Center Outdoor Classroom
October 2
November 5
December 4
January 7
February 5
March 3
April 1
May 5
Whorled Milkweed, Asclepias verticillata, with Great Black Wasp, Sphex pensylvanicus
Basic Function and Responsibility:Assists with maintenance of grounds, gardens, trails, and all other parts of designated natural areas and sites; mainly through coordination with outside contractors. Provides environmental education programming and conservation-based nature education workshops to students and partners of the College. Organizes and develops interpretive programs and curriculum-based programs for the College students, civic and special interest groups, and the general public on the natural history of the natural areas and other ecological or environmental themes. Cares for botanical and zoological specimens, and other exhibit and education materials. Assists local County Forest Preserve biologists and ecologists with research and other programs and projects. Performs all other job related duties as assigned.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:Performs
tasks in designated natural areas, including seeding, gathering seeds,
fertilizing, planting, etc. Responsible for overall public safety of
natural areas and trails. Schedules, coordinates, and watches over
work performed by outside contractors such as controlled burns, tree
removal, pesticide application, etc.
Program & Event Facilitator – Burnham Wildlife Corridor
This position will support the work of the Outdoor and Environmental Education Unit in the Chicago Park District’s Department of Cultural and Natural Resources. It is responsible for administrative and program support for the Burnham Wildlife Corridor, a 100-acre ribbon of urban wilderness running through Burnham Park. It is home to five unique “gathering spaces,” which have been designed, created, and activated by teams of local artists and community-based organizations from the Chinatown, Bronzeville, and Pilsen neighborhoods. The BWC Gathering Spaces are artistic installations and seating areas, reflective of nature and culture that serve as assembly grounds and resting points for people exploring this part of the lakefront. They are located on both the east and west sides of Lake Shore Drive.
Join us for our annual Earth Week Events at Oakton Community College, April 17-22. Feel free to share this pdf version and post (with permission) wherever you see fit! Thank you for helping us to spread the word on these amazing events to learn, engage with others, and make a difference at Oakton and in your communities!
Things tend to slow down here during the summer–but this week, you wouldn’t know it by taking a look outside. Swarms of folks are walking through campus on this sunny day, hanging out by the lake, walking along the forest preserve’s edge, observing the wetland, and gathering around the many outdoor sculpture pieces. Why you ask? Perhaps it has something to do with the 15 Pokéstops on our Des Plaines campus or the two gyms (which are currently held by yellow and red…but have seen some fluctuation). Pokémon Hunters who have downloaded Pokémon Go have plenty of opportunities to explore, capture, and refuel while on campus (in between classes of course). You’ll find your fair share of common urban Pokémon like Pidgey and Rattata and discover Horsea and Magikarp down by the water but with our 147 acres and natural landscape you have an increased chance of discovering some rarer individuals too. Find them in the woods, in our prairie restoration sites, and gardens. I haven’t yet made it out to our Skokie campus–but I would be surprised if there weren’t a few Pokéstops there as well given the more urban setting.
Bumblebee and Beedrill
So why would Oakton’s Green Committee devote time and energy to sharing the details of Pokémon Go? Because a big part of being green is getting out and experiencing nature. It involves appreciating the diversity of plants and animals that abound, the variety of ecosystems and environments that are able to provide shelter to wildlife, the trees that generate the air we breathe. Our staff naturalist, grounds crew, facilities, and sustainability staff together with our students in courses like Environmental Science and those in Ecology Club, spend time all year restoring, preserving, and enhancing these beautiful spaces. Continue reading →
We are seeking graduate students for the following four fellowships:
~ NWF EcoLeaders Career Center Fellow ~ NWF EcoLeaders Community Management Assessment Fellow ~ NWF EcoLeaders Certification Workshops Fellow ~ NWF EcoLeaders Business Plan Fellow
In 2014, NWF launched a leadership development and certification program for student and young professional environmental leaders called “EcoLeaders” (www.nwfecoleaders.org). Last year, we added a Career Center component to the program to help these leaders map out their sustainability career pathways toward rewarding jobs that also help the planet!
The Fellowship is for a term of 4 months, and the fellow will receive a $2,000 or $3,000 stipend as well as valuable professional development. An additional $2,000 is available for the Business Plan Fellow, please see the RFP for details.
Application deadline: July 10, 2016
More information, including the full RFPs and application instructions can be found at www.nwf.org/Fellows.
Join us Wednesday, April 20th in room 1604 of the Des Plaines Campus to hear more about this exciting opportunity!
The Environmental Studies Concentration is a nineteen (19) semester hour concentration designed to provide an interdisciplinary framework that promotes understanding of humanity’s impact on the natural environment and how the natural environment impacts human development; a critical appreciation of the importance of sustainability; and the central importance of integrating the work of the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities for a holistic and meaningful understanding of any environmental issue or problem.
The disciplinary approaches of the natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities are all essential to a full appreciation of the relationships between human systems and natural systems and any attempt to think critically and productively about how we can best meet our current environmental challenges.
The Environmental Studies Concentration prepares students for transfer into a variety of majors dealing with the environment, such as sustainability; environmental philosophy, law, and policy; environmental art and literature; environmental engineering and chemistry; conservation biology and natural resource management; and environmental journalism.
Most courses in the concentration meet the general education requirements and have IAI transfer codes. However, students should consult with the Environmental Studies Coordinator to ensure that they are taking the necessary courses in each general education area and are not taking more than one course with the same IAI number.
Students meeting the requirements for the Environmental Studies Concentration will have a notation added to their transcript indicating successful completion. In order to receive this designation, students must complete an Environmental Studies Concentration Completion form and meet with the Environmental Studies Coordinator.
Required Courses:
BIO106: Introduction to Environmental Science (4 credits)
PHL204: Environmental Ethics (3 credits)
Of the remaining 12 credits:
at least three must come from a social science course with an ESC designation
at least three must come from a humanities course with an ESC designation (other than PHL204)
at least three must come from a natural or physical science course (other than BIO 106).
The last 3 credits can come from any class with an ESC designation.
To check available courses for Fall 2016, click here, select the term and then “Environmental Studies Concentration” in the Category section.
For more information, contact ESC co-coordinators, Paul Gulezian, Assistant Professor of Biology, and Marian Staats, Professor of English, at pgulezia@oakton.edu and mstaats@oakton.edu.
Bumblebee and Beedrill
Keeping It Green at Oakton 