Parks are an essential community resource that can promote the interaction between humans and the natural world. The connection between time in nature and the positive physical and mental health benefits one can reap is being researched in various subjects, including environmental science, medicine, psychology, and city planning. With a consistently increasing urban population worldwide, the incorporation of parks in urban settings is integral in promoting healthy lifestyle choices for residents. This study investigates the equity of park accessibility and quality in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Through the adaptation of public space auditing tools and with the use of Google Earth Imagery, ArcGIS, and United States Census data, this audit suggests non-significant relationships between both the accessibility and the quality of parks and race or socioeconomic status (SES) in Philadelphia. This analysis did reveal a connection between the accessibility and quality of parks, however, regardless of race and SES.

This institution is an equal opportunity provide.

Catastrophic wildfires threaten homes throughout California. Understanding what motivates homeowners to prepare for wildfires helps fire managers better understand how to encourage homeowner action. Once homeowners are motivated to act, hardening a residence’s home-hazard ignition zone with fire-resistant landscaping is an effective tool. However, many homeowners lack knowledge about selecting the appropriate plant species to improve their home’s survivability in a wildfire. Many communities lack educational programs and tools to educate their residents on fire-resistant plant materials.

I examined the most commonly used metrics for determining the flammability of plant materials and developed a rubric to help homeowners select plants that possess the best fire-resistant traits. I also examined the current educational materials available to homeowners and developed a guidebook of fire-resistant plants species. The results provide homeowners and fire managers in the Central Sierra with an educational program and outreach materials to better educate residents about wildfire preparedness and fire-resistant landscaping.

Join us for a capstone presentation by Michael Nosbisch, Using Nonindustrial Private Forest Owner Data to Further the Understanding of Landowner Behavior and Improve Forest Policy Implementation, on Wednesday, July 24th at 2:00 pm CDT.

To attend remotely, log in to the Compass Open Learning site or go directly using this link: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/c2bd413f589e47dbbb9e04874ec5b95e. More details are available here.

For more information, please contact Piper Hodson (phodson@illinois.edu)

You are invited!

Title: Monitoring of Yeast Species in the Environment of Dolphins in Human Care

Presenter: Miranda O’Dell

Date: March 27, 10:00 am

Location: N-527, Turner Hall

Halotolerant and halophilic yeasts can survive in waters in which dolphins live. Considerable amounts of time and effort are provided to care for and train these dolphins, and disease prevention is of the utmost importance. Respiratory lesions and abscesses with Candida spp., especially Candida glabrata, and other yeasts have been recovered by the U of IL Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. This study was aimed at identifying yeasts, including C. glabrata, which may be found within the marine environment of the dolphin habitats from several aquaria in the United States to determine the potential for forming a biofilm within the environment and chronically re-colonizing these dolphins.

To attend this presentation virtually, please login at: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

Capstone Presentation by Remic Ensweiler

College of DuPage Natural Areas Land Management Plan

Advisors: Dr. Greg Spyreas, Dr. David Zaya, and Piper Hodson

April 22, 2022, 2:00 PM CST

Click through for Zoom information.

You are invited to attend the capstone presentation by Sarah McGinnis, titled: "Pilot Study: Urban Wetlands as Filters for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Stormwater Runoff", on Wednesday, March 28 at 11:00 am Central, in room N-527.

If you would like to attend this presentation virtually, you may log in at: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/fcc2b0bab26d4ef4ae3a0e6576cbe56e.

For dial in access, use: 571-392-7650 PIN: 2265794347.

For more information, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu 

You must be logged into your Zoom account (the standard free account) to access this session.

Student: Tyler Steury

Capstone Presentation: Enhancing Quality Assurance/Quality Control: An Internship in a Municipal Water Quality Control Laboratory

Date and Time: November 8, 2019 at 1:00 pm Central

Location: N120 Turner Hall or  Online at https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/366a83fbcfd24b51814876c968d770b0.

The Bloomington, Indiana Water Quality Control Laboratory analyzes drinking water, wastewater, and water used for recreational purposes. The internship position had three primary goals: to enhance water quality assurance through laboratory contributions, to understand the historic role of water quality policy and management, and to improve water quality management. Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) water quality analysis methods were learned and conducted for 21 water parameters. Understanding national and state water quality policies and the history of water quality maintenance were vital for revising and updating the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Handbook to be used by current and future laboratory technicians. Standard methods, using current technology to support operations, will enhance laboratory QA/QC, ensure the validity of analysis data, and improve water quality maintenance. The intern is grateful for an opportunity to author the new SOP Handbook as part of this internship.

You are invited to virtually attend the capstone presentation by Peter Matthew Parys, titled: 

INTERSHIP STUDY: CORRELATION OF RIVER DISCHARGE AND PRECIPITATION IN SELECTED COUNTIES OF THE ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT, IOWA, TO INFORM FLOOD MANAGEMENT PLANS

To be held on Nov. 9th at 11:00 am CST. To attend the live presentation, go to: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/de1eecfd557d427483a1e4f39c8661a6 and login with your NET ID. 

For additional information, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu. 

Join us Friday, March 3rd, at 5:00 pm as Sandi Schulz reveals the results of her internship at the Watershed Center of the Ozarks. This study demonstrated that instructional scaffolding through pre-trip activities can significantly raise student test scores on post field trip assessments.

On-campus students can attend in Room S-509, Turner Hall

Online students may attend via:

https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

For more information, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

Online graduate students are invited to attend Wesley Hank’s capstone presentation, “Establishing a Local Seed Source of Milkweed and Efficacy of Monarch Butterfly Use”, Friday, July 27 at 10:00 am in room N-527. Students may also attend this live presentation virtually by going to: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/1d08e7644be0456d81d67c5c5a3eb945. Be sure to log in early.

For more information, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

You are invited to the capstone presentation by Jason Buselli, on Friday, August 24, at 1:00 pm CST, titled: The Importance of Environmental Compliance in an Environmentall Sensitive Industry.

To join the presentation, go to: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/bd714ea697144bda8275365aabee9c9c

For more information, please contact Renee at gracon1@illinois.edu 

Capstone Presentation by Michelle Lawniczak.

Friday, Apr 7, at 3:00 pm Central

N - 527 (on campus) or Virtual Attendance

https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

Museums house millions of specimens for public viewing, scientific research, and historical preservation. Accessing this volume of information requires precise and organized cataloging methods in order for materials to be useful. This presentation will focus on improving data quality, increasing accessibility through geocoding, and creating dynamic visualizations for education and public interest for the Chicago Academy of Sciences oology.

You are invited to the capstone presentation of Katelynn Dearth, "Using Geographic Information to Increase Safe, Sustainable Recreation on the Mississippi River Water Trail" on June 12th at 6:00 pm.

Recreation fosters appreciation and stewardship of natural areas. However, many barriers exist between user groups and recreational opportunities. By providing geospatial information of the Mississippi River Water Trail to the public, the Mississippi River Water Trail Association is fulfilling their mission of promoting conservation through recreation. Developing user-oriented geographic information required collecting and interpreting data from many stakeholders, a rigorous decision-making process to define pertinent versus erroneous or irrelevant information. Using these guidelines an interactive online map and twenty-six printable maps were created. The resulting website, included maps, aims to reduce barriers to recreation and promote stewardship of the Mississippi River Water Trail.

To attend, log in to the Compass Open Learning site or go directly using this link: https://us.bbcollab.com/collab/ui/session/guest/d3208c2312004df5b7161f8657d92186.

May 11th at 10:00 am, Dani McLaughlin will present her capstone research. All interested NRES online students are invited to attend virtually.

Summary of topic: The recent expansion in the development of unconventional sources of natural gas in the U.S., specifically the Marcellus shale-rich state of Pennsylvania, has generated policy and public controversy. The media discourse about fracking in Central Westmoreland County has often been negative, based on media coverage, newspaper articles, and the development of numerous opposition groups. This study uses Q-methodology to examine emergent perspectives and sub-discourses with the fracking opposition debate. The analysis reveals four different narratives of perspectives among people actively involved in locally opposing fracking.

To log into the presentation, go to: 

https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

For further questions about the seminar, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu. 

You are invited to attend the capstone presentation titled:

AN ANALYSIS OF USEPA BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AND INCIDENTS OF REPORTED CRIME IN CHICAGO –AN INTERNSHIP WITH THE ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, by Carolyn Kroll, 

on Tuesday, June 26th at 11:00 am Central. To attend the live presentation, go to: 

https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/550cacd1b6644b6ea0d428790b7cb75c

For more information, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu. 

You are invited to attend the capstone presentation by Jennie Willcox on Friday, April 14th at 12:30 pm Central. The presentation will take place on campus in room N-503a. Online students may view the presentation virtually by going to:

https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

Summary: A six-part assessment including invasive, common and rare species analysis, invasive species control, floristic quality assessment, site surveys, historical data, and evaluation of current on-site land management practices was used to create recommendations for the management of the Prairie Creek Recreation Area in Maquoketa, Iowa.

Join us for the following student capstone presentations!

March 27             10:00 am             N-527 & Virtual            by Miranda O’Dell

Monitoring of Yeast Species in the Environment of Dolphins under Human Care

March 30             11:00 am             N- 527 & Virtual            by Mary Richardson

The analysis of water availability indicators and access to available water in the developing, semi-arid, rural setting.

To join the sessions virtually, we ask that you login at least 5 minutes before the presentation begins using this link: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

You are invited to virtually attend the following capstone presentations. Please remember to log in at least 10 minutes before the presentation begins using this link: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

11/9/2016 at 8:15 am CST, Highway Effects on Density of Nearby Grassland Birds, by Nick Budde.

11/9/2016 at 1:00 pm CST: Model Based Prediction of Contamination of Fish Tissue in Marine Creek Reservoir Based on Sediment PCB Contamination Data, Trinity River Watershed, by Trier Ward.

11/11/2016 at 11:00 am CST: The relative Effectiveness of Green and Conventional Disinfectants in Cooling Tower Systems: Electrolyzed Salt Water and Bromine, by Julie Stanley.

11/11/2016 at 2:00 pm CST: Amphibian Diversity and Distribution in Seasonal Wetlands of Southern Illinois, by Amy Keigher.

11/16/2016 at 1:00 pm CST: Mass Balance of Sand Leach System with Processed Poultry Litter, by Janis Steed.

Don't miss this online presentation by NRES graduate student, Bradley Carr, on Wednesday, September 6, at 2:00 pm Central. For more information about the presentation and a link to join the presentation remotely, click on the title of this blog or click "read more". 

You are invited to virtually attend Natalie Johnson's thesis presentation on Thursday, April 21 at 10:00 am. Her presentation is titled: 

Homeowners' knowledge and awareness of septic systems and barriers to septic system maintenance in Northwest Indiana: Information to Enhance Agency Outreach and Education Efforts. 

Here is the link to join the session; https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

For further information, please contact Renee Gracon (gracon1@illinois.edu).  

You are invited to attend the capstone presentation by Carolyn Kroll,

An Analysis of USEPA Brownfield Redevelopment and Incidents of Reported Crime in Chicago-An Internship with the Illinois State Geological Survey,

on Tuesday, June 26th at 11:00 am. 

Carolyn completed an internship with the ISGS that involved creating a GIS coverage map of USEPA brownfield sites in Chicago and analyzing the relationships between the land use of redeveloped brownfields and the reported nearby crime incidents. Five categories of land use were used in the analysis: community centers, commercial, parks, residential, and schools. Results showed there was a higher number of crime incidents before brownfield redevelopment than after redevelopment. The sites which were redeveloped into parks experienced the largest reduction of crimes, while the sites which were redeveloped into community centers experienced the least reduction of crime.

To attend the presentation virtually, go to: 

https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/550cacd1b6644b6ea0d428790b7cb75c

For more information, contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

Hi Everyone,

To those of you who attended the webinars on the Capstone process, Creating and Effective Presentation and PowerPoint Tips for Collaborate, we enjoyed having you in the audience! We hope you found both presentations very informative and helpful. We again want to recognize all of our former NRES students who allowed us to share so many good examples in these webinars. 

If you were unable to attend the recent Sunday evening sessions, you can still benefit from the presentations by viewing the recordings (see URLs below). If you have any questions following the viewings, please get in contact with Renee (gracon1@illinois.edu).

To those who attended, or who watch the recordings, we would be grateful for any feedback you can provide about the presentations or the scheduling. We also encourage you to send us topics that you would like us to discuss in upcoming webinars.

Creating and Effective Capstone Presentation/ Oct. 22, 2017

https://us-lti.bbcollab.com/recording/5a3195d12dbe455baf4c652ce6e20532 

PowerPoint Tips for the Capstone Project/ Oct. 29. 2017

https://us-lti.bbcollab.com/recording/af1849d0acbe4d8fbfe62d9038f2542f

Best wishes,

Renee

If you are working on your capstone paper and want to be considered a student in good standing currently pursuing the degree, you must provide a monthly progress report due in one of two ways:

1. By the 1st of each month submit a written report for that month's assignment in Compass (OPEN LEARNING - Capstone Progress) or
2. participate in the monthly progress meeting that occurs at 7:00 pm on the first Tuesday of each month.

Since I've received just two monthly reports that were due June 1st, I look forward to seeing many of you there this evening. If you have not yet submitted your monthly goals and accomplishments status report for May/June please take one of two actions before the end of this week:

• Join us at 7:00 pm this evening (Tuesday, June 4th) via the NRES Virtual Office (https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/da64eb94e2bb41d1a67252fcbda69ac9) or
• Log into Compass 2g (https://compass2g.illinois.edu), go into OPEN LEARNING - Capstone Progress, and select Assignments in the left menu. At the top of the page, you will find the May 2019 - Monthly Capstone Progress Report where you can type or upload a report that includes the following information:
  • The goals and action items you established for the month of May and the extent of your progress on each;
  • An overall assessment of the quality and quantity of progress you have made this month. Feel free to discuss any triumphs or challenges you experienced.
  • Goals and action items for the upcoming month.

Check out the information about this exciting and rewarding internship/research opportunity with Urban Rivers, a non-profit dedicated to restoring shoreline along the Chicago River. Working with this organization has the potential to become a capstone project!!!

For more information please click on the title of the blog. 

Remember to log into the Compass 2 G – Open Learning – Capstone Progress site to post your monthly goals and previous month’s accomplishments by Sept. 1.  Don’t have an account? Be sure to contact Renee Gracon (gracon1@illinois.edu) to set one up! All students working on their capstone project are expected to post on a monthly basis.

April 1 at 9:00 am      EFFECT OF LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON SOIL MOISTURE RETENTION by Christin Crutchfield (On campus and Virtual Attendance)

To join the presentation virtually, please log in at least 5 minutes before scheduled presentation time. The link to join the session is: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

For additional information, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

Students working on their capstone projects should report monthly regarding their previous month's accomplishments and upcoming goals. The July summary was due August 1st. For those who prefer to report their progress via the live webinar, the session is scheduled for Monday, August 6th at 7:00 pm Central. You may log in to the Virtual Office via the Compass 2G Open Learning - Capstone Progress website or via the following link: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/a0e8957a76e64901a192493d39390bd8  

For questions or technical difficulties please contact Renee at gracon1@illinois.edu.

If you enrolled in capstone credit for the spring or summer of 2017 and have not already petitioned to extend the incomplete ("I"), please do so immediately. All "incompletes" will automatically convert to an "F" at enrollment for the new semester unless you request the extension. If you have questions about the process or need help with the form, please contact Renee Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu. 

http://www.grad.illinois.edu/gsas/graduate-student-request-form

Don’t forget, your capstone accomplishments for December and your goals for the upcoming month are due by January 1st. Please submit your brief written report to the Compass 2g – Open Learning – Capstone Progress site. If you prefer an opportunity to convey your goals and accomplishments live, join Piper and Renee on Tuesday evening, January 9th, at 7:00 pm in the NRES Virtual Office. You can access the Virtual Office meeting space by going to the link on the Open Learning-Capstone Progress webpage or by using the guest link: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/a0e8957a76e64901a192493d39390bd8 . Be prepared to deliver a 3 - 5 minute update about the work you did in December and the work you intend to do in the upcoming month. 

Remember, these reports are necessary as they provide the documentation we need to support your “active” status in the program and to justify extending your “incomplete’ for any capstone credit. If you have any questions or concerns about this expectation, please contact Renée Gracon (gracon1@illinois.edu). 

Hi Capstone Students,

January flew by and as the calendar rolls to February I wanted to remind you that your report summarizing the January accomplishments and upcoming (Feb) month's goals is due. If you prefer to report your status via the live reporting session, it is scheduled for February 5th at 7:00 pm CST. You may enter the session via the Compass 2G Open Learning - Capstone Progress portal, or you may use this guest link: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/e9cfc161c816470aa40b8d204ab761aa

If you have any questions, please email me at gracon1@illinois.edu.

We are looking forward to your status report!

Renee

Join our summer writers’ workshop for that extra boost to become more proficient or productive. Get useful tips for improving your scholarly writing, set weekly writing goals, and receive constructive criticism from your peers. The group will meet Monday evenings beginning June 5th at 6:30 pm (Central).

To join the group, add your name to the NRES Writers’ Group by going to:      https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/1937711

To attend the weekly sessions, go to:

https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

For more information, contact Renée Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu

We are starting a new series of Blog posts that will focus on the capstone process. We welcome suggestions for this series and, of course, your feedback is always appreciated. 

The first post is about Overcoming Writer's Block. In the article you will find information about improving productivity and tips for improving writing performance.  To access the full article, click on the post title. 

Choosing a topic is challenging for online students. Opportunity for collegial discussion with peers, faculty and other professionals in the field is more limited for online students than for students located on campus. It is important for you to explore the wealth of available resources as you being searching for a capstone project. Click on the Blog title to view the full article with helpful tips for selecting a topic. 

Have you decided upon a topic and not sure what to do next? Click on the Blog title to read more about creating a project overview. 

Come join the group of students working on their capstone papers that meets on Monday evenings at 6:30 in the virtual office. Each week we will discuss a different topic related to your capstone papers and provide helpful tips. This is a non-graded, strictly voluntary group intended to inspire, motivate, and support. Students submit weekly segments from their writing for peer review and constructive feedback. Here is the link to attend the sessions:  

https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

We hope you will be there!  

Renee

Please join us tonight for the weekly writers' support group meeting at 6:30 pm (CDT). You can access the Collaborate session via: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.19C11EA0056D5D3BC3797830F6AFA1&sid=407

Tonight we will explore the benefits of Graphic Organizers, with a special emphasis on Concept Mapping. Develop your own concept map to illustrate your capstone project during tonight's session.

We hope to "see" you there.

Renee

Looking for ways to improve your resume, prepare for a job interview, or improve your ability to answer those difficult interview questions? To check out all the helpful Career Development Videos on the Graduate College website, go to: http://www.grad.illinois.edu/career/videos.

The following is a career opportunity in Johnson County, Iowa. Ordinarily we would most this in the Career Bulletin, but the deadline for applications is Sept 12. 

Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst

Posted 09/03/2014

Johnson County Information Technology seeks a Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst to develop web-based mapping applications, database management, research, documentation, cartography, user assistance and Global Positioning System (GPS) support.

Bachelor’s degree in GIS, geography, computer science, planning, or closely related field; and two (2) years working within a GIS environment to include 1 year experience in developing and maintaining web based mapping applications; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work.

Special requirements: Valid Iowa driver’s license and insurable under County liability coverage. May also require use of personal vehicle for official business.

Starting hourly pay: $25.00 – $29.41 plus excellent benefits. Submit cover letter, resume and employment application at www.johnson-county.com by 5:00 p.m., September 12, 2014.

For more information go to: http://www.msdis.missouri.edu/community/jobs.html#iowa

The latest NRES Career Bulletin has been posted at http://nres.illinois.edu/students/nres_career_bulletin, and don't forget the "Conversation with Caitlin McCoy" career talk this evening at 6:00 pm in Elluminate. Read more for instructions for how to join the conversation.

You are invited to attend Catherine's capstone presentation. 

Title: Using Scanning Electron Microscopy to compare the pollen grain morphology of Physaria kingii subsp. kaibabensis and its congeners to assess hybridization

Student: Catherine Wallace

Date: Apr 6

Time: 10:30 am, on campus and virtual

Room: 1005 Plant Science Lab (PSL)

Virtual Access: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/cc2684fe59c14387b05b0fd29f3892b6

Student: Tyler Steury

Capstone Presentation: Enhancing Quality Assurance/Quality Control: An Internship in a Municipal Water Quality Control Laboratory

Date and Time: November 8, 2019 at 2:00 pm Central

Location: N120 Turner Hall or  Online at https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/366a83fbcfd24b51814876c968d770b0.

The Bloomington, Indiana Water Quality Control Laboratory analyzes drinking water, wastewater, and water used for recreational purposes. The internship position had three primary goals: to enhance water quality assurance through laboratory contributions, to understand the historic role of water quality policy and management, and to improve water quality management. Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) water quality analysis methods were learned and conducted for 21 water parameters. Understanding national and state water quality policies and the history of water quality maintenance were vital for revising and updating the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Handbook to be used by current and future laboratory technicians. Standard methods, using current technology to support operations, will enhance laboratory QA/QC, ensure the validity of analysis data, and improve water quality maintenance. The intern is grateful for an opportunity to author the new SOP Handbook as part of this internship.

Hello Fellow NRES Student,

Some of you may have heard of 350.org, a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis.  Myself and 8 fellow Chicagoans are starting a local chapter of 350 in Chicago.  Our first public meeting is Thursday May 30th in Lincoln Park at 1535 N. Dayton at 7:30-8:30pm.  In that meeting we will meet with other individuals who are passionate about Climate Change and want to work towards solutions.  One area of focus will be calling on the city of Chicago to divest its holdings in fossil fuel companies.  We will also be fighting against the Keystone XL pipeline (we will be participating in a demonstration on May 29th while President Obama is in town to remind him to reject the Keystone pipeline).  We will also use this first meeting to gauge what others are interested in working on (i.e. fracking or renewable energy).  If you would like to join our group please attend the first meeting!  We will meet regularly on the last Thursday of every month.  You can find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Chicago350.org (Like our page to stay up-to-date) Or visit our website at www.chicago350.org.  You can also email me at mbrice@illinois.edu or the group at getinvolved@chicago350.org.  Hope some of you will join us!  You can also find out more about 350.org on their website and watch environmentalist Bill McKibben's extremely inspiring and important movie "Do The Math".  Thanks!

NRES Chicagoland Area Get-together! You are invited!

Here’s your chance to meet Piper Hodson, Director of the NRES Online Program,  network with classmates and recent graduates, share your NRES experiences, and help us recruit friends or family members interested in the NRES online program. Join current and former NRES online students for a FUN-filled get-together on Sunday, March 15, at Pinstripes in  the South Barrington!

For planning purposes, it is very important that you RSVP by March 7th if you are able to attend! (Note we have extended this date to encourage more participation!)

What: Informal get- together for bocce and bowling

Where: Pinstripes Bistro, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, Illinois 60010

When: Sunday, March 15, 1:00 to 3:00 pm (Brief program report and introductions at 1:00 pm)

Cost: Individuals will be responsible for their own food, drink, and shoe (bowling) rental ($4.00).

Additional Option: A Sunday brunch/buffet ($20/person) is available. Those planning to enjoy the scrumptious food should meet at 12:00 pm.

RSVP:  Please let us know whether you will be attending by filling out the response card at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H52TC9K

Come and bring a friend interested in the NRES program! For further information, please contact Renée Gracon at gracon1@illinois.edu.

See you there!

It's time to bring together colleagues from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin to celebrate conservation in all its forms!  Join the excitement as Chicago Wilderness Alliance partners launch a Green Vision to help our region ensure there are healthy lands, waters, people, and planet so we can all thrive.  Panels and presentations will touch on community engagement, ecological restoration, climate equity, science communications, conservation career development, and more. There will be plenty of space for networking, learning, and enjoying each other's company in person!  The Congress 2022 Keynote speaker is Debra Shore, regional administrator for U.S. EPA Region 5.

Congress will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm CST at the UIC Forum Pavilion 725 W. Roosevelt Road,  Chicago, IL.  This is an in-person event.

Ticket are $25 and include access to all events plus snacks and beverages.  Chicago Wilderness Alliance offers a limited number of no-questions-asked scholarships for people who face a challenge in attending the Congress because of the registration fee.  The scholarship application form can be found on the website.

Learn more including the full schedule by visiting the Congress 2022 Website.   

We are pleased to pass along the following webinar information.

The National Water Quality Monitoring Council is hosting a webinar on Citizen Science and Volunteer Monitoring on Wednesday August 31 at 2pm EST. Tina Phillips with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Kris Stepenuck with the University of Vermont Lake Champlain Sea Grant will be presenting. For more information:http://acwi.gov/monitoring/webinars/index.html

The webinar is free; pre-registration is required. Please login 10 minutes early. To register for this session go to: https://doilearn.webex.com/doilearn/onstage/g.php?MTID=e0338fe7e0119866454069bd2260daa45 Once you are approved by the host, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the session.

Julie Vastine, Director

Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM)

For information about the Citizen Science Association conference May 17-20 in St. Paul, MN: http://citizenscience.org/association/conferences/citsci2017/

Information provided by:

Kristine Stepenuck, Ph.D.University of VermontExtension Leader, Lake Champlain Sea GrantExtension Assistant Professor of Watershed Science, Policy and Education, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources81 Carrigan Dr, #312FBurlington, VT 05405Phone: (802) 656-8504Email: kris.stepenuck@uvm.edu

We are happy to pass along this information to our online NRES students. Distributing this information does not imply that the NRES department is involved in the sponsorship of the symposium. 

Learn about Citizen Science and what is happening in southern California by attending this Symposium at the Aquarium of the Pacific. 

If you are within California and interested in anything related to water quality monitoring or watershed stewardship involving citizen science Dr. Burres would like to meet you. He'll be talking at the special session and presenting a poster.

http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/cscscs/?utm_content=bufferb0709&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Saturday, Feb 20, 2016 | 8:00 AM–6:00 PM

$20; includes: Aquarium admission, parking, light breakfast and appetizers at the reception, and a copy of the report featuring abstracts and highlights from the Symposium. A cash bar will be available at the reception

Key Themes

An Introduction to the Diverse Citizen Science Opportunities in Southern California.Citizen Science’s Role in the Scientific Process.Data Quality and Citizen Science.Engaging Community Members about Citizen Science Conservation Efforts.

Citizen Science Symposium Agenda (subject to change)

8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Breakfast and Check in

9:00 a.m.-9:10 a.m. Welcome and Introduction

9:15 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Keynote Speaker

10:00 a.m.-noon Lightning Rounds

Noon-1:00 p.m. Lunch**1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Panels

3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Special Sessions

4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Meet & Greet Poster Reception

5:30 p.m. End of Symposium

**Participants are responsible for providing their own lunch. Participants can dine at the Aquarium or visit a nearby restaurant. There is also a picnic area in front of the Aquarium for those who wish to bring their own lunch. A light breakfast and appetizers at the reception will be provided to the participants free of charge.

Erick Burres          

Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Clean Water Team c/o LARWQCB

320 West 4th Street, Suite 200

Los Angeles, CA 90013 

213-576-6788 O

 eburres@waterboards.ca.gov

 LinkedIn Profile www.linkedin.com/in/erickburres

California Water Quality Monitoring Collaboration Network

Citizen Science & Watershed Stewardship Webinar Series

Join the California Water Quality Monitoring Collaboration Network along with Jason Weiner from the Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program for the presentation " The Application of Citizen Monitoring to Inform Citizen and Government Enforcement Actions". Please join us on Thursday April 20, 2017 from 11:30 AM -12:30 PM (PST). Please see the instructions below to join the webinar. There is no registration for this free webinar.

Topic: The Application of Citizen Monitoring to Inform Citizen and Government Enforcement Actions

Critical to the success of Wishtoyo’s legal, advocacy, and restoration work is Wishtoyo’s Ventura Coastkeeper’s volunteer watershed monitoring program. The program has over 50 river, estuary, wetland, storm channel, and coastal monitoring sites in Ventura County (the Calleguas Creek, Santa Clara River, Ormond Beach, and Ventura’s Coastal Watersheds) and they have mobilized hundreds of stream team volunteers to assist with sampling and monitoring them.

Web Meeting: https://stateofcaswrcbweb.centurylinkccc.com/CenturylinkWeb/ErickBurres

USA /Canada (toll free) 1-877-820-7831 Guest Passcode: 920161

Primary Access Number: 1-720-279-0026 Guest Passcode: 920161

Mobile: tel://1-720-279-0026,*,,920161#

Did you miss our previous Citizen Science & Watershed Stewardship Webinars?

Video and slides are available online. http://www.mywaterquality.ca.gov/monitoring_council/collaboration_network/index.html#webinar