Meet Jenny Whidden, The Daily Herald's Climate Reporter

Interview by Connie Schmidt

Jennifer Whidden started her tenure as staff writer for the Daily Herald last summer, June 2022.  After some experience with the Chicago Tribune, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and the New Jersey State Ledger, she landed here in Northern IL reporting for the Daily Herald with a focus on local impacts of climate change. Hidden works in tandem with reporters across the country focusing on local issues through philanthropically supported “Report for America”. She has written on a plethora of issues including protecting Lake Michigan, electrifying our school buses, the dangers of gas stoves and utility rate increases. Meet Jenny!

What in your background brought you to reporting on environmental issues? And why here in Northern IL?

I was ushered into environmental reporting by Northern Illinois itself, a region I am grateful and proud to call my home. I grew up in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and I left my previous position with the intention of moving back to the area to be with family and friends.

In searching for a new reporting job around this time last year, I stumbled across the Daily Herald’s open climate change position through Report for America. I felt the ask — to cover climate change issues with a local focus — was something important that I could do for my community.

Where do you get your inspiration for the topics you cover? Can you give us some examples of stories that gave you great satisfaction to highlight?

Many of my articles come from readers who reach out to me via email, such as my Jan. 10 article on how idling our cars contributes to global warming.

Other times, my inspiration comes from conversations in my everyday life, such as when my roommates asked me whether real or fake Christmas trees were better for the environment (the answer, in my Nov. 25 story, turned out to be real!).

Finally, I often attend meetings not with the intention of covering them but to gather story ideas and to meet new folks who are active in the local climate scene. For example, I recently sat in on a Go Green Illinois monthly meeting on a whim, and out of it came my Jan. 28 article on electric school buses.

The most satisfying stories for me are ones that look at a national problem through a local lens and provide solutions to it. I think it’s important to show readers how an issue as vast and global as climate change affects them and their local environment, how their community is stepping up in response, and how they also can respond.

For instance, I did a story on monarch butterflies in July that summarized why the insect was recently declared critically endangered, how local efforts like the DuPage Monarch Project are supporting the critters, and what individuals can do in their own backyards to help.

How do you collect your information for your articles: are you in the field, researching on the web? What seems to be most rewarding for you?

I start most articles with online research, which allows me to begin learning about whichever topic I’m covering. Once I’ve gained some context, I use my new knowledge to reach out to the right sources — scientists, politicians, business owners, community leaders — and conduct interviews.

I aim to have every piece of information in my stories come from a person. If it has to come from the internet, I try to link to as credible a source as possible, such as a scientific journal, a university, or a relevant government organization like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is putting down the phone and knowing that I’ve just had a really good interview, that I prepared well for it through my research, and that I’ll be able to share what I’ve just learned with our readers.

Do you get feedback from readers for your articles? Is it primarily positive, or evenly divided with doubters of climate change concerns? (Our readers are pretty much in sync with the idea that “climate change is real and a real concern for our planet.”)

I do get feedback, which is something I will never take for granted. Whatever sort of response I receive, I am always grateful that someone took the time to read what I’ve written and reach out to me with their thoughts.

The messages I get are pretty evenly split between “positive” and “negative,” though I will say the negative comments are more frequently by the same people who revisit my inbox every couple of months.

Some of my favorite types of feedback are when readers ask follow-up questions, send suggestions for further reporting, or share personal experiences with the topics I cover.

I read that you brought a cat (Princeton) with you to this assignment and that you would like to “go on a few hikes.” Have you been out to some local DuPage open spaces, and if so, where are some favorites? In addition, let me invite you to check out our events calendar that features hikes with experienced leaders across the region!

I love camping and backpacking, though I can’t say the same for Prince, who lives up to his name every day and enjoys the pampered indoor life.

However, I can’t say I’ve been hiking in DuPage! I’ll be glad to check out your calendar, and would also be glad to receive any suggestions for some nice hikes.

Thank you so very much for taking the time to chat with us in this way. We look forward to reading many more important articles in the Daily Herald with your byline.

Thank you for this opportunity and thank you, sincerely, for reading my work. I’ve had an incredible start in environmental reporting over the last nine months, and I hope to continue expanding my coverage of climate change in the Chicagoland region for several years to come.

Chatter From the Chair

By Connie Schmidt

It’s coming folks, I promise—spring will be here in no time.  I always look forward to my first bloomers, the yellow aconite. Yes, I know they are non-native, but they do provide nectar that I have seen the pollinators craving in the early warming days of spring. Speaking of “craving,” don’t you just want to get out and start hiking?! Let me begin by highlighting three brief articles in this newsletter that invite you to join our experienced leaders in the field on local hikes: here. If these dates don’t work for you, please visit the RPG website frequently to check out our calendar for outings, programs, and best of all, workdays with Bruce at the Glen Ellyn Glacial Ridge Forest Preserve: here. What a great way to hang with like-minded folks, help the environment, and learn how to better care for your own personal property. 

Leaders of the River Prairie Group are beginning to work on clean transportation issues here in DuPage. In January, a “Listen Lead Share” event was held on the dangers of diesel pollution and what activists can do to help the transition to electric vehicles. Read on about this issue and what you can do.

The DuPage Monarch Annual report is on their website: here. Over the last year, we had several new signatories, and already in 2023, we have another in Naperville ready to sign on. In addition, I must mention, many of you may have attended the documentary sponsored by DMP at the Bloomingdale library in February. What a treat to see how a local IL church answered the call to “Plants, Pollinators and Prayers.” See a trailer for the film if you missed it: here.

Many of us are members and supporters of the Prairie Food Co-Op. Well, if you are not “under a rock” you must have heard, THEY HAVE A BRICK AND MORTER LOCATION! Read about this exciting news in the article included in this newsletter: here.

And finally, with news in mind, the Daily Herald added to their staff last year a writer specifically calling attention to the effects of climate change on the northern IL region. In an interview, writer Jennifer Whidden shares her thoughts as the author of these important features: here.

Sustainability and Healthy Landscapes in Naperville

by Ben Mjolsness

The City of Naperville is working to ensure a healthy, sustainable, and resilient future for all who call it home, including current residents, future generations, and other species like the Monarch Butterfly and other pollinators.

Naperville’s sustainability commitments span a range of subject areas and investments; the City’s Renewable Energy Program helps residents and other organizations who invest in clean, renewable energy by installing solar panels. The City also offers rebates for a range of energy- efficiency strategies that reduce demand for electricity and natural gas – saving people money and reducing harmful pollution.

Another area of investment is in transportation and the City’s own vehicle fleet. Naperville provides financial incentives for residents and organizations who install electric vehicle charging stations, and the City has a goal to transition at least 60% of its light-duty vehicle fleet to alternative fuel, hybrid electric, or electric vehicles by 2030. 

The City continues to promote safe routes to school to reduce dependence on vehicle travel, encourage healthy behavior, and keep kids safe. Staff coordinates a working group focused on “bikeability” and “walkability” (to) understand how safe, accessible, and enjoyable it is to bike and walk around Naperville. The group hopes to connect community members to biking and walking as a way to move around the community, and to reduce barriers for those who want to reduce their personal vehicle use for shopping, commuting, or just for fun and exercise.

Another way to have a positive impact is by reducing waste through reuse, recycling, and composting. Naperville and its partners operate free drop-off facilities for Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste so residents can safely and properly dispose of these items. Staff is working to provide education and resources to increase the use of recycling programs throughout the community, at special events, and in its own municipal operations. 

Naperville’s natural and landscaped areas offer plenty of opportunities for investment as the community seeks to sustain a diverse, healthy, and resilient environment. The City has a robust tree maintenance and planting program that aims to plant more trees than we lose on public land and parkways; this includes a partnership to replace more than 200 trees lost in the June 2021 tornado.  

The Electric Lawn Equipment Rebate Program will be back in 2023 after a successful pilot in 2022. Residents who purchase a battery-powered electric lawn mower, snow blower, leaf blower, trimmer, edger or manually powered reel lawn mower on or after Jan. 1, 2023, will be able to apply for a $50 rebate. Electric lawn equipment is cleaner and quieter than gas-powered models. It helps decrease harmful air pollution and prevents spilled oil and gas from seeping into groundwater, polluting rivers and streams or damaging lawns and paved surfaces.

Last but not least, the City is exploring locations where it would be most beneficial to replace turf grass with native and deep-rooted plants to absorb stormwater and provide habitats for pollinators. An added benefit of transitioning away from turf grass will be a reduced need for regular mowing, something we can all applaud.

We are excited about all of the important work we have ahead of us in 2023 and beyond! Please visit www.naperville.il.us/sustainability/ for more information on the City of Naperville’s sustainability journey.     

Editor’s Note: Late-breaking exciting news! On Feb. 7, Cathy Cox, volunteer from DuPage Monarch Project, attended the Naperville City council meeting and asked them to sign a resolution to support healthy habitats for pollinators. And….the council directed staff to draft the resolution right away. GREAT news that the largest city in DuPage is on board!

Ben Mjolsness is the Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Naperville.

Prairie Food Co-op’s Big Announcement

By Jerry Nash

It’s been years in the making and our hard work has finally paid off! We are thrilled to announce our store’s official location at 837 S Westmore-Meyers Rd, Lombard, in the Eastgate Shopping Center! We have searched extensively for the perfect location for Prairie Food Co-op and we can honestly state that there is no better site for our store in Lombard. 

It has an enormous parking lot! This not only means that you’ll never have to search for a spot when you come to shop, but it also means we can host a variety of outdoor events right at the store.

It has multiple points of entry that help the flow of customers entering and exiting the store, which is a very important aspect of a successful grocery store.

We are “bumping out” the outdoor space in front of our store and will have a sizable outdoor patio where you’ll be able to grab a coffee or a bite to eat from the store and relax outside.

We will also be able to incorporate more of the sustainable and aesthetic details we had originally planned for.

The whole shopping center is getting renovated and updated, and Prairie Food Co-op will be a significant part of the rejuvenation of this once-bustling mall.

We can start delivering on our mission to provide a marketplace for more locally, sustainably produced food.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us make it to this point - board members, volunteers, owners, and investors - we did it together. And we couldn't be more excited about the future of PFC!

See more exciting details at https://www.prairiefood.coop/. Consider joining the over 1700 of your friends and neighbors by becoming a PFC Owner today! Ownership by our community is the most essential building block of Prairie Food Co-op!

Jerry Nash is a founding owner and a board director for the Prairie Food Co-op.

Enjoy Our Outings Program!

March 25 - Early spring hike at Stone Barn/ Nachusa Grasslands

Located out near Nachusa grasslands are woodlands with a secret: some very interesting stone formations - unusual and quite striking. With hills, wetlands, and hundreds of bison nearby, and miles of meandering trails, the Stone Barn hike in late March is always interesting.

So come along on this 4 to 5-mile hike and bring a lunch for afterward! - Ed Max, leader

April 15 - White Pines Sping flower hike

At the start of this hike you will be given pictures of wild flowers we will hopefully see. It will be a leisurely hike as we look and learn a little about the spring flowers in this area. If we are lucky, we may even see deer and turkeys like we have seen in the past. It’s a fun day for all as we enjoy and learn about the environment at this state park. Please join me. - Jan Bradford, leader

April 29 - Franklin Creek day hike

Beautiful Franklin Creek flows throughout the 882-acre park. Several large natural springs, hardwood forests, bedrock outcroppings and a large variety of flora and fauna comprise a pristine ecosystem. The forested areas provide habitat for woodpeckers, flycatchers, thrushes, vireos and warblers; and, raccoons, chipmunks, gray and fox squirrels, beaver, and deer. 

We will hike about 7 miles. There are several stream crossings that can be up to two feet deep. - Paul Saindon, leader

Sign up! Registration for these outings is required, and is done through our River Prairie Group event calendar found on our Web page.  Also note the Glacial Ridge woodland restoration workdays. These are Forest Preserve District of DuPage County service events led by Sierra Club member and site steward Bruce Blake (see more Glacial Ridge details below).

Glacial Ridge Workday Information

Submitted by Bruce Blake

Volunteer workdays give forest preserve fans a way to help restore biodiversity and function to our native ecosystems. Each restoration workday is planned by a site steward (who are also dedicated volunteers themselves) and includes orientation, a safety talk and a hands-on natural areas management project. From late fall to early spring, they work to remove invasive species usually using cutting tools (loppers and bow saws) or disperse native seed to increase diversity in degraded areas or where invasive plants have been removed. In spring, summer and fall, volunteers also do invasive species removal and hand collect seed from native plants when they are ready.

Individuals must register at least five business days before a workday either online here by searching for the activity number listed next to the workday, by emailing nrvolunteer@dupageforest.org, or by calling (630) 206-9630. You’ll need to provide your name, phone number, and an email address.

A parent or guardian will need to stay at the workday if their child is under 18, but high school students have the option to bring a friend to fulfill this requirement.

Waiver Requirements:

All volunteers who are not badged District volunteers must submit a signed waiver form to the site steward at the beginning of the workday. Volunteers under 18 must have their parents or guardians sign their waivers.

How to Prepare:

Dress in layers, and wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Because you'll work in thorny, brushy areas and occasionally among poisonous plants, do not wear shorts or thin leggings. Flip-flops, sandals and open-toe shoes are not allowed. If possible, bring your own work gloves. Water, sunscreen, and bug spray are also recommended. Most of the work areas are off trail on uneven terrain.

Woodland restoration: Burn piles, biochar, and carbon credits

By Jeff Gahris

I have long enjoyed winter woodland restoration projects, removing invasive honeysuckles and buckthorn. This work is critical if we want thriving oak forests in DuPage County. But I have often asked myself, why do we have to burn all of this biomass? Given the release of carbon and various air contaminants, I ask: Is there a better way?

A burn in progress at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve

Standard procedures have been used for years by professionals who restore natural areas. Invasive plants have a lot of biomass, so some sort of disposal is needed. Also, it is helpful to dispose of the berries to reduce the sprouting of new invasive plants.

Meanwhile, there is a growing interest in biochar. Biochar is simply wood that is reduced to carbon by incompletely burning, often in an oxygen-starved combustion unit (pyrolysis). It can be used as a soil amendment in agriculture and a means to permanently sequester carbon to address the climate crisis.

Biochar from invasive plants is being studied in China to use as a soil amendment in grassland restoration projects to help restore soil health. However, studies have shown limitations in using biochar as a soil amendment, depending on the situation. Often, the microbiology in soils is not enhanced by the application of biochar, and plants may not respond to its presence.

Locally, there is growing interest in receiving carbon credits for planting trees, restoring natural areas, and conserving existing natural areas. There is even a nonprofit carbon registry called City Forest Credits that manages the purchase of carbon offsets for local municipalities and land preservation organizations. I’m intrigued by the possibilities, knowing that we can meaningfully measure how much carbon is absorbed by current conservation and restoration efforts by public and private landowners. Given that carbon is released from burn piles, another intriguing opportunity would be to start a pilot-scale biochar project in northeast Illinois. Between tree trimming and invasives removals, we certainly have enough feedstock for a biochar operation.

I am interested in your ideas on this complex topic and look forward to hearing from you. Send me an email to jgahris@gmail.com.