Chatter From the Chair

By Connie Schmidt

I hope by the time you read this, the lilacs will have withered and the pollinators will be busy around your yards. Perhaps the birds will be stealing serviceberries from a nearby tree. The River Prairie Group has been busy like those native bees, as well. We had an amazing trivia night thanks to our membership committee volunteers who planned and executed a very fun event where new members signed up to get our newsletter and possibly join in our advocacy work.  There is something for everyone as most of you know: habitat restoration, water monitoring, pollinator protection, lobby and political work, so definitely give me a call if you want to learn how to channel your passionate interests. Cschmidt527@gmail.com or (630) 234-3029.

This issue brings you a variety of interesting material. Local lobby friends have been meeting with legislators here in our DuPage districts and down in Springfield. A synopsis of some of the priority bills follows in an article. The Forest Preserve of DuPage has fabulous remodeling going on with Willowbrook Wildlife Center. The RPG hosted a program with Jeanne Kannegiesser and Jeff Gahris presenting the upgrades to both animal care and energy net zero improvements. One aspect of this presentation at the Glen Ellyn History Center was that it was co-sponsored by Sustain DuPage and Go Green Glen Ellyn. Working with fellow organizations with similar missions helps us both to extend our reach to our memberships, and we make some new friends!

Of course, we have articles on renewable or Clean Energy issues. Read the synopsis from Dan Schmidt of an Agrivoltaics Conference he attended in the Chicago area. In addition, we are supporting CUB (Citizen’s Utility Board) and MREA (Midwest Renewable Energy Association) to spread the word with Grow Geothermal. We are hoping that this issue hits your mailbox before June 1 because that is the date of the DuPage Monarch Project training on using the iNaturalist App on your phone to work as a citizen scientist gathering data on plants and animals sighted in our preserves and natural areas.

So please, get out into the wild and enjoy nature, and feel free to contact me if you want to be more involved.