Chatter from the Chair, Sept 2024

 Hello my fellow River Prairie Group members,

Have you been out on the trails to see the Olmec exhibits? For a quick YouTube explanation of this fascinating Mexican Cultural Arts display of 33 different heads, click here. This exhibit was curated with help from the Mexican Cultural Arts Center in West Chicago. It is a celebration of the ancient Olmec culture from the southern region of Veracruz, Mexico. Above, you see one of six of the colorfully painted heads displayed around the natural features of St. James Farm in Warrenville. There is another cluster of 10 heads at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. For a complete map of locations and some background information, check out the official website here.

With election season bearing down upon us, the River Prairie Group volunteers will be incredibly busy supporting our endorsed candidates. We have endorsed multiple candidates running for Springfield seats, and the National Sierra Club has endorsed Kamala Harris for President. You have an opportunity to get involved and phone bank, walk your neighborhood and let your neighbors know who these candidates are. Most importantly, make sure you vote!!! Please see the articles in this edition for information to jump into this important arena. If you are unsure of how to participate, email me. Cschmidt527@gmail.com

In addition to the elections previously mentioned, the leadership for the IL chapter of Sierra Club and your own River Prairie Group both have elections this fall, as well. If you are a menber of the Sierra Club, watch for voting instructions in the mail about how to vote for officers in your Club and Chapter.

And one more voting issue, read the article about the Forest Preserve District of DuPage Referendum, which will also be on the November Ballot. Best of all, our September program will feature the details of that referendum with a guest speaker from the District. Articles are also included for the October and November programs.

There are plenty of other informative articles here, such as our local activity on behalf of native bees with the DuPage Monarch Project.

I hope to see you at one of our programs coming up this fall and encourage you to check our activity calendar for outings this fall, as well. Take care, and I hope you can get involved to support a local campaign.

Connie Schmidt

Chair River Prairie Group

Cschmidt527@gmail.com

630.234.3029