Jeff's Jots - Summer 2025

By Jeff Gahris

Wendy and Jeff tabling at First UCC garden event in Elmhurst.
Photo by Rick Gieser

We woke up one morning, November 6, 2024, to be exact, and suddenly the world was on a different trajectory. Not a zombie apocalypse, and not spiraling out of orbit, but definitely different. Now is the time we depend most on YOU, our volunteers, for whom we a grateful. Today I wish to acknowledge and celebrate you.

You turned out big time in April to hear former EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore speak about what is happening with environmental policy at the federal level, and to explore our engagement opportunities. I went home that evening feeling proud of the vibrancy of our group.

Whether it’s outings, political work, restoration, or monitoring of our natural resources, I know we can count on you to champion a better quality of life in DuPage County and beyond.

Acknowledgments to Connie Schmidt (past chair and vice-chair of our Executive Committee), Bruce Blake (treasurer, membership, natural area restoration), Linda Sullivan (political and lobby work), Janice Guider (public health and ExCom), Bob Barbieri (water monitoring and ExCom), Lonnie Morris (DuPage Monarch Project), Wendy Vernon (plastic pollution and ExCom), Ava Cohen (social media), Mike Davis (outings chair), Joe Pokorny (List serv and ExCom), Andrew Cohen (web site), and Marc Willensky (ExCom). I wish to especially acknowledge Sherry Stratton, editor of this newsletter.

Photo by Joe LeCroy