Getting the Lead Out  
The metal lead has been commonly used for thousands of years because it is widespread, easy to extract, and easy to work with.  It is highly malleable and ductile, as well as, easy to smelt.  Metallic lead beads dating back to 6400 BCE have been found in Catalhoyuk, Turkey.  While lead is cheap, it is also poisonous if ingested. The issue of lead use has been a concern since the 1980's.  A few years ago, the federal government banned lead from fishing use in National Park waters, but the courts ruled that each state has the right to decide the issue for itself. Read more here. 

Leave No Trace - Ethics for the Great Outdoors
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a collection of ethics for time spent outside walking, camping, boating, birding and any other activity that takes you out in nature.  When followed, these ethics decrease your impact on the planet, save resources, keep you safe, and keep your adventures fun.
The LNT message was drawn from the teachings of several organizations over 40 years, culminating as an educational tool in 1990.  These organizations include the U.S. Forest Service, Boy Scouts of America, National Outdoor Leadership School, Bureau of Land Management, Sierra Club, National Park Service and others.  Originally designed for backcountry camping trips, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics recognized the value of LNT for all outdoor activities and started including tips for the "front country" as well.  The front country includes your backyard, block, or even a local park.  The ethics are condensed into seven easy-to-follow guidelines that help you make sound choices when outside in nature. Read more about the guidelines ethics here.

Discover the Park District's Passport to Nature

The Mission of the Chicago Park District is to enhance the quality of life in Chicago by being the leading provider of recreation and leisure opportunities; to provide safe, inviting and beautifully maintained parks and facilities; and to create a customer-focused and responsive park system. To accomplish its mission, the Park District adheres to four core values: Open, Active, Green and Connected. To understand how these core values are realized, the Urban Naturalist offers a look into different departments within the agency. Kicking off this exploration is a new intiative that encourages families to stay "Active." Read more about the Passport to Nature here.

Volunteer Voices: Theresa Hicks
Missing the foliage from her home town in New Jersey, Theresa Hicks found North Park Village Nature Center a place to engage with nature, something she decided she needed regularly in her life.  "Coming from the Garden State to the Prairie State was a huge adjustment," Theresa said. Read more here.

Junior Naturalist: Flashlight?  Check.  Blankets?  Check.  Power bars?  Check.  Sounds like somebody is getting ready to go camping.  Even if it's in your own backyard or on the back porch, camping with the family can give everyone wonderful memories that last for years.  The best way to have an overnight camp-out is to follow the seven principles of Leave No Trace. Read more here.

At - a - Glance Program Calendar

July - September 2011

North Park Village Nature Center Program Calendar

Nature Oasis Program Calendar

Natural Areas Stewardship Calendar