Welcome Back to the Woods
The woods are back with even more to say. From the value of nature and ecosystem services, to how we turn technology into technolo-tree, and the benefits of a childhood spent outdoors, plus more, here’s a taste of what you’ll hear this October and November.
Episode 1: The Value of Nature
We all know nature has value. Perhaps you love its beauty, its serenity, its creatures great and small. On an economic level, it’s recently become possible to quantify some of nature’s beneficial effects—what we call ecosystem services. Carbon storage, flood mitigation, water and air purification.
Episode 2: Hello, Halloween Hikes
Crisp fall air. Cider and donuts. Funny, nature-themed skits. An evening in the woods. All of these elements combine into a successful run of Halloween Hikes, our annual autumn event that’s become a tradition for many families.
To protect the health and safety of all, we decided not to hold Halloween Hikes in its typical, in-person format this year. Instead, we’re bringing it to you in a new way with a new focus: how exactly do we create a better-than-the-last iteration each year?
Eileen Davis, Environmental Educator; Jill Stites, retired Environmental Educator; and Janice Aull, volunteer, reveal behind-the-scenes stories of pumpkin carving, scriptwriting, costume creation, and more.
Episode 3: Technolo-Tree
What do trees need computers for? Well, the people working to preserve them do. Our team of IT professionals manages technology that supports hundreds of staff across Lake County. Not only desktop computers, but smartphones, servers, databases, laptops, projectors, and more.
Debbie Boness, Information Technology Officer, and Rian Crowley, Database Developer, discuss how we turn technology into technolo-tree.
Episode 4: A Strong Foundation
The Preservation Foundation is the charitable partner of the Lake County Forest Preserves. What does that mean?
When we undertake a project, the Foundation extends and accelerates it. Take the Green Youth Farm at Greenbelt in North Chicago, for example. Or the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. The summer concert series at Independence Grove. Our Adopt-a-Turtle program benefitting the state-endangered Blanding’s turtle. Habitat restoration efforts. And so much more.
They wouldn’t be the same without the foundation that, well, the Foundation gives them.
Ty Kovach, Executive Director; Rebekah Snyder, Chief Development Officer; Nels Leutwiler, President of the Preservation Foundation; and Karen Hunter, Chair of the Development Committee, discuss how supporting the Foundation supports all of the Forest Preserves’ work.
Episode 5: A Childhood Spent Outdoors
Nature is one of the best classrooms around. Study after study shows that time spent outdoors fosters a child’s healthy development. It helps kids manage stress, stimulates their imaginations, and improves their social skills.
Alyssa Firkus, Education Manager, and Jenny Sazama, Environmental Educator, have seen these positive effects firsthand. Hear how they like to connect kids with nature—and how nature connects with kids.
Episode 6: It’s a Winter-ful Life
It’s tempting to hibernate during winter. But there are good reasons to get outside. Your preserves are home to many winter activities, including sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and, yeah, good ol’ walking.
We aren’t the first generations to discover the loads of fun these activities provide, though. Drawing from the Dunn Museum’s collection and archives, Museum Educator Nicole Stocker is here to give us a snapshot of how Lake County residents enjoyed winter outdoors in the past.
Episode 7: A Piece of News
Host Brett Peto is here with a bite-sized piece of good news.