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IWWSG Meeting Recap – March 16, 2022
With 30+ attendees and a great panel of very knowledgeable presenters, the March 16 virtual IWWSG Membership meeting, “Biodiversity and Community in the Calumet: Creating Access and Restoring Open Spaces Along the Little Calumet River”, was informative and interesting. The speakers, Laura Barghusen & Lillian Holden of Openlands, Jordan Bailly of the Metropolitan Planning Council and Mark Bouman of the Field Museum, presented a summary of the Little Calumet River Conservation Action Plan (CAP) and the African American Heritage Water Trail.
The Conservation Action Plan presents a framework for improving the health of nature and the quality of life for communities along the six-and-a-half-mile corridor of the Little Calumet River from its confluence with the Cal-Sag Channel to its confluence with the Grand Calumet River. It identifies sites that are high priorities for ecological restoration and management--including industrial sites—as well as areas that, if acquired and protected as open space, would help connect communities and neighborhoods to the river and landscapes along its banks. The CAP suggests conservation targets and strategies for each site to achieve its vision.
The African American Heritage Water Trail on the Little Calumet River and Cal-Sag Channel between Beaubien Woods to the Village of Robbins flows through the geography presented in the CAP and through 180 years of African American History—sites and figures whose impact remains with us today. The water trail engages communities and connects them to the river by elevating and honoring this history.
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Please save the date for our next meeting, you surely will not want to miss it!...
Upcoming IWWSG “Hybrid*” Meeting – May 18, 2022
Reducing Chloride Discharges to Area Waterways
IWWSG’s final meeting* of the ‘21-’22 season, on May 18, will feature Professor David Strifling, Director of Marquette Law School's Water Law and Policy Initiative and Hanna Miller, Watershed Project Manager at The Conservation Foundation. Professor Strifling recently published a paper entitled “Reducing Chloride Discharges to Surface Water and Groundwater: A Menu of Options for Policymakers”, https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/25768-9tojcistriflingpdf which evaluates legal and policy options for policymakers to address high chloride concentrations in area waterways likely caused by the excess application of salt for winter deicing, in combination with other sources such as water softeners. The paper examines the underlying causes of unsustainable chloride pollution from a scientific and engineering perspective and it explores the relative strengths of various alternative options, and links the scientific underpinnings to the legal and policy dimensions.
Ms. Miller will supplement the presentation with pertinent local regulatory updates.
The May meeting will provide the first Lunch & Learn option of either an "in person" live event to network or a Zoom option from your desk. Ms. Miller will be with us live from a location in Oakbrook and at the same time, Professor Strifling will be speaking to us through Zoom. IWWSG will offer two options to join in. Details soon!!
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IWWSG Announces
2022 Recipient of the E. Ted Erickson “Distinguished Environmental Professional Award”
Debra Jacobson
Associate Director at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) a unit of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois
Deb joins a very notable list of 24 past recipients of the Award [see “Resources” at www.iwwsg.org], which is named in honor of founder E. Ted Erickson, and was established by the IWWSG in 2000 to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution(s) in the environmental area, especially at the local and regional levels. The award is granted based on recognition of the recipient’s community service advancing IWWSG’s goals, leadership / service to environmental professional organizations, including the IWWSG, and contributions to the field of environmental laws / compliance / management / education.
Congratulations Deb!
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Upcoming IWWSG Steering Committee Election
All paid IWWSG Members in good standing should expect to receive, within the next two weeks, a SurveyMonkey link for the election of the Group’s ’22-‘23 Steering Committee Officers and Members. Please respond when you receive the link!
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IWWSG 75th Anniversary
Yes, with its ’22-23 meeting season, IWWSG will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary!! The Steering Committee will soon begin planning this memorable season, so if you have any ideas on how to best recognize & celebrate this milestone, please let us know!
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