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IDNR Coastal Management Program
November 2020 Newsletter
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Coastal Program staff enjoying a socially distant check-in near the Chicago River
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Thank You from Coastal!
Our Coastal Program staff would like to send a huge THANK YOU to all who participated in our recent program evaluation with NOAA. We appreciate and value your taking the time to join us, listening to presentations about our program, and providing valuable feedback. We are always looking for ways to improve so that we can meet our coastal region's needs to the best of our abilities, and your feedback and participation are essential components of that!
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Great Lakes Climate and Lake Levels Update and Outlook
NOAA recently hosted their most recent Great Lakes Climate and Lake Levels Update and Outlook. This webinar provided the latest updates on lake levels and outlooks as well as the current climate impacts to the Great Lakes and the forecast for the winter and into the spring. You can watch a recording here and find the presenter’s slides here.
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NWS Webinar Slide (G. Garnet)
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New Great Lakes Now Episode Visits Chicago
The most recent episode of Great Lakes Now’s monthly series, a public media program covering crucial issues affecting the well-being and future of the Great Lakes, brings viewers to the Chicago River’s Wild Mile and investigates if floating garden islands can restore a more natural habitat. The episode also includes segments on Lake Superiors night sky views and how Great Lakes parks are coping with COVID-19 and record-setting lake levels. You can watch the full episode on YouTube. Learn more and find past episodes here.
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Share Your Voice
Redefine the Northern Lake Shore Drive
The North Lake Shore Drive (NLSD) Phase I Study is a historic project that aims to improve NLSD between Grand Avenue and Hollywood Avenue, Chicago. This study offers a rare opportunity to consider new solutions to enhance the historic NLSD corridor. Check out the project update videos which discuss all of the design improvements that have been advanced so far. The official comment period for the Public Input Opportunity is now closed, however, comments are welcome throughout the entire project development process. Please email the project team at info@northlakeshoredrive.org or access their online comment portal. All Public Input Opportunity materials are also available on the project website. A summary of public comments and survey responses will be posted on the project website later this year.
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Emerging Resources
An Evaluation of Stressor Interactions in the Great Lakes
An environmental stressor is any factor whose presence adversely affects individuals, populations, or ecosystems. Examples include many different pollutants, excess nutrients, habitat loss and invasive species. Recognizing that interactions among multiple stressors in the Great Lakes are poorly understood, the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) Science Advisory Board undertook a review and exploratory analysis.
The report finds that government management strategies often do not account for the effects of stressor interactions and includes recommendations related to research and monitoring to better manage for the interacting effects of multiple stressors. Find the report, in addition to the recording of a public webinar about the report, here. You can also read a Q&A with the report's lead author at Great Lakes Now.
Calumet Reinvestment Mapping Tool
Calumet Collaborative is proud to announce the launch of the Calumet Reinvestment Mapping Tool (CRMT). This mapping tool is made by the Calumet Collaborative’s efforts with partners to collectively address ways to advance sustainable development in the region through Brownfield redevelopment. The goal of the CRMT is to establish a baseline of where potentially contaminated and underutilized sites are located in the Calumet region to aid in collaborating to determine the best future use of these sites. This tool will be beneficial to planning agencies, community organizations, environmental clean-up firms, economic development administrative centers, real estate developers and more. Find more information and access the tool here.
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Events
Take a Virtual Tour with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Join the MWRD for a virtual tour experience on Nov. 18 at 2 pm. Travel back in time to early Chicago to witness how we reversed the Chicago River and developed wastewater treatment technology, see how more current efforts to implement green technology solutions are complementing grey infrastructure, tour the deep tunnel, and more! Register here for this unique experience.
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Job Opportunities
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is hiring two positions for work in Great Lakes AOCs!
Closing date for both positions is December 4, 2020.
Senior Environmental Extension Scientist
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant as part of the University of Illinois Extension is seeking a person to expand an outreach program on Great Lakes contaminant remediation and restoration activities being conducted under the Great Lakes Legacy Act. View the complete job description and apply here.
Visiting Environmental Extension Associate
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant as part of University of Illinois Extension is seeking a person to provide outreach to Areas of Concern stakeholders and partners, communicate how remediation and restoration lead to revitalization, and facilitate revitalization partnerships. View the complete job description and apply here.
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Funding Opportunities
Great Lakes Fishery Commission - Call for Proposals
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is now accepting pre-proposals for its Fishery Research Program and Sea Lamprey Research Program. Find out more about the complete call for proposals here. Deadline: January 15, 2021.
Solution Search: Water Quality and Behavior Change Contest
Solution Search is a global contest that surfaces, spotlights, and accelerates existing solutions that are changing behaviors to help solve the world’s most challenging environmental problems. The Water Pollution & Behavior Change contest is looking for promising approaches that are shifting people’s behavior toward cleaner, healthier water ecosystems.
Entering the contest could give your organization a chance to attend cutting edge trainings, workshops, and networking opportunities that can help you refine and scale your solution. In addition, two $25,000 grand prizes will be awarded, along with a $10,000 Environmental Justice Prize and a $5,000 prize awarded to the best early entrant (early entry deadline is Nov. 22). Find more info here, or join a Q&A session Nov. 18 or 19.
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Share your Announcement!
Would you like your event announcement to be included in our next newsletter? Email your submissions to DNR.CMP@illinois.gov
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The IDNR Coastal Management Program is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the environmental, economic, and social value of Illinois’ Great Lakes coast. We invest in building healthy ecosystems and resilient communities by providing expertise, funding, and other resources for community-driven and forward-thinking efforts within our Lake Michigan coastal region.
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