Northern Forest Center’s Post

In the quiet embrace of wetlands, life flourishes. These vibrant ecosystems are home to countless species and serve as natural water purifiers. But they need our help to continue their vital role. Here’s how you can make a difference: #Rewet: Support initiatives that reintroduce water into dried wetlands, revitalizing them for biodiversity to thrive. #Restore: Volunteer with local organizations to help clean up and restore wetland areas. Every effort counts in bringing these ecosystems back to life. #Reforest: Participate in tree-planting projects around wetland areas. Trees are crucial for maintaining the delicate balance of these habitats. #Conserve: Reduce water usage at home and advocate for sustainable water management practices in your community to protect these vital resources. #Protect: Educate yourself and others about the importance of wetlands. Awareness is the first step towards meaningful action. #Preserve: Support policies and initiatives that aim to preserve wetlands for future generations. Your voice matters! Together, we can conserve, protect, and preserve our #wetlands, ensuring they continue to nurture life and balance in our world. Let’s make every effort count!

🚫 Why You Shouldn’t Bleach Your Patios! 🚫 Thinking about using bleach to clean your patio? Think again! While bleach might seem like an easy solution, it comes with many hidden dangers that can harm your outdoor space and the environment. Why Avoid Bleach? • Harmful to Plants: Bleach runoff can damage or kill surrounding plants and grass • Harmful to Pets & Children: When it rains the bleach can lift and get on paws and tiny hands and feet • Toxic to Wildlife: The chemicals in bleach can harm birds, insects, and other wildlife • Environmental Impact: Bleach can contaminate soil and water, affecting local ecosystems • Surface Damage: Over time, bleach can erode and discolour your patio surfaces, leading to costly repairs https://lnkd.in/eyVJr9Ht

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From forests to urban areas, watersheds are threaded throughout the landscapes we depend on — and they directly impact the quality and quantity of our water resources. 🌊⁠ ⁠ By planting trees to support watersheds, you're contributing directly to the preservation and restoration of areas that are vital to wildlife and communities alike. Together, we can help safeguard water resources and foster healthier, more sustainable #watersheds for generations to come. 🌏 https://lnkd.in/eY5x-CDK

Every piece of land tells a story—of the life it sustains, the communities it nourishes, and the ecosystems it supports. But today, many of these stories are at risk as land degradation threatens our planet’s health. Restoring degraded land is more than just a necessity; it's an opportunity to revitalize our world. By improving soil health, restoring native vegetation, and supporting sustainable agriculture, we can bring life back to our landscapes and ensure a thriving environment for future generations. Together, we can turn barren lands into thriving ecosystems, creating a healthier planet for all. Let's commit to land restoration today—for ourselves, for our communities, and for our future. 🌿 #LandRestoration #United4Land #LandisLife #GenerationRestoration

"Harvesting rainwater is a simple yet powerful step towards a sustainable future! This easy and economical practice can make a significant impact in saving our planet. By collecting and utilizing rainwater, we can: - Reduce our water footprint - Decrease stormwater runoff - Replenish groundwater supplies - Support plant growth and wildlife Let's adopt smart moves like rainwater harvesting to do our part in saving Earth's precious resources! #RainwaterHarvesting #Sustainability #EcoFriendly #SaveThePlanet" Feel free to share this on social media to spread awareness and inspire others to take action!

"Harvesting rainwater is a simple yet powerful step towards a sustainable future! This easy and economical practice can make a significant impact in saving our planet. By collecting and utilizing rainwater, we can: - Reduce our water footprint - Decrease stormwater runoff - Replenish groundwater supplies - Support plant growth and wildlife Let's adopt smart moves like rainwater harvesting to do our part in saving Earth's precious resources! #RainwaterHarvesting #Sustainability #EcoFriendly #SaveThePlanet" Feel free to share this on social media to spread awareness and inspire others to take action!

A message from our partner, The Nature Conservancy, about the importance of protecting our waterways. Rivers are life—they flow through the heart of the surrounding communities, providing food, jobs, transportation, energy, and water. However, environmental occurrences and human interference, such as severe weather, pollution, or overfishing, threaten rivers and, subsequently, the people who rely on them. Unfortunately, the most significant impact is often felt by the most vulnerable members of the surrounding communities. The fact is that people living in poverty tend to rely more heavily on natural resources to survive, and consequently, they are the most impacted when resources are threatened. Without consistent access to healthy rivers and watersheds, generations struggle to meet their basic needs and become impoverished. But when river banks and wetlands are rehabilitated, a true transformation occurs. Rivers thrive, farmers have more area to farm, and fish species revive and diversify. Restoration creates a trickle-down effect on nearly every aspect of life and has a profound positive impact on communities worldwide.

Happy World Sparrow Day to our LinkedIn community! 🌍🐦 Today, we acknowledge these feisty little birds that have been our companions for thousands of years. They are an essential part of our urban life and a key player in our ecosystem. Did you know? Sparrows are one of the few animals that can recognize themselves in a mirror, a trait that shows their intelligence and adaptability. This adaptability is something we can all learn from, especially in today's fast-paced world. Just as sparrows have adapted to urban environments, it's time for us to adapt to their needs. With increasing urbanization and pollution, their numbers are dwindling. The theme of this year's World Sparrow Day is the conservation and protection of these lovely creatures. As we go about our day, let's remember the chirping melody that once filled our mornings and consider how we can help. One simple step could be recycling our e-waste properly, reducing pollution, and creating a more sparrow-friendly environment. Let's take a moment today to appreciate these tiny warriors and do our part in ensuring their songs never fade away. 🐦🌳 #WorldSparrowDay #Conservation #EwasteRecycling #Techazar #Ewastemanagement

Though I have left behind my role at Friends of the Parks which is a co-plaintiff with Alliance of the Southeast on this issue, major thanks go to Howard Learner and the Environmental Law & Policy Center for keeping the pressure on as the public interest attorneys leading the lawsuit to close the pollution dump at the confluence of the Calumet River and Lake Michigan and adjacent to Calumet Park! "Protect our Lake Michigan shoreline. Chicago’s lakefront is a gem of parks, beaches, walking and bike paths, recreational sports fields, and nature sanctuaries. Let’s keep it clean and safe, and keep improving accessibility and public facilities to make it better. Equally important: Let’s follow the Hippocratic oath of “do no harm” — don’t screw up the lakefront. An example: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposes to site and build a 25-foot-high “facility” for toxic dredged wastes along the Lake Michigan shoreline on Chicago’s Southeast Side immediately north of Calumet Park. That misguided proposal should be stopped, and the Corps should devote its engineering expertise to better alternatives. Chicago’s lakefront is for people and parks, not toxic waste dumps."