RBD winter announcements

Happy New Year! Even though our stewardship work at RBD is on winter hiatus, there are some things around town you still might be interested in.

-Volunteer Training Assessment Survey via The Nature Conservancy
In response to a growing interest in regional training and shared learning opportunities for volunteer stewardship, The Morton Arboretum and The Nature Conservancy have joined in partnership to develop a survey to establish baseline information around current volunteer training and interests. The results will be used to identify strengths, gaps and opportunities that will guide the development of regional training priorities and education programs. Please take a few moments to complete the survey ASAP. Results will be shared in the winter 2015 and will include collective responses for each question. If you would like to receive a copy of the results of the survey, please add your email at the end of the survey and we will send you a summary of the results. Take a moment to complete the survey. Start Survey Here

–Public meeting about our closest park! (see attached flyer and distribute widely)

    Park 566 (USX)

Wednesday, February 5^th, 6:30pm
Rainbow Beach Park Field House

Please join us for the first public meeting to discuss the planning process for Park 566, located between 79^th and 87^th St. We want to hear you vision for the park!

-Other restoration and stewardship opportunities in the area (winter is the best season for brush-cutting and burn piles)

via Calumet Stewardship Initiative
via Habitat 2030
via Cook County Forest Preserve District

Dunes are dynamic!

Remember that big storm on Halloween weekend?  There was some snow, and heavy rain and waves from Lake Michigan closed part of Lake Shore Drive.

While we know marram grass as the ‘dune-builder’ — because its roots hold fast, collect the blowing sand, and help the dune grow — sometimes the forces of nature are even stronger and the dune’s inner connective tissue are broken.