An urban farming program that started barely two years ago with 7 acres of land near a former steel mill celebrated a milestone Wednesday.
Stories by alex ruppenthal
New Law Aims to Increase Use of Compost in Illinois
Aug 21, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A bill signed into law this week seeks to incorporate composted soil into state-funded landscaping projects.
Rauner Vetoes Bill to Create Urban Agriculture Zones in Illinois
Aug 21, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday vetoed a bill that advocates say would have boosted urban agriculture efforts in Chicago and other cities across the state.
Emanuel, AG Madigan Rip EPA Proposal to ‘Censor’ Scientific Research
Aug 20, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Former EPA chief Scott Pruitt said his proposal would increase transparency, but opponents say it will keep certain scientific studies out of the hands of EPA decision-makers and addresses “a ‘problem’ that does not exist.”
Field Museum Expands Popular ‘ID Day’ for Mystery Objects
Aug 17, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
More scientists will be on hand next month to examine specimens and artifacts brought in by visitors, including staff specializing in zoology, paleontology, geology, ichthyology (also known as fish science) and more.
The Aquatic Life of Shedd Photographer Brenna Hernandez
Aug 17, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
She is Shedd’s only full-time photographer, capturing images of the aquarium’s 32,000 animals from both in and out of the water. A conversation with Brenna Hernandez.
New Illinois Law Bans Sale of Ivory, Rhinoceros Horn
Aug 15, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
As part of a growing movement to undermine the bloody practice of elephant and rhino poaching, Illinois has become the ninth state to ban the sale of ivory and rhino horn.
Revised Law Frees Police in Illinois to Rescue Suffering Cats and Dogs
Aug 14, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A recently passed revision to Illinois’ Humane Care for Animals Act clarifies the right of police to take custody of dogs or cats suffering from extreme heat, cold or other life-threatening conditions.
Lincoln Park Zoo Takes Urban Wildlife Program Global
Aug 13, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A groundbreaking program to study urban wildlife using a network of motion-triggered cameras is expanding to Canada and South Africa.
Scientists Discover 2 New Non-Native Species in Great Lakes
Aug 10, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Researchers from Cornell University and the EPA are raising concerns about the potential impact of recently discovered non-invasive species on the overall health of the Great Lakes.
Durbin Urges EPA to Expand Manganese Monitoring on Southeast Side
Aug 9, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
After touring Chicago’s industry-dominated Southeast Side on Thursday, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin pressed the Environmental Protection Agency to increase monitoring of brain-damaging manganese dust.
Assessing the Health of Chicago-Area Bats – Using Their Poop
Aug 8, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
As part of a relatively new Lincoln Park Zoo project, guano from bats across the Chicago area is collected and tested for levels of cortisol, an indicator of stress.
Baby Porcupine is First of its Kind Born at Brookfield Zoo
Aug 7, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A porcupette, or baby porcupine, was born last month at Brookfield Zoo and is being hand-reared by the zoo’s animal care and veterinary staff.
Chicago Proposes 3 New Dog Parks on South Side
Aug 6, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Chicago purports to be a dog-friendly city, but when it comes to dog parks, there is a huge discrepancy between the city’s North and South sides. What one dog-lover is doing to change that.
New ‘Bat Condo’ is 6th to Be Installed in Cook County
Aug 6, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
The structures, which look like doghouses without doors or windows, rest atop 12-foot stilts and can accommodate as many as 2,000 bats. Is this the year the bats will move in?
Bill to Help Illinois Agencies Donate Leftover Food Signed Into Law
Aug 6, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A new law aims to make it easier for state agencies in Illinois to donate leftover food, which advocates say will help reduce waste and feed hungry residents.
Illinois to Sue Trump EPA Over Rollback of Clean Car Rules
Aug 2, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
In a joint statement released Thursday, attorneys general from nearly 20 states, including Illinois, said weakening the so-called clean car rules would cause Americans to breathe dirtier air and pay higher gas prices.
You Found a Baby Animal on Your Chicago Block. Now What?
Aug 2, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Residents who come across young animals in the city often think they’ve been abandoned. But that’s rarely the case. Learn how to respond when you spot kittens or other baby animals on your block.
10 Outdoor Spots to Unwind and De-Stress in Chicago
Jul 31, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Despite its moniker as “The City that Works,” Chicago features plenty of places to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Here are 10 spots to zen out in the city this summer.
‘We Don’t Want Your Trash’: Residents Protest General Iron’s Move to Southeast Side
Jul 30, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
General Iron announced plans earlier this month to move its scrap metal yard from Lincoln Park to the Southeast Side, where residents are concerned about the company’s environmental track record.
Field Museum Scientist Develops ‘Easy-Bake Fossil’
Jul 25, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Fossils typically take tens of millions of years to develop, but a Chicago scientist recently helped discover a new way to simulate the fossilization process in a lab – in just 24 hours.
Illinois Gets ‘D’ Grade in New Report Evaluating Renewable Energy Standards
Jul 25, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A new report from an environmental advocacy group criticizes Illinois and more than two dozen other states for adopting renewable energy plans that allow for dirty energy sources.
Chicago Company Installs ‘Self-Aware’ Robot That Sorts Recycling
Jul 24, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Chicago-based Lakeshore Recycling System is the first company in the U.S. to install a new “self-aware” machine that sorts through recycled materials.
Illinois Sues EPA Over Pruitt’s Loophole for ‘Super Polluting’ Trucks
Jul 23, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has joined her counterparts in 14 states in suing the EPA over its suspension of a rule that limits the number of highly polluting trucks on the nation's roads.
Chicago Advocates Call Out McDonald’s for Treatment of Chickens
Jul 20, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Animal welfare advocates will gather next week at McDonald's new West Loop headquarters to present a petition with more than 200,000 signatures calling on the company to improve conditions for chickens in its supply chain.
Northwestern Rocket Launches Sunday to Explore ‘Star Stuff’
Jul 20, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Scientists are preparing to launch a rocket in New Mexico that’s equipped with a new high-powered device that will capture unprecedented images of astronomical objects.