From industrious sharks to the bird of the year, here’s what caught our attention this week on the climate and nature beat.
Stories by patty wetli
Updating: Brutal Cold Grips Chicago, Temps Will Stay Below Zero
The snow total from Thursday was a mere 1.3 inches at O'Hare (though northwest Indiana and lower Michigan have been hammered with lake effect), but the real danger of this system was always the wind and cold, meteorologists said.
Chicago Public Schools Will Be in Session Thursday as Chicago Prepares for Bomb Cyclone
Classes are not canceled Thursday, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez announced. Chicago is expecting to get hit with a dangerous combination of high winds, extremely cold temperatures and blowing snow, creating whiteout conditions.
Chicago’s New Climate Infrastructure Fund Aims To Kick-Start Climate Action Among Nonprofits and Small Businesses
The fund will award grants in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for projects, including energy efficiency upgrades, green infrastructure or the purchase of electric vehicles.
What Exactly Is a Blizzard? Probably Not What You Think
Let’s talk ‘bomb cyclone’ while we’re at it.
What will be the hallmark of the impending Christmas blizzard of 2022? Probably not a lot of snow, but that’s not what blizzards are about anyway.
Growing Pressure for Park District To Demolish Unauthorized Museum Construction on Site of Landmarked Building in Humboldt Park
The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture leases a historic landmark building in Humboldt Park. It began construction on an adjacent archive facility without obtaining permits.
Lake County Forest Preserves Waiting for Signs of Life, Joins Global Tracking Network
Lake County Forest Preserves has now joined a global wildlife tracking network, expanding the ability of researchers to follow the movement of migratory birds through the Chicago region.
Chicago Launches Contest to Name Its Snowplows. We Call Dibs on ‘Dibs’
Chicago has launched a contest to name six of its snowplows — one for each snow district — and the competition promises to be fierce.
This Week in Nature: Millions of Trees Die in Oregon. Are We Ready for ‘Firmageddon’?
From a mass die-off of trees to a moose on the loose, here’s what caught our attention this week on the climate and nature beat.
After a Challenging Staffing Year, Chicago Park District Adds 8 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
The Chicago Park District announced a number of new benefits designed to help with recruitment and retention at the December meeting of the district’s board of commissioners.
Callery Pear on List of Species Illinois Assessing as Invasive. Here’s What That Means
The candidates include well-known banes like garlic mustard and wild parsnip, but also a plant adored by landscapers and property owners: the Callery pear tree.
Feds Pour Big Money Into Coastal Restoration Projects, and Chicago’s Hegewisch Marsh Comes Out a Winner
The federal government has just announced its most significant investment to date in nature-based projects aimed at creating "climate-ready" coastlines, and Chicago is among the communities that will benefit from this latest round of funding.
Lincoln Park Zoo Is on Lion Watch, New Cub Due in January
"A birth represents preservation of a species that has faced many challenges in the wild,” said Mike Murray, curator of mammals and animal behavioral husbandry.
This Week in Nature: Winter Olympics a Climate Casualty? Wildlife’s Answer to Elf on a Shelf, and Some Resilient Area Eagles
It’s been another wild week on the nature beat. The United Nations’ biodiversity conference kicked off Tuesday in Montreal with the UN Secretary-General calling humanity a “weapon of mass extinction.” Nowhere to go but up from there.
The Moon Is About To Make Mars Disappear. Here’s How To View Wednesday’s ‘Eclipse’ in Chicago
Sky watchers will have their eyes peeled Wednesday night for a rare-ish celestial event: an “eclipse” of Mars.
Sue the T. Rex Has Given Up a Limb for Science: The Dino’s Comically Tiny Arms Are Now the Stuff of Serious Study
Researchers at the Field Museum are embarking on a project to discover what was the point — if any — of T. rex’s tiny arms.
The $20M Check Is in the Mail. Federal Funds Coming to Englewood Nature Trail
Federal officials popped into Chicago Friday to celebrate the awarding of a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the Englewood Nature Trail.
Ho, Ho, Vroom. The 45th Annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade Will Roll Through Chicago Sunday
Tens of thousands of bikers will vroom through Chicago Sunday during the 45th annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade.
This Week in Nature: Here’s What Made Us Think, And Laugh, From Volcanic Eruptions to Bears’ Ongoing War on Christmas
Every Friday, we’ll be rounding up some of the articles, videos, photos and social media posts that have caught our attention on the topics of climate change, the environment, wildlife, conservation and weather.
Chicago Winter Parking Ban Takes Effect Thursday. What To Know Before You’re Towed
Starting Dec. 1, Chicago’s overnight parking ban takes effect on 107 miles of streets, snow or no snow, from 3-7 a.m. daily through April 1.
Northern Long-Eared Bat, an Illinois Native, Is Newest Addition to U.S. Endangered Species List. Can It Be Saved?
Despite habitat strongholds in places like Illinois, white-nose syndrome continues to decimate the population.
The deadly white-nose syndrome is threatening the northern long-eared bat — one of Illinois’ 13 native bats — with extinction. The race is on to find a cure and protect what’s left of the population.
Promontory Point Supporters Push for Hearing in Front of Chicago Landmark Commission
Preservationists are pushing for Promontory Point to be granted Chicago landmark status. Will their case be heard?
Have You Heard? Sandhill Cranes Passing Over Chicago in Near Record Numbers
Sandhill crane migration is reaching its peak. For those who've wondered whether there are more of the birds this year than in the past, the answer appears to be yes.
Chicago 2022 Holiday Events Guide: Lights! Markets! Action!
Between indoor, outdoor and drive-thru options for light displays, it's safe to say this holiday season will be bright. We've also rounded up a baker's dozen of holiday markets.
Friends of the Chicago River, Openlands and Others Join Chorus Calling on Pritzker To Halt Damen Silos Sale
“Any riverfront improvement opportunity should be part of a master plan that recognizes the Chicago River system as the wondrous natural resource it is rather than the uncared for alleyway it used to be,” said Friends of the Chicago River.
Christkindlmarket Is Back, Time To Get Your Gluhwein on Chicago. Here’s What’s New in 2022
One of Chicago’s most beloved holiday traditions — the German-style Christkindlmarket — kicks off this weekend, and it’s bigger than ever, with a new location in Aurora.
