The post Wild Insights: Creatures in the Cold! appeared first on Park District of Highland Park.

The winter landscape at Heller Nature Center currently sports some curious clues about our ongoing restoration work. Behind the nature center, neon pink tags adorn native understory trees and shrubs, such as Hazelnut and Redbud. Piles of brush, dark burn scars among the leaf litter, and patches of scorched ground and vegetation in our northern prairie might have piqued your interest. The Park District’s natural areas crew, along with hardworking members of our volunteer program, have been busy taking advantage of the benefits of these cold months!

You might think outdoor work slows down with the plunging temperatures, but winter weather makes important restoration techniques possible. The cooler weather and low humidity of late fall produces dead leaves and vegetation, which means plenty of fuel and optimal atmospheric conditions that make prescription burns possible. Prescription burning has been part of Illinois’s ecosystems for thousands of years; our native plants have evolved and adapted alongside wildfire and the indigenous peoples of Illinois used controlled fire to clear brush and provide space for game and hunting. At Heller Nature Center, our natural areas crew utilizes controlled fire as a cost-effective tool to control non-native species such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. The blackened, exposed ground you see in our north and south prairies also provides excellent conditions for seeds of native flowers and grasses to germinate and thrive come spring.

When December and January turn frigid, trees, plants, and insect life are dormant. This winter, our crew and volunteer members focus on our oak and hickory woodlands, cutting invasive brush and removing the plant material through brush pile burns, a method that leaves a distinctive ground scar that can be reused for multiple burns. In these dormant conditions, plant matter can be disturbed and removed without causing harm to living insects and plants. When the ground is frozen, the soil won’t be torn up or trampled as crew members and volunteers (carefully) walk the woods and haul cut brush, performing the important work of creating excellent growing conditions for native woodland flowers that thrive in Heller’s open woodlands, such as Trout Lily, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and Red Trillium.

Heller’s outdoor winter workload can benefit more than our Park District’s native habitats – it can benefit your health as well! If you’re tired of the treadmill, or want to experience a little more sunlight during these short days, or simply need a breath of fresh air, why not attend a weekly volunteer workday hosted by our natural areas team? Volunteer workdays take place every Friday, 9-11am, all year around, with tools and training provided by our crew of experienced restoration technicians. Cutting and hauling brush is such great exercise, you won’t even need to depend on our burn pile to keep warm! If you’d like to be added to our list of volunteers and receive our workday emails, please contact our Natural Areas Manager, Liz Ricketts, at ericketts@pdhp.org.

Winter only feels like it lasts forever; before long, the ground thaws, the trees bud, and green shoots grow toward the warming air. The soil where a stand of dense buckthorn grew the previous year is blanketed in native ephemerals like Bloodroot, Rue Anemone and Mayapple. These positive changes to our native habitats wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing interests and efforts of our Park District community, or without the boons we gain in our coldest months. When we look at the big picture, it’s not hard to envision wintertime as a fruitful season.

The post The Hidden Work of Winter appeared first on Park District of Highland Park.

The road to the championship was full of excitement and nail-biting moments. In the first round of the playoffs, 10U Blue faced the New Trier Bulldogs in a thrilling extra-innings battle, pulling off a 9-8 victory. They then moved on to the semi-finals, where they edged out the Lincolnshire Lightning with a solid 5-3 win.

The championship game against Deerfield was the final highlight of their remarkable season. 10U Blue delivered a 7-1 victory, claiming the title and cementing their dominance in the fall league.

This team’s perseverance, teamwork, and determination throughout the season were truly inspiring. Congratulations to the players and coaches on a well-deserved championship!

The post Glenview Fall 10A League Champions! appeared first on Park District of Highland Park.

Check out our upcoming Adult/Adult-Friendly Programs:

Friday, July 13 • 10am-noon

Summer Wild Edibles Walk

Eat the forest! Join The Wild Dryad on a foraging tour of Heller’s woods; learn how to spot wild edibles and how best to cook them. Sample some of the plants we find on our hike.

Register

Friday, July 19 • 7-8:30pm

Nature Trivia

Join us for an evening of nature-themed trivia. Enter in teams of up to 6, or join a team of new friends on arrival. Then, compete with fellow residents to see who knows more about the ecology in our local area and beyond.

This is a BYOB event. Light snacks will be provided.

Ages 21+

Register

Sunday, August 8 • 9:30-11:30am

Honey Harvest Demo

Our honey bees have been working all summer making our famous Heller Honey. Come and experience how to harvest our honey with one of our naturalists and take home a small jar you harvested from the hives.

Register

The post Nature Programs: Not Just for Kids! appeared first on Park District of Highland Park.

The post Wild Insights with Mark Bryant: The Cicadas Are Here! appeared first on Park District of Highland Park.

• Are there different types of stress? How can someone tell if their stress is a problem?
• What are the best ways to manage stress?
• What mindfulness techniques can people use to promote their emotional well-being?

Lindsay T. Fazio, PhD is the System Director of Wellbeing & Vitality for Endeavor Health. Her role is to develop and drive the strategic plan to bring wellbeing to each and every team member no matter their role or responsibility within the organization.

She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Indiana State University. She completed her residency in medical psychology at St. James Hospital and Health Centers. Dr. Fazio’s passion is promoting wellness began 20 years ago teaching physicians and physicians-in-training. She works with departments and health systems nationally to monitor burnout provide a programatic series of strengths-based interventions to promote resiliency and engagement across all members of the healthcare team.

Kyle Kovski, LCSW is dedicated to supporting the emotional wellbeing of individuals within Endeavor Health. His dual role as the Wellbeing Support Advisor and System R.I.S.E. Clinical Coordinator showcases his commitment to fostering resilience and creating a supportive culture within the organization.

With his educational background in Social Work, Kyle brings a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental health to his role. His clinical experience across different age groups and symptomatology provides him with a nuanced perspective on addressing the diverse needs of individuals. Kyle’s focus on supporting medical professionals is especially impactful, given his firsthand experience in Family Medicine Residency programs support Behavioral Health Education. He recognizes the unique challenges individuals are faced with daily and advocates for the importance of stress management and resilience techniques in mitigating the impact of trauma.

By drawing from his expertise in trauma and emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing, Kyle empowers individuals to navigate challenges effectively. His efforts not only benefit the individuals he directly supports but also contribute to creating a culture of support and resilience within Endeavor Health.

• Mental Health America
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services America (SAMHSA)
• Highland Park Public Library – Trauma Resources
• District 112 – Social and Emotional Learning Resources

The post Parks in Mind: Mindfulness & Managing Stress appeared first on Park District of Highland Park.

• How do environmental factors, such as access to the outdoors and natural settings, influence emotional well-being?
• The surgeon general recently declared that the United States is amid a loneliness epidemic. What are some steps that we can take to create a healthier social network and stave off loneliness? 

Lindsay T. Fazio, PhD is the System Director of Wellbeing & Vitality for Endeavor Health. Her role is to develop and drive the strategic plan to bring wellbeing to each and every team member no matter their role or responsibility within the organization.

She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Indiana State University. She completed her residency in medical psychology at St. James Hospital and Health Centers. Dr. Fazio’s passion is promoting wellness began 20 years ago teaching physicians and physicians-in-training. She works with departments and health systems nationally to monitor burnout provide a programatic series of strengths-based interventions to promote resiliency and engagement across all members of the healthcare team.

Kyle Kovski, LCSW is dedicated to supporting the emotional wellbeing of individuals within Endeavor Health. His dual role as the Wellbeing Support Advisor and System R.I.S.E. Clinical Coordinator showcases his commitment to fostering resilience and creating a supportive culture within the organization.

With his educational background in Social Work, Kyle brings a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental health to his role. His clinical experience across different age groups and symptomatology provides him with a nuanced perspective on addressing the diverse needs of individuals. Kyle’s focus on supporting medical professionals is especially impactful, given his firsthand experience in Family Medicine Residency programs support Behavioral Health Education. He recognizes the unique challenges individuals are faced with daily and advocates for the importance of stress management and resilience techniques in mitigating the impact of trauma.

By drawing from his expertise in trauma and emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing, Kyle empowers individuals to navigate challenges effectively. His efforts not only benefit the individuals he directly supports but also contribute to creating a culture of support and resilience within Endeavor Health.

• Mental Health America
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services America (SAMHSA)
• Highland Park Public Library – Trauma Resources
• District 112 – Social and Emotional Learning Resources

The post Parks in Mind: The Boost From Being Outside appeared first on Park District of Highland Park.

Each day this week, Walter will leave a clue here (and on our Facebook) about which park he’s visited. When you find Walter with the item left behind at one of our parks, scan the QR code to see what fun activity you can do and enter our drawing to win prizes and a gift card!

Walter has almost all of his items back! He’s still missing his hiking boots, though. Can you help him find them in one of our parks? Here’s your clue:

“Our Prairie is abuzz with bees,

You can also walk among the trees,

In the winter you can bring skis,

Finding my home base should be a breeze!”

Where have Walter’s binoculars gone? Can you help him find them in one of our parks? Here’s your clue:

“The ocean is far away from here,

But there is still a beach that we hold dear.

It’s the only beach where you can swim,

But wait till it’s warmer before diving in!”

Walter can’t find his hiking stick! Can you help him find it in one of our parks? Here’s your clue:

“I thought I’d grab my fishing pole,

And head on past the Pickle Ball or Tennis Courts.

There’s a great little fishing hole,

Where you can see animals of all sorts!

If you see ice you’ve gone too far.”

Walter’s backpack has gone missing! Can you help him find it in one of our parks? Here’s your clue:

“I’ve been spending all my time today,

On space ship slides and the swing set.

I’ll end my day in the perfect way,

By watching a lovely ____________.”

Walter misplaced his map! Can you help him find it in one of our parks? Here’s your clue:

“Not far from where I play Mini-golf,

I went looking for birds I could observe.

But now my Map has wandered off,

So I’m looking for it at the ___________.”

The post Where in Highland Park is Walter? appeared first on Park District of Highland Park.

In Illinois, there are typically two common tick types: the deer tick, which carry Lyme disease, and the wood tick. Deer ticks are small and hard to spot, so look out for rashes or bullseye shaped spots on your body. Wood ticks are larger, and while they may not carry Lyme, they are known to carry other germs that may be harmful to humans. 

There is a third tick to look out for this year. The Longhorned Asian Tick has been discovered in Illinois (the 20^th state they have been found in so far) and is considered invasive in the US. Currently, it is expected that the tick carries some germs that are dangerous to humans, but we do not know if they can transmit them yet. They are known to be dangerous to livestock and some pets. If you come in contact with a tick, immediately remove it—if you can, try to trap it (a piece of tape works) and keep it. Doctors can sometimes test a tick that bit you to see if there is cause for concern.

The Illinois Department of Health has posted some excellent guidelines for preventing tick bites:

• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone. Always follow product instructions.
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
• Check your body and clothing for ticks upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Place tick-infested clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors.
• Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tickborne diseases. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and is a good time to do a tick check.
• Talk to your veterinarian about tickborne diseases in your area and prevention products for your pets and livestock.

The post Fight the Bite: It is Tick Season! appeared first on Park District of Highland Park.

In this video, Dr. Fazio and Kyle answer the following questions:

• How do you define mental health and emotional well-being?
• What are some common misconceptions about mental health that you encounter in your practice?
• What role do social connections and relationships play in maintaining good emotional health?

Lindsay T. Fazio, PhD is the System Director of Wellbeing & Vitality for Endeavor Health. Her role is to develop and drive the strategic plan to bring wellbeing to each and every team member no matter their role or responsibility within the organization.

She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Indiana State University. She completed her residency in medical psychology at St. James Hospital and Health Centers. Dr. Fazio’s passion is promoting wellness began 20 years ago teaching physicians and physicians-in-training. She works with departments and health systems nationally to monitor burnout provide a programatic series of strengths-based interventions to promote resiliency and engagement across all members of the healthcare team.

Kyle Kovski, LCSW is dedicated to supporting the emotional wellbeing of individuals within Endeavor Health. His dual role as the Wellbeing Support Advisor and System R.I.S.E. Clinical Coordinator showcases his commitment to fostering resilience and creating a supportive culture within the organization.

With his educational background in Social Work, Kyle brings a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental health to his role. His clinical experience across different age groups and symptomatology provides him with a nuanced perspective on addressing the diverse needs of individuals. Kyle’s focus on supporting medical professionals is especially impactful, given his firsthand experience in Family Medicine Residency programs support Behavioral Health Education. He recognizes the unique challenges individuals are faced with daily and advocates for the importance of stress management and resilience techniques in mitigating the impact of trauma.

By drawing from his expertise in trauma and emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing, Kyle empowers individuals to navigate challenges effectively. His efforts not only benefit the individuals he directly supports but also contribute to creating a culture of support and resilience within Endeavor Health.

• Mental Health America
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services America (SAMHSA)
• Highland Park Public Library – Trauma Resources
• District 112 – Social and Emotional Learning Resources

The post Parks in Mind: A Conversation on Mental Health & Recreation appeared first on Park District of Highland Park.