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SUMMER 2017 the EarthConnect

The quarterly newsletter of The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County Volume 12, Issue 3 !"#$#"%#& & !"'(#)(&& & Cracking Washington’s *+,)-(#& Gridlock to Save the Planet Annual Corn Roast !"#$%&'(#!)*+,-.'+/#*.0*'+-.(#1*)2#34.#5.6#7)*8#3'2.,# 6'-4#0.*2',,')+9# This year’s annual Corn Roast One day, ideally in the not-too-distant future, when Congress finally passes at Pioneer Tree Farm will take major legislation to curb carbon emissions—to reduce place on: the environmental and economic harm caused by climate change—Americans will owe a big thank you to the perseverance and discipline of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Special appreciation should go to one volunteer, Jay Butera, a SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 businessman from Pennsylvania who has put intense effort into getting Democrats and Republicans in Congress to begin talking with one another 4PM about potential solutions. The Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a network of volunteers who have come together in the last several years to advance climate policy in a bipartisan DETAILS PAGE 7. manner. Its support base has increased fivefold since 2015 to 60,000 supporters; among them, 23,000 are actively working to build political will for a national, revenue-neutral carbon fee-and-dividend system, a market-based approach that aims to reduce carbon emissions while spurring employment. Over the past year, volunteers have held 1,429 meetings with their representatives’ offices, organized 2,597 outreach events, and prompted or written 3,339 editorials, op-ed essays, and letters to the editor. In 2010, the organization’s annual conference drew 25 participants; next month, the network expects to welcome 1,200 in Washington. These activities have strengthened relationships between constituents and their representatives and have been instrumental in two significant developments in the House of Representatives: the introduction, in March, of the Republican Climate Resolution, which now has 20 co-sponsors, and the creation of the first bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.

Upcoming Events O’Brien Prairie Bike Ride It’s Our River Day [July 16] [September 10] [September 16] !Earth provides enough to satisfy Picnic, workday Glacial Park to Cornish Park, and ice cream! Richmond Algonquin every man"s needs, but not every man"s greed.# $ Mahatma Gandhi 4PM to 6PM 11AM to 1PM 1PM to 4PM

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BUSINESS & CIVIC MEMBERS Copy Express, Inc. Staff www.copyexpressyes.com Cynthia W. Kanner About Better Living: Lee Frisch 815-338-7161 Outreach Coordinator 847-639-2564 [email protected] Crystal Lake Brewing Christy Matsuoka Crystallakebrew.com Bookkeeper & Records Clerk Adele Petersen, Realtor www.adelepetersen.com Crystal Lake Park District RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest http://crystallakeparks.org Officers & Directors Woodstock, Crystal Lake, Huntley One East Crystal Lake Ave. Nancy Schietzelt, President 815-355-5729 815-459-0680 Lori McConville, Vice President

Alice Lumsden, Secretary Algonquin Township Road District Dave’s Bait & Tackle James Wigman, Treasurer www.algonquintownship.com 815-455-2040 Dwight Dalton 847-639-2700 Ed Ellinghausen Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen Mary Forni Algonquin/LITH Thedukeabides.com Kim Hankins Chamber of Commerce Sue Jensen 847-658-5300 Falcon Green Resources [email protected] 815-334-8689 Christine Kustra Rico Rotta

Alpine Accessories Hyperstitch, Inc. Ken Santowski www.alpineaccessories.com www.hyperstitch.com Joe Starzynski 847-854-4754 815-568-0590 Nicky Strahl

Marvin’s Toy Store Illinois State Senator Pam Althoff www.marvinstoystore.com Newsletter Editors www.senatoralthoff.com 779-220-4179 Cynthia W. Kanner 815-455-6330 or 217-782-8000 Barb Day McHenry County College www.mcc.edu American Ad Bag Summer Intern

www.adbag.com Roman Rodriguez 800-382-6844 McHenry Co. Dept. of Water Resources 815-334-4213

Apple Creek Flowers Pioneer Tree Farm Hours applecreekflowers.com Tues -Fri: 11 AM to 4 PM www.pioneertreefarm.com Artland Story Group Saturday: 11 AM to 3 PM http://artlandstorygroup.org RCW Tax Services 815-354-4831 815-893-0736 110 S. Johnson Street Woodstock Square Mall, B&B Automotive McHenry Red Buffalo Nursery Woodstock 815-363-7560 www. redbuffalonursery.com Credit cards accepted. 815-648-4838 The Backdrop 815-338-3007 Respace, Inc. Respaceinc.com

Brothers Junk Removal Sustainable Life, Inc. www.brothersjunkremoval.com www.sustainablelifeproducts.com About EarthConnect 815-600-6697 815-276-9753 Published quarterly by

The Environmental Defenders Burseth Farm The UPS Store of Crystal Lake of McHenry County www.bursethfarm.com www.theupsstore.com/1947.htm LOC, ISSN# 1938-9795 815-342-0745

110 S. Johnson Street, Suite 106 Calco Pallets Wheel Werks Bikes Woodstock, IL 60098 815-725-5387 http://wheelwerksbikes.com 815-444-6897 The Woodstock Square Mall Computer Recycling Center, LLC (815) 338-0393 815-455-6300 Windridge Memorial Park [email protected] [email protected] www.mcdef.org Woodstock Chamber of Commerce Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters www.woodstockilchamber.com www.consciouscup.com 815-356-0115

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Equally important today, the Citizens’ Climate Climate Solutions Caucus. Shortly thereafter, Lobby illustrates how average Americans can work Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, another effectively to influence government. Republican, came on board. Butera had earlier brought Butera has worked to address climate change for a contingent of 16 mayors, Chamber of Commerce more than a decade and has been a volunteer with the leaders, and county commissioners to her Miami office Citizens’ Climate Lobby since 2012. In 2013, he met to speak about how climate change was affecting their Representative , a Democrat, whose communities. Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteers had district was experiencing the effects of global warming. also flown from Miami to Washington to join him in Butera mentioned that he had a vision to create a bipartisan meetings with the congresswoman. caucus in the House that would focus on climate solutions. Today, the caucus has 38 members—19 from Deutch liked the idea and agreed to work with him and the each party. They’re still a long way from having the citizens’ lobby toward that goal. votes needed to pursue bipartisan climate legislation. “The kind of meaningful conversation that was But it’s worth examining how this progress has been taking place in boardrooms and in local governments achieved in spite of all the acrimony and mistrust unfortunately had not really taken place in Congress,” today — and in particular, how ordinary citizens have Deutch told me. led it. (This episode of the National Geographic Butera started visiting offices on Capitol Hill in an Channel’s series “Years of Living Dangerously” effort to get Republicans and Democrats to sit together. At chronicles their efforts.) the time, it seemed a fool’s errand. “People would laugh,” “Most people make the assumption that there’s he says now. “ ‘Good luck with that.’ ” He was advised to absolutely no point in contacting their representative avoid the word “climate.” Call it a “resiliency” caucus or a because it wouldn’t do any good,” says Tom Moyer, a “coastal states” caucus, he was told. The word climate was Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteer from who unmentionable. works closely with his representative, , a Butera and Deutch devised a Noah’s Ark approach: Republican. The caucus would grow by twos, to keep equality of In a 2016 Rasmussen survey, only 11 percent of numbers between Republicans and Democrats. Many respondents said that the average member of Congress Democrats were interested. The question was: How to get listens to their constituents. By contrast, in surveys of Republicans to join? congressional staff members, more than 90 percent say Butera reasoned that the first movers were likely to that “in-person issue visits from constituents” and come from Florida. “The coastal districts are mainly “individualized email messages” would have ‘some’ or Republican and the coastline is threatened existentially by ‘a lot’ of influence on an undecided lawmaker. climate impacts,” he said. It’s this belief in the power of citizens that He flew to Miami, timing the trip to coincide with animates the citizens’ lobby. “People assume of Earth Day 2014. He attended events in southern Florida that Congress that they’re beholden to their campaign focused on climate change; there he met locals and helped contributors and all they can do is work to get them them start a Citizens’ Climate Lobby chapter. out of office,” said Moyer. “We start from the “I saw that local mayors and county leaders were assumption that they want to solve the problem. And dealing with the impacts of climate change head on,” he we ask: How can we work together?” said. The Citizens’ Climate Lobby has built an Some towns had raised the roads and moved wells elaborate structure to support its volunteers, with miles inland to escape seawater intrusion. In other places, regular training sessions, conference calls, debriefings seawater poured into the streets at every high tide. Speaking and gatherings. The group has received extensive with congressional staff members in Washington, Butera guidance and inspiration from the Center for Citizen discovered that many were unaware of the reality on the Empowerment and Transformation, whose founder, ground. Sam Daley-Harris, literally wrote the book on citizens’ “There was a disconnect,” he said. lobbying. For the next two years, Butera and many other Volunteers rehearse short presentations called volunteers worked to address that disconnect. Butera “laser talks.” They learn how to frame the climate organized countless meetings in Florida and Washington. issue from!"!#"$%&'(!)*!+&$,+&-'%#&,!.!,"(/!",!"0!%,,1&!)*! He took videos and photographs of climate effects and 2&"3'2/! &-)0)4%-! ,'"5%3%'(! )$! 0"'%)0"3! ,&-1$%'(6! 72&(! shared them with congressional offices. He and others 0&#&$! 8&'! %0')! "$814&0',! "5)1'! ,-%&0-&/! 92%-2! '2&(! reached out to 55 mayors, county commissioners, presidents :0)9!"$&!;))4&;!*$)4!'2&!,'"$'6!72&(<$&!'$"%0&;!')! of Chambers of Commerce, state representatives and ,2)9! 8));! 4"00&$,=! 5&8%0! 4&&'%08,! 5(! &>+$&,,%08! university presidents across South Florida — most of them "++$&-%"'%)0/! 3%,'&0! 9%'2! "0! )+&0! 4%0;/! "0;! *)33)9! 1+! from Republican-held congressional districts — to sign a 9%'2!heartfelt thank-you letters. letter asking Congress to act on climate change. “It can’t be lip service,” says Ashley Hunt-Martorano, It made a difference. The first Republican to step a former Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteer from Long forward was Representative . In February Island who now works for the organization. “It has to 2016, he joined Deutch and they filed the paperwork for the

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come from a genuine place.” When the caucus met for the first time last year, nobody For instance, when Hunt-Martorano and her knew how it would go. “It was the first time Republicans colleagues first met their representative, , a and Democrats had sat down to talk about climate Republican, they expressed appreciation for his service in change,” said Butera. National Geographic Channel Iraq and in the State Senate before mentioning anything wanted to film the meeting, but the Congressional about climate change. “He interrupted us,” recalled representatives only wanted opening statements filmed. Hunt-Martorano. “He said: ‘I just have to say, you guys “The meeting ended up being so civil that the members are not normal. You’re smiling, you’re saying nice things decided to let the cameras keep rolling,” Butera added. about me. That’s not what people like you do when you “That had been my belief for all those years. If we got them come into my office.’ ” to the table, people would start to listen to each others’ Since then, the volunteers have met with Zeldin ideas.” or members of his staff 32 times. They understand his Now members of the caucus meet at least once a interests and passions, and have helped him advance month. They confer on legislation, and are more inclined some of his legislative goals. And he became the fifth to look across the aisle for co-sponsors. “We’re looking to Republican to join the caucus. grow our numbers, making sure that we’re getting more “The Citizens’ Climate Lobby is an exceptional people involved in it,” said Love, who’d like to see the group that is pursuing an amazingly productive, caucus grow to include a quarter of representatives in the substantive way to engage with members of Congress on House. She hopes the caucus can help shape the both sides of the aisle,” Zeldin told me. “Countless times administration’s infrastructure plan by assuring that it I’ve had people come into my office to engage on an promotes clean energy. issue and even if we were on the same page they would Will the caucus grow in influence? The verdict is be starting off the meeting very aggressive and hostile, still out. But the lesson for Butera is that citizens must and it was counterproductive,” he said. engage with their representatives, no matter how “The way that we communicate about the issues irreconcilable their positions may appear. “We need to achieve clean air and clean water should be bringing conversations with Congress, not just sound bites and our country together regardless of party registration or accusations,” he said. “That’s how we’ll find a way ideology,” he added. “This really is an issue that forward.” everyone agrees on more than anyone’s admitting. “Congress is a lagging indicator of public opinion,” There’s a communication gap that needs to be he added. “It’s up to the American people to make their overcome.” opinions known. If the American people demand action on Steve Valk, the group’s communication’s climate change from Congress, there’s no doubt that it will director, put it this way: “If you can let go of being right, happen.” you can make a difference.” When Moyer first began engaging with Love on David Bornstein is the author of "How to Change the World," the climate issue, it didn’t look promising. “She was which has been published in 20 languages, and "The Price of a viewed as a lost cause,” he said. “Everything she said Dream: The Story of the Grameen Bank," and is co-author of and showed on her campaign website was as friendly to "Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know." He is the fossil fuel industry as you can imagine.” a co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network, which supports Still, he went to a meet-the-candidates night and asked rigorous reporting about responses to social problems. Love about climate change, and found her to be a terrific listener. Then, on a family trip to Washington, he made an appointment to talk with her environmental aide, who told Moyer that Love needed to hear from other Republicans and her constituents. So he and other volunteers helped set up the conversations and organized a town hall in her district. “We had enough of a track record that she knew we weren’t going to set her up” by packing the hall with belligerent protesters, Moyer said. This mode of engagement created the rapport to discuss policy details. “Their attitude and tactics were very respectful,” Love said. “They come in and they say this is a problem that we have and we’re wondering if you can help us solve this problem — instead of you’re the problem.” She added, “It not only changed my mind about my involvement, but really changed my heart about what we should be doing.” Love joined the Climate Solutions Caucus this past December.

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Summer Garage Sale!! VOLUNTEER AT THE MCHENRY The Environmental Defenders will hold its COUNTY FAIR annual Summer Garage Sale Fundraiser from Thursday, July 13 through Saturday, July 15 at “Each year, The Environmental Defenders Algonquin Township Road District from 9AM to depends on its members to donate their time 4PM. Address is 3702 Route 14 in Crystal Lake. working at the County Fair. Your time equals a monetary contribution per hour worked for WE NEED YOUR ITEMS! The Defenders! We have full days and lots of In preparation for the sale, The Defenders will be taking time slots to fill. You can utilize Volunteer donations of gently used items of all sorts. Drop-off dates for Spot to sign up or contact the office at 815- donated items are: July 9 –12th. (Drop-off times are 338-0393. You may also receive calls from a Sunday 2-5PM and Monday thru Wednesday 10AM-3PM). Defenders’ staff or board member asking if

What type of things will be accepted? Just about anything that you can help out. How to sign up for is clean and re-sellable, with a few exceptions: small volunteering: County Fair gate attendants appliances & electronics must be in working order, no link is: monitors or TVs, no baby carriers or cribs, no large http://signup.com/go/eLqYGab. appliances or upholstered furniture. “Since 2007, The Defenders has been

working the admission gates for the McHenry USABLE CLOTHING NEEDED AS WELL! In conjunction with the Garage Sale, we will be having County Fair. This is a lot of fun and has CLOTHING DRIVE. Along with your donations for turned into a very good fundraiser for our the garage sale, please drop off your bags of usable clothing, group. including bedding, linens, and accessories (coats, shoes, hats, mittens, scarves, ties, purses, wallets, backpacks, belts, And you get free admission to the Fair on the jewelry) to be used for another fundraising endeavor. day you work!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Defenders’ booth volunteers link is: PLEASE go to: http://signup.com/go/t8XaVk References:Location: Algonquin Township Road District garage, 3702 http://signup.com/go/fGtaCnC. U.S. Route 14, between Crystal Lake and Cary (drive back to “We need volunteers at The Defenders’ the last garage on the right). booth in the Conservation World Tent to talk with fairgoers about who we are and what we Help us organize & display things on Sunday, July 9 from 2:00 do. This is a great opportunity to get our pm-5:30 pm, and Monday through Wednesday, July 10-12, name and mission out to the public!” from 10 am until 3 pm.

HELP US SELL! Thank you to Respace, Inc., and owner, Thursday through Saturday, July 13-15. Volunteer shifts are Jonathan Sara (new business member) for from 9AM until 12:30pm and 12:30pm until 4PM. our beautiful repurposed conference table! Our committees and Board of Directors are “The Defenders have been involved with diverting things from enjoying the lovely reclaimed wood donated the landfills since 1970, and doing a garage sale is a form of by Board Member, Rico Rotta. recycling. Buying second hand items instead of new ones keeps things out of the landfills and saves you money!"

If you’ve bought items at previous garage sales and fixed them up, repurposed or created something new, we’d love to see some pictures!

Email [email protected] or call 815-338-0393 with any questions.

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EARTHCONNECT SUMMER 2017 Membership & Community

Defenders’ Environmental Scholarships Awarded

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Environmental Scholarships, open each year for high school seniors who have proven to be young environmental leaders and who plan to pursue a college career studying a field in the areas of the environment and/or conservation. The 2017 winners, out of a field of seven are: Sheridan Taylor (at left in photo) who is a member of The National Honor Society, performed volunteer work at The Hollows, is active with the Girl Scouts, and did track and field. She attended Cary-Grove High School and in the fall will be attending the University of for environmental science/marine ecosystems. Paige King (at right in photo) also a member of The National Honor Society, is a volunteer at Volo Bog and Pioneer Fen, a mentor for incoming freshmen, and a softball player. Paige went to Johnsburg High School and will be attending The University of Montana for wildlife biology studies.

The Defenders’ Education Committee, chaired by Mary Forni, shown at right with Paige King, directs the Environmental Scholarship program. Congratulations to both scholarship winners, who were able to attend the June Board of Directors meeting to receive their $1,000 checks.

! ! WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Travis Broederdorf Mark Calhoun Visit The Defenders’ library and check out books Ross LaMotta Susan Hansell Phil & Alison Baggio and/or movies, such as “The Family Farm,” Suzanne Ricciardi Stephen Bittner which was shown at MCC on June 27. As a Eric & Karla Trippe Theresa DeNicolo member, you are welcome any time to visit the Roberta Wajrowski Roman Rodriguez Gina Lefevour library at our offices at 110 S. Johnson Street, Virginia & Chuck Donahue

Woodstock – in the Woodstock Square Mall.

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EARTHCONNECT SUMMER 2017 Looking Ahead

SUMMER GARAGE SALE PADDLE TRIPS Sale DATES: Thurs. July 13-Sat. July 15 Hours: 9AM-4PM July 15–Fox River. Meet at Buffalo Park Forest Set up/drop off donations: Sun 7/9, hours 2-5PM Preserver19-265 Western Ave, Algonquin. 9AM. Leader: & Mon 7/10 thru Wed 7/12 Hours: 10AM-3PM Cynthia Kanner, [email protected] Location: Algonquin Township Road District, 3702 US HWY 14 in Crystal Lake. Clean house and donate your unwanted September 2–Kishwaukee River items in good condition for our fundraiser! Leader: Neill Sachs, [email protected]

SUMMER TOUR of BOLORIA MEADOWS FEN and SEDGE MEADOW

Defenders’ members are invited to tour beautiful Boloria Meadows Fen and Sedge Meadow on July 27th at 6PM. Boloria Meadows is a privately owned Illinois State Nature Preserve. Over decades it had become overgrown with invasive species, which have now mostly been removed through many hours of effort by Dennis Dreher, steward at the site, and multiple volunteers. This 40-acre preserve features high quality fen, sedge meadow, and partially restored old- growth woods and savanna. Now we’ll be able to view the site in all its glory as the native flowers of late July are in full bloom! You can check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jTIldf60zUs.

If you would like to attend the tour, please RSVP to the office at 815-338- 0393 or at [email protected] by Monday, July 24th. This will help us plan for refreshments. However, last minute attendees will still be welcome. Directions: The site is located on the eastern edge of Bull Valley in the McAndrew Glen subdivision. The subdivision is on the north side of Bull Valley Rd. between Draper Rd. on the east and Ridge Rd. on the west. Enter the subdivision and turn left at the second street. Please park on the street near the entrance to the meadow at 7219 Milburne Ct.

ANNUAL CORN ROAST JULY 18 The Defenders 2017 Corn Roast and potluck dinner is scheduled CULVER’S DINE OUT! for Saturday, August 26th, so mark your calendars! Join many Woodstock location at 1620 W. Lake other Environmental Defenders and their families at Bill and Alice’s Shore Dr. from 4PM to 10PM. Use Pioneer Tree Farm, 4614 Pioneer Rd., McHenry. Begin gathering flyer included in this newsletter. at 4PM to socialize with old and new Defenders, feed the chickens, Defenders receive 15% of your bill! to snack and play with some of the old-timey games that will be Thank you in advance to dining out on around. Tuesday, July 18! The freshly roasted corn should be ready at about 5PM. One or two hayrides around the back acres and among the Christmas trees are also planned. If possible, please bring your own plates and utensils–and MONARCH MANIA don’t forget to dress for the weather! Hope to see you there! Free Family Fun Fair The Howenstines Sunday, July 23, 12:30 - 4 pm Rain Date, July 30! Crystal Lake Park District GREEN DRINKS at Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen Crystal Lake Main Beach Pavilion – 5PM to 7PM 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake FREE FUN FOR ALL AGES! July 5: Jordan Parker founder of Bring Your Bag Chicago and Learn all about Monarchs. Executive Director of Green City Campaigns, a 501(c)3 nonprofit A Monarch extravaganza with created to support and mobilize waste reduction campaigns started butterfly and plant information, by grassroots advocates in their own communities. face painting, science table activities, art activities, a big migration route August 3: David Christensen, Director of MC Emergency map, information on how Mexico, Management Agency, will be speaking on Climate Disruption Canada, and USA are collaborating, Preparedness based on the brand new McHenry County Natural and more! Musical entertainment, too! Hazard Mitigation Plan.

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EARTHCONNECT SUMMER 2017

MEMBERS BIKE RIDE 10th ANNUAL IT’S OUR RIVER DAY On Sunday, September 10 at 11AM join The Defenders’ Cornish Park at Route 62 & Harrison, Algonquin. Transportation Committee for a bike ride! Meet at Glacial Saturday, September 16, 1PM to 4PM. Park, (first parking lot in the park closest to the Prairie Trail) Conservation booths, cleanup, and more. and then ride up to Main Street Cafe in Richmond. Questions? Contact Gary Kanner at [email protected]. Sunday, October 15 Volunteer Appreciation FALL BOOK SALE Event at Sterne’s Woods & Fen in Crystal Lake. September/October. DATES TBD. Location: 2PM. If you’ve volunteered over the past year, Algonquin Township Road District. 3702 US HWY whether for an hour, a day or ongoing basis, this is 14, Crystal Lake. Volunteers and books needed! for you!

Letter to the Editor

Dear Defenders,

Six crossovers, defined by me as members of both the Defenders and Citizens’ Climate Lobby, recently attended the CCL annual Conference and Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. We traveled there to join over 1300 others for two days of learning and planning, followed by a third day of meetings in nearly all 535 legislative offices on Capitol Hill. Each meeting offered time to hear legislators’ views and discuss CCL’s market-based solution to climate change. We were joined by others in our CCL chapter to meet with the energy aide for Congressman Hultgren (R-IL14) on Tuesday morning, June 13. Before going to Washington, my wife and I went out to to attend our granddaughter’s dance recital, one of Rick Johnson, Wonder Lake; Lois Johnson, those delightful responsibilities of being grandparents. One of Wonder Lake; Ann Legg, Woodstock; Andrew the songs a group of young performers danced to was Seasons Mooney, energy aide to Rep. Hultgren; Jim Thrall, of Love, with the lyrics that begin, 525,600 minutes, how do you Spring Grove; Pat Dieckhoff, Crystal Lake; Bill measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of Koehl, Geneva; Mary Moltmann, Woodstock; Matt coffee? In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife? In 525,600 minutes - Tobias, Arlington Heights. how do you measure a year in the life? 525,600 minutes in a year. As I sat there listening to the song, I realized I was measuring a year in the amount of the political will to assure our future carbon dioxide pouring into the earth’s atmosphere, over 30 generations a livable planet. Our upcoming billion tons in a year. meetings are July 11, August 15, September So, I concluded, if we don’t have congressional action on 12, and October 17. All are welcome to climate change in place in 525,600 minutes, I and other attend. For information or questions, please members of CCL will be going back to Washington DC, and contact me once again make the case for those young dancers on the at [email protected]. stage, that they have a right to a future climate that can Someone once said we are the world’s best sustain human life. And Citizens’ Climate Lobby has a hope to solve the climate crisis, because we solution that economists and climate scientists agree is the are citizens in a democracy with access to our best first step that will work on reducing carbon. We need to government. We can and we shall create the put a price on it. political will to preserve a livable world for Citizens’ Climate Lobby now has over 70,000 members in future generations. We invite you to join us in the United States. Our McHenry County Chapter has over this effort. 100 on our mailing list, with over 20 active members. We welcome new members who want to join this effort to create Sincerely, Rick Johnson, Co-Leader, McHenry County Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby

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Shop at DEFENDERS’ SUMMER INTERN HYPERSTITCH and show your Meet Roman Rodriguez, Defenders’ pride! our summer intern, who we This helps let are very fortunate to have people know about discovered! us while supporting Roman Rodriguez is our mission at the a student at DePaul same time. For University. He is double Environmental majoring in International Defenders’ merchandise, please go to: Studies and Geography. www.hyperstitch.com/category/clubs/environ Roman has background in mental-defenders-of-mchenry-county. When community service and ordering, fill out your address completely (do advocacy, serving as not use auto fill though) and then at right, National Youth President for L.U.L.A.C. (League you’ll see options under “shipping.” Choose of United Latin American Citizens) during high “group delivery or previous arrangements” for school. Roman attended Woodstock HS. your items to be shipped without charge to The This summer Roman will be working on Defenders’ office. You can pick up from us community outreach and advocacy along with when convenient and perhaps do a little other projects that are part of The Defenders’ shopping at The Green Spot for a book or two! mission.

Picnic, Prairie Restoration, and Ice Cream! O’Brien Prairie July 16, 4 – 6PM

A picnic, prairie restoration, and ice cream all rolled into one event! Sound fun? All three activities are included in the event the Water and Natural Resources Protection Committee is inviting you to on July 16th. O’Brien Prairie, located at the intersection of O’Brien Road and Route 47 north of Woodstock, is a site where Defenders’ members planted many prairie species a couple of decades ago .and many of those species are still thriving there. It is also the location of one of our four plantings for monarchs last spring, as well as a brush-clearing event last Fall.

So, bring along a brown bag picnic and a lawn chair or blanket and meet us at the site at 4PM. We’ll enjoy a walk around the prairie to enjoy the many native species during their peak bloom period. While doing so, we’ll collect trash and remove all teasel and burdock from the area, as well as any remaining brush. All necessary equipment will be provided. When we finish, we’ll enjoy our picnics and head just up the road to the Dari Ice Reflections Cream Shop in Hebron where we can buy our favorite ice cream treats and celebrate our success of creating a better habitat for monarchs and other pollinators on the prairie!

Photo: Wild quinine at O’Brien Prairie.

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EARTHCONNECT SUMMER 2017 Education & Advocacy

EDUCATION & ADVOCACY EFFORTS TOUR OF WASTEWATER By Nancy Schietzelt TREATMENT FACILITY, 72&!?&*&0;&$,!-"$$%&;!)1'!'2&!*)33)9%08!&;1-"'%)0"3!"0;! ";#)-"-(!&**)$',!;1$%08!@+$%08!ABCD!%0!";;%'%)0!')!)'2&$! VILLAGE OF ALGONQUIN "-'%#%'%&,!'2"'!"$&!-)#&$&;!%0!4)$&!;&'"%3!%0!'2%,!%,,1&6!!E"0(! By Cynthia Kanner '2"0:,!')!"33!'2&!#)310'&&$,!92)!2&3+!4":&!'2&,&!&**)$',! +),,%53&F! The June 24 tour for Defenders’ members of the • G)0'%01&;!')!*"-%3%'"'&!4)0'23(!H$&&0!?$%0:,!&#&0',6! Algonquin Wastewater Treatment Facility, which turned • @2"$&;!&0#%$)04&0'"3!%0*)$4"'%)0!9%'2!"''&0;&&,!"'! out to be three hours for most of us and we could have H"$;&0!I&,'!"'!EGG6! stayed longer, was amazing and educational. What many • G)0'%01&;!)1$!+"$'%-%+"'%)0!9%'2!'2&!E-J&0$(!G)10'(! of us take for granted is how human waste is dealt with and the experts behind the process of wastewater @)3%;!K",'&!7",:!I)$-&6! treatment, from chemists, to engineers to operators. • L''&0;&;!'2&!M%82',N)*N9"(!",!J"5%'"'!K)$:%08!H$)1+! Thanks to Ed Brown, Chief Wastewater Operator with 4&&'%08,!')!+$&+"$&!*)$!4)0"$-2!"0;!+)33%0"')$! The Village of Algonquin for his expert tour of the &;1-"'%)0!"0;!2"5%'"'!%4+$)#&4&0',!%0!'2&!-)10'(6! facility, which has a capacity of 5 million gallons per day. • K)$:&;!9%'2!'2&!O%)0&&$,!G)44%''&&/!*"-%3%'"'&;!5(! We learned about both aerobic and anaerobic processes, '2&!EGG!@1,'"%0"5%3%'(!G&0'&$!')!+3"0!'2&!H$&&0!P%#%08! the class “B” sludge byproduct that is used by farms in Q>+)!%0!R)#&45&$6! surrounding counties, and Illinois’ oldest ultraviolet • G)N,+)0,)$&;!;)-14&0'"$(!*%34/!S7%4&!7)!G2)),&T! disinfection system, at bottom. Thanks to our members 9%'2!EGG<,!@1,'"%0"5%3%'(!G&0'&$6! for attending this special event. • L,,%,'&;!9%'2!'2&!U)1'2!H$)10;9"'&$!I&,'%#"3! -))$;%0"'&;!5(!EG@QQV!%0!E"(6! • G)0'%01&;!')!*"-%3%'"'&!'2&!E-J&0$(!G)10'(!G2"+'&$!)*! '2&!G%'%W&0,!G3%4"'&!P)55(6! • 7"53&;!"'!'2&!XY!Q-)!M10!2&3;!5(!K));,')-:!E)$0%08! M)'"$(!"'!EGG?<,!V$"%$%&#%&9!Q;1-"'%)0!G&0'&$6! • G)0'%01&;!')!+$)#%;&!'2&!5)*-46.,-#:.*%;(!9%'2!"0! Q0#%$)04&0'"3!7%+!*)$!9&&:3(!+153%-"'%)06! • L;#)-"'&;!)0!5&2"3*!)*!EGG?!9%'2!'2&!G)10'(!O)"$;! *)$!"++$)#"3!)*!'2&%$!51;8&'6! • G)0'%01&;!*"-%3%'"'%08!'2&!@%3#&$!"0;!@3&&+(!J)33)9! G$&&:,!K"'&$,2&;!G)"3%'%)0!5(!+$)4)'%08!"0;!'":%08! +"$'!%0!4)0'23(!9)$:;"(,!"'!@'&$0&<,!I&0!%0!'2&!@3&&+(! J)33)9!K"'&$,2&;6! • @1++3%&;!,+&":&$,!on recycling!)0!April 20 to Harvard L to R, Scott Kuykendall, Joe Wajrowski, Isabel Bernardi, Lisa Library and on April 26 to Algonquin Library.! Wajrowski, Roberta Wajrowski, Svetlana Taylor, April • O&8"0!9)$:!')!%0-$&",&!&0#%$)04&0'"3!,&$#%-&,!,1-2!",! Williams, Susan Kreibich, Barb Day, Ed Brown and Cynthia $&-(-3%08!')!'2&!P"'%0)!G)4410%'(!%0!'2&!-)10'(6! Kanner. •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ltraviolet disinfection system at Algonquin WWTF. ,-*)+B#%(&)?%?"!.11)*-,C! 10

EARTHCONNECT SUMMER 2017

Recycling News It's not too early to start thinking about MCC's Green Living Expo on November 4, 2017. Interested in being a vendor? Email the sustainability center

at [email protected] for an application or call Kim Hankins, Director, at (815) 479-7765.

MEMBERSHIP FORM please circle level: Supporting ($250) Patron ($100) Family/Basic ($50) Schedule for Regular Monthly Drives 9AM to NOON (or until our truck is Young Professional ($30) Student ($10) Senior ($25) full!) Our drives take place the second Saturday of each month, March through Name/s ______December. Address ______Upcoming drives: City, State & Zip______July 8 | Marengo, 132 E. Prairie Street E-mail ______August 12 | McHenry County Phone ______College, 8900 Highway 14, Crystal Lake Total contribution: $______Check our Web site periodically for information about future drive Please mail to Environmental Defenders of McHenry County locations. 110 S. Johnson Street, Suite 106 Woodstock, IL 60098. www.mcdef.org/recycling

Acceptable items: Please clip out and take Fluorescent tubes, CFL bulbs, all with you! alkaline, rechargeable, car and Dine out at Culver’s button batteries. Clean Styrofoam of all colors, packing peanuts and When: Tuesday, July 18th Hours: 4:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. re-useable bubble wrap. Where: Culver’s, 1620 W. Lake Shore Dr. Woodstock . Electronics (anything with a plug (815-337-5730) or battery) such as computers, Why: Supporting The Environmental Defenders of phones, printers, toys and McHenry County How: Just bring this form to the restaurant for dine-in or including TVs & computer carry-out. Be sure to give the flyer to the cashier so that we monitors. can earn 15% back for the The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County! *To maximize your fundraising Please see our Website for dollars, we ask that coupons not be used during this time.* *A Huge thank you to Culver’s owners Barry and Jan and additional information about these the Culver’s Team! items and possible charges.

Calendar of Events Quick Look IL 60098 Woodstock, 110 JohnsonS. Street, Suite 106 County McHenry of Defenders Environmental

JULY

WED 5 | Green Drinks

SAT 8 | Recycling Drive, Marengo City Hall

THURS 13-SAT 15 | Summer Garage Sale

SAT 15 | Fox River Paddle Trip

SUN 16 | O’Brien Prairie

TUES 18 | DINE OUT at Culver’s (Woodstock)

SUN 23 | Monarch Mania

THURS 27 | Boloria Meadows

AUGUST

TUE-SUN 1-6 | County Fair WE NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS! SEE PAGE 5!

WED 2 | Green Drinks

SAT 12 | Recycling Drive, MCC

SAT 26 | Annual Corn Roast

SEPTEMBER

SAT 2 | Kishwaukee Paddle Trip

WED 6 | Green Drinks

ServiceChange R equested SAT 9 | Recycling Drive – location TBD Woodstock, IL Woodstock, Permit No. 43 No. Permit

U.S. Postage Non Profit

SUN 10 | Defenders’ Bike Ride 60098 PAID Org.

th

SAT 16 | 10 Annual It’s Our River Day

Our Mission: In order to protect all living things, the Environmental Defenders is dedicated and committed to the preservation and improvement of the natural environment in McHenry County.