ON THE RECORD ... with Nicholas McCarney
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SYCAMORE – Nicholas McCarney has always loved nature, and his job is to share his love and knowledge of nature with others. McCarney, 28, received his undergraduate degree in sustainability and environmental management from Aurora University. He is an ecologist and natural areas specialist with the Sycamore Park District and the host of “Nature Hotline,” a YouTube question-and-answer series for all ages. To ask McCarney questions for “Nature Hotline,” email him at nicholasm@sycparks.org. McCarney spoke to MidWeek reporter Katrina Milton about “Nature Hotline” and the importance of conservation. Milton: What do you do in your role at the Sycamore Park District? McCarney: I am an ecologist and natural areas specialist, but specifically, I am a restoration ecologist. I help build and maintain native ecosystems from the soil on up so plants and animals can utilize it. I’m also involved in the educational outreach component. I take my work and research and communicate it to the public. Milton: Why did you get involved in ecology and conservation? McCarney: I’ve always had an interest and passion for nature. As I grew older, I understood the need and reason for conservation. There is inaccessibility to the general public about conservation and why it’s needed. I think it’s really important to take these
MUSIC niu.edu/music Feb. 12 Feb. 17 Feb. 21 Feb. 22 Feb. 23 Feb. 24 Feb. 26 March 2 March 3
International Guitar Festival featuring Rene Izquierdo, 7 p.m. Avalon String Quartet, 7 p.m. Symposium Recital IV, 7 p.m. NIU Philharmonic and Concerto Competition Winners, 7 p.m. Jazz Combofest, 7 p.m. Wind Ensemble, 7 p.m. International Guitar Festival featuring Duo Noire, 7 p.m. All-University Jazz Band, 7 p.m. Wind Symphony, 7 p.m.
dational reason for ecology and how everything is super interconnected. One little piece of an ecosystem can be extremely detrimental to plants and animals and the natural habitat. My hope is to get people started having an interest in nature. You don’t need an all-encompassing knowledge of the subject like a scientist. But once you have a very, very good understanding of it, you can communicate that information at every level, whether it’s university PhD students or a group of preschool students. It’s the same subject, just communicated, shared and taught in different ways so that it’s obtainable for all ages.
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Nicholas McCarney is an ecologist and natural areas specialist with the Sycamore Park District and the host of “Nature Hotline,” a YouTube question-and-answer series for all ages. hard-to-grasp subjects and make them obtainable for the everyday person. The vast majority of people are not in scientific community, or they’re not scientists. I think we all need to see science as an approachable topic everyone can be a part of. Milton: Why is ecology important? McCarney: I don’t think people understand the foun-
Milton: What is an interesting topic you research? McCarney: I also do research on turtle spatial ecology in the Sycamore area, how they’re utilizing our waterways and wetlands. If there are turtles here living and thriving, that tells us a lot about the health of our aquatic ecosystems. Healthy turtle populations are a good indication of a good water
See ON THE RECORD, page 4
The Arts at NIU
THEATRE
ART
Hit The Wall by Ike Holter Feb. 4-6 and 10-12 Sally Stevens Players Theatre
“The Hunting Accident: A True Story of Crime and Poetry” Artwork from the Landis Blair graphic novel Jan. 24 - Feb. 24 Jack Olson Gallery, Jack Arends Hall
RUR by Karel Čapek adapted by Matt Yee Feb. 25-27, March 3-5 Sally Stevens Players Theatre
Biennial NIU School of Art and Design Faculty Exhibition NIU Art Museum, Altgeld Hall Jan. 25 - Feb. 26 niu.edu/artmuseum
niu.edu/theatre
A look at what’s coming up! For a full schedule of events and ticket information:
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Milton: Are there may prairies in Illinois? McCarney: Illinois is known as the Prairie State, yet 99.99% of the natural prairie in Illinois does not exist anymore. Most prairie land today is restored agricultural land. The prairies we have nowadays are most likely ones we brought back from high levels of degradation after being used for farming for over 100 years. It’s a great thing that prairies are coming back.
niu.edu/art
MIDWEEK The MidWeek / MidWeeknews.com • Wednesday, Feb 16, 2022
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