10 minute read
On the Record
from MidWeek_021622
by Shaw Media
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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
Photo provided 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 foundational 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.
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.
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
MUSIC
niu.edu/music
Feb. 12 International Guitar Festival featuring Rene Izquierdo,7p.m. Feb. 17 Avalon String Quartet,7p.m. Feb. 21 Symposium Recital IV,7p.m. Feb. 22 NIU Philharmonic and ConcertoCompetition Winners,7p.m. Feb. 23 Jazz Combofest,7p.m. Feb. 24 Wind Ensemble,7p.m. Feb. 26 International Guitar Festival featuring Duo Noire,7p.m. March 2 All-UniversityJazz Band,7p.m. March 3 Wind Symphony, 7p.m.
TheArtsatNIU
THEATRE
niu.edu/theatre Hit TheWall
by IkeHolter Feb. 4-6 and 10-12 Sally Stevens Players Theatre
RUR
by KarelČapek adapted by Matt Yee Feb. 25-27,March 3-5 Sally Stevens Players Theatre
ART
niu.edu/art
Artwork from the Landis Blair graphic novel Jan. 24 -Feb.24 Jack Olson Gallery,Jack Arends Hall
Biennial NIU School of Art and Design FacultyExhibition
NIU Art Museum, Altgeld Hall Jan. 25 -Feb.26
niu.edu/artmuseum
Alook at what’scoming up! Forafull schedule of events and ticket information:
go.niu.edu/arts
Photo provided Dimensions Youth Ballet owner Miranda Cordes receives a grant check from DeKalb County Community Foundation Board Member Regina Parker in the second-floor ballroom of the dance school in DeKalb.
Dimensions Youth Ballet receives DCCF grant
THE MIDWEEK
DeKALB – Dimensions Youth Ballet was a recent recipient of the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s Community Needs grant.
The grant was used to purchase and install new mirrors for the upstairs ballroom dance studio. With a new wall of mirrors, Dimension’s dancers are better able to prepare for their upcoming ballet performance of “Cinderella” on Feb. 26-27 at the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb.
Located in the historic Knights of Columbus building at 134 E. Lincoln Highway in downtown DeKalb, Dimensions Youth Ballet has set a goal to continue rehabilitating and updating the ballroom space on the second floor. Upcoming projects include refinishing the original hardwood floors and rehabbing the bathrooms with hopes to eventually use the ballroom as a performance and event venue.
To help offset the cost of renovations as well as to continue to support the school’s mission, DYB is promoting its “Glass Slipper” giving campaign to celebrate “Cinderella” later this month.
Those interested in donating to DYB, can visit www.dimensionsdanceacademy.com and click “donate” under the “Dimensions Youth Ballet” tab.
Tickets for “Cinderella” can be purchased online at www.egyptiantheatre. org.
• ON THE RECORD
From page 3
system. Over the last few years, I have found a few hundred turtles in the area. There are four species commonly found here.
Milton: What is the “Nature Hotline”?
McCarney: The “Nature Hotline” is mostly answering questions: “Why do leaves change color?” or “Where do turtles go in winter?” I think those questions come from a younger audience, since they have to do with the seasons and it’s very cold outside. But it’s great they have those questions. They’re feeling that curiosity and passion for nature at a young age. We don’t have to force-feed them information, we can answer their questions and present it in an entertaining and fun way. You can make learning fun. You don’t have to be obsessive over a topic or put all your effort into it, you can learn a little about a few different topics. But that knowledge can make a big change on a large scale.
Milton: What is your hope for the series?
McCarney: The whole point of “Nature Hotline” is that people are asking questions. You don’t get interested in something without asking questions about it. It creates that foundation for a deeper learning. Although it’s typically geared in a format for younger children, it’s for all ages and backgrounds. Everyone can ask questions, and I’ll give you the foundational tools you need to learn about ecology, science and nature.
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Online NIU STEM Café explores explores food, exercise, medicine for a healthy heart
THE MIDWEEK
Northern Illinois University invites the public to a virtual STEM Café at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16 exploring “Heart Health: Food, Exercise and Medicine for a Healthy Heart.”
Registration and more details for this free online event is available at go.niu.edu/stemcafe.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., but there are many small things we can do each day to improve our heart health and prevent disease,” Judith Dymond, NIU STEM Café coordinator, said in a news release. “For this café I wanted to bring together a nutritionist and a medical doctor to provide a holistic perspective about all the ways we can take better care of our hearts.”
Meg Burnham, a registered dietitian nutritionist, will discuss the foods most likely to increase or decrease heart disease risk. She’ll share how to apply this knowledge in realistic and useful strategies audience members can introduce into their own lifestyles.
“I want our audience to understand that each small step in their wellness journey can make a difference in their overall health,” Burnham said in the release. “They don’t need to make many large changes in order to start seeing a health benefit. The key is to choose those nutrition changes that are realistic to achieve most of the time, and to strive for progress and not perfection in eating.”
Cardiologist Dr. Jeffrey Ziffra will explain atherosclerosis – a disease in which plaque builds up on the inner walls of the arteries – and will discuss prevention, treatment and cardiovascular risk assessment. He’ll share information about individualized care and discuss preventative measures that may negate the need for medications. Ziffra is a board-certified cardiologist affiliated with Advocate Heart Institute, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital and other hospitals in the Downers Grove area.
Northern Illinois University STEM Cafés are part of NIU STEAM and are designed to increase public awareness of the critical role that STEM fields play in our everyday lives. STEM Cafés are supported by Bayer Fund and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
For more information, visit go.niu. edu/stemcafes or contact Judith Dymond, Ed.D., at 815-753-4751 or jdymond@niu.edu.
Photo provided Dr. Jeffrey Ziffra will discuss “Heart Health: Food, Exercise and Medicine for a Healthy Heart” at the virtual Northern Illinois University STEM Café at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16.
Kish invites prospective students to Visit Day on Feb. 21
Kishwaukee College will host Visit Day on Monday, Feb. 21, for prospective students and their families. Guests will have the option of attending the free event virtually or in person.
“It’s important to find a college that’s right for you, and we want you to have all the information you need to make that decision,” Graciela Horta, Kish’s student outreach coordinator, said in a news release. “Whether you are attending our Visit Day in person or online, you will find Kish has great program opportunities and student services, all at an affordable cost.”
Visit Day will have two sessions to choose from. The morning session will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and focus on students looking to pursue a transfer degree. The afternoon session will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and focus on students pursuing career technology programs. Both sessions will cover the following topics: TRIO Student Support Services, WIOA Youth Program, Disability Services, Student Involvement, Athletics, Financial Aid and Scholarships.
For more information on Visit Day or to register, visit kish.edu/visitday. –The MidWeek
BETTER MEDICINE STARTS WITH BETTER LISTENING
Sometimes, life’scircumstances canfeel overwhelming. TheLiving Room, located within Northwestern Medicine BenGordon Center, is acomfortable,calm, nonclinical spacewhereDeKalb County residents age 18 and older canget help to resolveorbettermanage crises.Noappointmentisnecessary. You’ll be welcomed by acertified recovery supportspecialistwho will listentounderstand your concerns,and help youfind options. If youneed additional support, we canconnect youwith community resourcesfor services such as emergencyhousing, health care or food, or makeappropriatereferrals to other agenciestoget the help youneed.
Youare notalone.Thereisaplacefor youinthe Living Room.
Formoreinformation including hours, visit nm.org/dekalblivingroom or call 815.756.4875 (TTY:711).
