Chicago Wilderness Congress: How to Partner with Artists

Artists Vivian Visser and Kathleen Garness will lead a dynamic roundtable on "How to Partner with Artists" at the April 3 Chicago Wilderness Congress on behalf of the Xchange. They'll share best practices and examples of past projects where artists have been critical partners on environmental or nature-based projects.

The Chicago Wilderness Congress provides a venue for over 700 professionals, volunteers, students, business leaders, and foundation representatives to come together to identify opportunities for collaboration, build new partnerships, and make connections to secure a thriving and healthy Chicago region for both people and nature.

The 2014 Congress, themed "Natural Allies: Partners in Conservation," will highlight diverse conservation partnerships among nonprofits, health organizations, cultural institutions, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and other groups that are critical partners in regional conservation.

For more information, visit http://www.chicagowilderness.org/congress.

Connecting Art with Nature and Conservation

5:30 p.m., May 29, 2014

Michelle Kogan © Wildlife Comes to Lake Shore Drive

2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614

Ease your way into spring with a trip to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! Join artist Michelle Kogan for a presentation about her exhibition "Narratives of Nature: Watercolor Paintings," which focuses on the themes of conservation, the environment, and human interaction with flora and fauna. After the presentation, a Nature Museum biologist will lead attendees on an outdoor tour of the Museum's grounds. Attendees will learn about local plant and animal species to inform their own work. RSVP online.

Zone 5 Science Cafe: More than a Pretty Picture

From white fringed orchids, to Hine’s emerald dragonflies, to Illinois chorus frogs---discover how scientific illustration can help preserve our flora and fauna. The illustrator is the eyes of the botanist and can illuminate what is unobservable. Join Kathleen Garness, Freelance Artist and Suzanne Wegener, Nature Art Education Manager, The Morton Arboretum, in a lively conversation that will highlight botanical works of art, scientific illustrations and the role of art in conservation initiatives. Wine, appetizers and Arboretum admission included in the fee.

Thursday, September 19 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Sterling Morton Library. Cost: $10 member, $12 nonmember.
To register for course Z401, click here: http://bit.ly/15nG1vp

Contributor: Kathleen Garness

Photo Contest: Forest Preserves of Cook County

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is kicking off their second annual photo contest. Winners will be featured in the Forest Preserves 2014 wall calendar and an exhibition that will be displayed at the Cook County Building in downtown Chicago and in suburban courthouses.

Please submit your entries via the Forest Preserves’ Flickr page: www.flickr.com/groups/fpdcc between September 1 and 15.

You can also vote on the final winners on their Facebook page between October 1 – 10. (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forest-Preserve-District-of-Cook-County/134757885128).

Please read all the details and official rules at fpdcc.com/photocontest before submitting your photos. Good Luck!

Contributor: Jacqui Ulrich, Forest Preserves of Cook County