[Communications] MWRD Commissioner Du Buclet Newsletter

[Kimberly Neely Du Buclet]

View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/80e0543274f8/commissioner-kimberly-neely-du-buclets-monthly-newsletter-4252969?e=c4ca39f2f7)
Next Regular Board Meeting on Thursday
October 21st at 10:30 am
The Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting on Thursday October 21st at 10:30am and public participation is encouraged. Visit mwrd.org to see the meeting agenda and live stream viewing instructions.  I look forward to hearing from you at the next MWRD Board meeting!

============================================================
Chicago Water Week (October 11th - 15th)

During the October 7th meeting the Board of Commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing Chicago Water Week, a creation of Current, which will be held from October 11th - 15th. Chicago Water Week is a five-day conference that highlights the integral role that water plays in our everyday lives. Chicago Water Week will include numerous presentations on various issues including: how Chicago is addressing the global water crisis; implementation of clean energy; contaminant remediation; water insecurity, and a case study from Denmark.

Current was launched in 2016 as the partnership between the City of Chicago, MWRD, World Business Chicago, and the region’s research universities as a catalyst for cleaner water. Current accomplishes this by monitoring and evaluating new ideas and technology in water management, building partnerships among individuals, government, nonprofits, businesses, and researchers who are willing to take rational risks to try out new solutions, and strengthen the blue through events and outreach that helps to build a strong and coherent network of water leaders.

For more information about the events happening during Chicago's 2nd Annual Water Week please click on the following link ** Chicago Water Week (https://www.currentwater.org/chicago-water-week)
.

Project at Powderhorn Lake
to Restore 100 Acres of Wetlands

MWRD Commissioner DuBuclet joins County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Forest Preserves General Superintendent Arnold Randal, Audubon Great Lakes Vice President & Executive Director Michelle Parker, Office of Water Resources, IL Dept. of Natural Resources, Great Lakes Commission Director Loren Wobig and South East Environmental Task Force Executive Director Olga Bautista, for a groundbreaking at Powderhorn Lake.

Powderhorn is home to about 250 plant species, 2,500 insects and 40 to 100 bird species, depending on the season. The 50-acre freshwater lake is embedded within one of the few remaining examples of dune-and-swale topography that once characterized the Calumet Region along the south shore of Lake Michigan but now is considered globally rare.

“In Chicago and in the suburbs, the Forest Preserves protects native lands and provides residents with opportunities to enjoy the natural world. I’m proud that this investment on the Southeast Side will forward both these aspects of our mission,” said
President Preckwinkle. “I’m grateful to our partners who share our commitment to the Calumet region and restoring these habitats.”

For more information about the Powderhorn wetlands project please click on the following link ** Powderhorn Lake (https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-lake-michigan-powderhorn-lake-marsh-restoration-20210916-g7fv4plyargobpszbbzexwns5a-story.html)
.
Lake Katherine & SEPA Tour

Commissioner DuBuclet and her staff made visits to Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens and Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration (SEPA) Station 4 in Worth which not only help keep our environment and water supply safe but also are two of the best kept secrets for site seeing and celebrating special events.

MWRD has five SEPA stations located along the Calumet-Sag Channel and the Calumet River that can pump over 1 billion gallons of water per day and adds up to 25 tons of oxygen to the waterways each day. The waterfalls aerate the river water and enhance the aquatic environment by improving and protecting fish populations and eliminating odors. The SEPA stations are thus not only attracting spectators to the park areas, but also creating new schools of fish, and as a result, new birds of prey and other natural habitat are started to arrive.

Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens is a an 85 acre restored natural refuge in the heart of the south west suburbs of Chicago. Whether its hiking, cycling, nature watching, environmental programs, public events or you are looking for a special place for your special event, Lake Katherine is the place to come back to nature.

For more information about the events and programs at Lake Katherine please click on the following link ** Lake Katherine Nature Center (https://www.lakekatherine.org/)
.
Space To Grow

Commissioner DuBuclet joined President Steele, Commissioner Shore, Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, State Representative Marcus Evans, Alderman Michelle Harris and representatives from the Chicago Department of Water Management, Openlands, and Healthy Schools to unveil the 27th Space to Grow project at Horace Mann school.

Space to Grow transforms Chicago schoolyards into beautiful and functional spaces to play, learn, garden and be outside. These green schoolyards incorporate special design and landscape features that capture a significant amount of rainfall, helping keep the city’s water resources clean and resulting in less neighborhood flooding.

For more information the Space to Grow projects across the county please click on the following link ** Space to Grow Schoolyards (https://www.spacetogrowchicago.org/)
.
National Cleanup Month

September was Nation CleanUp month and members of Commissioner DuBuclet's staff and MWRD's public affairs department participate in a event to ensure our SEPA station #3 in the City of Blue Island stays clean. MWRD takes great pride in ensuring all of our beautiful gathering spaces stay all clean and safe for public use.
MWRD's AAA Credit rating affirmed by Fitch
Fitch Ratings Agency has again affirmed the MWRD's AAA credit rating for its stability, especially during unstable pandemic times. In its latest review and report, Fitch Ratings credited the MWRD for its reliable revenue streams, low operating costs, and an improving debt leverage ratio. Fitch Ratings further noted that the MWRD has managed to stay afloat during turbulent and unpredictable economic times.

For more information about Fitch's rating affirmation click on the following link ** AAA Rating Affirmed (https://mwrd.org/mwrds-aaa-credit-rating-affirmed-fitch-ratings-agency)
.
Urbanland highlights MWRD's work
to mitigate Stormwater Runoff
A recent article by Urban Land highlights the ways MWRD is expanding the use of Green Infrastructure (GI) to combat flooding. GI aims to capture and store water close to where it falls. Instead of massive pipes, tanks, tunnels, and reservoirs, elements of green infrastructure are smaller and more numerous, scattered across an urban area. In addition to permeable pavement, such infrastructure ranges in form from rain gardens and green rooftops to bioswales planted with vegetation.
MWRD's village of Harwood Heights project helped fund the construction of several green alleys, with permeable pavement that allows rainwater to seep through spaces into the ground instead of staying on top, as it would with conventional asphalt.

MWRD is working to expand its reach across suburban areas that use its sewer system as well. MWRD provides $5 million each year in competitive grants to local governments to build green infrastructure. The district has completed or is currently planning 60 projects, including 21 to be completed this year.

In addition, MWRD partners with the Chicago Public Schools, the city’s Department of Water Management, and other groups on the Space to Grow program, which has renovated 25 local schoolyards and added permeable surfaces to manage rainfall.
For more information about Urbanland's article of the expanded ways to mitigate storm water click on the following link ** Mitigating Stormwater Runoff (https://urbanland.uli.org/sustainability/new-green-infrastructure-mitigates-stormwater-runoff/?fbclid=IwAR2QFzBFvfqM0dRQYifBqYo_M37F12LTjoEl2m-z8QN6L7d4DiCMreHgErM)
.
Restore The Canopy (LAST MONTH)
** (https://mwrd.org/eq-compost)

In response to significant losses in the tree population due to the emerald ash borer infestations and extreme weather, the MWRD launched RTC in 2016. Since that time, the MWRD has given away more than 93,000 free tree saplings.

WHO: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD)

WHAT: The MWRD will provide a variety of free potted oak saplings every Wednesday through its Restore the Canopy (RTC), Plant a Tree program.

WHERE: Visit MWRD water reclamation plants (WRPs) at the following locations:

** Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, 400 E. 130th St., Chicago (https://goo.gl/maps/QkV1ReQmFyVMLpcJ7)

** O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant, 3500 Howard Street, Skokie (https://goo.gl/maps/sGHxgHE9Pivdo8PE7)

** Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, 6001 W. Pershing Rd., Cicero (https://goo.gl/maps/o79Y7yvYFATkBEAt8)

** Egan Water Reclamation Plant, 550 South Meacham Rd, Schaumburg (https://goo.gl/maps/wVBW8yzZ1CbUvys3A)

** Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant, 1220 Sycamore Ave., Hanover Park (https://goo.gl/maps/rstQuHVHpYuhPsky7)

** Kirie Water Reclamation Plant, 701 West Oakton St., Des Plaines (https://goo.gl/maps/6PqrWNDG6wedA6Cv7)

WHEN: Every Wednesday in April through October, from 9 a.m. to noon.
For more information about MWRD's Restore the Canopy relaunch please click on the following link ** Restore The Canopy 2021 (https://mwrd.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2021%20Restoring%20the%20Canopy.pdf)
.
FREE Ways To Get Trees Planted in Chicago
Planting trees is one of the simplest nature-based solutions to climate change and is a tangible way for individuals to make a positive impact on the environment. Programs in Chicago provide new trees and replace trees lost on city blocks to residents with the condition that residents put in the time and work to maintain the tree once it’s planted. Openlands wants to help you become an active steward of Chicago’s urban forest, which is why we’ve created this guide to help you find trees in Chicago through one of the programs offered to residents. Below are a number of ways to can get trees to plant.

Chicago 3-1-1:
Chicago residents looking to plant a tree in their neighborhood can contact Chicago’s 3-1-1 service. Residents can simply call 3-1-1 or submit a request online. Once the request is approved, the Bureau of Forestry will plant a tree along the public right-of-way in your neighborhood.

Openlands Tree Planters Grants: Tree Planters Grants provide new trees to communities in the City of Chicago and the near south suburbs.

Chicago Region Trees Initiative Program: As part of the Plant Trees for Communities Initiative with the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), of which Openlands is a founding member, individuals are invited to plant at least one tree in every local community in the seven-county Chicago region and in each of the 50 Chicago wards (approx. 340 trees) in 2021.

Purchase a Tree at the Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale: The Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale offers a wide variety of native trees for purchase that are not available at most big-box stores and nurseries.

For more information about ways to get Trees planted for FREE or for purchase click on the following link ** TREE FUNDING (https://openlands.org/2021/04/30/how-to-get-trees-planted-in-your-chicago-neighborhood/?fbclid=IwAR1uaJyf53SaGR-iaZCc9J_hm3KgWvjwRMfsDGPFOXqoR9GCcSNNOOvfdxk)
.
MWRD Virtual Tour
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR EXPERIENCE!

Travel back in time to early Chicago to see how we reversed the Chicago River and developed wastewater treatment technology. Go behind the scenes and under water to see how we transform the water you use every day; descend 300 feet into the deep tunnel system, and watch our electrofishing crew at work sampling fish on the Chicago River.

Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Time: 10:00AM  – 11:15AM
Location: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsf-2srD0vGdLQ1feAYctHJSofF8dRiiXE

Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2021
Time: 2:00PM  – 3:15PM
Location: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkf-qurjgsEtS-FO2RgeGbZhoDnZhmzq4j
MWRD Small Streams Maintenance Program
The Small Stream Maintenance Program is one of MWRD's little know programs. If left unattended, this debris could cause stream blockages and lead to flooding. Please help be our eyes by reporting blockages and debris in streams at ** https://gispub.mwrd.org/ssmp/ (https://gispub.mwrd.org/ssmp/?fbclid=IwAR2qzfZOCqc2nNJ-GTHzqS4DZ5uOUq3EB6u_NikmXvG8OxCSQB0M7j68U74)
or call (312) 787-3575.
Free Compost for Pick Up!
** (https://mwrd.org/eq-compost)
Click photo for more information on MWRD's compost programs
Rain Barrels For Sale
Click of the following link to purchase a rain barrel ** MWRD Rain Barrels (https://rainbarrel.ca/mwrd/)
.
Free Fun Water Education Resources!
Home looking for things for the kids to do? Check out MWRD’s free and fun activities and resources available on our ** website (https://mwrd.org/k-12)
. There you’ll find lots of fun ways to learn about MWRD and how to protect our water and the environment. Materials are available in both English and Spanish. Print, use, learn and enjoy!
MWRD Storybook & Animation for Children

Have you ever wondered what happens after you flush the toilet?

The new MWRD publication and animated video "Where does IT Go?" tells the story of three young water explorers who travel in a magical ship through MWRD pipes, sewers and tanks that are used to clean dirty water. Interspersed throughout the storybook are photos of actual equipment and processes described in the story.
Download a copy of this storybook by clicking on the following link  ** Where does IT Go (Storybook) (https://mwrd.org/sites/default/files/documents/WhereDoesItGo_200921.pdf)
and ** Where does IT Go (Animation) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed_kMwLK9q8)
.
Green Explorers Club "Project Boxes"
Green Explorers Club teaches kids the tools of sustainability while building a healthy curiosity for life sciences and the environment. They explore sustainability through hands-on experiments and activities that demonstrate the importance of taking care of our planet. They take kids out into nature and explore the world hands-on through experience.

However, for kids who want to try
Green Explorers Club at home, or families who do not live close to their Chicago location, their project boxes are the next best thing. Every project box contains activities used in their studio with the fantastic kids who join their camps and classes every year. Their project boxes are designed for kids ages 4-9 years.

For more information about the Green Explorers Club and their Project Boxes please click on the following link ** Project Boxes (https://greenexplorersclub.com/pages/project-boxes-3/)
.
Employment Opportunities at MWRD
Current Positions
Emergency Planning Coordinator - Annual Salary $90,445.94/hour
Public Affairs Specialist - Bilingual - Annual Salary $74,253.66/year

** Online Employment Center Link  (https://www.jobapscloud.com/mwrd/)
Upcoming Events
Click Link to see ** Community Events (https://mwrd.org/events)
Contact Information
Our mailing address is:

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Commissioner Kimberly Du Buclet
100 East Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Phone Number
312-751-5086
** Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/Kim4Water )
** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KIM4MWRD/)
Sign up for my emails!:

Copyright © 2020, All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can
** update your preferences (https://gmail.us3.list-manage.com/profile?u=b968358480b7ff4ced14b47c4&id=018e62f3c4&e=c4ca39f2f7&c=bf57444348)
or ** unsubscribe from this list (https://gmail.us3.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=b968358480b7ff4ced14b47c4&id=018e62f3c4&e=c4ca39f2f7&c=bf57444348)
.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://chicagocommunitygardens.org/pipermail/communications_chicagocommunitygardens.org/attachments/20211014/cd8feed9/attachment-0001.html>