chicago — All Articles — In Our Nature

Illinois Must Ditch Foam Food Containers. Here’s What You Can Do To Help.

SB1513—the Disposable Food Service Container Act—sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-09), was not called to the floor before the end of spring legislative session. If passed, the act would have phased out foam containers by 2030, giving businesses and institutions nearly six years to transition to safer, more sustainable alternatives. The bill is expected to return in January. Learn more about the harms of polystyrene foam and what you can do to help in this story by Samantha Alvarez.

NewsSamantha AlvarezJune 5, 2025chicago, styrene, SB1531, disposable containers, Illinois, foam, Senator Laura FineComment

Indigenous Art of Chicagoland Comes to the Block Museum

Through its groundbreaking exhibit “Woven Being,” Northwestern’s Block Museum foregrounds the voices of Indigenous artists from Zhegagoynak/Chicagoland, challenging reductive stereotypes with place-based, contemporary work rooted in deep cultural history. The exhibit reclaims narrative power, inviting viewers to reflect on the enduring presence, evolving practices and future of Indigenous communities in the region.

NewsKatherine Ergil and Bettina Sánchez CórdovaJune 2, 2025indigenous, chicago, art museumComment

Local environmental leaders respond to Trump's climate policy

Staffer and assistant editor Cate Bouvet explores the complex impact Trump’s policies have on Evanston’s local climate policies, and how local groups are working to further climate initiatives.

NewsCate BouvetApril 30, 2025trump, chicago, Green House, Fossil Free Northwestern, sustainNU, city of evanstonComment

Revitalizing the Water: Indigenous Knowledge as the Path to Protecting the Great Lakes

Contributor Meadow Neubauer-Keyes recounts a transformative canoe journey through Northern Michigan that deepened her connection to Indigenous traditions and underscores the urgent need to prioritize Indigenous knowledge in protecting the Great Lakes and combating the climate crisis.

Features, NewsMeadow Neubauer-KeyesApril 25, 2025plastic straw, trump, chicagoComment

Back to Plastic: Examining the Environmental Impact of Trump’s Executive Order in Chicago

Chicago residents react to President Trump’s lifting of a plastic straw ban in federal buildings. The true impact of plastic straw use and how Chicagoland fights back.

Features, NewsGabriela SelvaApril 9, 2025plastic straw, trump, chicagoComment

Climate migration to Chicago on the rise, community reflects on city’s response

In Our Nature MagMarch 17, 2023hurricane, natural disaster, community, Puerto Rico, chicago, immigration, Hurricane Maria

This Week On Earth: February 1-7

This Week on Earth —earthquakes in Gaziantep, Turkey, wildfires in Chile and ivory trafficking in Vietnam covered by Anam Vaziri.

All Other Stories, Weekly News Update, NewsAnam VaziriFebruary 7, 2023climate change, women, earthquakes, vietnam, elephant, trafficking, chicagoComment

Extinction Rebellion In Chicago: ‘Sounding the Alarm on Climate Change’

Since its Declaration of Rebellion against the UK Parliament last year, global climate-action movement Extinction Rebellion has engaged masses around the world. Two weeks of nonviolent civil disobedience organized by Extinction Rebellion ended October 18. In Chicago, protesters took to Daley Plaza in a demonstration.

All Other Stories, NewsBella WilkesOctober 28, 2019climate change, protest, chicago, Extinction RebellionComment

9 Places to Reconnect with Nature Around Campus

Have you spent all week inside studying and need to spend some time with plants? Are you suffering from nature withdrawals? Luckily for you, here is a nifty guide to places on or near campus to recharge and connect with nature this Spring, by Emma Belanger.

Big Posts, All Other Stories, FeaturesEmma BelangerMay 6, 2019nature, reconnect, campus, Evanston, chicago, placesComment

Chicago, IL

Photography, Photo of the WeekIn Our Nature MagApril 22, 2019chicago, butterfly, flowers, earth dayComment

Evanston, IL

Photography, Photo of the WeekIn Our Nature MagFebruary 15, 2019chicago, evanston, frozen, iceComment

Evanston, IL

Photography, Photo of the WeekIn Our Nature MagJanuary 31, 2019chicago, evanston, polar vortex, frozen, sunsetComment

"The Forgotten 10th Ward"

Ambrelyn Rodriguez, a resident of the 10th ward of Chicago, says people often have no idea where that is. However, the nearly 70 industries that surround this community and use it as a dumping ground for harmful pollutants know exactly where the 10th ward is.

Bella Wilkes shares insight into the environmental justice struggles of “the forgotten 10th ward.”

New Stories, FeaturesBella WilkesJanuary 30, 2019chicago, 10th ward, environmental justice, environmental injustice, petcokeComment

Chicago Botanic Garden, IL

Photography, Photo of the WeekIn Our Nature MagJanuary 25, 2019chicago, garden, chicago botanic garden, plantsComment

This Week On Earth: February 25 - March 4

Love your dog so much you’d clone it? Barbra Streisand did exactly that. This Week on Earth also saw an early spring in the arctic and a colony of penguins visible from space, by Luodan Rojas.