The Peggy Notebaert Museum Celebrates EE Week 2011  

To celebrate the kick-off of National Environmental Education Week 2011 and the annual theme: Ocean Connections, the Peggy Notebaert Museum in Chicago, Ill. hosted a free workshop and event to educate the general public on local Great Lakes ecosystems and their connection to the ocean.  Representatives from local and regional organizations shared water, Great Lakes, river and ocean-related resources, lessons and activities. 

Celeste Troon, Director of Living Collections at the Peggy Notebaert Museum, discussed the local efforts to restore Blandings Turtle populations and the importance of wetlands-where Blandings turtles thrive-and the crucial services they provide, including water filtration and stormwater management. Troon stressed that all water ends up in the ocean; the Illinois River connects to the Mississippi River, which ultimately flows into the Gulf of Mexico. She emphasized that cleaning up local water sources in the Chicago area results in a healthier ocean, as well.

Eve Poynter, Aquarist at the John G. Shedd Aquarium, led a presentation on the diversity of local waters.  Mayela Alsina, Veterinary Technologist at the John G. Shedd Aquarium, presented on her experience with sea turtle rescue operations.  All three presentations connected Chicago's local ecosystem to the ocean.  Those who attended walked away with an understanding of how restoring and protecting local wildlife habitats can have a positive trickledown effect on the ocean.  

"Participating in EE Week 2011 and the Ocean Connections theme provided us with an opportunity to explore the many ways we in the Chicago area are truly connected to the coast," said Christine Chirchirillo, Museum Educator at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

Submitted by Leslie Blanchard 

Do you have an EE Week story to share? Email it to EEWeek@neefusa.org

Back to Success Stories