Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods was deeply honored to grant the 2020 Distinguished Environmental Leadership Award at the Smith Nature Symposium to Sue Halpern and Bill McKibben. We are humbled by their powerful writing and activism on behalf of nature and the climate, both as individuals and as a couple. Together, they have touched millions of young people and, in the spirit of this award, made a valuable contribution to the world of nature.
The Distinguished Environmental Leadership Award was first presented in 1984 to Roger Tory Peterson, the esteemed American naturalist, ornithologist, artist, and educator. In 2019, Brushwood Center presented the Award to Amory Lovins and Judy Hill Lovins, and in 2018 to Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars Redford (view additional past awardees here). Like these great honorees, Bill and Sue's work has transformed our nation and the global environment for the better.
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Sue Halpern is a contributing writer at The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone covering science, technology, and social issues. She is the author of seven books, including Four Wings and a Prayer: Caught in the Mystery of the Monarch Butterfly, which was made into an Emmy-nominated film.
She is a scholar-in-residence at Middlebury College, where she serves as Director of the program in narrative journalism. Halpern was a columnist for Mother Jones, Ms., and Smithsonian Magazine. She has been the recipient of Guggenheim and Echoing Green Fellowships, and earned BA from Yale University and a doctorate in political theory from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar. |
Order books by Sue Halpern and Bill McKibben
online through the Vermont Book Shop.
online through the Vermont Book Shop.
Masters of Ceremonies:
Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra
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Masters of Ceremonies: BIll Kurtis and Donna La Pietra
Donna La Pietra and Bill Kurtis will grace the stage as Masters of Ceremonies of the Smith Nature Symposium. Their contributions to news-broadcasting, documentary film production, and conservation have made them longtime legends in Chicagoland. After starting his career as a journalist, Bill became the news anchor for CBS at Chicago’s WBBM Channel 2, where he met Donna, who would become the channel’s Executive Producer. Bill is also the judge and voice of the popular news radio show, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! Donna and Bill are known for their documentary film production company, Kurtis Productions, and for their devotion to supporting local non-profits. They are also committed to protecting the environment and increasing educational opportunities around nature. This passion is no better demonstrated than at their home on the North Shore, Mettawa Manor. Donna and Bill have created stunning gardens on the site, restored 25 acres of tall-grass prairie, and protected all but eight acres of the 65-acre property with conservation easements. They continue to host educational programs and scientific research at Mettawa, which is at once an ode to art and nature and a testament to their commitment to the natural world. Donna and Bill both serve on Brushwood Center’s Advisory Board.
Donna La Pietra and Bill Kurtis will grace the stage as Masters of Ceremonies of the Smith Nature Symposium. Their contributions to news-broadcasting, documentary film production, and conservation have made them longtime legends in Chicagoland. After starting his career as a journalist, Bill became the news anchor for CBS at Chicago’s WBBM Channel 2, where he met Donna, who would become the channel’s Executive Producer. Bill is also the judge and voice of the popular news radio show, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! Donna and Bill are known for their documentary film production company, Kurtis Productions, and for their devotion to supporting local non-profits. They are also committed to protecting the environment and increasing educational opportunities around nature. This passion is no better demonstrated than at their home on the North Shore, Mettawa Manor. Donna and Bill have created stunning gardens on the site, restored 25 acres of tall-grass prairie, and protected all but eight acres of the 65-acre property with conservation easements. They continue to host educational programs and scientific research at Mettawa, which is at once an ode to art and nature and a testament to their commitment to the natural world. Donna and Bill both serve on Brushwood Center’s Advisory Board.
A Tribute to Nature: Méditation
Multi Grammy Award nominee violinist Philippe Quint and former “Chicagoan of the Year in Classical Music” Vladimir Kulenovic perform “Méditation" from the opera Thaïs by the French composer Jules Massenet. “Méditation" will be offered from heart of Ryerson Woods during the Smith Nature Symposium Award Ceremony as a calming tribute to nature in the midst of COVID-19.
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Environmental Youth Leadership Award
The 2020 Award honors the memory of John Simmons and his passion for education and the natural world.
Congratulations to Elijah Washington, the 2020 Environmental Youth Leadership Award recipient! Nominated by Brushwood Center’s fellow collaborator, Cool Learning Experience, Elijah is just 12 years old. He presented at our first Smith Nature Symposium roundtable, “Our Future Speaks” in August. Elijah’s nature name is Northern Shrike and he is passionate about the Environment, Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ rights, peace and justice. Elijah plans to major in modern arts in college and then study with Alvin Ailey’s dance company. He wants to give back to his community by volunteering throughout high school and as an adult. |
Featured Recipe
Special thanks to Chef Catherine O'Meara, Heller Catering, for creating this featured plant-based meal in collaboration with Dr. Disha Narang and Monica Joyce to prepare at home for enjoyment during the Smith Nature Symposium!
Arugula & Cranberry Salad Aurugula, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and a balsamic vinaigrette Entrée: Mung Bean Soup Mung bean soup with cilantro garnish and cashew sour cream Coconut Ice Cream Dessert Coconut ice cream with mango topping |
Mung Bean Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup mung beans, organic (found at any Indian grocery store)
2 Tbl avocado oil
½ tsp Hing (Asafoetida) (found at any Indian grocery store)
1 – 2 fresh red (mild) chilies, finely chopped (optional)
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp coriander powder
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 piece of cinnamon bark or ½ tsp cinnamon powder
2 – 3 cloves or ½ tsp clove powder
½ tsp curry powder
1 Tbl grated fresh ginger
1 Tbl fresh lemon juice
½ Tbl sugar of choice (preferably not white refined)
1 ½ tsp of pink Himalayan salt (or to taste)
1 small sweet potato, washed, peeled and cubed in small pieces
1 small bunch of cilantro
Method:
- Wash and soak the beans in water and 1 tsp of baking soda (you can do this process and leave on your counter all day when at work).
- Sweet potatoes can be baked the day before; wash, peel and cut into bite size pieces, add avocado oil, of touch of salt and a touch of cayenne. Bake on 350 degrees until soft. Set aside for adding to the soup at the end. This step can be omitted if desired.
- Rinse beans, place in pot and boil on medium heat for 30 minutes (beans will not be done at this stage).
- Drain the beans, return to the pot and add 2 cups of water, plus the remaining ingredients (except the lemon juice and sugar) and ½ tsp salt, stir and boil until desired tenderness; about 10 minutes or so.
- Taste and add more salt if desired -stir in lemon juice, sugar, taste and add more salt, if desired -stir in cilantro, potatoes and serve (enough for two servings).