Program to discuss Cook County Coyote Project

In McHenry County, the first Wednesday of each month is Green Wednesday.

The public is invited to McHenry County Green Drinks from 5 to 7 p.m. April 1 at Duke's Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N. Main St. in Crystal Lake. Additional parking is available at the train station.

This month's topic is "The Cook County Coyote Project," presented by Chris Anchor, senior wildlife biologist, Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

Anchor will present a program about urban coyotes. He has been a long-term partner, supporter and teacher with the Cook County Coyote Project. When he began with the project in 2000, it was already running based on years of observations from him and others from his team at the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

Through his understanding of many wildlife species, he offers the research the advantage of a broad scope covering multiple elements of wildlife study. He is the "go-to" person to identify any number of rare wildlife species or provide extensive insight to a challenging research initiative. Anchor has been with the district since 1981 and in his current position since 1986.

The forest preserve's Coyote Study, started in 2000, is the largest continuous study conducted on urban coyotes to date. Coyotes have become a top predator in our urban ecosystem.

This study monitors disease dynamics within the coyote population, as well as any behavioral changes that may increase aggression or boldness in coyotes that have negative consequences. Nearly 700 individual coyotes have been captured and tracked enabling us to discover that coyotes are able to navigate the urban environment quite well, and are providing ecological services that are not generally recognized by the public.

The Cook County Coyote Project is conducted in partnership with The Ohio State University, Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, and Cook County Animal and Rabies Control, among others. To learn more, visit urbancoyoteresearch.com.

Upcoming Green Drink programs include: May 6, "Helping Monarch Butterflies Survive," by Micheal Rizo, U.S. Forest Service staff (tentative); June 3, "Finding Hidden Gems in Nature" for creating local adventures, John Kremer, McHenry County Conservation District

To be added to the Green Drinks email list, send a note to GreenDrinksMC@gmail.com or "like" the group on Facebook.

The Green Drinks network was founded in North London, England, in 1989 and now is active in over 600 cities worldwide. Interested public is always welcome to attend the McHenry County Green Drinks monthly event. Each month there is a short presentation on a different eco-topic plus displays and demonstrations. Also, information about upcoming eco-events and green products and services is made available. Nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks are available plus a featured "green drink".

Green Drinks McHenry County is sponsored by the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen.