Sustainable Water Features: Bringing Home Gardens to Life

Eco-friendly fountains, ponds and birdbaths create backyard beauty while supporting pollinators, wildlife and water conservation. Read More »

Beyond Swim Lessons: Teaching Kids To Love and Respect Natural Aquatic Settings

Pool skills don't always translate to lakes and beaches; gradual exposure helps children build water confidence and safety awareness. Read More »

Cool Canines: Holistic Summer Tips To Keep Dogs Happy, Active and Itch-Free

Summer dog wellness starts with hydration, smart exercise timing and parasite prevention, helping pets stay active, comfortable and resilient. Read More »

Gut Health in Early Life

Early exposure to diverse gut microbes may shape lifelong immune health, influencing disease risk well into adulthood. Read More »

Kimchi May Help Excrete Nanoplastics

Researchers found a kimchi-derived probiotic may help the body remove nanoplastics, offering a promising new area of study. Read More »

Brain Waste Disposal May Resolve Parkinson’s

A new experimental treatment helps clear toxic proteins linked to Parkinson’s, improving movement and balance in animal studies. Read More »

Air Pollution Threatens Childhood Health

Nearly half of U.S. children breathe unhealthy air, increasing risks for asthma, impaired development and chronic disease. Read More »

Lead Exposure and Cardiovascular Disease

Even low levels of long-term lead exposure significantly raise the risk of heart disease and stroke, researchers report. Read More »

Clean Energy From Coal Mines

An innovative project turns flooded coal mines into a renewable heating and cooling source for an entire community. Read More »

New NASA Engine Aims To Reach Mars

NASA's powerful new electric propulsion system could shorten future Mars missions while using far less fuel than rockets. Read More »

Emperor Penguins on the Brink

Record-low Antarctic sea ice is pushing emperor penguins toward extinction, threatening breeding colonies across the continent. Read More »

The Secret Language of Reef Fish

Color-changing surgeonfish may signal cleaner wrasse when they're ready for parasite removal, revealing a remarkable reef partnership. Read More »

Glacier Retreat Triggers Tsunami

A glacier-driven Alaska landslide unleashed one of the tallest tsunamis ever recorded, highlighting growing climate-related risks. Read More »

Joys of Loose Leaf Tea

Loose leaf tea delivers richer flavor, fewer microplastics and a more sustainable tea ritual, with brewing tips and eco-friendly brand recommendations. Read More »

June 2026: Men's Health Issue

Explore June 2026 with men’s health insights, better sleep strategies, outdoor fitness, healthier grilling, pollinator gardening and summer wellness ideas for Chicagoland. Read More »

Turn Any Patio Into a Pollinator Haven

Turn any patio or balcony into a pollinator haven in Glencoe, Illinois with expert guidance from Chicago Botanic Garden curator Jacob Burns. Learn container plant combinations that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, using perennials and annuals for season-long bloom, color, and biodiversity in small urban and suburban spaces today naturally. Read More »

It’s June and Farmers Market Season Is Busting Out All Over

Explore Chicagoland farmers market season in Chicago, Illinois, as peak summer brings fresh local produce across the region. Discover weekly market updates, seasonal crops like strawberries, asparagus, and tomatoes, and find local food destinations using regional trackers. Celebrate vibrant community markets throughout the greater Chicago area all season long seasonally. Read More »

Celebrate 30 Years of Prairie Restoration at National Trails Day Event

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington, Illinois hosts a National Trails Day celebration and 30th anniversary open house on June 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors can hike, bike, and explore prairie restoration, bison projects, conservation efforts, and family activities highlighting the transformation of this historic landscape event. Read More »

When School’s Out, Mood Is In: Creating a Happier Summer at Home

Discover natural ways to support children’s emotional well-being during summer in Chicago, Illinois. Learn how herbs like lemon balm, skullcap, and arnica can help calm anxiety, ease stress, and treat minor injuries. This guide offers gentle, home-based remedies to help kids reset, relax, and thrive after a busy school year. Read More »

Letter from the Publisher

June Publisher Letter from Natural Awakenings Chicago, Illinois celebrates the start of summer with reflections on outdoor memories, wellness themes, and seasonal features including men’s health, farmers markets, gardening, and outdoor living. Explore vitality, nature connection, and community insights while welcoming longer days and the beauty of the solstice season. Read More »