Adriana Pérez
@adrianaperez.bsky.social
she/her/ella ✶ Environment and climate change for @chicagotribune.com 🌱 Sometimes immigration and breaking news. Notre Dame alum. Ecuadorian.
For the last 16 years, this Winnetka couple has helped plant almost half a million fruit trees — mostly breadfruit — across the Caribbean and Africa, about 250,000 of those in Jamaica alone.
Breadfruit trees are climate-resilient and ensure food security post-hurricane. Gift link:
Breadfruit trees are climate-resilient and ensure food security post-hurricane. Gift link:
In hurricane-torn Jamaica, Winnetka couple’s climate-resilient breadfruit program offers food and hope
After Hurricane Melissa’s exceptionally strong winds subsided, the roots of breadfruit trees clung deep into the fertile Jamaican soil — offering hope and a step toward food security in the f…
www.chicagotribune.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
For the last 16 years, this Winnetka couple has helped plant almost half a million fruit trees — mostly breadfruit — across the Caribbean and Africa, about 250,000 of those in Jamaica alone.
Breadfruit trees are climate-resilient and ensure food security post-hurricane. Gift link:
Breadfruit trees are climate-resilient and ensure food security post-hurricane. Gift link:
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
"In areas densely packed with tall cattails," @adrianaperez.bsky.social reports, "muskrats create a 'patchwork' of small openings that allow plants of different heights to grow. That, in turn, creates habitat for diverse native wildlife."
Muskrats fight invasive cattails and help restore biodiversity in Great Lakes wetlands, Loyola study finds
Dam-building beavers are known for changing their ecosystems; muskrats can substantially alter vegetation structure.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:40 PM
"In areas densely packed with tall cattails," @adrianaperez.bsky.social reports, "muskrats create a 'patchwork' of small openings that allow plants of different heights to grow. That, in turn, creates habitat for diverse native wildlife."
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
A great read about the environment and muskrats: With their surgical nibbles, these large, semi-aquatic, buck-toothed rodents have emerged as crucial helpers for ecologists restoring degraded wetlands across the Great Lakes. By @adrianaperez.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/04/m...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/04/m...
Muskrats fight invasive cattails and help restore biodiversity in Great Lakes wetlands, Loyola study finds
Dam-building beavers are known for changing their ecosystems; muskrats can substantially alter vegetation structure.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
A great read about the environment and muskrats: With their surgical nibbles, these large, semi-aquatic, buck-toothed rodents have emerged as crucial helpers for ecologists restoring degraded wetlands across the Great Lakes. By @adrianaperez.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/04/m...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/04/m...
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
A man is in the hospital after a violent arrest by an immigration agent. Disturbing video below. @adrianaperez.bsky.social with the story for @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/02/m...
November 3, 2025 at 2:28 AM
A man is in the hospital after a violent arrest by an immigration agent. Disturbing video below. @adrianaperez.bsky.social with the story for @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/02/m...
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
November 3, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Videos on social media show Ricardo Aguayo Rodriguez struggling on the ground while a federal immigration agent keeps him in a headlock during an arrest in Melrose Park, IL.
“Por favor, amigo,” he pleads as he groans and yells in pain. He has been hospitalized.
w/ @staceywescott.bsky.social:
“Por favor, amigo,” he pleads as he groans and yells in pain. He has been hospitalized.
w/ @staceywescott.bsky.social:
Man hospitalized after violent federal immigration arrest in Melrose Park, family says
Videos shared on social media show man struggling on the ground while a federal agent keeps him in a headlock.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Videos on social media show Ricardo Aguayo Rodriguez struggling on the ground while a federal immigration agent keeps him in a headlock during an arrest in Melrose Park, IL.
“Por favor, amigo,” he pleads as he groans and yells in pain. He has been hospitalized.
w/ @staceywescott.bsky.social:
“Por favor, amigo,” he pleads as he groans and yells in pain. He has been hospitalized.
w/ @staceywescott.bsky.social:
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
Important story: In Chicago, immigrants who thought they were following the legal path are also facing deportation under Trump crackdown. By @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/05/i...
In Chicago, immigrants who thought they were following the legal path are also facing deportation under Trump crackdown
If immigrants entered the country illegally or are without granted status, attorneys say they have no protections under a second Trump administration.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 5, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Important story: In Chicago, immigrants who thought they were following the legal path are also facing deportation under Trump crackdown. By @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/05/i...
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
As masked government functionaries invade Chicago neighborhoods on behalf of Trump, members of the clergy stand up and bear witness: @tesskenny.bsky.social @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/28/i...
October 4, 2025 at 4:24 AM
As masked government functionaries invade Chicago neighborhoods on behalf of Trump, members of the clergy stand up and bear witness: @tesskenny.bsky.social @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/28/i...
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
Pritzker: "In any other country, if federal agents fired upon journalists & protesters when unprovoked what would we call it? If officials marched down streets harassing civilians & demanding their papers, what would we say? I don't think we'd have trouble calling it what it is: authoritarianism"
September 29, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Pritzker: "In any other country, if federal agents fired upon journalists & protesters when unprovoked what would we call it? If officials marched down streets harassing civilians & demanding their papers, what would we say? I don't think we'd have trouble calling it what it is: authoritarianism"
Police investigate after CBS Chicago reporter’s truck shot out with a pepper ball outside ICE facility in Broadview, a day after an independent journalist was detained by agents while covering a protest there. For @chicagotribune.com:
Police investigate after CBS Chicago reporter’s truck shot out with a pepper ball outside ICE facility in Broadview
The alleged shooting happened the same day a journalist was released after being detained by federal immigration agents while covering a protest outside the ICE facility Saturday.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Police investigate after CBS Chicago reporter’s truck shot out with a pepper ball outside ICE facility in Broadview, a day after an independent journalist was detained by agents while covering a protest there. For @chicagotribune.com:
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
Roughly 20 bystanders and passersby started following the officers through downtown Chicago, chanting “ICE, go home!”
The crowd of protesters around them grew bigger, yelling “shame.”
📝 @adrianaperez.bsky.social + Cam'ron Hardy
📷 @briancassella.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/28/i...
The crowd of protesters around them grew bigger, yelling “shame.”
📝 @adrianaperez.bsky.social + Cam'ron Hardy
📷 @briancassella.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/28/i...
September 29, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Roughly 20 bystanders and passersby started following the officers through downtown Chicago, chanting “ICE, go home!”
The crowd of protesters around them grew bigger, yelling “shame.”
📝 @adrianaperez.bsky.social + Cam'ron Hardy
📷 @briancassella.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/28/i...
The crowd of protesters around them grew bigger, yelling “shame.”
📝 @adrianaperez.bsky.social + Cam'ron Hardy
📷 @briancassella.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/28/i...
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
Reportedly some ICE detainees are held for days, even up to a week. Our room stank of sweat & pepper ball powder after just a few hours. Their room appeared dirty, filled with men dressed for labor, trying to get comfortable to sleep in chairs or on the cold floor in the cinder block room.
September 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reportedly some ICE detainees are held for days, even up to a week. Our room stank of sweat & pepper ball powder after just a few hours. Their room appeared dirty, filled with men dressed for labor, trying to get comfortable to sleep in chairs or on the cold floor in the cinder block room.
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
I saw one man sitting in the room who had gauze wrapped around his head like he had a serious head wound. The room looked uncomfortably full at half "capacity." Keep in mind, this is seating capacity. Imagine a conference room with max capacity 80, and then holding people in there for days.
September 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
I saw one man sitting in the room who had gauze wrapped around his head like he had a serious head wound. The room looked uncomfortably full at half "capacity." Keep in mind, this is seating capacity. Imagine a conference room with max capacity 80, and then holding people in there for days.
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
Their rooms were maybe 30x30. Each room was marked with a sign reading "Capacity: 83" (I think, it was low 80s). There were roughly 40 men in one room, with an open bathroom area to the side. It was harder to get a look at the women's holding room, but looked like 10-12 women.
September 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Their rooms were maybe 30x30. Each room was marked with a sign reading "Capacity: 83" (I think, it was low 80s). There were roughly 40 men in one room, with an open bathroom area to the side. It was harder to get a look at the women's holding room, but looked like 10-12 women.
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
Yes, arresting a journalist for doing their job is a big flashing red light. But I don't want people to forget the whole reason everyone is out there.
This is what I saw inside:
Four holding rooms. Two smaller rooms were being used for holding protesters. Two larger rooms held ICE/CBP captives.
This is what I saw inside:
Four holding rooms. Two smaller rooms were being used for holding protesters. Two larger rooms held ICE/CBP captives.
September 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Yes, arresting a journalist for doing their job is a big flashing red light. But I don't want people to forget the whole reason everyone is out there.
This is what I saw inside:
Four holding rooms. Two smaller rooms were being used for holding protesters. Two larger rooms held ICE/CBP captives.
This is what I saw inside:
Four holding rooms. Two smaller rooms were being used for holding protesters. Two larger rooms held ICE/CBP captives.
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
I’m out, I'm sore. I'll have more later, but right now I have to say a couple of things. First, walking out of there to learn about the kindness, support, and quick action from so many of you all has meant the world to me, my wife, and co-founder, Raven. Thank you.
September 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
I’m out, I'm sore. I'll have more later, but right now I have to say a couple of things. First, walking out of there to learn about the kindness, support, and quick action from so many of you all has meant the world to me, my wife, and co-founder, Raven. Thank you.
As fear of ICE arrests grips immigrants across Chicago, faith leaders offer resources and moral support. With brilliant @tesskenny.bsky.social for @chicagotribune.com:
As fear of ICE arrests grips immigrants across Chicago, faith leaders offer resources and moral support
Faith leaders are on the front lines with demonstrators, attending rallies and protests and providing safe spaces for immigrants.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
As fear of ICE arrests grips immigrants across Chicago, faith leaders offer resources and moral support. With brilliant @tesskenny.bsky.social for @chicagotribune.com:
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
Jane Goodall’s lifelong studies into chimpanzees began six decades ago, when she set foot on the shores of Gombe Stream National Park along Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania.
But it was later, at a 1986 conference on chimpanzees in Chicago, that she would experience a pivotal moment in her work.
But it was later, at a 1986 conference on chimpanzees in Chicago, that she would experience a pivotal moment in her work.
Jane Goodall returns to Chicago, where she pivoted from studying chimpanzees to conservation efforts 40 years ago
The Lincoln Park Zoo brought the 91-year-old conservation activist back to the city this weekend, and her commitment remains as strong as ever.
trib.al
September 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Jane Goodall’s lifelong studies into chimpanzees began six decades ago, when she set foot on the shores of Gombe Stream National Park along Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania.
But it was later, at a 1986 conference on chimpanzees in Chicago, that she would experience a pivotal moment in her work.
But it was later, at a 1986 conference on chimpanzees in Chicago, that she would experience a pivotal moment in her work.
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
An Elgin man who was born in the United States said he was handcuffed, questioned and placed in a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle before dawn, part of a blitz of immigration enforcement activity reported in the Chicago area early Tuesday.
Elgin man who is a US citizen was briefly detained in latest Chicago-area ICE blitz
An Elgin man who was born in Texas said he was handcuffed and placed in a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle, as part of the latest Chicago-area ICE blitz.
trib.al
September 16, 2025 at 7:41 PM
An Elgin man who was born in the United States said he was handcuffed, questioned and placed in a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle before dawn, part of a blitz of immigration enforcement activity reported in the Chicago area early Tuesday.
Got to hang out with Jane Goodall two days last week and ask her some questions. (Can't believe I just typed that.)
A little bit about her return to Chicago, where in 1986 she pivoted from studying chimpanzees to advocating for their conservation. For @chicagotribune.com:
A little bit about her return to Chicago, where in 1986 she pivoted from studying chimpanzees to advocating for their conservation. For @chicagotribune.com:
Jane Goodall returns to Chicago, where she pivoted from studying chimpanzees to conservation efforts 40 years ago
The Lincoln Park Zoo brought the 91-year-old conservation activist back to the city this weekend, and her commitment remains as strong as ever.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 16, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Got to hang out with Jane Goodall two days last week and ask her some questions. (Can't believe I just typed that.)
A little bit about her return to Chicago, where in 1986 she pivoted from studying chimpanzees to advocating for their conservation. For @chicagotribune.com:
A little bit about her return to Chicago, where in 1986 she pivoted from studying chimpanzees to advocating for their conservation. For @chicagotribune.com:
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
There are more than 200 water-hungry data centers in Illinois. Only Virginia, Texas and California have more, @adrianaperez.bsky.social writes.
"These companies are moving into small towns, threatening to deplete municipal water supplies, wells and groundwater."
"These companies are moving into small towns, threatening to deplete municipal water supplies, wells and groundwater."
Surging number of data centers around the Great Lakes could lead to water shortages, report says
The region is not prepared for the unprecedented demand from data centers and other big users like agriculture.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 16, 2025 at 10:27 PM
There are more than 200 water-hungry data centers in Illinois. Only Virginia, Texas and California have more, @adrianaperez.bsky.social writes.
"These companies are moving into small towns, threatening to deplete municipal water supplies, wells and groundwater."
"These companies are moving into small towns, threatening to deplete municipal water supplies, wells and groundwater."
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
A flower vendor arrested by federal immigration agents last weekend in Chicago’s Archer Heights neighborhood is now back in Mexico.
“He doesn’t understand how all of this happened. We don’t either.”
📝 @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social and @adrianaperez.bsky.social
“He doesn’t understand how all of this happened. We don’t either.”
📝 @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social and @adrianaperez.bsky.social
Flower vendor arrested at launch of Trump’s ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ deported to Mexico
Bystanders filmed federal immigration agents arresting the Leodegario Martinez Barradas last Sunday.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 12, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A flower vendor arrested by federal immigration agents last weekend in Chicago’s Archer Heights neighborhood is now back in Mexico.
“He doesn’t understand how all of this happened. We don’t either.”
📝 @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social and @adrianaperez.bsky.social
“He doesn’t understand how all of this happened. We don’t either.”
📝 @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social and @adrianaperez.bsky.social
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
“It was a very messed-up river,” Indiana state ecologist tells @adrianaperez.bsky.social, who notes industrial pollution remains a huge problem in a unique ecosystem near Lake Michigan.
Grand Calumet River cleanup efforts making headway, but more work is needed
The pollutants that were pumped into the river, unregulated for decades, pose the biggest threat to its ecosystem.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 3, 2025 at 6:08 PM
“It was a very messed-up river,” Indiana state ecologist tells @adrianaperez.bsky.social, who notes industrial pollution remains a huge problem in a unique ecosystem near Lake Michigan.
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
Great reporting from @adrianaperez.bsky.social
"For instance, a data center that could require 3 million gallons of water a day has been proposed in the village of Minooka near Joliet, an area that expects its groundwater supply to dry up in the next five years."
"For instance, a data center that could require 3 million gallons of water a day has been proposed in the village of Minooka near Joliet, an area that expects its groundwater supply to dry up in the next five years."
Surging number of data centers around the Great Lakes could lead to water shortages, report says
The region is not prepared for the unprecedented demand from data centers and other big users like agriculture.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Great reporting from @adrianaperez.bsky.social
"For instance, a data center that could require 3 million gallons of water a day has been proposed in the village of Minooka near Joliet, an area that expects its groundwater supply to dry up in the next five years."
"For instance, a data center that could require 3 million gallons of water a day has been proposed in the village of Minooka near Joliet, an area that expects its groundwater supply to dry up in the next five years."
Reposted by Adriana Pérez
Surging number of data centers around the Great Lakes could lead to water shortages. Important story from @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/10/g...
Surging number of data centers around the Great Lakes could lead to water shortages, report says
The region is not prepared for the unprecedented demand from data centers and other big users like agriculture.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Surging number of data centers around the Great Lakes could lead to water shortages. Important story from @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/10/g...