Vision for the Chicago Wilderness Region

We envision a future:

• Where accessible, interconnected, restored and healthy ecosystems contribute to economic vitality and quality of life for all residents in the Chicago metropolitan area;
• Where the region’s abundant open spaces and natural communities are actively protected, restored, and managed to ecological health;
• Where people appreciate, take pride in, and provide support to our native ecosystems; and
• Where the resulting culture is one of conservation and stewardship of nature.

Mission for the Chicago Wilderness alliance

To realize this vision, Chicago Wilderness is an alliance of organizations that champions biodiversity and its contribution to the quality of life in the urban, suburban, and rural areas of the Chicago Metropolitan region. Together, we work across the region to:

• Raise awareness and knowledge about the biodiversity and value of nature in our region, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our schools, and our homes through formal and informal education.
• Increase and diversify public participation and environmental stewardship.
• Build alliances among the diverse constituencies throughout the Chicago region to foster a sustainable relationship with nature.
• Facilitate applied natural and social science research, best practices development, and information sharing.
• Generate broad-based public and private support and attract resources to achieve our goals.

Basic beliefs of all Chicago Wilderness members

We believe that:

• People’s lives are improved by a connection with nature.
• Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity are critical to a thriving, vital economy.
• The natural communities in our region, some globally rare, need to be actively managed and conserved.
• Our work is regional in nature and can transcend political and socioeconomic boundaries.

  Download our Form 990