Get Involved

photo: Fermi National Accelerator Lab

Chicago Wilderness contains some of the world's rarest natural communities and harbors an amazing variety of living creatures. These natural resources are tremendous assets to the people of the Chicago region, yet they are also under immense pressure. Urban sprawl, pollution and lack of proper management threaten these unique natural areas. But concerned citizens can help. By getting involved in efforts to protect and restore our natural heritage, you can help ensure that future generations will be able to experience the wonders of Chicago's wild places. Here are some ways you can get involved.

Volunteer

You can help protect nature in the Chicago region by volunteering. Each weekend in communities throughout the region, forest preserve districts and other landowning agencies hold volunteer stewardship days at nearly 200 natural areas. Volunteers gather native seeds, remove invasive plants or monitor wetland creatures. Volunteers also donate their time to local conservation organizations by becoming tour guides, staffing information booths at special events, assisting with administrative work, and helping in many other capacities. Many activities require no prior experience, but offer great personal satisfaction.

Speak Out

You can become an advocate for conservation efforts that affect your quality of life, such as open space preservation.

Contribute

You can make a donation to the members of the Chicago Wilderness consortium.

Subscribe

Stay informed on Chicago Wilderness news and events! Subscribe to Chicago WILDERNESS Magazine or sign up to get e-mail updates from the Chicago Wilderness consortium.

Become a Member

Organizations whose missions include the protection of biodiversity are eligible to join the Chicago Wilderness consortium. The consortium does not currently offer individual memberships. However, individuals can join a Chicago Wilderness member organization.

Landscape with Native Plants

You can also get involved in efforts to preserve local biodiversity by landscaping with native plants. Native plants provide food and shelter for wildlife. They usually need less pesticides than non-native plants and don't require fertilizers.

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