What You Can Do

To preserve and protect wildlife is to build a relationship with wildlife. Realizing the benefits nature brings to our earth and to our own lives sets a foundation for this relationship. Spread the word about your experiences with nature and wildlife. Tell your family, your friends and your neighbors how they can benefit too.

Education Is Key

photo: (c) Kim Karpeles/Life through the Lens

Educate and become educated on ways to coexist with wildlife. A number of programs and classes are out there that can teach you about landscaping for wildlife, how to identify valuable species in your area and around the world, the differences between native and non-native species and the natural resource management tools that are implemented everyday to restore wildlife populations and habitat. Visit What's Happening Now for information on programs near you.

Volunteer

Restoration workdays and other volunteer events are a staple in many parts of Illinois. Participate in brush cutting and help eliminate weedy buckthorn. Restore prairies, wetlands and woodlands by taking part in a group planting of native trees, shrubs and other plants. Help guide a bird walk and point out warblers, tanagers, hawks, mallards and more. Or assist others in identifying local flora and fauna on a nature walk. The opportunities are endless; find out about volunteering for Chicago Wilderness activities today.

Create A Backyard Habitat

Refer to the section on Landscaping for Wildlife and learn how you can create your own backyard habitat. Explore ways to share land with wildlife and revel in the joy and value it brings to your life. Remember not all creatures are warm and fuzzy, but even the smallest beetle can keep crop-damaging pests out or your garden.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Invest

It's as simple as one, two, three and even four. Americans generate more waste year after year and landfills are reaching their maximum capacities. Not only is growth and development encroaching on wildlife habitat, waste is taking its toll too. Simply reducing consumption can benefit wildlife habitat and human habitat. Consume and throw away less and buy longer lasting, durable products. Reuse items by repairing them, donating them or selling them so you don't have to throw them away. You can reuse an item for the same purpose you bought it for or find other creative ways to use it. Milk jugs make great watering containers for your household and garden plants. Recycling has been one of the most successful ways of diverting waste from landfills and incinerators. It turns materials that would otherwise be waste into valuable resources that generate a variety of environmental, financial, and social benefits. Lastly, a number of ecologically responsible companies have established funds that you can contribute to. Search out companies that have been given the "green" stamp of approval for your investing choices.

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