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The GIV proposed to reconnect fragmented natural areas through a network of core lands that provide high quality habitat for native plants and animals, hubs that act as habitat buffers, and linking corridors. This concept was originally envisioned by 
| Chicago Wilderness History of the Green Vision |
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In 2019, Chicago Wilderness partners began plans for a new Green Vision, with a goal to engage people from all walks of life and with all habitats integrated in “healthy” nature throughout the entire region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin). History of the Green Infrastructure VisionIn 1994, Chicago Wilderness members worked together to develop the Biodiversity Recovery Plan, a blueprint for protecting and restoring natural communities and improving quality of life in the Chicago region. The plan introduction states: “Imagine a region filled with life…Where children splash and play in clean creeks…Where people learn to gently and respectfully enter back into a positive relationship with the nature that surrounds them… And where rare plants, animals and natural communities are nurtured back to health and offered a permanent home next to our own – to the benefit of our health and our economy…” This plan continues to be a central guide for conservation efforts across our region today. Chicago Wilderness members also recognized the need “to bring the Biodiversity Recovery Plan to life” in a more relevant, visual, and accessible way (Chicago Wilderness GIV Final Report, 2004). To do this, Chicago Wilderness convened workshops with over 100 conservation experts from across the region. Together they developed a spatial representation of the Biodiversity Recovery Plan, a map called the Green Infrastructure Vision (GIV). The GIV identified priority lands to be preserved, restored, and connected based on recommendations in the Biodiversity Recovery Plan. This vision provides community leaders, conservationists, and other planners with science-based guidance on how to prioritize natural area preservation and restoration efforts. It emphasizes the importance of preserving larger unprotected areas and corridors that connect them including river and stream ecosystems. Together, the Biodiversity Recovery Plan and the GIV envision a Chicago region where nature is accessible to everyone for the benefit of people and nature.
Protecting Plant and Animal Diversity Natural areas in the Chicago region are commonly isolated from each other, limiting the ability of many native species to access food and shelter, reducing their population size and health over time. Networked natural areas help mitigate the effects of habitat fragmentation and allow wildlife to migrate more safely to other natural areas. This will be particularly important as climate change alters wildlife habitats. Nature’s Benefits to Our Communities
In addition to restoring the natural function of degraded and isolated ecosystems, a regional green network also improves the services that these natural areas provide to our human communities. This natural network reduces the impacts from flood damage by absorbing stormwater. One large tree alone can reduce stormwater runoff by 5,400 gallons per year! Forest soils can absorb 50% more stormwater than urban areas and one acre of wetlands can hold 1 to 1.5 million gallons of floodwater. Wetlands and other natural areas remove pollutants from stormwater runoff before they enter rivers and lakes such as Lake Michigan - the source of drinking water for millions of people. Natural areas also improve air quality. Trees have been calculated to remove over 18,000 tons of air pollution per year in the 7-county northeastern Illinois region alone. Nature preserves also mitigate the effects of climate change. Additionally, birds and bats that rely on healthy natural areas control populations of mosquitoes and other insects.
Given all the benefits that natural areas provide for us, their value could be stated as priceless. However, there are ways to estimate their value to our communities. Chicago Wilderness and its partners have calculated that within the 7 county northeastern Illinois region alone, natural areas contribute over 6 billion dollars in flood control, water purification, groundwater recharge, and carbon storage. This does not include other harder-to-measure benefits such as the economic value from recreation and tourism. Having access to nature improves quality of life. The GIV includes regional biking and hiking trails, water trails for paddling, and community access to parks and open space. Spending time in nature has been found to improve physical and mental health, lower blood pressure, increase energy levels, and even reduce symptoms of depression. GIV in Action
To realize this green vision, Chicago Wilderness brought together planners, engineers and other experts to provide guidance to local communities, counties, and others who wished to integrate the GIV framework in their local land use planning efforts while maintaining local priorities. Read about green infrastructure plans developed with assistance from Chicago Wilderness. The Green Infrastructure Vision guided land use planning across our region today. Land conservation organizations, forest preserves, and park districts used the GIV to help set land acquisition and restoration priorities. At the regional scale, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission used the GIV as an important tool in their land use plans. In 2012, Chicago Wilderness partners refined the GIV and a geospatial database was created that is now available to community leaders, land use planners, and the public. The data can be used to help quantify the ecosystem services that preserving and restoring natural areas can provide. Historical resources: GIV Version 2.3 Ecosystem System Valuation Refinement of the Chicago Wilderness Green Infrastructure Vision Final Report, June 2012 (2.0) Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan Chicago Wilderness Oak Ecosystem Recovery Plan Audubon’s North American Grasslands & Birds Report Chicago Region Trees Initiative
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