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| Our Vision |
 We are: diverse voices, led by a Green Vision, to create a united region.
Created more than two decades ago, the Green Vision is our living, guiding conservation framework for the region. In 2019, the Chicago Wilderness Alliance began planning for a renewed Green Vision to drive our shared efforts for a sustainable future. In 2021, the partners built tremendous momentum and enthusiasm as we set science-based goals and targets to be achieved by 2025. These goals are aligned with President Biden's 30x30 Initiative and other global targets. Learn more by downloading our 2021 Annual Report here.
Chicago Wilderness partners and the community are now refining the goals. All are welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information on how to participate, contact us at info@chicagowilderness.org. Download the most recent Green Vision Goals slides, including brief background information. Or read about the history of the Green Infrastructure Vision. Thanks to the generous support of the Field Museum, the Green Vision goals are supported by the Chicago Wilderness Hub, which puts the power of maps and data decision making into the hands of all of you. How Chicago Wilderness works
Download the network mindset graphic (shown above). The Green Vision
Download the green vision hub graphic (shown above). Green Vision goalsGoal 1: Managing healthy landscapes
Within the 7.7 million acres in Chicago Wilderness there will be 500,000 acres of healthy landscapes and the number of acres under management will increase by 7%. Learn more about the managing healthy landscapes goal, including how to get involved. Goal 2: Growing with agriculture
25% (1.1 million acres) of our agricultural lands will implement conservation-forward, regenerative practices and adopting relevant Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan and Chicago Wilderness Climate Action Plan for Nature measures. Chaired by Tim Brennan, Farm Foundation; Maggie Soliz, IL Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts; and Daniel Suarez, Audubon Great Lakes Learn more about the growing with agriculture goal, including how to get involved. Goal 3: Prioritizing green infrastructureIncrease native landscaping and
green infrastructure to improve local quality of life, following relevant Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan and Chicago Wilderness Climate Action Plan for Nature, with 3% (84,000 acres) showing results. Learn more about the prioritizing green infrastructure goal, including how to get involved. Goal 4: Conserving land for biodiversityExpand our region's protected lands and waters in accordance with the nation's 30x30 vision to conserve nature, ensuring no loss of natural lands and defining short-term, medium-term, and long-term targets for landscape protection. Chaired by Cathy Geraghty, Forest Preserves of Cook County; Ben Haberthur, Forest Preserves of Kane County; and Debra Moskovits, Field Museum Learn more about the adding conservation lands goal, including how to get involved. Goal 5: Increasing equitable access to natureIdentify and implement the best approaches to: (1) increase access to natural areas and green spaces, of all types, that are welcoming to all; (2) expand nature-based programming across the region, particularly in places with the least area of healthy green space in 2020; and (3) foster a diverse regional partnership that addresses the region’s legacy of environmental injustice as part of the alliance's operations and relationships. In doing so, expand who reaps nature's benefits, with an emphasis on those who have been historically excluded, and deepen people's engagement with nature across the region. Chaired by Teishetta Daniel, Chicago Park District; Amy Rosenthal, Field Museum; and Radhika Miraglia, Friends of the Forest Preserve View the full goal, with indicators. Learn more about the increasing access to nature goal, including how to get involved. Goal 6: Taking climate actionAddress climate change and its disproportionate impacts in the Chicago Wilderness by engaging a diversity of communities and institutions across the region and working together to slow regional emissions, expand the suite of nature-based adaptation activities and their application, and institute equitable solutions to the climate-driven impacts already underway, underpinned by an up-to-date Chicago Wilderness Climate Action Plan for Nature. Chaired by Ted Haffner; and Michelle Carr, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois Learn more about our climate action work. You can also learn more about the taking climate action goal, including how to get involved. Climate action publications
Goal 7: Protecting healthy waterUnite to engage people across the region, with approximately 34,700 linear miles of streams, over 169,000 acres of inland lakes and marshes, and 126 miles of Lake Michigan coastline, to protect, restore, and maintain the quality of the region’s aquatic resources to achieve the goals of the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan and Chicago Wilderness Climate Action Plan for Nature. Chaired by Stacy Meyers, Openlands; Matthew Santagata, Openlands; and Jerry Adelmann, Openlands Learn more about the protecting healthy water goal, including how to get involved.
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