Links:

We've given many links throughout the site especially under monitoring wildlife, restoring habitat and advocating for nature on how to get involved.

The following list is a summary of those resources, plus some additional links:

Advocate For Nature

• Illinois Conservation Foundation - Works to to preserve and enhance our precious natural resources by supporting and fostering ecological, educational, and recreational programs.
• The Conservation Foundation - An organization that preserves open space and natural lands, protects rivers and watersheds, and promotes stewardship in Northeastern Illinois.
• Fox River Ecosystem Partnership - A coalition that promotes, preserves, protects and enhances the Fox River and its watershed.
• Friends of the Forest Preserves - Support nature in the Cook County Forest Preserves.
• Friends of the Parks - Support nature in the city of Chicago.
• Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter - The nation's oldest conservation organization is based on local volunteers making a difference.
• Sierra Club, Indiana Chapter - The nation's oldest conservation organization is based on local volunteers making a difference.

Audubon

• Audubon - Chicago Region - The Chicago-Region office of the National Audubon Society.

Chicago Wilderness

• Chicago Wilderness - A coalition of more than 150 groups working to study and restore, protect and manage the natural ecosystems of the Chicago region.
• Chicago Wilderness Magazine - A quarterly magazine that celebrates this region's natural heritage and tells the stories of the people working to protect it.
• Chicago Wilderness Journal - A quarterly online publication of Chicago Wilderness that reports the results of research, education, and management projects of coalition members.

Classes and Education

• Illinois Department of Natural Resources' (IDNR) Division of Education - These workshops offer Continuing Professional Development Units for teachers.
• Morton Arboretum - The Morton Arboretum offers classes toward the Naturalist Certificate Program, in ornithology, botany, and much more.

Forest Preserves

• Forest Preserve District of Cook County - Forest Preserve District of Cook County
• Forest Preserves Volunteers - This site describes volunteer opportunities with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. It is co-sponsored and maintained by Forest Preserve District of Cook County and Friends of the Forest Preserves.
• Forest Preserve District of DuPage County - Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
• Willowbrook Wildlife Center - Native wildlife rehabilitation center with a prairie in the process of restoration. Located in Glen Ellyn, IL and part of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
• Forest Preserve District of Kane County - Forest Preserve District of Kane County
• Lake County Forest Preserve District - Lake County Forest Preserve District, IL
• McHenry County Conservation District - McHenry County Conservation District
• Will County Forest Preserve District - Will County Forest Preserve District

Monitor Wildlife

• Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network - A network of volunteers that monitors butterflies at all sites within Illinois—including within the City of Chicago.
• Bird Conservation Network - A network of birders who monitor and advocate for birds in the Chicago region.
• BCN Census - A database for Chicagoland monitors and other birders to enter and view observations.
• Plants of Concern - A network of volunteers who monitor rare plants in the Chicago region.
• Illinois and Chicago Net-Birding - Lots of information about the local and regional birding scene.

Park Districts

• Parks & Recreation District of Lake County, IN - Parks & Recreation District of Lake County, IN
• Parks & Recreation District of Porter County, IN - Parks & Recreation District of Porter County, IN
• Park District of Highland Park - Park District of Highland Park
• Chicago Park District - City of Chicago Park District
• Crystal Lake Park District - Crystal Lake Park District
• St. Charles Park District - St. Charles Park District in Kane County, IL

Restore Habitat

• Friends of the Forest Preserves - Lists opportunities with groups in the Cook County.
• Chicagoland Environmental Network - Lists a wide variety of volunteer opportunities.
• Bartel Grassland - A 350-acre preserve in southern Cook County being restored to native prairie by a coalition of citizens and professionals.
• Citizens for Conservation - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in Cook and Lake counties.
• North Branch Restoration Project - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in Cook county
• Orland Grassland - A 1500-acre preserve in southern Cook County being restored to prairie and oak savanna by a coalition of citizens and professionals.
• Openlands Lakeshore Preserve - A stewardship project of Lake Cook Audubon under the direction of Openlands
• Palos Restoration Project - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in Cook county.
• Somme Prairie Grove - A 90-acre preserve in Northbrook of savanna, prairie, wetland, and oak woodland that has been and is being a great restoration success story.
• Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at the Poplar Creek Forest Preserve in Cook county.
• Spring Creek Preserves - A new group that’s tackling 3,910 acres in Barrington Hills.
• Local VSN/Citizen Stewardship Groups - Volunteer Stewardship Network and Other Projects Listed By County
• (Cook)  North Park Village Nature Center - The Chicago Department of Environment's North Park Village Nature Center in Cook county coordinates workdays at the North Park Village Nature Center.
• (Cook)  Deer Grove Natural Areas Volunteers - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at the Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Cook county.
• (Cook)  Des Plaines River Valley Volunteers - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in Cook county
• (Cook)  Friends of the Fen - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at Bluff Spring Fen in Cook county
• (Cook)  Chicago Park District - The Chicago Park District provides a variety of volunteer stewardship opportunities at several sites in Cook county
• (Cook)  Friends of Indian Boundary Prairies - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at Indian Boundary Prairies in Cook county
• (Cook & Will)  Old Plank Road Trail Association - This group coordinates volunteer workdays along the Old Plank Road Trail in Cook and Will counties.
• (DuPage)  West Chicago Prairie Stewardship Group - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at the West Chicago Prairie in DuPage county.
• (DuPage)  DuPage Volunteer Stewardship Group - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in DuPage county.
• (Kane)  St. Charles Park District - The St. Charles Park District coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in Kane coun
• (Lake, IL)  Lake County Natural Area Volunteers - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in Lake county.
• (Lake, IL)  Park District of Highland Park - Natural Area Volunteers - This group coordinates workdays at Highland Park in Lake county.
• (Lee/Ogle)  Nachusa Grasslands Preserve - The Nature Conservancy coordinates volunteer workdays at the Nachusa Grasslands Preserve in Lee/Ogle county
• (McHenry)  Crystal Lake Park District - The Crystal Lake Park District coordinates volunteer workdays at Sterne’s Fen and Wingate Prairie Nature Preserve in McHenry county.
• (McHenry)  Fox Valley Land Foundation - The Fox Valley Land Foundation coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in McHenry county
• (Will)  Will County Natural Area Volunteers - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in Will county.
• (Will)  Midewin Tallgrass Prairie Volunteers - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Will county.
• The Land Conservancy of McHenry County - A group to preserve open space, natural resources and agricultural lands in McHenry County by working with private landowners, communities and developers.

State And Federal Government

• Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Indiana Department of Natural Resources
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources - Illinois Department of Natural Resources
• Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
• Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore - Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Wildlife Links

• Bird Conservation Network - A coalition of local organizations that advocate for better bird habitat and reduced threats to birds.
• Chicago Wilderness Calling Frog Survey documentary - An online video about our region's frogs and the people who monitor them.