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 Entice Program - This program offers 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

McHenry County Conservation District Volunteers - Volunteer opportunities exist in environmental education, wildlife and plant monitoring, native prairie plant seed collection and land stewardship. In particular, see their Habitat Restoration Workdays fot the calendar and contacts for volunteer restoration work at various sites within McHenry County Conservation District.

Will County Forest Preserve District - Will County Forest Preserve District

Volunteer Opportunities - This page describes volunteer opportunities with the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

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 Survey - 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.
Project Squirrel - A Citizen Science program for all ages to document squirrel
diversity and abundance in the Chicago Wilderness region.

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
Chicago Park District - City of Chicago Park District
Park District of Highland Park - Park District of Highland Park
St. Charles Park District - St. Charles Park District in Kane County, IL
Crystal Lake Park District - Crystal Lake Park District

Restore Habitat

Calumet Stewardship Initiative - Engages residents and member organizations in partnerships that advance nature education, environmental stewardship, scientific discovery, cultural understanding and economic growth in the Calumet region.
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
Openlands Lakeshore Preserve - A stewardship project of Lake Cook Audubon under the direction of Openlands
Orland Grassland - A 1500-acre preserve in southern Cook County being restored to prairie and oak savanna by a coalition of citizens and professionals.
Palos Restoration Project - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in Cook county.
Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at the Poplar Creek Forest Preserve 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.
Spring Creek Preserves - restoring 3910 acres of prairie, woodland and wetland in Barrington Hills.
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.
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 Bluff Spring 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.
- (DuPage/Kane) Fermilab Natural Areas - This volunteer group restores, manages, and conserves Fermilab's natural areas.
- (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) Midewin Tallgrass Prairie Volunteers - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Will county.

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.