Chicago Wilderness Alliance

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Chicago Wilderness Alliance

We are a regional collaborative of hundreds of partner organizations and individuals working to imple

We bring leaders, experts, mid- and young-career conservation professionals together to share diverse voices, perspectives and work toward a common vision: creating and protecting a vibrant, accessible region where people and nature thrive. Our region is home to a spectacular assemblage of rare ecosystems and diverse plant and animal species. Our collective efforts using science and data-driven ap

proaches to restore, manage and protect natural areas contributes to a more climate resilient region. This work is more urgent than ever as climate change increasingly threatens human health, quality of life, food security, economies and biodiversity. The Alliance focuses on landscape-scale efforts across the southern Lake Michigan region because nature needs connections across all geopolitical boundaries. Working together, Alliance members identify conservation priorities; develop and implement long-term regional conservation plans; and collectively enhance, elevate and celebrate our individual members’ work, all at the regional scale. Our Green Vision Initiatives
The Green Vision Initiatives are a centralized framework to guide, track and implement progress toward a common vision and an inclusive approach to thriving nature for people and wildlife. The executive order issued by President Biden to conserve 30% of land and water by 2030 sparks renewed momentum. In the largely urbanized areas of the four-state Chicago Wilderness Alliance region, the capacity to deliver on the 30 by 30 goals will come not just from traditional conservation lands and waters, but from activating every land type — agricultural, residential, corporate — to contribute meaningfully to landscape-scale conservation. Our Green Vision Initiatives include seven key thematic areas: conserving and managing healthy landscapes and protecting water; regenerative agriculture; green infrastructure; increasing access to nature, and taking climate action. All goals are centralized using a mapping tool that empowers regional partners to visualize, share and track progress. Each theme is brought to life by teams that provide opportunities for the Alliance to engage, contribute and collaborate on our shared goals. Contact Us
Laura Reilly, Chicago Wilderness Alliance coordinator
[email protected]

02/06/2026

Don't miss the chance to join an open house on June 27 with our partners Argonne National Laboratory

01/06/2026

Waukegan will host its first environmental film festival in the area this month.

From the piping plovers by the shores of Lake Michigan to the giant kelp forests of New Zealand, 30 short and full-length films exploring our impact on the environment will be featured at the inaugural Little Fort Environmental Film Festival June 20 and 21 in Waukegan, Illinois.

Festival venues include the Genesee Theater, Three Brothers Theater, Waukegan Public Library and the Waukegan Historical Museum at the Carnegie. Weekend passes are on sale for $20 at https://littlefortfilmfestival.org/, and several children’s films are free for youngsters.

A powerful global, celebration of environmental filmmakers on the shores of the Great Lakes. June 20-21, 2026

22/05/2026

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors Shedd Aquarium for supporting Congress 2026, coming on November 6. This event, which happens every 2 years, brings together conservation practitioners to learn from and inspire each other.

If you've got a story to tell, we're still looking for proposals to present, but the deadline to submit your idea is in just a few days.

Learn about Congress 2026 and support this amazing event at https://www.chicagowilderness.org/page/alliance_congress.

20/05/2026

Are you leading innovative conservation work in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, or Wisconsin? Share your expertise and help shape the future of our region!

There are just TWO DAYS LEFT TO submit your proposal to present at Congress 2026, our biannual gathering uniting leaders, practitioners, and changemakers across the Lake Michigan region. Deadline is midnight on Friday, May 22.

We welcome sessions in any format, from panels, workshops, case studies, and more.

Tell us how you:
* Foster cross-sector and cross-community collaboration * Introduce creative solutions to conservation challenges
* Share replicable models and emerging best practices
* Inspire collective action under our theme: "Growing Forward Together"

You do not need to be a Chicago Wilderness Alliance partner to present. Bring your bold ideas and help drive progress in our shared landscape!

Learn more about Congress 2026: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/page/alliance_congress
Learn more about proposal submission: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/page/Congress2026CallForProposals
Submit your proposal: https://fs20.formsite.com/cwadmin/rep4rpcuyf/index

We'll see you on Friday, November 6 at the College of Lake County for Congress 2026!

18/05/2026

Do you have a conservation success or challenge that your peers should know about? We invite you to submit a proposal to present a session at Congress 2026, our biannual gathering that brings together people across the region to learn from and be inspired by each other. The event is on Friday, November 6 at the College of Lake County.

The proposal deadline is extended to midnight this Friday, May 22.

Your session can take any form, from panels to workshops to case studies and more. We seek engaging conversations, bold ideas, and fresh perspectives. You do not have to be affiliated with the Chicago Wilderness Alliance to present at Congress 2026.

We are particularly interested in sessions that do one or more of the following:
*Advance collaboration across sectors, communities, and disciplines
* Offer innovative or creative approaches to conservation and environmental stewardship
* Highlight lessons learned, replicable models, or emerging best practices
* Inspire collective action aligned with the theme of "Growing Forward Together"

Learn more about Congress 2026: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/page/alliance_congress
Learn more about proposal submission: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/page/Congress2026CallForProposals

05/05/2026

There's still time to register for today's online Cafe!

Chicago Wilderness Alliance and Lake Michigan Basin Partnership: A Regional Dashboard for Water
Online Cafe: Tuesday, May 5 at Noon CST

Chicago Wilderness Alliance is an organization built upon partnerships, both within and outside of our borders. As part of Current’s Water Week, this cafe will focus on some of the key partnerships and water efforts both within our own boundaries and Lake Michigan basin-wide. The basin-wide component of the cafe will focus on resources such as a water dashboard that presents solutions such as technical assistance and funding opportunities in our region. Please join us for this cafe at noon central time on May 5, 2026. This event is affiliated with Chicago Water Week, presented by Current (https://currentwater.org/chicago-water-week/). There is no charge to attend.

Register at: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2054131&group=

01/05/2026

Here's your reminder to head to the Chicago Beaver Festival TOMORROW (May 2) to celebrate Beavers & Youth: Stream Keepers of Tomorrow. Admission is free at this family-friendly event 🦫💚!

https://ow.ly/BKuy50XkYTW

27/04/2026

Register Now, All Are Welcome to Join!
Chicago Wilderness Alliance and Lake Michigan Basin Partnership: A Regional Dashboard for Water
Online Cafe: Tuesday, May 5 at Noon CST

Chicago Wilderness Alliance is an organization built upon partnerships, both within and outside of our borders. As part of Current’s Water Week, this cafe will focus on some of the key partnerships and water efforts both within our own boundaries and Lake Michigan basin-wide. The basin-wide component of the cafe will focus on resources such as a water dashboard that presents solutions such as technical assistance and funding opportunities in our region. Please join us for this cafe at noon central time on May 5, 2026. This event is affiliated with Chicago Water Week, presented by Current (https://currentwater.org/chicago-water-week/). There is no charge to attend.

Register at: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2054131&group=

24/04/2026

It's time! The starts today, and it's not too late to get involved.

Our wonderful partners have created more than 20 adventures and need your help to observe the nature around you. Last year, people like you made 13,881 observations in our region🐝🐛🦊🐦‍⬛🌳🌻💚!

Join a nature walk, beach cleanup, or bioblitz (find as much as you can, as fast as you can). All observations support a global dataset that helps researchers better understand species distribution and urban biodiversity.
Don't have time to join an event? Document wild species where ever you are and add them to iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2026-chicagoland-region

2026 City Nature Challenge: Chicagoland Region Events
*Eggers Grove Bio Blitz, Chicago, IL
*Intro to iNaturalist & Nature Walk, Woodstock, IL
*Bioblitz and UV Hike at West Ridge Nature Park
*Morning Bird Stroll, Willow Springs, IL
*Earth Week: City Nature Challenge at Lake Ellyn Park, Glen Ellyn, IL
*Party for the Planet, Celebrate Earth Day with Randall Oaks Zoo, West Dundee, IL
*City Nature Challenge @ The Field Museum's Rice Native Gardens, Chicago, IL
*Nature in Your Backyard: Pullman National Historical Park, Chicago, IL
*Earth Week: City Nature Challenge, Glen Ellyn, IL
*Wolf Road Prairie Volunteer Workday, Westchester, IL
*BioBlitz at Kilbourn Park Greenhouse, Chicago, IL
*City Nature Challenge Bioblitz, Harvard, IL
*Spring Ephemeral Walk: U of I Extension Master Naturalists of DuPage, Kane & Kendall Counties, Plano, IL
*Wildflower Walk, Northbrook, IL
*Osterman Beach Natural Area Stewardship, Chicago, IL
*Munster's Annual Earth Day Celebration 2026: Our Community and Those Who Will Inherit It, Lake County, IN
*Nature Walk at Fred Rose Park, Hobart, IN
PLUS:
*ID the Birds and the Bees with ISC (21+ event), Chicago, IL
*ID Event @ the Field Museum, Chicago, IL

Visit https://www.chicagowilderness.org/page/CityNatureChallenge for information and registration details.

23/04/2026

The clock is ticking ⏰ but there's still time to submit your session proposal for Congress 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your expertise and innovative ideas with the conservation community. Submission deadline is Friday, May 15.

Congress 2026 will be on November 6 in Lake County, IL. In celebration of our 30th anniversary, the theme is The Alliance at 30: Growing Forward Together.

We’re looking for innovative and engaging sessions that highlight bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative solutions to environmental conservation. Whether through presentations, workshops, panels, case studies, or other formats, we invite you to share your insights with the conservation community.

Session Focus Areas:
🌎 Advance collaboration across sectors, communities, and disciplines
🌱 Offer innovative conservation approaches and best practices
🌳 Highlight lessons learned and emerging models
💚 Inspire collective action for environmental stewardship

Session Details:
✔️ 45 minutes long
✔️ Focus on environmental conservation in our region
✔️ Open to ALL professionals—no need to be affiliated with the Alliance to submit!

🔗 Learn more: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/page/Congress2026CallForProposals
🔗 Submit your proposal: https://fs20.formsite.com/cwadmin/rep4rpcuyf/index

📣 Know someone with a story to share? Encourage a colleague to submit a proposal and help us celebrate conservation efforts from across the region!

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+13125802137

Website

http://www.chicagowilderness.org/

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