Openlands

Openlands Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois.

06/03/2026

ACTION UPDATE: Native and pollinator gardens in our parkways are now legally allowed to thrive in Chicago!

Pictured here is Milkweed. It is the host plant for our monarch butterflies, who rely on this plant during crucial stages of their life cycle. A maximum height of 36 inches allows critical plants, like milkweed, to grow and flower successfully.

Recently, you emailed your alderman to ask them to support a new law that would allow for native gardens to grow taller and flourish throughout all parts of Chicago. Now, gardeners and nature lovers can more easily maintain native plants and pollinators, like Milkweed, to support the ecosystems around us.

Our butterflies, bees and Openlands thank you and 1,107 of your fellow Chicagoans for adding your voice to advocate for this issue! If you have been stewarding a garden in your parkway you can now register it with the City of Chicago, to protect yourself from fines: https://ow.ly/H0Iy50Z7g7W

06/02/2026

It's World Bicycle Day! This summer, you can hop on your bike and explore different segments of 500-mile The Grand Illinois Trail during . The second event is coming up on Saturday, June 6th in Freeport, IL. Bring you bike and get ready to explore greater Freeport at the Free-Aqua-Na Tour!

From downtown Freeport to Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park, this 40-mile flat, out-and-back ride offers options to return on the same trail or detour and catch local brews on the way back.

Thank you to our partners Ride Illinois and Greater Freeport Partnership! Learn more and sign up today: https://ow.ly/i7RN50Z6UgB

Celebrate National Trails Day by walking across the nation’s first National Tallgrass Prairie!Join us at Midewin Nationa...
06/01/2026

Celebrate National Trails Day by walking across the nation’s first National Tallgrass Prairie!

Join us at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie’s 30th Anniversary Open House on Saturday, June 6th from 9:00am - 1:00pm.

Midewin is a haven for hikers, with 33 miles of trails to explore. Hike, bike, or drive to stations across the prairie, and see firsthand the large-scale restoration done over three decades to transform the landscape.

Interpretive sites include:
- The Illinois Natural History Survey Traveling Science Center
- The Bison Project
- Prairie Glacial Plains Restoration Project
- Grant Creek Restoration Project
- Recreation at Midewin NTP: now and in the future
- Schumacher/Rodgers historic farmstead
- Joliet Army Ammunition Plant history
- River Road Seedbeds and prairie restoration
- Smokey Bear bounce house

No reservation required. This event is free and open to the public.

Chicagoans are encouraged to submit comments on the Green Infrastructure Strategy from now until July 10, 2026: https://...
05/31/2026

Chicagoans are encouraged to submit comments on the Green Infrastructure Strategy from now until July 10, 2026: https://ow.ly/jsFJ50Z5Yny

But what exactly is green infrastructure?

Green infrastructure refers to nature-based features and methods designed to capture, slow, and absorb stormwater, thereby reducing water flow to sewer systems. These solutions include rain gardens, street trees, parks, and permeable paving: a type of pavement differing from conventional asphalt and concrete that allows water infiltration.

This implementation of this strategy will:
- Reduce flooding
- Help manage stormwater
- Expand climate resilience across the city

Leave your comment in support of the strategy today:https://ow.ly/jsFJ50Z5Yny

With Callery Pears officially listed as an invasive species in Illinois, we’re sharing better native alternatives that s...
05/28/2026

With Callery Pears officially listed as an invasive species in Illinois, we’re sharing better native alternatives that support birds, pollinators, and healthier ecosystems across our region.

Callery Pear spreads aggressively into natural areas, crowding out native plants and weakening biodiversity. Instead of planting this invasive species, consider other flowering native trees like:

1. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

2. Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)

3. Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)

4. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

5. Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Share this post to help stop the spread of invasive trees across our region! Photos courtesy of The Morton Arboretum.

You are invited to celebrate Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie's 30th Anniversary!When: Saturday, June 6th, 9:00 am – 1...
05/27/2026

You are invited to celebrate Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie's 30th Anniversary!

When: Saturday, June 6th, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Visitor Center and interpretive stations across the Prairie

Hike, bike, or drive to stations across the Prairie! From historical tours and science centers to a Smokey Bear bounce house, we’d love for you to join us to experience this milestone celebration and see firsthand the restoration work underway. No reservation required.

As the nation’s first National Tallgrass Prairie (NTP), Midewin represents the largest active restoration effort of its kind in the region. Openlands, in partnership with The Wetlands Initiative and the U.S. Forest Service, is actively leading the restoration of more than 1,300 acres (nearly 1,000 football fields) within the Grant Creek watershed at this site.

Supported by grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, this project is expanding grassland bird habitat, improving ecosystem health, and reconnecting visitors to one of the region’s most important landscapes.

ACTION ALERT! The Farmer Tax Benefit Act would give farmers and landowners a fair, practical incentive to protect their ...
05/27/2026

ACTION ALERT! The Farmer Tax Benefit Act would give farmers and landowners a fair, practical incentive to protect their farmland, open space, and natural resources. Right now, your support is critical as lawmakers finalize the Illinois State Budget.

Please call your legislators and urge them to support including HB4849/SB4193 in the revenue package. You can find your legislators and their contact information here: https://ow.ly/NAQV50Z4UJj

"Hello, I’m a constituent calling to ask Senator/Representative _______ to co-sponsor the Farmer Tax Benefit Act (SB4193/HB4849) and support including it in the final revenue package. This bill helps protect farmland and natural areas while supporting farmers and local communities. Please share your support with leadership. Thank you."

This summer, explore different segments of 500-mile The Grand Illinois Trail during ! The first event with Ride Illinoi...
05/26/2026

This summer, explore different segments of 500-mile The Grand Illinois Trail during ! The first event with Ride Illinois is coming up on Saturday, May 30th in Crystal Lake, IL. Bring you bike and get ready to make a difference at Pedalpalooza4FHPC!

This community-driven event is focused on raising funds to ensure that everyone in our community has access to essential routine preventative care, dental care, behavioral mental health services, medications, and more. All proceeds go to support Family Health Partnership Clinic, a lifeline for the uninsured residents in the area.

Sign up today: https://ow.ly/cg1P50Z4ueS

Entwined, a new video by Chicago artist and Openlands' TreeKeeper Colleen Plumb, will be projected across the iconic faç...
05/22/2026

Entwined, a new video by Chicago artist and Openlands' TreeKeeper Colleen Plumb, will be projected across the iconic façade of The Merchandise Mart. Created in collaboration with students from Prosser Career Academy and South Shore College Prep, the project explores the deep connections between trees, health, wellness, and the ecological life of Chicago.

''I am grateful to the TREES all around us quietly cleaning the air, lessening floods, cooling pavements, and providing homes to so many, and also maybe sending out signals of comfort if we really listen closely. They are the inspiration for the video.'' shares Colleen Plumb about the process of creating Entwined.

Through workshops organized by the Museum of Contemporary Photography’s Art, Activism, Policy, Power program, students joined tree walks with Openlands and created cyanotypes using collected tree specimens.

The screenings will run from May 22–31, from 8:30–9:00 p.m.

05/22/2026

In April, supporters joined us at a Lobby Day to urge the General Assembly to support this bill. Now, we’re headed back to the Capitol on 5/30 to make a final push with legislators.

Anyone can join us at Lobby Day, from experienced lobbyers to first-time advocates. The Illinois Environmental Council has organized free buses departing from various communities across the Illinois. Reserve your spot today in our link in bio and let us know if you need a ride to Springfield!

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