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Organizations we Support

Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) - The Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization.
Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) - Engages in education and outreach and provides a forum for environmentalists also serves as the environmental community’s eyes, ears and voice in Springfield

VOLUNTEER ACTION AND PLACES

Monitor Wildlife

BCN Survey - A database for Chicagoland monitors and other birders to enter and view observations.
BeeSpotter - share photographs and data on bees in Illinois (and eventually the whole country) in order to get a better sense of bee demographics.
Bird Conservation Network - A network of birders who monitor and advocate for birds in the Chicago region.
Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network - A network of volunteers that monitors butterflies at all sites within Illinois—including within the City of Chicago.
Illinois Odonate Survey - A citizen scientist program surveying dragonfly and damselflies populations and accounts throughout Illinois.
Plants of Concern - A network of volunteers who monitor rare plants in the Chicago region.
Project Squirrel - A Citizen Science program for all ages to document squirrel diversity and abundance in the Chicago Wilderness region.

Restore Habitat

Citizens for Conservation - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in Cook and Lake counties.
Deer Grove Natural Areas Volunteers - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at the Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Cook county.
Des Plaines River Valley Volunteers - This group coordinates volunteer workdays at several sites in 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 Preserves of Cook County and Friends of the Forest Preserves.
Friends of Busse Woods - Friends of Busse Woods help conserve Busse Woods Forest Preserve in Cook county.
Habitat 2030 - Habitat 2030 is a group of young(ish) volunteers building a culture of 20-30-40-somethings who will preserve, restore, and enjoy our local natural areas long into the future.
North Branch 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.
Spring Creek Stewards - restoring 3910 acres of prairie, woodland and wetland in Barrington Hills.

Advocate Agencies, Organizations, and Coalitions

Audubon Chicago Region - The Chicago regional office of the National Audubon Society.
BackYard Nature Center - A non-profit organization whose mission is to connect children and adults with the wonders of nature through volunteer stewardship activities, education, and unstructured play. Additionally, they hold monthly invasive species workdays at the Skokie Lagoons every second Saturday.
Bird Conservation Network - A coalition of local organizations that advocate for better bird habitat and reduced threats to birds.
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors - An all-volunteer conservation project dedicated to the protection of migratory birds through rescue, advocacy and outreach.
Chicagoland Environmental Network - Sponsored by Brookfield Zoo, lists a wide variety of volunteer opportunities.
Chicago Wilderness - A coalition of more than 150 groups working to study and restore, protect and manage the natural ecosystems of the Chicago region.
The Conservation Foundation - Preserves open space and natural lands, protects rivers and watersheds, and promotes stewardship in Northeastern Illinois.
The Field Museum - the Museum leads pioneering collaborations to bring people and nature together within the Chicago region.
Friends of the Forest Preserves - Supports nature in the Cook County Forest Preserves and lists opportunities with groups in Cook County.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources' (IDNR) Division of Education Entice Program- This program offers Continuing Professional Development Units for teachers.
Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) - Supports the growth of renewable energy in Illinois through advocacy and education.
Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN), The Nature Conservancy - Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, this network supports interactive electronic discussion among citizen scientists, technical experts and land managers.
Wild Ones - A not for profit organization that promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities.

Articles by our Members

(Click on Article Title to view pdf file)

"Socially Responsible Investing"

presented by Michael Wapner

"Get on the Bus"

by Janet McDonnell

A personal reflection on one member's trip to the Forward On Climate Rally in 2013 in Washington DC.

"A Personal Journey Down the Renewable Energy Road"

by Peter Gorr

A 4 part aricle about one Palatine homeowners experience converting their home to solar generated electricity. Why they did it, how they did it, and the results.