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Openlands

Conserving Nature for Life

Climate change is here. Nature-based solutions can help.

Openlands focuses on solutions to the climate crisis that use nature to mitigate or even turn back the clock on the changes and impacts expected for our region.

Our Mission

Conserving nature close to home

Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives.

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2021 Annual Luncheon

Where We Work

Connecting a web of green and blue in the region

The Chicago region has one of the most complicated geo-political landscapes in the nation, covering three states. Since Openlands’ founding, we have played a critical role as the only conservation organization looking systematically across the region at the relationship between the natural environment, urban growth, community health, and comprehensive land-use planning.

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Get Involved

Be an advocate for nature

There are many ways to help protect the nature you love with Openlands. Whether you’re a teacher that wants to teach outside, a government agency that wants to improve your green space or a tree lover who wants to volunteer in their community, there are opportunities to connect with nature where you live.

Get involved

Around Openlands

The African American Heritage Water Trail One of ’52 Places for a Changed World’

The New York Times recently featured the African American Heritage Water Trail in their annual ’52 Places’ review, this year with the acknowledgement it’s a changed world.

Explore the Trail

Apply for the Arborist Registered Apprenticeship

Openlands’ Arborist Registered Apprenticeship is an opportunity for individuals to participate in a 3-year registered apprenticeship program, working alongside industry professionals and gaining hands-on experience, training, and skills in arboriculture. Apply by January 28, 2022!

Apply

ComEd Green Region Grant Celebrates 10 Years

The ComEd Green Region Grant awards grants up to $10,000 for conservation projects based in Northern Illinois. New this year, non-profits and educational agencies are invited to apply with a letter of support from a partnering government agency.   

Apply

Discover New Places with Openlands Get Outside Map

Discover places and ways to enjoy nature in the region with the Get Outside Map! Use the interactive map and list to search over 400 parks, preserves, and natural areas open to the public. Each site includes a list of benefits and activities, a link for directions through Google Maps, and links to event calendars and other information.

Explore

Recent News

TreeKeepers Celebrates its 30th Anniversary with the Creation of TreeKeepers Chapters

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This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Openlands TreeKeeper’s Program. In that time, over 2,200 passionate advocates for nature have taken the TreeKeepers Course, learning the basics of trees and tree care. One of the most exciting new developments of the last five years is the leadership that TreeKeepers have taken to create local Chapters. Learn more about the Hyde Park and Downer’s Grove TreeKeepers Chapters in this blog post.

Announcing the Winners of the Route 53 Fields of Vision Photo Contest

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The Green Corridor Coalition is proud to announce the winners of the ‘Fields of Vision’ photography contest, and we were absolutely blown away by all of the beautiful photos that were submitted! Please welcome us in congratulating the following individuals who placed in the contest.

Key Takeaways from the COP26 Climate Conference

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Last week, COP26, the largest climate change conference in the world, concluded in the United Kingdom after 12 days of meetings between global leaders. COP26, or the Conference of Parties, is an annual U.N. meeting of 197 countries that have agreed to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP26 concluded with mixed reviews from the environmental community, and experts say the goals made this year fail to reach the Paris Agreement’s goal on limiting warming. In this blog post we break down the most important takeaways from this year’s conference.

Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives.