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.
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.
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.
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.
Shop the Native Tree and Plant Sale
The annual Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale is now open! Choose from a wide array of native shrubs, trees, grasses, ferns, and flowers to beautify your yard and support ecological health.
Attend Garden Workshops
Held throughout the year at Building School Gardens schools, these workshops give teachers and garden team members tools that help them to maintain the garden and to use the schoolyard as a part of class lessons, and it provides garden teams with a networking opportunity.
