Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
Since 2005, Openlands has worked to protect the ecologically significant landscapes found along the Illinois-Wisconsin border, acquiring over 2,000 acres of land in Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, and collaborating with partners and community residents to restore it.
2025 TreePlanters Grant is open for applications
The TreePlanters Grants provide young trees to communities in Chicago and the near south suburbs. Bring more shade, beauty, and cleaner air to your neighborhood—one tree at a time.
Don’t miss this opportunity to make a lasting impact.
The Chicago Lakefront: Protected, Yet Precarious
The Chicago lakefront is at a critical crossroads, with multi-billion-dollar developments being considered and federal environmental protections on the decline. A new report by Openlands breaks down the legal history, analyzes current safeguards, and offers a path forward through policy reforms.
Join Openlands for the 2024 Annual Luncheon
Join us on Thursday, October 17, 2024, as we unite under the banner of “Conserving Nature for Life.”
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available on The Openlands 2024 Annual Luncheon webpage.
2023 Openlands Annual Report
The 60th-anniversary special issue of our annual report is now available digitally. Over the course of these six decades, we have honed our own conservation toolkit that informs how we approach opportunities and challenges. This annual report is organized around our core areas of expertise, providing a comprehensive view of how they have been put to use over the years to achieve milestone conservation wins and lay the groundwork for our endeavors today.
Openlands' Nature for All Campaign
Join Openlands' most ambitious campaign to date to create a lasting impact on nature and people, for now and for generations to come.
Support Openlands by becoming a monthly donor
Celebrate Openlands' 60th anniversary with a gift of $60 a year, or $5 a month and make a sustaining difference.
Committed to conserving nature for life.
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.
71,000+
Acres Protected
in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin
15,000+
Acres Restored
to a healthy state for nature, wildlife, and people
10,000+
Trees planted
throughout the Chicago region
2,100+
Volunteers
certified as TreeKeepers
Openlands is a conservation thought leader in the region.
With over 60 years of strong experience in serving people and nature, our experts share their vision and lessons learned for a more sustainable future.
Latest Openlands News
Explore nature in the region
Use our interactive maps to discover places and ways to enjoy nature in the region. Explore over 400 parks, preserves, and natural areas open to the public.
Get Involved in Our Programs
The Arborist Registered Apprenticeship is a 3-year training program administered by Openlands in partnership with the Department of Labor and tree care companies across the Chicago region. Apprentices work alongside industry professionals and gain hands-on experience, training, and skills to launch their green careers in arboriculture and urban forestry.
Bring free trees to your neighborhood by applying for the TreePlanters Grant. This opportunity is for residents of Chicago and south suburbs of Cook County who would like to facilitate a community tree planting day.
TreeKeepers are an ever-growing community of tree ambassadors that care for the Urban Forest in Chicagoland. Through the TreeKeeper Course, tree lovers of all ages and backgrounds gain accessible training and education that certify them as an official TreeKeeper. English and Spanish courses are offered.
Birds in My Neighborhood is a volunteer-driven program for elementary students that helps students see nature in their community by observing birds. Volunteers help run the program by working with teachers to schedule two classroom visits and a field trip to a local natural area.
The Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale is now open. Visit the Possibility Place online store now to order your native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Trees and shrubs ship beginning April 1. Perennials ship beginning May 1. More species will become available for order and shipping in the Spring.
Our 30x30 Goals
We are partaking in the global effort to restore, connect and conserve 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.
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Connecting people to nature where they live.
As innovative protectors and stewards of the land since 1963, Openlands exists to create access to nature for all. Through local alliances, forward vision, and persistent action, Openlands connects and leads conservation work, serving as a guiding voice for communities, organizations, and more effective policy in northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region.