All in for Nature: 5 ways to take action this Earth Month
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges facing our environment and the daily dose of bad news? You’re not alone. It can be hard to know even where to start. But you don’t have to do everything. Action is the antidote to despair and the best time to start is now. When we each take action—big or small—we build the momentum for lasting change.
This Earth Month, we are going All in for Nature. This is a defining moment—one that calls for every person to do what they can, right here at home. Across our differences, we can find common ground in nature. At a time of national uncertainty, one thing remains clear: local action shapes our future. Our natural landscapes belong to everyone, and it is our collective responsibility to protect and expand them for all.
Whether you have five minutes, five hours, or five acres to give, here are five meaningful ways you can protect nature—right here, right now.
Volunteer your time and skills
One of the most meaningful ways to support nature is by giving your time. Many local environmental organizations offer a variety of opportunities to advocate for and protect nature—and we’ve curated a comprehensive list to help you get started. If you’re interested in volunteering with Openlands, there are several ways to get involved. You can care for our urban forest by becoming a certified TreeKeeper or joining a tree care day. You can inspire a love of nature in the next generation by volunteering in schools through our Birds in My Neighborhood program. Or, you can roll up your sleeves for ecological restoration efforts alongside our partners at the Friends of Hackmatack or local forest preserves. These experiences aren’t just impactful—they’re also a powerful way to build community.
Plant trees in your neighborhood
Trees are nature’s infrastructure. They cool our cities, clean our air, manage stormwater, and improve our mental health. Through the Openlands TreePlanters Grant, you can help bring trees to your block, school, or park. We’ll provide the trees and training; you and your neighbors provide the care and long-term love they need to thrive. Check our interactive map to see if your neighborhood is part of a high-priority planting zone. If so, your community could be next.
Protect your land for conservation
If you own land with woodlands, wetlands, prairie, or natural features you treasure, you have the power to protect it forever. Openlands is the Chicago region’s accredited land trust, and we work with landowners who want to preserve the natural character of their property through conservation easements.
A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement that allows landowners to maintain ownership while safeguarding the ecological value of the land. This is a meaningful way to create a conservation legacy—protecting a beloved space for generations to come while contributing to the health of our regional ecosystem.
If you’re interested in learning more, our land team is here to help. Reach out to land@openlands.org to start the conversation.
Support policies that safeguard nature
When federal environmental leadership steps back—or even seeks to undo protections—we must turn our focus to where we can make the greatest impact: locally and close to home. Real change often begins with the laws, land-use planning, and policies shaped in our own communities. That’s why Openlands has spent decades advocating across all levels of government—municipal, regional, and state—working persistently and strategically to protect nature and ensure equitable access to it for all. This kind of long-term advocacy takes commitment and perseverance, but it’s how lasting, systemic change happens.
We invite you to be part of that change. Check out our current action alerts to contact your elected officials about the issues you care about most. And this spring, we’re making it even easier for you to get involved: join us in Springfield on April 9 for Conservation Lobby Day. This is a powerful opportunity to speak directly with legislators and advocate for bold, local conservation policies—and we’re offering free bus transportation to help you get there. Your voice can make a real difference.
Make a gift
Supporters like you make Openlands’ impact possible. This Earth Month, your gift can go twice as far. A generous anonymous donor is matching all contributions up to $50,000 this Earth Month.
Whether you give a one-time gift, set up a monthly donation, explore workplace matching, or include Openlands in your estate plans, your support ensures we can continue this vital work—for people and for the planet. You can also join us for our upcoming Openlands Annual Luncheon, one of the biggest gatherings of the conservation community in the region.
