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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.

Join Us.

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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2021 Annual Luncheon

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

Join a Spring Tree Planting Event

Spring is tree planting season and we have many opportunities for you to get your hands in the dirt. Check out our events page for a full list of plantings.

Sign Up

Shop the Native Tree and Plant Sale

The annual sale, held in partnership with Possibility Place, is now open and offers an array of native shrubs, trees, grasses, and flowers to beautify your landscape and support ecological health. 

Shop

Regístrese para el Curso de TreeKeepers en español

En el mes de Julio, Openlands ofrecerá una vez más su Curso de TreeKeepers en español. Este Curso, gratuito, se llevará a cabo los martes y jueves por la tarde desde el 11 de Julio hasta el 3 de Agosto en el Parque McKinley ubicado en el suroeste de Chicago.

Regístrese

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

Reflecting on Openlands’ Participation in May 2023 Advocacy Days 

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This past April, Openlands’ staff from multiple departments embarked on a mission to make our voices heard by participating in advocacy days at both the state and national capitols. These advocacy days provided an opportunity for Openlands to advocate for crucial conservation issues and engage with and inform policymakers. In this blog post, we will delve into the significance of advocacy days, highlight Openlands’ efforts in Washington, D.C. and Springfield, and discuss ways for individuals to get involved in grassroots advocacy. 

Jerry Adelmann to retire as President and CEO of Openlands this year

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After 35 years of exceptional and deeply committed leadership at Openlands, Jerry Adelmann, plans to step down from his role as President and CEO this year, the 60th anniversary of the organization.

Reflecting on Openlands’ Legacy in the Environmental Movement 

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The first Earth Day was pivotal in bringing together millions of Americans and the previously fragmented environmental movement. Here in Chicago, Openlands played a key role in helping organize the city’s first Earth Day, which included plans that spanned a whole week and that ended with a rally at the Civic Center, now Daley Plaza. 

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.