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Connecting students and teachers to nature through birds
Since 2013, Birds in My Neighborhood® has helped more than 16,000 students learn about nature in their local community. The program introduces students to the common birds of the region through in-class lessons and field trips. Led by Openlands, this classroom-based and volunteer-driven program is offered to schools in the City of Chicago and through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at Volo Bog in Lake and McHenry Counties, Illinois.
Birds in My Neighborhood
16,000
Students
in pre-K through 5th grade
800
volunteers
throughout the Chicago region
670
teachers
bringing bird education to their classrooms
360
schools
participating in this program
“I always see such growth and learned knowledge in the students after going through the program. Students acutely become aware of the species found in their urban setting.”
– Saucedo Elementary teacher
Learn more about Birds in My Neighborhood:
Support for Birds in My Neighborhood is generously provided by BNSF Railway and US Forest Service International Programs.
Birds in My Neighborhoods Partners:
Meet Our Expert Staff
Jocelyn Vidal supports Openlands as the Conservation Planning Coordinator, where she cultivates community-led initiatives that connect people to nature and promote environmental stewardship. With four years of experience in the environmental field, Jocelyn brings expertise in community engagement, education, and program and volunteer coordination.
Before joining Openlands, she worked in customer service and actively volunteered in outdoor restoration efforts throughout the Cook County Forest Preserves. Jocelyn holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Northeastern Illinois University and is currently pursuing her M.A.T. in Elementary Education.
Passionate about connecting communities to green spaces and inspiring youth to explore the outdoors, Jocelyn is known for her collaborative spirit and commitment to equity in environmental education.
