Chicago Wilderness Trust

Chicago Wilderness' climate action initiative has consisted of engaging alliance members in discussions regarding climate implications and adaptation efforts through workshops and research projects. Going forth, climate action activities will not serve as a standalone initiative. Rather, climate action implications will be embedded in the key focus areas of oak ecosystem recovery, water, priority animal species, Beyond the Choir, Landowners, and development and management of a data hub.

A previous effort of Chicago Wilderness, Leave No Child Behind, formed to address the need to engage children in outdoor environments as a public health and learning initiative. Chicago Wilderness has refocused its communication efforts to engage constituents who are "Beyond the Choir". Building a long term constituency that reflects the current and forecasted diversity of the region - diversity in culture, generations, economics and geography - is imperative to ensure the Chicago Wilderness Region's lands and waters are preserved, improved, and expanded, resulting in a healthy and resilient region.

A core tenet of Chicago Wilderness work is restoring local nature to health. Work is focused in three areas: oak ecosystem recovery, collaboratively conserving 12 priority animal species, and addressing regional water-related challenges through innovative natural resource conservation tactics.