Chicago Wilderness Alliance

🌍 Teaching sustainability means teaching connection. From composting and soil science to environmental justice and community resilience, the Green Teacher Gathering 2026 provides a full day of workshops on the theme of “Guided by Nature: Reconnect, Restore, Revolutionize—advancing nature-centered teaching for a sustainable future” that grounds every session in purpose and possibility. Move from awareness to action alongside a community of people committed to change. 📅 Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 8:30am-4pm CST 📍 Academy for Global Citizenship, Chicago 📝 Learn more and register today at the link in our bio Hosted by the Green Teacher Network, a collaboration among Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Grows Food, Chicago Wilderness Alliance, Cultivate Collective, Forest Preserves of Cook County, and Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, this event welcomes all people interested in environmental education and sustainability including community members, gardeners, teachers, parents, school facilitators, artists, and more! #EnvironmentalEducation #EnvironmentalJustice #SustainabilityEducation #TeachForChange

🌿 Calling all environmental educators, sustainability practitioners, and anyone curious about conservation education: registration is now open for the Green Teacher Gathering 2026 . This is more than a conference. It’s a space to reconnect and get inspired. This year’s theme, “Guided by Nature: Reconnect, Restore, Revolutionize—advancing nature-centered teaching for a sustainable future,” invites you to reimagine what learning can look like, no matter who your learners are. With hands-on workshops and community-building sessions, you’ll leave empowered and equipped to bring environmental education to life. 📅 Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 8:30am-4pm CST 📍 Academy for Global Citizenship, Chicago 📝 Learn more and register at at the link in our bio. #EnvironmentalEducation #Sustainability #OutdoorLearning #TeacherCommunity

There's still time to register for today's online Cafe! Chicago Wilderness Alliance and Lake Michigan Basin Partnership: A Regional Dashboard for Water Online Cafe: Tuesday, May 5 at Noon CST Chicago Wilderness Alliance is an organization built upon partnerships, both within and outside of our borders. As part of Current’s Water Week, this cafe will focus on some of the key partnerships and water efforts both within our own boundaries and Lake Michigan basin-wide. The basin-wide component of the cafe will focus on resources such as a water dashboard that presents solutions such as technical assistance and funding opportunities in our region. Please join us for this cafe at noon central time on May 5, 2026. This event is affiliated with Chicago Water Week, presented by Current (/chicago-water-week/). There is no charge to attend. Register at the link in our bio. #ChicagoWilderness #LakeMichigan #WaterConservation #WaterWeek #EnvironmentalStewardship #MidwestConservation

Here's your reminder to head to the Chicago Beaver Festival TOMORROW (May 2) to celebrate Beavers & Youth: Stream Keepers of Tomorrow. Admission is free at this family-friendly event 🦫💚! Check the link in our bio for details or at https://ow.ly/BKuy50XkYTW #ChicagoBeaverFestival #BeaverFest #ChicagoEvents #FamilyFun #WildlifeConservation #Beavers #NatureLovers #LakeMichigan #HydeParkChicago #EcoKids #OutdoorChicago #Conservation #UrbanWildlife #StreamKeepers #NatureEducation #MidwestNature #ExploreChicago #FreeEvent #CommunityEvent #ChicagoNature

Register Now, All Are Welcome to Join! Chicago Wilderness Alliance and Lake Michigan Basin Partnership: A Regional Dashboard for Water Online Cafe: Tuesday, May 5 at Noon CST Chicago Wilderness Alliance is an organization built upon partnerships, both within and outside of our borders. As part of Current’s Water Week, this cafe will focus on some of the key partnerships and water efforts both within our own boundaries and Lake Michigan basin-wide. The basin-wide component of the cafe will focus on resources such as a water dashboard that presents solutions such as technical assistance and funding opportunities in our region. Please join us for this cafe at noon central time on May 5, 2026. This event is affiliated with Chicago Water Week, presented by Current. There is no charge to attend. Register at the link in our bio. #ChicagoWilderness #LakeMichigan #WaterConservation #WaterWeek #EnvironmentalStewardship #MidwestConservation

It's time! The #CityNatureChallenge starts today, and it's not too late to get involved. Our wonderful partners have created more than 20 adventures and need your help to observe the nature around you. Last year, people like you made 13,881 observations in our region🐝🐛🦊🐦‍⬛🌳🌻💚! Join a nature walk, beach cleanup, or bioblitz (find as much as you can, as fast as you can). All observations support a global dataset that helps researchers better understand species distribution and urban biodiversity. Don't have time to join an event? Document wild species where ever you are and add them to iNaturalist at the link in our bio. 2026 City Nature Challenge: Chicagoland Region Events *Eggers Grove Bio Blitz, Chicago, IL *Intro to iNaturalist & Nature Walk, Woodstock, IL *Bioblitz and UV Hike at West Ridge Nature Park *Morning Bird Stroll, Willow Springs, IL *Earth Week: City Nature Challenge at Lake Ellyn Park, Glen Ellyn, IL *Party for the Planet, Celebrate Earth Day with Randall Oaks Zoo, West Dundee, IL *City Nature Challenge @ The Field Museum's Rice Native Gardens, Chicago, IL *Nature in Your Backyard: Pullman National Historical Park, Chicago, IL *Earth Week: City Nature Challenge, Glen Ellyn, IL *Wolf Road Prairie Volunteer Workday, Westchester, IL *BioBlitz at Kilbourn Park Greenhouse, Chicago, IL *City Nature Challenge Bioblitz, Harvard, IL *Spring Ephemeral Walk: U of I Extension Master Naturalists of DuPage, Kane & Kendall Counties, Plano, IL *Wildflower Walk, Northbrook, IL *Osterman Beach Natural Area Stewardship, Chicago, IL *Munster's Annual Earth Day Celebration 2026: Our Community and Those Who Will Inherit It, Lake County, IN *Nature Walk at Fred Rose Park, Hobart, IN PLUS: *ID the Birds and the Bees with ISC (21+ event), Chicago, IL *ID Event @ the Field Museum, Chicago, IL Visit the link in our bio for information and registration details for individual events. #ChicagoNature #NatureLovers #GetOutside #UrbanWildlife #Biodiversity #Conservation #EarthDay#CommunityScience #iNaturalist #NatureEvents

The clock is ticking ⏰ but there's still time to submit your session proposal for Congress 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your expertise and innovative ideas with the conservation community. Submission deadline is Friday, May 15. Congress 2026 will be on November 6 in Lake County, IL. In celebration of our 30th anniversary, the theme is The Alliance at 30: Growing Forward Together. We’re looking for innovative and engaging sessions that highlight bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative solutions to environmental conservation. Whether through presentations, workshops, panels, case studies, or other formats, we invite you to share your insights with the conservation community. Session Focus Areas: 🌎 Advance collaboration across sectors, communities, and disciplines 🌱 Offer innovative conservation approaches and best practices 🌳 Highlight lessons learned and emerging models 💚 Inspire collective action for environmental stewardship Session Details: ✔️ 45 minutes long ✔️ Focus on environmental conservation in our region ✔️ Open to ALL professionals—no need to be affiliated with the Alliance to submit! 🔗 Learn more and submit your proposal at the link in our bio. 📣 Know someone with a story to share? Encourage a colleague to submit a proposal and help us celebrate conservation efforts from across the region! #ConservationProfessionals #EnvironmentalStewardship #ChicagoWildernessAlliance #GrowingForwardTogether #ConservationCommunity #CallForProposals

It's just a few days til the weekend-long #CityNatureChallenge, which runs from April 24-27 and we need your help. Our wonderful partners have created more than 20 adventures and need your help to observe the nature around you. Last year, observers in our region made 13,881 observations🐝🐛🦊🐦‍⬛🌳🌻💚! Nature walk, beach cleanup, or bioblitz (find as much as you can, as fast as you can)? All observations support a global dataset that helps researchers better understand species distribution and urban biodiversity. Don't have time to join an event? Document wild species where ever you are and add them to iNaturalist at the link in our bio. 2026 City Nature Challenge: Chicagoland Region Events *Eggers Grove Bio Blitz, Chicago, IL *Intro to iNaturalist & Nature Walk, Woodstock, IL *Bioblitz and UV Hike at West Ridge Nature Park *Morning Bird Stroll, Willow Springs, IL *Earth Week: City Nature Challenge at Lake Ellyn Park, Glen Ellyn, IL *Party for the Planet, Celebrate Earth Day with Randall Oaks Zoo, West Dundee, IL *City Nature Challenge @ The Field Museum's Rice Native Gardens, Chicago, IL *Nature in Your Backyard: Pullman National Historical Park, Chicago, IL *Earth Week: City Nature Challenge, Glen Ellyn, IL *Wolf Road Prairie Volunteer Workday, Westchester, IL *BioBlitz at Kilbourn Park Greenhouse, Chicago, IL *City Nature Challenge Bioblitz, Harvard, IL *Spring Ephemeral Walk: U of I Extension Master Naturalists of DuPage, Kane & Kendall Counties, Plano, IL *Wildflower Walk, Northbrook, IL *Osterman Beach Natural Area Stewardship, Chicago, IL *Munster's Annual Earth Day Celebration 2026: Our Community and Those Who Will Inherit It, Lake County, IN *Nature Walk at Fred Rose Park, Hobart, IN PLUS: *ID the Birds and the Bees with ISC (21+ event), Chicago, IL *ID Event @ the Field Museum, Chicago, IL Visit the link in our bio for information and registration details. #ChicagoNature #NatureLovers #GetOutside #UrbanWildlife #Biodiversity #Conservation #EarthDay#CommunityScience #iNaturalist #NatureEvents

🌱 Call for Session Proposals: Congress 2026 🌱 Congress 2026 will be on November 6 in Lake County, IL. In celebration of our 30th anniversary, the theme is The Alliance at 30: Growing Forward Together. We’re looking for innovative and engaging sessions that highlight bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative solutions to environmental conservation. Whether through presentations, workshops, panels, case studies, or other formats, we invite you to share your insights with the conservation community. Session Focus Areas: 🌎 Advance collaboration across sectors, communities, and disciplines 🌱 Offer innovative conservation approaches and best practices 🌳 Highlight lessons learned and emerging models 💚 Inspire collective action for environmental stewardship Session Details: ✔️ 45 minutes long ✔️ Focus on environmental conservation in our region ✔️ Open to ALL professionals—no need to be affiliated with the Alliance to submit! 🔗 Learn more and submit your proposal at the link in our bio. 📣 Know someone with a story to share? Encourage a colleague to submit a proposal and help us celebrate conservation efforts from across the region! We can’t wait to hear your ideas and showcase your successes! ✨ #ConservationProfessionals #EnvironmentalStewardship #ChicagoWildernessAlliance #GrowingForwardTogether #ConservationCommunity #CallForProposals

It's almost time for the global #CityNatureChallenge, and we need you to help Chicagoland shine! Our wonderful partners have created more than 20 adventures and need your help to observe the nature around you. Whether it's a nighttime fungi hike, a party for the planet, or prairie restoration, there's something for everyone. All observations support a global dataset that helps researchers better understand species distribution and urban biodiversity. You just need a phone or camera and your enthusiasm! 2026 City Nature Challenge: Chicagoland Region Events *Eggers Grove Bio Blitz, Chicago, IL *Intro to iNaturalist & Nature Walk, Woodstock, IL *Bioblitz and UV Hike at West Ridge Nature Park *Morning Bird Stroll, Willow Springs, IL *Earth Week: City Nature Challenge at Lake Ellyn Park, Glen Ellyn, IL *Party for the Planet, Celebrate Earth Day with Randall Oaks Zoo, West Dundee, IL *City Nature Challenge @ The Field Museum's Rice Native Gardens, Chicago, IL *Nature in Your Backyard: Pullman National Historical Park, Chicago, IL *Earth Week: City Nature Challenge, Glen Ellyn, IL *Wolf Road Prairie Volunteer Workday, Westchester, IL *BioBlitz at Kilbourn Park Greenhouse, Chicago, IL *City Nature Challenge Bioblitz, Harvard, IL *Spring Ephemeral Walk: U of I Extension Master Naturalists of DuPage, Kane & Kendall Counties, Plano, IL *Wildflower Walk, Northbrook, IL *Osterman Beach Natural Area Stewardship, Chicago, IL *Munster's Annual Earth Day Celebration 2026: Our Community and Those Who Will Inherit It, Lake County, IN *Nature Walk at Fred Rose Park, Hobart, IN PLUS: *ID the Birds and the Bees with ISC (21+ event), Chicago, IL *ID Event @ the Field Museum, Chicago, IL Visit the link in our bio for information and registration details. Follow @cnc_chicagoland for tips, tricks, and a cheeky look at citizen science. #ChicagoNature #NatureLovers #GetOutside #UrbanWildlife #Biodiversity #Conservation #EarthDay#CommunityScience #iNaturalist #NatureEvents

🌎 Are you a nonprofit, nature center, community group, or other gathering of outdoor enthusiasts? Be part of the global celebration and host a City Nature Challenge: Chicagoland Region event anytime from Friday, April 24 through Monday, April 27, 2026. 🐦🦊🦌🌳. The deadline to add your event is THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 10. Your event can be simple or elaborate—whatever works for you! Already planning spring stewardship or volunteer days? Looking for a reason to organize a hike, bird walk, or family-friendly outdoor adventure? Just go to the City Nature Challenge: Chicagoland Region link in our bio for instructions on how to add your event and join our group on iNaturalist. Don't forget to follow @cnc_chicagoland and @citnatchallenge to see what's happening close to home and around the world! #CityNatureChallenge #Chicagoland #NatureLovers #Conservation #GetOutside #iNaturalist #Wildlife #Biodiversity #CommunityScience #NaturePhotography #ExploreNature #Stewardship #OutdoorEvents #ChicagoNature #MidwestNature #EcoFriendly #NatureChallenge #SpringEvents #FamilyFun #Volunteer #NatureWalk

Our partners @IlEnviro are headed to Springfield on April 8 and May 30 to advocate for environmental priorities like the POWER Act, which protects Illinois from data center harms, and the Polystyrene Foam Foodware Ban, which reduces plastic waste!📣 Can you join them? RSVP at the link in our bio.