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Chicago Wilderness is a group of more than 220 public and private organizations working together to protect the Chicago region's natural spaces, help conserve the diversity of plants and animals, and enrich local residents' quality of life. We are launching Leave No Child Inside, a multi-year plan with the ultimate goal of fostering generations of children that care enough for nature to protect it.

Richard Louv's 2005 book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, calls attention to the role of nature in healthy child development. The book has mobilized groups across the country into a nationwide movement dedicated to reconnecting kids and nature.

Chicago Wilderness members are uniquely qualified to connect children and adults to nature.

• We offer many programs to build this connection, from teacher training to student education programs. The Mighty Acorns program has empowered more than 8,000 fourth and fifth graders to restore their local native environment.
• Chicago Wilderness and its members will also begin offering all-new programs designed to encourage fun and educational visits to local natural areas.
• We have wild places-a network of nearly 360,000 acres of forests, prairies, savannas, wetlands, lakes and other protected open spaces - much of this is accessible to the public.
• Our members have expertise in place-based environmental education, child development, and conservation psychology, and the ability to reach millions of children.

www.chicagowilderness.org

Chicago Wilderness Members List