The Chicago Wilderness Plan is for a great future for nature and people. [Back to the plan.]

A St. Charles Park District crew of staff and volunteers hauled this mass of invasive purple loosestrife from Ferson Creek Fen. Photo by Jack Shouba.

he success of the Chicago Wilderness Recovery Plan comes down to individuals in the end. Whether you work for one of the organizations already described, or whether you are in an occupation unrelated to the protection of biodiversity, there is a vital role for you to play.

Any person can:

1. Become a volunteer working with agency land managers to maintain and restore the quality of natural areas.

2. Participate as a citizen advisor in the development of municipal, county, and regional plans, and raise issues regarding biodiversity conservation.

3. Be an advocate for biodiversity with local officials as well as with state and federally elected representatives, and support legislation and programs that protect and acquire natural lands.

4. Use natural landscaping on personal property where appropriate.

5. Reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers on personal property, and avoid planting noxious weeds such as purple loosestrife.

6. Become a citizen scientist, someone who enjoys learning scientific aspects of nature ranging from plant or bird identification to the complex interactions within the ecosystem.

7. Join and support not-for-profit conservation organizations.

8. Participate in nature programming to enrich the lives of children.

9. Share what you know about the importance of nature and biodiversity with others.

For information about volunteering, call (708) 485-0263, x396 or check out The Chicagoland Environmental Network.

For information about serving as a bird, butterfly, frog or plant monitor, contact The Habitat Project at (847) 965-9239.

To become more involved in the conservation mission of Chicago Wilderness, join one or more of the member organizations.

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Copyright 2006 Chicago Wilderness Magazine, Inc.
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