The beauty of the Midwest may often be overlooked, but our sweeping prairie land, luscious forests, never-ending dunes and, of course, our precious freshwater Great Lakes are worthy of admiration — and protection. The Environmental Law and Policy Center calls the Midwest “the nation’s most important region for taking on climate change.” In the last century, the average air temperature in the Midwest has increased by 1.5 degrees fahrenheit. Warming temperatures mean that the Great Lakes are more susceptible to toxic algae infestation. Now more than ever, it is critical that we support and understand the missions of organizations dedicated to preserving our region’s natural resources. Here are 10 Chicago-area nonprofits playing an important role in this fight to protect the environment and fight climate change.
Brushwood Center
The Brushwood Center, which sits in the heart of the Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods, Illinois, has been preserving the natural area since 1984. The center serves to educate people on the benefits of nature and science-based education through the arts. The center collaborates closely with community partners to offer art and nature programs to various groups, including youth and veterans. Programs include their Senior Wellness Program and Trial Tales for Families Program. The site was originally home and hunting grounds of the Potawatomi people and other local indigenous communities; the center formally adopted a Land Acknowledgement Statement in 2020 to bring awareness to the history of the Ryerson Woods.
224-633-2424
21850 N. Riverwoods Rd. Riverwoods, IL
Alliance for the Great Lakes
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIgX4MWnrZE/
The Alliance for the Great Lakes is a non-partisan non-profit organization working to protect the fresh and natural waters of the Great Lakes. Headquartered in Chicago, the organization started in 1970, led by Lee Botts, as the Lake Michigan Federation. Slowly the Lake Michigan Federation expanded to include all the Great Lakes. The alliance has had many successes combating the threats to the Great Lakes. They championed the federal ban on microbeads in toiletry products (like face wash and toothpaste) in 2015; they host a beach clean up initiative every year called “Adopt-a-Beach”, with more than 15,000 volunteers present; and they partnered with local organizations, like the Ohio Environmental Council, to help drive research about basic water services in the area.
312-939-0838
150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 700 Chicago, IL
Nature Conservancy
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIsu0qTAdg5/
The Nature Conservancy started over a century ago in 1915, and since then has expanded their reach to all 50 states and four continents. The Illinois branch of the Nature Conservancy focuses on protecting the local landscape including our precious prairies, forests and savannas. As a whole, the non-profit has five main goals: to tackle climate change, protect local land and water, provide food and water in a sustainable way, and build healthy cities. These goals are what the conservancy calls the planet’s “biggest, most important challenges” that scientists have labeled as the most urgent. In 2016, TNC Canada worked alongside First Nations to permanently conserve 19 million acres of the Pacific coast, between Vancouver Island and southeast Alaska.
312-580-2100
Garfield Park Conservatory
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIi24YHjzj1/
The Garfield Park Conservatory is a vital Chicago horticultural center and one of the largest conservatories in the nation. Their mission statement, “Changing lives through the power of nature,” is indicative of their vision to help people embrace and honor the importance of nature. The Conservatory showcases thousands of plant species from around the world throughout eight indoor display gardens. Also known for their educational resources, the Conservatory provides nature-based learning for young children and tips for people looking to grow and/or live green.
Due to COVID-19, the Garfield Park Conservatory and Gardens are currently closed. You can visit them online or access their digital tours.
The Garfield Park Conservatory is a 2013 Philanthropy Award winner.
773-638-1766
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL
Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB37EfwldZi/
Founded in 1993, the ELPC is a leading Midwest-based non-profit environmental advocacy group. Headquartered in Chicago, the center aims to develop and lead “successful strategic advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural resources.” The ELPC is highly focused on improving and understanding the needs of the climate and environment of the Midwest. Over the last 20 years, ELPC has helped the region build 34,800 megawatts of wind and solar energy; close more than 110 coal plants; and fund more than 5,400 Great Lakes Projects.
The Environmental Law and Policy Center is MIB Media Sponsored.
312-673-6500
35 E Wacker Dr STE 1600, Chicago, IL
Trees That Feed Foundation
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH05ge3BOmT/
Mary McLaughlin founded Trees That Feed Foundation in 2008 as a response to world food concerns. The foundation’s mission is made up of three goals: plant trees to feed people in developing countries, create jobs and protect the environment. With an impact in 18 countries, the foundation hopes to see communities self-sustain on agroforestry. Trees That Feed have planted over 200,000 food-bearing trees and provided over 500,000 locally produced meals.
Trees That Feed Foundation is a 2014 Philanthropy Award winner.
312-315-0955
1750 Harding Rd, Northfield, IL
Chicago Botanic Garden’s The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center
Hidden in the Chicago Botanic Garden is The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center. The center provides laboratories and teaching facilities for more than 200 Ph.D. scientists, land managers, students, and interns. The Botanic Garden was awarded a Gold LEED rating by the US Green Building Council for the center’s use of high-performance green design. A viewing gallery and the 16,000-square-foot Green Roof Garden are open to the public, in which nearly 800,000 visitors each year get the opportunity to view plant science firsthand.
The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center is MIB Media Sponsored.
847-835-5440
1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, IL
Openlands
https://www.instagram.com/p/CImFLvXl1h3/
Founded in 1963, Openlands was originally a program of the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago. It is currently one of the oldest metropolitan conservation organizations in the country and the only such group with a regional focus. Openlands seeks to protect the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife and help balance and enrich peoples’ lives. The organization has help protect more than 55,000 acres of lands for public parks and forest preserves, wildlife refuges and urban farms. According to their 2020 Annual Report, Openlands has planted 1,076 trees, engaged with 1,800 residents in Lake County through multiple programs and piloted an annual 3-part climate change workshop for teachers.
312-863-6250
25 East Washington Street, Suite 1650 Chicago, Illinois
Sierra Club Illinois
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_BGszlBjcj/
The Sierra Club branch of Illinois is dedicated to protecting the natural diversity of the state through activism, outings, politics and legislation. The branch has successfully run campaigns on conservation, energy issues, clean water, and transportation. Sierra Club is an invaluable resource to learn about our local and state government’s environmental values as well as fellow organizations and coalitions that campaign for clean energy, like the Illinois Clean Energy Jobs Act. They are also a proud partner of the Ready for 100 Chicago Collective, which launched in 2018 to support 100 percent renewable energy efforts for a clean energy future.
312-251-1680
70 E Lake Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL
Chicago Parks Foundation
https://www.instagram.com/p/CG-a0d5l3Bz/
The Chicago Parks Foundation started in 2013, in a private-public partnership with the Chicago Park District, to help raise funds and awareness for over 600 of Chicago’s parks. The foundation has hosted initiatives like “Run for the Parks” and “Pitch in for the Parks” as fundraising and clean-up efforts, respectively. In 2020, “Pitch in for the Parks” recruited and supplied more than 2,000 volunteers to help clean-up over 350 parks throughout the city in a five month period.
773-505-8754
541 N Fairbanks Court, Chicago IL
