Chicago Wilderness is a regional nature reserve that includes more than 225,000 acres of protected natural areas. It stretches from southeastern Wisconsin, through northeastern Illinois and into northwestern Indiana. The protected areas of Chicago Wilderness are forest preserves, state parks, federal lands, county preserves, and privately owned lands. There are also many unprotected natural areas that offer refuge to native wildlife.

The Chicago Wilderness consortium is an alliance of more than 200 public and private organizations working together to protect, restore, study and manage the natural ecosystems of the Chicago region, contribute to the conservation of global biodiversity, and enrich local residents' quality of life.

Leave No Child Inside

Direct contact with the nature is critical to healthy childhood development, but today's children are spending more and more time inside. Learn how to reconnect your kids to nature at www.kidsoutside.info, where you can also read about Chicago Wilderness' campaign to Leave No Child Inside!