About Biodiversity

photo: Mike Greer, Chicago Zoological Society

Biodiversity simply means biological diversity. It is the variety of natural communities, plant and animal species, and even genes that exist within a particular place. Biodiversity is essential to a healthy environment, to human health, and to the economy.

Healthy, diverse ecosystems provide us with clean air and water, and resources like food and ingredients for medicines. And as anyone who has spent some time outdoors can tell you, the great diversity of life on Earth is also a source of inspiration and wonder!

The Chicago region contains some remarkable biodiversity, but it is under increasing pressure from climate change, development, pollution and other forces. The Chicago Wilderness consortium is working to address these threats, and individuals, businesses, community groups and municipalities can help. We have an extraordinary opportunity to act locally to contribute to the conservation of global biodiversity by protecting the unique and threatened natural communities that exist in our own back yards.

 E-mail to a friend