Chicago Botanic Garden - This is yet another great place to visit if you want to experience the outdoors without having to travel far from home. The Botanic Gardens are a great place to stroll through a wide variety of beautifully-maintained gardens to get some ideas or to just experience something that you have never seen before. You can also visit many native ecosystems such as an oak savannah, woodland, prairie, and the Skokie River watershed.
Chicago Wilderness - Believe it or not, due to its central location, the Chicago area is home to a variety of different habitats and a tremendous diversity of plant and animal life. This site will tell you what is being done to study, preserve, and protect our natural areas for generations to come and hopefully inspire you to give back to your community and do your part to help.
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - Less than .01% of native tallgrass prairie remains in Illinois today. Visit this site to learn all about the first national tallgrass prairie preserve in the United States. It is the largest tallgrass prairie remnant east of the Mississippi River and it's right in your backyard!
Morton Arboretum - Thanks to The Simpsons, we all know that an arboretum is a "tree place," but there is so much more to see! The arboretum contains plants from over 60 countries, ornamental gardens, and nature trails that will take you through the East Woods and the Schulenberg Prairie. Both of these examples of native ecosystems are home to many rare plants that you simply cannot find in the Chicago area any more. Visit this site to learn all about what is happening at this local gem.
National Parks Service - What started with Yellowstone in 1872 has truly blossomed into "America's Best Idea." I have spent five summers and one winter in various national parks in Alaska, California, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Utah and I can honestly say that each park left me speechless. You owe it to yourself to explore the natural wonders that exist within this country, especially if you crave the solace of open spaces as I do.
North Branch Restoration Project - There are many people who donate their time to restore natural areas throughout the Chicago-land area. This site will tell you about a network of people who are all working together to restore the North Branch of the Chicago River and its surrounding ecosystems.