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 What You Can Do
Volunteer Opportunities
Sheer numbers can make a big difference in biodiversity. As a member of a group, you can help to dramatically influence the survival of a habitat or species right in your own neighborhood.
Volunteer some of your free time to organizations that restore prairies, monitor species populations, or otherwise implement conservation strategies. Whether you help sow seeds, clear brush, teach a class, or give a tour, your wisdom and talents are vital resources that any number of educational and conservation groups would be thrilled to utilize.
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 The Field Museum
Volunteers play an essential role in The Field Museum’s mission of education, conservation, and research. Multiple opportunities abound in almost every area of the Museum, from educational programming and visitor demonstrations to behind-the-scenes work with collections and research.
Recent volunteer openings include the chance to assist our Division of Insects department in cataloging a new collection of beetles. Or, you can consider leading one of our new Biodiversity/Nature Walk programs and tours—you’ll discover the thrill of enriching visitors’ knowledge while bringing a sense of wonder about the world into their lives!
For a complete listing of volunteer opportunities, please visitor our Museum Volunteer website.
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Greencorps Chicago
If you’re interested in learning how to garden or would like to become involved with a community garden near you, consider joining the Greencorps Team. No experience is necessary, and Greencorps is active in neighborhoods all over the City of Chicago.
In addition, Greencorps also trains volunteers to serve as docents at the Chicago Center for Green Technology. The building, grounds, and programs offered here help homeowners, architects, and builders learn how to incorporate green technology into their plans.
For more information, call the Greencorps hotline at (312) 744-8691 or send an e-mail to environment@cityofchicago.org.
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 Chicagoland Environmental Network
An environmental resource that includes more than 250 participating organizations and agencies, Chicagoland Environmental Network (CEN) helps concerned citizens in our region find out about environmental issues, volunteer opportunities, and other educational prospects.
Many members of CEN include groups involved in habitat restoration, wetlands, prairies, watershed projects, urban gardening, revitalization programs, energy conservation, composting, wildlife conservation, recycling, and more.
For additional information, please call CEN at (708) 485-0263, Ext. 396, or visit the Chicagoland Environmental Network website.
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Volunteer Stewardship Network
The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and The Nature Conservancy have created the Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN) as a resource for citizen conservationists looking for a way to help.
A vibrant, active network, the VSN trains and equips individuals and groups across the state to maintain and restore more than 300 high-quality natural areas throughout Illinois.
For more information, call (312) 580-2136 or visit the Volunteer Stewardship Network website.
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 Citizen Scientist
For a unique way to help conserve biodiversity while receiving an education, consider becoming a “citizen scientist.”
Many difference groups and agencies across Chicagoland train volunteers in the scientific methods used to help document biodiversity. You’ll learn to monitor populations of different species and collect data in a variety of ecosystems, including prairies, rivers, and wetlands.
For more information, contact:
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Ecowatch Network
Phone: (847) 635-6450
The Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project
Phone: (847) 965-1150, Ext. 12
The Butterfly Monitoring Network
Phone: (847) 464-4426
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Introduction | Investigate Biodiversity | YBC | Meet the Scientist | Explore Global Diversity | Events and Programs | Take Action! | Teaching Biodiversity | Biodiversity Exhibition | Credits
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