Roots and Routes

Roots and Routes is a network of Chicago partners committed to enhancing connections to the natural world through art, culture and care for the land. We bring people together across generations and communities through shared experiences grounded in respect and reciprocity. We create spaces for exchanging stories of resilience that inspire actions for racial and environmental justice. We weave nature and culture together through projects that celebrate and sustain life. 

At Roots and Routes, communities engage with nature and participate in the stewardship of the landscape through collaboratively designed programs and events. Our program is building ties between the Bronzeville, Chinatown, Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods to the lakefront, deepening a sense of belonging for residents in the Burnham Wildlife Corridor.

Gathering Spaces
In 2015, Roots and Routes launched a project in which artists and designers partnered with community organizations to create gathering spaces across the Burnham Wildlife Corridor. The designs of these spaces are inspired by traditions from Chicago neighborhoods that honor ancestral connections to the land while sharing the ecological story of this evolving landscape.

With multi-lingual programming including dance, poetry and musical performances, cultural festivals, story circles, and art workshops, the Gathering Spaces have become vital sites for community engagement, cross-cultural exchange, and wellness in the outdoors.