How to Get Involved

By Isabelle Molitor, July 2026

Although the complexity and diversity of topics within the field of conservation may feel daunting, conservation is for everyone. Anyone is capable of learning about the natural world and getting involved in conservation efforts. Whether you are interested in plants, wildlife, specific habitats, or unsure of where to start, there are many resources available to help you get started. Are you wondering how you can make a difference?

Volunteer

Volunteering your time is a great way to gain experience and education while also contributing to the success of a project. Many local nonprofits in northern Illinois host volunteer work days and utilize the help of volunteers to ensure events run smoothly. When attending weekly or monthly work days, you can also often find a sense of community and build relationships with other regular volunteers. Find more information about event and land stewardship volunteer opportunities on the Natural Land Institute website here.

Attend Educational Events

If you are interested in expanding your scientific knowledge or looking for educational family activities, many nature centers, nonprofits, and libraries host educational programing for a variety of ages. Wild Roots Nature Center at Severson Dells and Nature At The Confluence host children’s science programs.  Natural Land Institute hosts guided Wildflower Walkabouts in partnership with Wild Roots Nature Center in the spring. Learning about nature and how to identify different plants and animals can help foster greater appreciation for nature. Attending public events is also a great way to support your local organizations and nature preserves. You can find events hosted by Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, Klehm Arboretum, Anderson Japanese Gardens, and Welty Environmental Center below.

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County

Klehm Arboretum

Anderson Japanese Gardens

Welty Environmental Center

Spend More Time Outdoors

Knowledge and appreciation for nature can also be gained through spending time outside. Outdoor recreation not only benefits individuals, but also supports the preservation and maintenance of land and resources. For example, fees at boat launches, permits for hunting and fishing, and an organization’s rental fees for equipment often allow for programs to continue. Visiting your favorite natural areas also shows that green spaces are appreciated and worth investing in. While on a hike, try practicing your identification skills using a field guide or apps like iNaturalist and Merlin. Try a new outdoor hobby like birding or kayaking. At home, you can go for walks and make observations around your neighborhood or start a backyard garden. I have found that spending mindful time outdoors helps reduce stress as well.

Participate in Community Science

Like volunteering, community science programs are an easy way to get involved in local research and conservation efforts. These programs involve people from the community assisting with a larger scientific project. For example, in June Natural Land Institute held a Bioblitz event, where members of the community learned about and identified the species present at Silver Creek Woods Preserve in order to gain a better understanding of the ecosystem. The app iNaturalist is also a community science initiative. Many organizations in northern Illinois participate in the City Nature Challenge each spring, an international bioblitz event.

Conservation@Home

Natural Land Institute’s Conservation@Home program is another way to practice conservation. This certification promotes creating wildlife habitat in your own backyard through the use of native plants. For more information on qualifications and how to get started, visit the Natural Land Institute website here.

These are just some of the steps you can take to become more involved in your local natural environments. Even if you feel as if your efforts are too small, everyone’s individual impacts add up to create large scale changes.