Natural Connections

Maps do more than just represent space—they tell insightful and persuasive stories. Openlands’ Natural Connections project allows you to create customized maps that show the interconnected network of open space and natural areas in parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

With over 400 layers of information at your fingertips, including floodplains, trails, and plant and animal habitat, Natural Connections helps you deliver compelling messages to students, community leaders, conservationists, and legislators alike.

Developed in conjunction with the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), Natural Connections is an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to protect land and water resources in northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region.

Get started or request the helpful desk reference, which offers mapping tips and vibrant sample maps, by sending an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Natural Connections was generously funded by:

• The Joyce Foundation,
• Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and
• The Boeing Foundation.

This project was also partially funded by a grant provided by the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in support of Chicago Wilderness and administered by the Illinois Conservation Foundation.

For more information, please contact Openlands Policy Director Lenore Beyer-Clow via e-mail or by phone at 312-863-6264.