One of the simplest ways you can take action against Climate Change is by advocating for the protection of nature and wildlife. By contacting your elected official through the campaigns below, you help them understand how they can best serve the community they represent.
Current Campaigns
Chicago: Establish an Urban Forestry Advisory Board
Trees are important to Chicago. Help create stronger support for our city’s trees with a Urban Forest Advisory Board.
Chicago: Stop General Iron’s Move to the Southeast Side
Tell city officials to deny General Iron a permit and stop its move to the Southeast Side.
Federal: Protect Imperiled Species Under the Endangered Species Act
Tell your Federal elected officials that endangered Monarch butterflies must be listed as an imperiled species under the ESA.
Birds: Support Federal, State, and Local bills to protect birds
Ask your representatives in Congress, Springfield, and Chicago City Hall to pass bird-friendly policies.
Federal: Grow Green Jobs by Expanding Conservation Corps
Support a federal initiative that will create robust funding for conservation corps.
Since 2017, over 16,000 messages have been sent to local, regional, and national elected officials in support of nature and the right to experience nature near where you live. This collective action has protected landscapes like Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, defeated rollbacks to wildlife protections in Illinois, and helped pass conservation legislation like the Great American Outdoors Act.
Connect with your Legislators
Look up who represents you using Openlands easy to use tool. By searching you can find out who your government officials are, and connect with them by phone, email, or through their website.
Learn More About the Issues
Delve deeper into why Openlands advocates for nature-based issues locally and nationally.
The Monarch Needs Federal Protections Now
After six long years of consideration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced in December that it would not protect the Monarch under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), despite evidence that the North American butterfly has suffered dramatic population decreases over the last half-century.
The Benefits of a Chicago Urban Forestry Advisory Board
Chicago’s trees have always provided respite in its shade on a hot day, a connection to nature where we live, and health benefits by cleaning our air and reducing flooding. But as Daniella Pereira outlines, our tree canopy faces threats that make Chicago susceptible to flooding, heat islands, and environmental inequities. An Urban Forestry Advisory Board could help rebuild our tree canopy.
Why Openlands Has Joined A Lawsuit Against The City of Joliet
Openlands has joined a legal fight, alongside people who live and farm in this special place, because as an organization, we believe that, to be competitive on a global scale, the protection of nature and jobs creation can and must coexist, and that it is imperative that we work together with all the partners for a more equitable, resilient, healthy land-use solution.
Stay Engaged with Action Alerts
Taking action takes many forms at Openlands, from volunteering at a community tree planting to supporting our work with a monthly donation. You can also stay involved with Openlands advocacy efforts by signing up for Action Alert emails.
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