A Letter from the
Executive Director of
Chicago Wilderness,
Melinda Pruett-Jones

Many fans of Chicago Wilderness magazine are familiar with its commitment to telling the stories of the people and organizations who strive to protect local nature. Fewer, perhaps, are aware of the alliance of the same name. A long-time force behind the magazine, the Chicago Wilderness alliance is more than 230 organizations — ranging from small, volunteer-based groups to cultural and research institutions, to local municipalities and federal agencies — that share the magazine’s commitment to engage the people of this region in preserving and protecting our natural heritage.

As editor Don Parker notes in his essay, the alliance is focusing on several initiatives to reconnect the region’s residents to that heritage, and to ensure its protection for generations to come. These initiatives — to restore and manage natural habitats, to understand and mitigate the effects of climate change on local nature, to implement the Chicago Wilderness vision for a sustainable future, and to leave no child inside — reflect our commitment to combining scientific research, a collaborative approach to conservation, and a caring for both people and nature in ways that benefit all of the region’s residents.

Recently the alliance and the magazine revisited our shared identity. We are now poised to engage new audiences and partners in regional conservation efforts. You may recall our original logo was the nodding wild onion, a frail plant that at one time grew on the prairies that are now Chicago’s metropolitan region. It reminded us of the beauty we can lose if we don’t care for the nature around us. The new Chicago Wilderness identity is bolder and conveys a stronger message. You’ll see it reflected in this magazine and on the alliance’s new Web site.

Most importantly, this new look and way of talking about our work is intended to reflect the power of our collective voice: the voice of more than 230 organizations, thousands of volunteers, and even more individuals like you who value their connection with nature. By working together, we can make the Chicago Wilderness region a vibrant and sustainable place for all who live here. I know we are up to the challenge.