Partner Programs
A listing of programs supporting chicago’s urban nature
Bee Spotter
Are you a photographer who isn’t afraid to get up close and personal with bees? If so, you can help in a nationwide initiative to collect data on bee demographics. Bees are important to our environment, yet are disappearing in great numbers. We are looking for volunteers to take color photographs of bees anywhere throughout the Chicago region for scientific research. Visit the University of Illinois’s BeeSpotter page to learn more and sign up.
Frog Monitoring
Help save our native frogs and toads! Join volunteers in the Chicago region to listen for frog and toad calls during breeding seasons. The data you collect provides valuable information about the health of natural areas and ponds. Little is known about the status of your parks’ native frogs, so we need your help! Register for a one-time training class and visit your chosen area to listen for calls three times between February and July (six hours total). Record your results on each visit and submit your data online. Your data will be shared with scientists and land managers to improve native frog and toad habitat! Please visit the Calling Frog Survey site to learn more.
Dragonfly & Damselfly Monitoring
Do you have an eye for detail and love learning about insect populations, their interactions with people, and how changes to natural areas affect them? Well, the Illinois Odonate Survey is your place to shine! Visit their site to learn more and get involved!
lincoln park conservatory stewardship
Do you want to get your hands dirty helping the Chicago Park District staff with tasks in the Lincoln Park Conservatory? Explore volunteer opportunities through Chicago Cares and the Chicago Park District.
