Excursions

Celebrate Pollinator Week by visiting sites that showcase the Chicago area's contribution to critical species protection and biodiversity investment - compelling projects utilizing and improving urban green spaces for important migration corridors and biodiversity support.

• Locations: Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Uptown location Lincoln Park, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• Organizations: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and Chicago Park District/Chicago Botanic Garden (Walder Biota Award Winner Rebecca Barak)

See successful efforts to restore the Calumet area’s ecology in a former heavily industrialized area. Sites promote environmental stewardship, outdoor recreation, ecological restoration, and flood mitigation.

• Locations: Ford Calumet Environmental Center, Big Marsh, Indian Ridge Marsh, Steelworkers Park
• Organizations: The Wetlands Initiative, Friends of Big Marsh, Chicago Park District, The Field Museum, featuring the work of Biota Award winner Adam Ferguson.

Visit a remnant of Illinois’ original prairie ecosystem, a model for conservation action and community stewardship. Indian Boundary Prairie is home to over 250 native plant species, offering critical habitat for pollinators and migratory birds, while contributing to flood protection for surrounding communities.

• Location: Indian Boundary Prairie, Markham, IL
• Organization: The Nature Conservancy

A 3.5 mile hike to a top secret WWII nuclear research facility which has been transformed into ecologically significant Red Gate Woods in the Cook County Forest Preserves with strong community stewardship support. Includes a discussion on the role of nuclear energy in climate change solutions.

• Location: Red Gate Woods – a section of the Palos Preserve System in the Cook County Forest Preserves
• Organization: SUM

This tour showcases not just Chicago's unique architectural beauty, but also how modern architectural design in the city has promoted energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

• Locations: Four downtown buildings: Aqua, Chicago Climate Action Museum, others (represent commercial, residential, govt)
• Organizations: Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago Climate Action Museum

Visit a landmark of African American resilience in the history of Chicago, demonstrating how Chicago's Black history is intertwined with the city's ecological shifts and community development. Highlights the role of nature as an axis of human and ecological health and as a tool of resistance to traditional power structures, continuing to challenge the status quo and fight for community resiliency in the face of climate change.

• Locations: African American Water Trail. Ton Farm, Underground Railroad, Altgeld Gardens CHA
• Organizations: Underground Railroad nfp, People for Community Recovery

The Chicago River is an inseparable part of Chicago's economy. This tour will explore the river's history, and current, past, and planned innovations to protect and promote the river’s natural health amidst continued residential, industrial, and commercial development and operations.

• Locations: Wild Mile, (River Park, Dam removal site)
• Organization: Urban Rivers, Shedd Aquarium

Explore UIC’s historic Plant Research Lab, a 3,600 sq. ft. greenhouse surrounded by outdoor growing space, and discover how science, sustainability, and community come together on campus.

Highlights include:

• Tour the CROCUS experimental site and learn how urban vegetation responds to stressors like heat and pollution.

• Visit the Mobile Environmental Lab, a high-tech outreach van bringing science into Chicago neighborhoods.

• Explore the UIC Heritage Garden, where student interns link gardening with cultural diversity and social justice.

• Experience the Nutrition Teaching Garden, an outdoor classroom connecting students to sustainable food systems—from seed to plate.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see innovative research, sustainability in action, and hands-on student-led projects that make UIC green and vibrant!

Find the full itinerary here!