Abstract: We report on the early results of a survey-based assessment of stewardship activities within the Chicago Wilderness region, work conducted as a part of the Chicago ULTRA-Ex project. Chicago Wilderness is a 270 member alliance focused on preserving and enhancing biodiversity throughout northern Illinois and parts of Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan (USA). The results described include 369 stewardship groups including non-governmental organizations, community groups, municipalities and others who voluntarily filled out the survey between November 2010 and November 2011. Environment, education, community improvement, youth and recreation are the top five foci of the efforts of Chicago Wilderness Area stewards put their effort. Chicago Wilderness stewards work in a wide variety of settings, with prairie, woodland, community gardens, trails, wetlands and parks cited most often. Other stewardship group characteristics are reported, including staffing levels, budget, and number of volunteers and members. Comparison to other metro areas are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Westphal, Lynne M.; Davis, Amelie Y.; Copp, Cindy; Ross, Laurel M.; Bouman, Mark J.; Fisher, Cherie L.; Johnston, Mark K.; Lambruschi, Marc; and Hasle, Erika
(2014)
"Characteristics of Stewardship in the Chicago Wilderness Region,"
Cities and the Environment (CATE):
Vol. 7:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cate/vol7/iss1/3
