Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves

Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves formed with the belief that local stewardship volunteers, acting in close partnership with professional ecologists, Illinois Nature Preserve staff and allied conservationists, comprise a critically important component of the needed workforce and expertise. And just as importantly, these stewardship volunteers become advocates for Illinois nature, at the local and state level. At its core, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves is all about people. Our staff will always be vastly smaller than the network of Friends volunteer organizers and stewards who care for and defend the biodiversity of Illinois.

Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves supports the Illinois Nature Preserves System by advocating for and finding increased support, resources, funding, and staff for the system and assisting local volunteer communities as they help restore and care for their Illinois biodiversity reserves.