Chicago Wilderness: A New Force in Urban Conservation^a

Abstract

In 1996, a coalition of diverse and determined organizations launched a new initiative in the Chicago region. Our vision? Chicago Wilderness: a thriving mosaic of natural areas, connected by greenways and wildlife corridors, embedded in the nation's third largest metropolis. In this vision, the region's human communities reclaim a cultural tradition of protecting and restoring the globally outstanding natural communities that enrich our lives. Today, more than 170 organizations join forces to transform this vision into reality. A regional biodiversity recovery plan, the result of 3 years of assessment and planning by scientists, land managers, educators, and policy strategists, sets priorities and determines the lines of action for the coalition. This regional agenda stems from our vision and recovery goals for each ecological community; it encourages targeted research initiatives that focus on characterizing our native biological diversity and on analyzing elements critical to its recovery. Ultimately, though, the long-term survival of our natural wealth rests on the support from the public. Although the challenges to conservation educators and communicators are many, Chicago Wilderness allows us to work together in understanding our audiences, channeling our resources, and creating novel approaches to engage the widest public in our conservation efforts.

Mammal diversity and metacommunity dynamics in urban green spaces: implications for urban wildlife conservation

“…Many natural areas in our study were established in the early 1900s when city planners designated an array of protected areas in and around the city of Chicago (Moskovits et al. ). City parks consisted of mature native and exotic trees with a predominately turf grass understory, while some larger parks included areas of natural vegetation interspersed throughout the park (Fidino et al.…”

Need for multiscale planning for conservation of urban bats

“…Efforts to incorporate nature into urban planning could increase the quantity and quality of wildlife habitats within cities (Moskovits et al. ; Beatley ). These conservation efforts—known as urban reconciliation—aim to manage and create habitats that support wildlife populations, allow populations to remain resilient, and reduce biodiversity loss in cities (Rosenzweig ; Francis & Lorimer ).…”

“…Although cities are typically characterized by lower biodiversity (Aronson et al 2014;Krauel & LeBuhn 2016), they can contain important habitat for wildlife (e.g., Fidino et al 2016;Ives et al 2016;Magle et al 2016). Efforts to incorporate nature into urban planning could increase the quantity and quality of wildlife habitats within cities (Moskovits et al 2004;Beatley 2011). These conservation efforts-known as urban reconciliationaim to manage and create habitats that support wildlife populations, allow populations to remain resilient, and reduce biodiversity loss in cities (Rosenzweig 2003;Francis & Lorimer 2011).…”

The Botanist Effect Revisited: Plant Species Richness, County Area, and Human Population Size in the United States

“…In this context if important parts of biodiversity are located in regions where the pace of urbanization is increasing (e.g., Vaha‐Piikkio et al 2004; Canova 2006; Hope et al 2006), then a successful conservation strategy of these biotic resources should enable the coexistence between people and nature (e.g., Bryant 2006; Miller 2006). In this way urban ecology becomes a key element of conservation biology (e.g., Moskovits et al 2004; Pauchard et al 2006).…”