HOW YOU CAN HELP

You are what hope looks like to a bird and we offer many opportunities for citizens of Northwest Illinois to become active in our environment.

Membership
Volunteer
Donate

Conserving Our World

If you consider conservation a priority, the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society’s Conservation Committee may be a good fit for your volunteer time. The committee reports to the Chapter’s Board and guides the conservation activities of our Chapter.

Check our calendar for Conservation Committee meetings.

Conservation Committee membership is open to all Chapter members. Feel free to join us for our next discussion.

HAVE QUESTIONS? We are happy to answer any questions you may have or if you would like to know more about our upcoming  conservation activities and Conservation Committee meetings. 

Contact Us

Membership

Becoming a member of the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society helps conserve our world and gives you a lot of flexibility. You pick how involved you want to be. Whether it’s occasional attendance at an event or meeting, financial donations, or full-fledged regular volunteer support, we appreciate your willingness to make a difference and protect our planet

Two types of membership are available:

National Audubon Membership – Automatically provides you with membership in both the national organization and the local Northwest Illinois Audubon Society. National members receive the National Audubon Society bimonthly Audubon magazine, an excellent source for national and international environmental news and views, as well as the local chapter newsletter. If you wish to join at the National level, select G55 – Northwest Illinois Audubon Society on the online application or download and print the local membership form and mail your dues to P.O. Box 771, Freeport, IL 61032-0771. Please note: Renewals of your National Memberships Renewal cannot be accepted at the local level.

Local-Only Membership – Individuals who do not wish to join the National Audubon Society or receive their magazine may join the local chapter only and receive just our bimonthly local newsletter. Download and print the local membership form and mail your dues to P.O. Box 771, Freeport, IL 61032-0771.

DOWNLOAD MEMBER FORM

(OR Register Online Below)

Online Application 

Volunteer

A number of prairie restoration and management workdays occur at Elkhorn Creek and Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserves throughout the year. Check our newsletter or our calendar for further details.

Volunteer opportunities include prairie preservation work including:

    Removing non-native plant species, trail maintenance & wood cutting

    Prairie burns & prairie plant seed collecting

    Seed cleaning & seed planting

    We invite you to get on our contact list for prairie burns that are done each spring. We don’t schedule burns weeks in advance. When conditions are right, we call you, and if you’re available, you join our crew. Usually you’ll get the call 24-48 hours beforehand. The burn season typically runs from early March through mid-April.

    Don’t worry if you lack experience. There are some tasks on burn days that are fine for novices. Snacks and water are provided.

    Additional volunteer opportunities available with NIAS

    Check the list below to see which opportunity is best suited to you.

      • assist with plant, animal, and bird species lists for Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve
      • build trails at Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve
      • count birds at our annual Christmas bird count
      • count spring cranes
      • provide educational programs for adults and children
      • assist on-call as events arise

      READY TO HELP? Contact Mary Blackmore at 815-938-3204 for details on any of our volunteer opportunities.