A Healthy Nature Handbook

An illustrated handbook to restoring nature in the Chicago region.

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The Chicago metropolitan area is home to far more protected nature than most people realize. Over half a million acres of
protected land known as the Chicago Wilderness are owned and managed by county forest preserve districts and other
public and private sector partners. But there’s a critical factor of the Chicago Wilderness conservation effort that makes it
unique: a pioneering grassroots volunteer community, thousands strong, has worked for decades alongside agency staff
to restore these nearby natural areas, learning how to manage biodiversity in an altered and ever-changing urban context.
A Healthy Nature Handbook captures hard-earned ecological wisdom from this community in engaging and highly
readable chapters, each including illustrated restoration sequences. Restoration leaders cover large-scale seeding
approaches, native seed production, wetland and grassland bird habitat restoration, monitoring, and community
building.
Contributions from local artists bring the region’s beauty to life with vibrant watercolors, oil paintings, and sketches. A
Healthy Nature Handbook is packed with successful approaches to restoring nature and is a testament to both the Chicago
region’s surprising natural wealth and the stewards that are committed to its lasting health.