The Chicago Wilderness region is an area of about 7
million acres that stretches from southwestern
Michigan to southern Wisconsin, reaching through
northwestern Indiana and northern Illinois. Chicago
Wilderness is a regional alliance of more than 200
organiza?ons that work together to improve the
quality of life of the humans and the many other
species living in the Chicago area. This region
includes 38 coun?es, over 500 municipali?es, and a
popula?on of more than 10 million people, one of
the most densely-populated metropolitan areas in
the United States.
Over the past 20 years since Chicago Wilderness
began, partners in the region have worked toward a
variety of conserva?on goals, including
understanding and adap?ng to the impacts of
climate change and improving connec?vity of green
infrastructure. This led to the development of a
climate change ac?on plan for nature and a green
infrastructure vision plan.
Assessing Vulnerability of
Urban Forests to Climate
Change
A Case Study of the Chicago Wilderness Region
Leslie Brandt, Northern Ins
