The Northwest Illinois Audubon Society is dedicated to the cause of good stewardship of planet Earth. The society's strongest commitments are in the areas of environmental education, habitat preservation, pollution control, wildlife protection and resource conservation.

The Northwest Illinois Audubon Society was chartered in 1972 as a chapter of the National Audubon Society whose mission is:

To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.

Since its beginning, the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society has emphasized the interrelatedness of resource protection, habitat conservation and connecting people with nature.

The 250-member chapter owns, manages and protects the Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve. This 43-acre parcel, two miles south and two miles west of Forreston, Illinois, is home to more than 300 identified species of plants, animals, and birds. The chapter also partners with other environmental organizations on such projects as:

• The Low-Carbon Diet
• The Freeport Prairie
• The annual Food for Thought Workshop
• Audubon Adventures in Education

Today the chapter's efforts and activities center on public environmental education, energy conservation, sustainable agriculture and natural areas management. One of our major initiatives has been to partner with leaders from local schools, churches and service clubs to guide our region onto a Low-Carbon Diet.

Our Chapter's purpose is "to engage in any such educational, scientific, investigative, literary, historical, philanthropic and charitable pursuits as may be a part of the stated purpose of the National Society..."