Collaborating Institutions

Midewin Tallgrass Prairie Alliance
The Midewin Tallgrass Prairie Alliance is a not-for-profit organization that serves as an advocate and “Friend of Midewin” by supporting prairie restoration and promoting the many volunteer, research, educational, and recreational opportunities at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. In addition, our members share an interest in helping the USDA Forest Service develop and maintain Midewin as a valuable natural and public resource.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie was established in 1996 by the U.S. Forest Service with the goal of returning the former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant to native tallgrass prairie. Midewin is a Potawatomi word for healing, appropriate because the land is being decontaminated and restored to a healthy native environment. This land is particularly important because at 20,000 acres, Midewin’s size can facilitate breeding populations of many different animals, as well as provide a range of ecosystems from dolomite prairie to wetlands. In many other areas, grassland bird populations are declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Over one hundred different species of birds live or migrate through Midewin, including the Upland Sandpiper and Northern Harrier among other Illinois endangered species. State threatened species such as Henslow’s Sparrow and the Loggerhead Shrike summer at the prairie. Through continued restoration efforts and bird monitoring programs, we hope to better understand and provide for these populations.

Thorn Creek Audubon Society
Thorn Creek Audubon Society(TCAS) promotes the enjoyment and appreciation of birds through educational events for adults and children. Their mission is to preserve, protect and restore wildlife habitat, and to create awareness of local conservation issues. TCAS is a National Audubon Society chapter that holds monthly meetings, conducts fieldtrips, Christmas and Spring bird counts and holds fundraising events throughout the year.

Illinois Natural History Survey
The Illinois Natural History Survey(INHS) conducts scientific research in basic and applied ecology, systematics and biogeography. INHS maintains a long-term repository of biological collections and ecological data, and promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration to address complex ecological issues. The survey disseminates information on the ecology and biodiversity of Illinois to the scientific community, state government, and the general public.

Governors State University
Governors State University is a public university in Chicago’s south suburban area. Its mission is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in a global society. Academic programs are offered through five colleges - University College and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business and Public Administration, Education, and Health Professions.

TogetherGreen
Audubon and Toyota launched the five-year TogetherGreen initiative in spring, 2008 to fund conservation projects, train environmental leaders, and offer volunteer and individual action opportunities that significantly benefit the environment. As of October, volunteer days have begun in 40, tallying in excess of 11,000 volunteer hours. Funding totaling $1.4 million was recently awarded to innovative conservation projects nationwide, while www.TogetherGreen.org helps users take individual conservation action and share and celebrate success stories. The TogetherGreen initiative and grants programs are funded by a $20 million Toyota gift to Audubon, the largest in the conservation group’s long history.

Audubon
Now in its second century, Audubon connects people with birds, nature and the environment that supports us all. Our national network of community-based nature centers, chapters, scientific, education, and advocacy programs engages millions of people from all walks of life in conservation action to protect and restore the natural world.

Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, with another under construction in Mississippi. Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Through its corporate initiatives, manufacturing operations and philanthropy, Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. In 2007, Toyota contributed more than $56 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.