Chicago Nature Seekers

What We Do

Chicago Nature Seekers is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides under served Chicago area school children with the opportunity to experience nature. All our adventures meet the Illinois State Science Standards for school field trips.

Chicago Nature Seekers provides and arranges outdoor adventures at nature centers. It covers the cost of transportation and food for the students. Delivered before the trip to each child’s classroom is a Chicago Nature Seekers reusable water bottle to be used on the trip and kept by the student for any water bottle needs. Before the students get off the bus to begin their adventure we explain the importance of not using plastic water bottles and plastic bags because of the great damage, that is preventable, that this causes our environment. Pictures are shown of beach areas cluttered with plastic garbage and we discuss how the oceans have islands bigger than Texas of floating plastic. Also given to each student is the Chicago Nature Seekers field guide which is a guide to the common plants, butterflies, birds and fish found in Chicago area. We suggest that this guide will last them forever and provides a great opportunity to go with their family and friends on a scavenger hunt to see how many of these items they can find when they are in their neighborhood or out and about in Northern Illinois.

There is no cost to either the school or the students for these adventures or anything we give them. Established in 2017, our goal is to have each student have more than one outdoor nature field trip each school year.

Where We Go

Nature Seekers have the opportunity to go to Chicago Botanic Gardens, Northerly Island, North Park Nature Center, Big Marsh,  River Trails Nature Center, Sand Ridge Nature Center and The Little Red School House. The students learn how to fish, hike, and  bird watch.  They experience tapping trees for maple syrup.  They learn about pollination, hydroponics and the importance of our ecosystem. But most importantly, they enjoy the beauty and fun of these outdoor settings. They can run around, walk on nature paths in the woods, see animals, and just feel safe.

Who We Work With

We serve a diverse population of students that reflect Chicago’s various minority communities. The trips are aimed at 3rd through 5th graders. By the end of 2021 we provided 88 field trips giving students over 5,000 nature contacts. Each year we expect to offer 40-50 field trips . We work with about 12 partner schools. The Principal assigns a key teacher who coordinates the trip with us. The success of these trips is because of the great naturalists who work with Chicago Nature Seekers at each site. They provide the students with an experience they will never forget which is also educational and lots of fun. The students learn about nature, get to play outside, see all sorts of creatures and appreciate the importance of our environment.

Founder: Barbara A. Weiner

In 2017, Barbara decided she wanted to leave a legacy of giving underserved children the opportunity to experience nature.  Her hope was that by 2020 she would have gotten 1,000 Chicago area children into the outdoors.  This was accomplished in her first year. The goal is that the students will find that there are beautiful places near where they live where they can feel safe. Barbara wants the students  to become aware of how they can help take care of the environment, advocate for its protection, and  find time to appreciate the wonders of nature. 

These ideas are inspired by the peace Barbara finds from being in a beautiful natural settings and her love of America’s National Parks.

Barbara is an attorney who has practiced law for more than 45 years and specializes in representing health care providers and not-for-profit community agencies.  She has been involved as a volunteer for numerous organizations that work with children.  Currently, Barbara is an interviewer for the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation and also gives architectural tours for the Chicago Architecture Center.

For more information contact Barbara Weiner at BarbaraWeiner@att.net