Appalachians
One of TNC's top priorities, this landscape spans 2,000 miles from Alabama to the Canadian Maritimes, a vast, nearly unbroken chain of forested mountains, valleys, wetlands and rivers.
Indiana Beauty Together with partners and communities, The Nature Conservancy is helping to shape a thriving future for nature and people alike in the Midwest and beyond. © Andrea Kappler
The Midwest is a strategic stronghold for freshwater, biodiversity and agriculture. More than 300 bird species migrate to and through our region; the Great Lakes contain 20% of the world's freshwater; and Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin rank among the top 20 U.S. agricultural states, providing food across the globe.
Thanks to the steadfast support of partners and people like you, TNC has worked for more than 60 years to protect and preserve the Midwest region's rich natural heritage. Together, we are building on a legacy of conservation to shape a more resilient, thriving future for nature and people, here in the heartland and around the world.
Our Work in the Midwest
Our long history of partnering with Midwest communities to tackle local conservation challenges gives us the tools, knowledge and partnerships we need to overcome barriers and advance our vision of a Midwest where people and nature thrive.
Big Darby Headwaters Preserve
The Big and Little Darby Creeks in Ohio represent one of the most biologically diverse aquatic systems in the Midwest. The watershed encompasses 560 square miles.
© David Ike
The Midwest's Impact
-
$14.5B
Midwest agriculture contributes $14.5 billion to the economy each year.
-
84%
The Great Lakes contain 84% of surface freshwater in the U.S.—and about 21% of the world's surface freshwater.
-
$7B
Great Lakes fisheries are the foundation of a $7 billion fishing industry in the Midwest.
-
12M
The Northwoods sequesters 12 million tons of CO2 each year in the Midwest.
Discover TNC's Work in the Midwest
Ecosystems from the Great Lakes and the Northwoods to rolling prairies and Appalachian foothills define Midwestern culture and play a crucial role in shaping our future climate.
Wisconsin
For 60 years, The Nature Conservancy and our partners have protected more than 243,000 acres of Wisconsin’s quiet lakes, Northwoods forests, winding rivers and sun-kissed prairies. We’re building on that legacy and bringing people together to help solve today’s biggest conservation challenges from climate change and habitat loss to protecting clean water. Together we’re stronger!
Illinois
For more than 60 years, The Nature Conservancy has protected the sun-kissed prairies, shady oak savannas and tranquil forests of Illinois. With the support of partners and people like you, we're building on that legacy by bringing people together to help solve today’s biggest conservation challenges, from climate change and habitat loss to protecting clean water.
Indiana
Indiana’s natural areas are more than just beautiful to look at; they sustain many habitats and countless species of plants, fish and wildlife. TNC's focus in Indiana includes protecting natural areas, connecting habitats, and engaging with the agricultural community to improve soil health.
Ohio
From our lakes and rivers to our wetlands and forests, Ohio's lands and waters support a rich history of culture, recreation and biodiversity. Discover how The Nature Conservancy is working with partners across the state to preserve and protect our incredible natural areas for generations to come.
Michigan
For decades, TNC in Michigan has worked with the people of this Great Lakes state to protect the rivers, lakes and lands that are its natural heritage. We continue to pursue strategies that will help ensure the vitality of Michigan’s people, places and wildlife for generations to come.
Where to Find Us
Return
Return
Midwest Goals & Conservation Priorities
Nature doesn’t stop at man-made borders—what happens here in the Midwest matters everywhere. That’s why TNC chapters in the region came together to create our own set of 2030 goals for the Midwest to protect and restore lands and waters, advance climate-smart agriculture and advocate for clean energy.
Bison in Illinois
Bison roam the Nachusa Grasslands Preserve in Illinois year-round.
© Charles Larry
Midwest Goals for 2030
We're working across the Midwest to hit these goals to help the world halt climate change and biodiversity loss. Together, we find a way.
-
3x
Triple the amount of renewable energy in the Midwest, with at least 90% developed in a way that conserves nature and benefits communities.
-
175M
Protect 175 million acres of land (71 million hectares), including prairies, forests and coastal areas.
-
41,000
Protect 41,000 miles (66,000 kilometers) of rivers—enough river length to wrap around the Earth nearly twice.
-
60M
Restore and protect 60 million acres (24 million hectares) of lakes and wetlands.
-
People
Partner with Indigenous communities, farmers, foresters, city-based groups and other communities to ensure that local leaders inform conservation decisions.
Midwest Conservation Priorities
Our Midwest Conservation Priorities help focus and empower our work to secure a thriving future for nature and people.
Clean Energy Transition
We’re accelerating renewable energy in the Midwest while protecting nature and communities. Our 3C approach—Climate, Conservation, Communities—guides smart, sustainable energy growth. Click above to explore more about this work.
Connecting Lands and Waters
Across the Midwest, The Nature Conservancy is working to protect and restore a mosaic of vital Midwest landscapes—from rare oak savannas and high-quality prairies to wetlands and forested watersheds. Click above to see our work in action at our Emiquon Preserve in Illinois.
Great Lakes Fisheries & Coastal Areas
The Great Lakes contain 90% of North America’s available surface freshwater and are vital to life, nature, and the economy. TNC is restoring coasts, protecting fisheries, and fighting invasive species to keep these freshwater treasures thriving. Click above to discover our work in the Great Lakes.
Great Rivers & Floodplains
We’re restoring rivers and floodplains across the Mississippi River Basin—from the Illinois to the Ohio—to reduce flooding, improve habitat, and protect clean water. Our science-driven work and partnerships are shaping a healthier future for this vital system. Click above to learn more.
The Northwoods
We’re protecting and restoring the Northwoods—60 million acres of forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitat—to boost biodiversity, store carbon, and safeguard clean water. Click above to discover how we’re using landscape-scale conservation in the Northwoods to protect this forest far into the future.
Regenerative Agriculture
We’re helping scale regenerative agriculture across the Midwest—improving soil health, reducing runoff, and supporting farmers through innovation, partnerships, and policy. Click above to learn more about our approach to farming with nature.
Midwest Conservation Stories
From collaborations to save endangered turtles to tips to stay safe when exploring the great outdoors, the Midwest is filled with stories about the wonders of nature and the people who are striving to protect it.
Sign up for our monthly Nature News.
Stay connected to nature near you with local and global conservation stories.
Help Nature Thrive in the Midwest
Nature needs you. We have years, not decades, to solve the climate and biodiversity crises. We can get there, but only if we work together. There are so many ways you can get involved and do your part to support a world where people and nature thrive together.
Hemlock Draw
Located a little north of Madison, Wisconsin, Hemlock Draw is home to both northern and southern plant and bird species, making it an essential conservation site.
© Mark Godfrey/TNC
Whether big or small, every action makes a difference for nature and our future.
Find out how you can get involved below.
Volunteer
Whether you are interested in getting your boots dirty on trails or organizing data in an office, your local TNC chapter has a role for you!
Make a Donation
With your support, we can put the best conservation science into action right now, helping to protect and restore the Midwest's natural areas.
Attend an Event
From guided walks at local preserves to virtual events, find out how you can connect with fellow nature lovers and learn from scientists and other experts.
Take an Action Pledge
Make your voice heard on the urgent conservation issues facing our world. Our Action Center helps you easily contact your elected officials.
The Places We Protect in the Midwest
From the shores of the Great Lakes to desert-like prairies, The Nature Conservancy protects diverse and beautiful natural areas throughout the region.
Spectacular Shorelines
Carl A. Gerstacker Nature Preserve in Michigan protects a large expanse of contiguous forest near the Lake Huron shoreline to safeguard migratory birds and other wildlife.
© Ron Leonetti
Connected Systems
Nature doesn't recognize boundaries, which means our work requires collaboration and cooperative management across state lines. Below are some of the regions we're working closely with to ensure that no part of nature is left behind.
