Mighty Acorns

Schools

Partners

History

Awards & Recognitions

Funders and Funding

Educational Philosophy

Mighty Acorns® is a program of Chicago Wilderness, a large coalition of conservation agencies and organizations that have pledged to work in concert to protect natural communities in the Chicago region and restore them to long-term viability. The overarching goals are to enrich the quality of life of citizens and contribute to the preservation of global biodiversity.

History Timeline

1993

The Nature Conservancy and Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois, collaborate to develop Mighty Acorns.The curriculum, based on environmental education philosophy and core concepts, is developed and field tested by formal and non-formal educators and volunteer stewards.

1998

Chicago Wilderness identifies and adopts Mighty Acorns as a model program for guiding students through a comprehensive learning experience in environmental education.

Funding from the Grand Victoria Foundation enables Mighty Acorns to expand from Cook County to Will, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, and Lake Counties in Illinois, and northwestern Indiana.

1999

Summer Camp begins at Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center

2002

Initial funding for coordination ends. Mighty Acorns Partnership forms to provide oversight and coordination of the program throughout the region.

2004

Mighty Acorns® becomes a trademarked program.

2006

Nearly 20 conservation agencies throughout Chicagoland and northwest Indiana annually serve more than 8000 students in schools desiring to engage in stewardship education

Continued support from Chicago Wilderness and other funders, enables the partnership to continue to provide professional development for partners and summer camp for participating students.