Chicago Academy of Sciences, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Established in 1865, The Chicago Academy of Sciences describes itself as Chicago’s oldest museum. In 1999, the Academy opened the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (the Nature Museum) in Lincoln Park to serve as its permanent home dedicated to connecting people to the world of nature and science. Its education programs, outreach initiatives, exhibits, and conservation research have positioned the institution as a leader on urban ecology and sustainability in the Midwest and Great Lakes region. The Nature Museum assists in rebuilding populations of threatened and endangered local species and serves as a center for public engagement with ecology and environmental concerns. Its flagship sustainability program, the Chicago Conservation Corps, works with more than 20 community partners to recruit, train, and support a network of 800 community science volunteers who have led sustainability projects in all 50 wards of Chicago. This award provides general operating support to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum as part of the Foundation’s Culture, Equity, and the Arts program. 

The Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is dedicated to connecting people to the world of nature and science. Established in 1857, the Chicago Academy of Sciences is Chicago's oldest museum. Today, its education programs, outreach initiatives, exhibits, and conservation research have positioned the institution as a leader on urban ecology and sustainability in the Midwest and Great Lakes region.  This professional development grant supports staff attendance at an asset-based community development training at DePaul University, Chicago.

The Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (the Museum) is dedicated to connecting people to the world of nature and science. Established in 1857, the Chicago Academy of Sciences is Chicago's oldest museum. Today, its education programs, outreach initiatives, exhibits, and conservation research have positioned the institution as a leader on urban ecology and sustainability in the Midwest and Great Lakes region. The Museum is Chicago's sixth largest, welcoming over 300,000 visitors annually. This award recommends renewed general operating support to the Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is the exhibition and education branch of the Chicago Academy of Sciences. It aims to provide high-quality environmental and science education with a focus on the Chicago region and the urban landscape. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, which opened in 1999, has 17 permanent and temporary exhibits. Its indoor and outdoor exhibits feature hands-on opportunities to explore the natural world. The Museum hosted 280,000 visitors in 2012. Museum staff provides training to more than 1,800 teachers annually and delivers 36,000 hours of teaching out in school settings. This grant will support general operations of the Museum.

In support of general operations (over five years).