From a conservationist’s point of view, the modern landscape is comprised of parcels of protected land surrounded by relatively unprotected lands of varying levels and kinds of development. The legal boundaries that set protected lands off from neighboring land uses are biologically and socially permeable. The Chicago metropolitan area is no exception, with rich but fragmented natural areas scattered throughout a highly populated region. Facing diverse ecological and human challenges, Chicago Wilderness has developed a comprehensive regional plan for biodiversity conservation which connects multiple landowners, as well as scientific and educational institutions, and engages the region’s citizens in ecological restoration and biological monitoring, and fosters direct interaction with the landscape. Chicago Wilderness is a 12-year-old consortium of 225 member organizations working together with the common mission of conserving the biodiversity of the Chicago metropolitan region. This session will consist of a panel of presenters from a variety of disciplines, including soil ecology, conservation biology, conservation psychology, environmental education, economics, and urban planning, followed by a group discussion.