Jailene Leyva

Resources

This space is dedicated to providing helpful tools and resources for peers pursuing careers in conservation or sustainable agriculture, which I’ve gathered based on how they’ve helped me.

Monarchs on prairie plants
Purple coneflowers
Ratibida pinnata

Programs + local orgs

Stewardship and Ecology of Natural Areas (SENA)

Internship organized by the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe

Urban Agriculture Certificate

Apprenticeship organized by Windy City Harvest (part of CBG) in conjunction with the City Colleges of Chicago

Research Experience for Undergrads

Research internship organized by CBG, exploring conservation ecology, plant biology, and more

Urban Canopy

Local CSA farm

Just Roots

Local CSA farm

Urban Grower’s Collective

Black and women-led non-profit farm in Chicago

Catatumbo Cooperative

Co-op farm ran by 3 immigrant POC queer unicorns. FB page

Star Farm

Non-profit urban farm and landscaping service

Wild Mile

Accessible public green space, still expanding

Big Marsh Park

300 acre park in South Deering. Part of the Chicago Park District

Basics

Chicago Mushroom Club

Free mycological education

Tall Prairie Plant List

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Website

Plant ID Resources

Recommended books and websites for plant ID, sorted by state

Youth Teaching Resources

Compiled list of educational materials for youth

Working with Indigenous communities

Engagement frameworks

Conservation Management

Articles that introduce science behind management