From the first time she participated in the Conservation Cup, Rana Lee has been a big booster of the Foundation’s major annual fundraiser. Supporting the Cup allows her to combine two passions: her love for golf and supporting young people. Because of that, we know she can’t wait to hit the green at this year’s […]
An accomplished nonprofit executive, Debra Walker Johnson has been named President & Executive Director of the Forest Preserve Foundation. Walker Johnson, a Chicago native, assumes her new role at the Foundation with more than 20 years of nonprofit executive management experience. “Debra brings the right combination of development experience and a deep understanding of our […]
As 2020 comes to an end, the Forest Preserve Foundation reflects on our impact and the resilience of our community during a year of such upheaval. We also look toward the new year in anticipation of upcoming ecological improvements in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Here are four key restoration projects beginning next year […]
The Foundation has published its 2020 Annual Report. We hope that you will take a few minutes to read this overview of the Foundation’s past year. While this was a year of challenges and opportunities for the Forest Preserve Foundation, it adjusted operations and fundraising expectations in the face of the global coronavirus pandemic and […]
Black Friday is a week away, and we’re excited to continue one of our favorite seasonal traditions. The Foundation and our partner REI are pausing the holiday to-do lists to #optoutside instead of shopping on Black Friday. Spending your day off in nature is always an excellent way to unplug and unwind during a busy […]
The Forest Preserve Foundation had a tremendous response to its Oct. 22 symposium (recording above) that featured two panel discussions on the topic “Racial Equity and Access to Nature.” More than 300 people from around the country joined the virtual 90-minute program. Third annual An annual Foundation event, the symposium brought together six environmental leaders […]
As Shelley Davis prepares to step down as President of the Forest Preserve Foundation and take the helm of another Chicago-based Foundation, she took time to talk about fundraising in the time of the COVID pandemic. Davis, who has an extensive background in philanthropy, has shepherded the Forest Preserves Foundation through seven years of continued […]
More than 100 golfers hit the links with us on Sept. 30 at George Dunne National to raise funds that support next-generation conservation advocates and climate change mitigation efforts in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. We’re thrilled to report that this year’s Conservation Cup raised $137,000! This year’s Cup winners were Justin Erkfritz-Gay […]
After seven years of leading the Forest Preserve Foundation, Shelley Davis, president/executive director, is resigning to accept the CEO position with another Chicago-based charitable foundation. “Shelley has done a tremendous job growing the Foundation’s charitable giving and reputation, all in the service of our mission,” Board Chair Stu Cohn said in his message to the […]
By Andrew Kiefaber, 2020 summer intern This has been an atypical summer, with a global pandemic looming over it. For the Forest Preserve Experience program, that created a challenge. How could crews, which typically work outside in the preserves, still get the most from their experiences? While the pandemic forced many summer programs to shut […]
