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 […]
Foundation’s 2020 Annual Report available
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 […]
Symposium on ‘racial equity’ shares insights, shines a light
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 […]
A chat with Shelley Davis: Fundraising during the COVID lockdown
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 […]
2020 Conservation Cup raises $137,000
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 […]
Key sponsor increases its support for 2020 Conservation Cup
Year after year, Billy Casper Golf offers unparalleled in-kind support for the Conservation Cup. This year the organization stepped up in a huge way, making a title sponsor $15,000 cash donation to the Foundation’s annual major fundraising event. “These are tough times and we know that the Conservation Cup is facing an uphill battle with […]
Foundation grant supports increased wages for Forest Preserve Experience
Annicka Barker, a 2019 Forest Preserve Experience participant, shared a new-found passion with her family. A $100,000 grant from the Forest Preserve Foundation will help underwrite increased wages for Forest Preserve Experience crew members this summer. “We are so pleased to support young people who rely on summer employment to help themselves and, in many […]
State of play: Forest Preserve Golf puts safety first
Naturally, with the spring season reaching its peak greenness, every golfer wants to hit the links. Golf is still happening in the Preserves, with some restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic and statewide orders to maintain safe and healthy distances. For the Foundation, golf plays a key role in our yearly events calendar. The Conservation […]
Foundation awards grants to SCA, Free Spirit Media
The Forest Preserve Foundation is pleased to announce two grants, approved by its board of directors at its May 1 meeting. Grants totaling $56,000 will support the Student Conservation Association and Free Spirit Media. A grant of $50,000 will go to the Student Conservation Association (SCA) for its 2020 summer program. Since 2015, the Foundation […]
Staying apart, staying safe and enjoying the wonders of nature
Forest Preserve Foundation staff are finding ways to stay connected to the natural world while practicing physical distancing. Here, they reflect on their experiences during the COVID pandemic. Shelley and her son, Sage. Natural discoveries Sheltering in place is hard. Although we know and agree that the strategy to #stayhomesavelives is working, it is also […]