Isoo O’Brien may be Cook County’s youngest birding expert. The 15 year old has led walks for the Evanston North Shore Bird Club and through the Chicago Botanic Garden. In May, he led walks in LaBagh Woods, part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, for the International Migratory Bird Celebration Day. That’s where Foundation […]
The 2018 Conservation Cup winning foursome with the trophy. Under a spectacular September sky, the Foundation held its seventh annual Conservation Cup at the George W. Dunne National Golf Course. The Sept. 13 tournament raised a record $210,000 through corporate and individual sponsorships and proceeds from a live auction and a raffle. Conservation Cup is […]
If there’s a common assessment of this summer that the Dan Ryan Woods Chicago Conservation Corps members all share, it’s that they got a lot done. “We got through seven turnpikes, a check step and three water bars, a lot of invasive species and did some seed collection,” crew leader Kailin Sepp said, proudly talking […]
Forest Preserve Experience crew members cut buckthorn. By Madelyn Wilson and Rachel Urich, Forest Preserve Foundation interns It’s late July, a mild and sunny morning. A crew of teenagers is cutting and piling buckthorn near the entrance of Possum Hollow Woods. They are part of the Forest Preserve Experience, a five-week summer internship program. The […]
Experiences in the Forest Preserves of Cook County inspire people in very personal ways. After working last summer in the Preserves as a Student Conservation Association (SCA)/Conservation Corps intern, Nylah Ali sees herself becoming a plant biologist one day. Leslie Fenton, who grew up “almost right on top of Bemis Woods,” supports the Preserves by serving […]
Bill Rehanek, senior vice president, operations, Billy Casper Golf Since the beginning of the Conservation Cup golf outing and fundraiser, Bill Rehanek has been there to make sure everything runs smoothly. The PGA professional is the senior vice president, operations for Billy Casper Golf, which manages the George W. Dunne National Golf course, where the […]
Dyrell Williams and Brian Clay with Foundation President Shelley A. Davis. Foundation board member Eleanor Grumman hosted a gathering at her North Shore home recently to showcase the Forest Preserves’ impact on the Chicago region — and how experiences in the Preserves can change the lives of young people like Dyrell Williams and Brian Clay. The 30 or so guests heard […]
“The funds our board of directors approved are a direct investment toward 120 youth internships in the Preserves this summer. We are pleased to support youth leadership and skill building while also helping to maintain the health of the Preserves.” — Shelley A. Davis, president The Forest Preserve Foundation is pleased to announce its […]
Chris Trimbach For Chris Trimbach, participating in the Conservation Cup makes him feel as though he has hit a hole in one. He gets to enjoy a “fun day of friendly competition” on the golf course and support the work of the Forest Preserve Foundation all on the same day. Chris, an associate managing director […]
After hearing about the Foundation from a client, Jeff Gray decided to take a look at its website. He saw a familiar name, Tom Livingston, who is the current board chair, and “I connected the dots,” he recalls. “I said this sounds like an interesting organization.” Some time later Jeff was put on a mailing […]
