Under a cloudless sky on the last day of July, something special happened in Dan Ryan Woods. The Forest Preserves of Cook County, its partners and community members celebrated the opening of the new Nature Play and Treehouse on a site, located near the northeast corner of 87th Street and Western Avenue. The Forest Preserve […]
Foundation backers share stories about Forest Preserves at ‘Summer Soiree’
Anyone who appreciates the Forest Preserves of Cook County can share something about what makes them special. At the Foundation’s recent “Summer Soiree,” several speakers did just that. Board member Jeff Gray recalled kicking off summer with a ride along the “swatch of green” that is the North Branch Trail all the way to Lake […]
Spring Symposium showcased breadth of the Preserves
Thersa Salus, left to right, Anely Lopez, Nicholas Brown and Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin. From one presentation that offered a broad view of what’s happening in the Forest Preserves to another that covered a variety of conservation projects, the Foundation’s Spring Symposium enlightened many on the Preserves’ value and significance. The symposium also underscored the various […]
Toni Preckwinkle embraces role as Forest Preserves advocate and steward
Board member Tom Lanctot (left), Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Forest Preserves General Superintendent Arnold Randall. “The Forest Preserves has no better advocate and no better steward than [Cook County Board] President [Toni] Preckwinkle,” Foundation board member Tom Lanctot told guests at the May 14 Conservation Cup Sponsor Apprecation Breakfast. “She’s made the […]
Foundation awards grants to SCA, Forest Preserve Experience program
At its May 3 meeting, the Forest Preserve Board of directors approved grants totaling $61,200. The funds will support paid internships in the Forest Preserves and career exploration programming for more than 120 youth during the summer of 2019. Support for summer internships To the Student Conservation Association (SCA), the Foundation awarded $50,000 to support […]
Couple’s donation funds grant that expands conservation program into schools
Through their $5,000 donation to the Forest Preserve Foundation, a Champaign couple with deep ties to Chicago is supporting an expansion of the Forest Preserves Conservation@Home program into nine schools in Cook County. The gift by Warren Lavey and Dr. Holly Rosencranz will fund a grant that allows the schools to start or expand pollinator […]
Show your love for your local outdoors — with help from REI
Here at the Forest Preserve Foundation, we love our local outdoors. But you already know we do. Still, when there’s a chance to have more funds directed toward ensuring that the Forest Preserves of Cook County are protected and maintained, we are on it. Because that’s our mission. We depend on the community to support […]
Jim Beck and Stephen Friedman join Foundation board
At its February board meeting, the Forest Preserve Foundation Board of Directors approved the nominations of two new board members, Jim Beck and Stephen Friedman. Their board terms begin in May. “We are pleased to welcome Jim and Steve to the Foundation’s board,” Board Chair Stu Cohn said. “Both have demonstrated their commitment to the Foundation through their […]
Forest Preserve Foundation makes $250,000 grant to restore Cap Sauers Preserve
The Forest Preserve Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant to the Forest Preserves of Cook County in early February, thanks to the generosity of a Palos-area resident whose gift was inspired by seeing Preserves staff and volunteers working in Cap Sauers Holding Preserve last summer. The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed the hope that […]
How a snowshoeing class in the Forest Preserves led to love, then marriage
Brian Murphy and Karen Quasny were strangers when they met on a moonlit and extremely cold night in 2014. They had gone to Spears Woods for a snowshoeing class put on by REI, the outdoor recreation company. Both were separated and interested in activities that allowed them to enjoy the outdoors, which they each loved. They […]