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 […]
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 […]
In the United States, we are privileged with a bounty of protected land. The profound natural beauty of this country, from the National Parks to the Forest Preserves of Cook County, is a cornerstone of our national identity. Unfortunately, an abundance of public land alone does not guarantee widespread access to nature. For non-white people, […]
The desire to feel safe is universal and belongs to no one race or creed. But we know that many people in our country, state and county are not equally safe, even from those who are entrusted to serve and protect. We are seeing too many instances that show black people to be unsafe while […]
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 […]
Volunteers remove invasive brush during a stewardship workday at Camp Bullfrog Lake. David Ventre, an avid mountain biker who lives on the North Side of Chicago, loves cycling through the Palos trails. Winding through rolling hills and deep ravines, the extensive Palos Trail Systems in south Cook County, offer beautiful views of the Forest Preserves. […]
It is through telling the stories behind the work the Foundation does that we connect best with our friends and supporters. Whether it’s in a forest preserve or at one of our public events, the Foundation touches so many people. And they touch us. We use our blog to keep you informed about what we […]
Some gifts are for the birds. Literally. That was the sentiment behind a tribute gift from Ben and Kate Julian when they adopted a bench in the Skokie Lagoons. When Ben called Shelley Davis, president of the Forest Preserve Foundation, to discuss making a donation, “it was even a little awkward,” he recalled. Davis, he […]
