During its November meeting, the Forest Preserve Foundation board of directors approved four grants for the fall cycle totaling $122,530. The grants will go to support restoration/conservation, internships, volunteer training and recognition programs within the Forest Preserves of Cook County. This latest round of grants increases the Foundation’s total giving since its inception to in […]
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 […]
On a sunny morning in late July, a stream of bright orange T-shirts makes its way to the Wampum Lake Woods pavilion in Thornton, Ill. This is the day that more than 80 Chicago teens will celebrate the end of their summer of work in the Forest Preserve Experience Program. Launched in 2016, the program […]
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 […]
By Rachel Urich Forest therapy, also called forest bathing, is the ancient meditation technique of slowing down, calming your mind, and “bathing” in the forest and the energy that surrounds you. The Forest Preserves of Cook County is a perfect place to practice forest bathing techniques. Recently I tried them out myself as part of […]
“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 […]
Kerri Daniels, director of business development for DLZ Last fall, Kerri Daniels received an invitation from board member Claire Williams to attend the Foundation’s second Friendraiser. Kerri, the director of business development for the Illinois office of DLZ, an architecture and civil engineering firm, had supported the Conservation Cup in the past, but saw the […]
As local birding destinations go, among the most popular are the forest preserves scattered throughout Cook County. Dedicated birders, you might say, flock there to catch sight of native and migratory species year round. Through the three-year-old program called Bird the Preserves, which receives funding from the Forest Preserve Foundation, everyone has an open invitation […]
