What if the thing you’ve been missing is not another show to stream, another errand to run or another doomscroll on your phone, but a chance to do something that has real meaning in your community? Volunteering in the Forest Preserves of Cook County turns free time into impact, curiosity into connection and ordinary days […]
Jalanni Matthews, Chicago Program Coordinator, Student Conservation Association. Jalanni Matthews’ warm presence is matched only by his passionate dedication to keeping nature healthy. Since 2014 when he first joined a crew as a high school sophomore, Jalanni has brought his whole self, worked hard, learned, and built relationships in every avenue and connection provided by […]
At the Forest Preserve Foundation Board of Directors Seed Collecting Event on September 30th an energetic group of board members, staff and community members connected with nature and with each other, learned about restoration, and helped make sure native species thrive. Fall leaf color gets all the press, but down on the ground and up-close, […]
As burgeoning birdsong heralds the arc of winter into spring, we invite you to take a peek at the 2021 Forest Preserve Foundation Annual Report. In this review of a year with continued Covid-19 challenges, you’ll find hope and much to celebrate. We bring you photos from the field, thoughts from youth crew members, leadership news, […]
Black Friday is a week away, and we’re excited to continue one of our favorite seasonal traditions. The Foundation and our partner REI are pausing the holiday to-do lists to #optoutside instead of shopping on Black Friday. Spending your day off in nature is always an excellent way to unplug and unwind during a busy […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
