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 […]
State of play: Forest Preserve Golf puts safety first
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 […]
Foundation awards grants to SCA, Free Spirit Media
The Forest Preserve Foundation is pleased to announce two grants, approved by its board of directors at its May 1 meeting. Grants totaling $56,000 will support the Student Conservation Association and Free Spirit Media. A grant of $50,000 will go to the Student Conservation Association (SCA) for its 2020 summer program. Since 2015, the Foundation […]
Staying apart, staying safe and enjoying the wonders of nature
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 […]
With assist from REI, volunteers help keep Palos trail ready for bikers
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. […]
SCA Chicago leader is a role model for women in conservation
Diava Gylys, SCA Chicago program manager Diava (front row, fourth from left) with SCA crew members in 2018. During Women’s History Month, we often hear of towering female conservation leaders like the late Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall. Both women made countless contributions to the conservation field. Fossey and Goodall each did groundbreaking work in […]
Major Taylor Trail keeps black history alive in Cook County Forest Preserves
A living tribute to black history can be found in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. If you are a Chicago-area cyclist, you probably have ridden along the Major Taylor Trail, named after the legendary African American cyclist. The Major Taylor Trail starts and ends in areas managed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County: […]
Foundation releases new ebook: Stories from the 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 […]
Couple’s tribute gift in the preserves exemplifies ‘giving while we’re living’
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 […]
From Chicago to Middlebury: Nicholas Brown embraces being a next-gen leader in conservation
Nicholas Brown remembers volunteering at a forest preserve when he was in grade school. Then when he got to high school, he joined the environmental club. Those were the experiences he listed on his Student Conservation Association (SCA) application. SCA wanted to know about his experiences in nature and what he might gain from future […]