As we recognize Cook County Racial Equity Week, I want to share how the Forest Preserve Foundation works to ensure a more equitable experience for all. Diversity, equity and inclusion are baked into the Foundation’s approach to grantmaking, a major distinction within the larger community of organizations that do conservation-related work. Throughout its history, the […]
2019 Conservation Cup exceeds goal, raises $206,000
The board and staff of the Forest Preserve Foundation offers a hearty thank you to everyone, for their support of the 8th annual Conservation Cup! Because of the generosity of sponsors, board members, friends and supporters, we exceeded our goal again this year, raising a total of $206,000! This success is due to the hard work […]
Summer intern sees two sides of restoration work
By Jennifer Cronin My passion for the environment started in my high school environmental science class. I was blown away about the complexity of our Earth and how some of my actions harm it, without my even knowing it. That’s what inspired me to major in environmental science. And why I spent the summer supporting […]
New Nature Play, Treehouse welcome all to South Side’s Dan Ryan Woods
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
“The Forest Preserves has no better advocate and no better steward than President [Toni] Preckwinkle,” Foundation board member Tom Lanctot told guests at a May 14 breakfast event. “She’s made the Forest Preserves a priority of her administration since the beginning, and it shows in everything that we know about the Forest Preserves.” Lanctot made […]
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 […]
Annual event celebrates volunteers for their work in the Preserves
Volunteers are critical to maintaining the health and vitality of the Forest Preserves. Without them, the professional staff just doesn’t have the capacity required to reach all 70,000 acres that make up the Forest Preserves of Cook County. At the Forest Preserve Foundation, we are always happy to give volunteers their proper due and recognition. […]