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, […]
Annicka Barker, a 2019 Forest Preserve Experience participant, shared a new-found passion with her family. A $100,000 grant from the Forest Preserve Foundation will help underwrite increased wages for Forest Preserve Experience crew members this summer. “We are so pleased to support young people who rely on summer employment to help themselves and, in many […]
By Kathy Welton, guest blogger We plant trees for many reasons. Besides the beauty and the myriad environmental benefits, planting a tree is good for the soul. Trees represent the most basic form of connection. Their strong roots remind us to stay grounded. Their swaying leaves and branches remind us to bend before we break. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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: […]
