MISSION:
Friends of the Forest Preserves works to preserve, protect, and restore the Forest Preserves of Cook County for the benefit of people and nature.

Welcome to Friends

Friends of the Forest Preserves is a grassroots non-profit organization that does policy work, organizes volunteers and constituents, and coordinates resources (such as making good contacts with attorneys, engineers, other non-profits, grant funding, and more). We work to help the Forest Preserve District of Cook County accomplish its mission of protecting, preserving, and restoring the flora, fauna, and scenic beauty of the land for the education, pleasure, and recreation of the public.

There are 68,000 acres of Forest Preserves in Cook County making up 11 percent of the land area. The first forest preserve district was formed in Cook County in 1913. Since then counties throughout the state have adopted the model.

The forest preserves include 55,000 acres of natural lands – from woodlands to prairies to wetlands – the balance is developed for great uses like pinic groves and nature centers. The natural areas need good care to protect them from invasive species, misuse, and other problems.

Large areas of the preserves are turning into impassable thorn scrub. In many areas the oak forests are dying, and the old oaks are no longer reproducing. Original prairies, thousands of years old, are being blotted out by brush. Dumpers leaving garbage, erosion, and invasive species are taking their toll.

Friends is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and restoring the forest preserves by advocating for systemic change within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, so that the lands together with their plants and animals are here in perpetuity for us and future generations to enjoy.

Support Friends

See how you can support the Friends of the Forest Preserves as a member and a volunteer steward.

Advocate

Friends attends all Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board meetings to make sure we are on top of the issues, making connections with policymakers, and ensuring our members' voices are heard. Take a look at the current issues below.

$13.3 million raid
"Cook County commissioners voted Wednesday to transfer $13.3 million from the Forest Preserve District to ease the county's budget crunch at the urging of Board President Todd Stroger," Chicago Tribune, February 8, 2007.
Read the entire article
Where we stand

Tollway land grab
"Cook County Forest Preserve commissioners are reacting coolly to an Illinois Toll Highway Authority request to buy rights to land along I-294," Daily Herald, July 11, 2006.
Read the entire article
Where we stand

Take a look at some other times Friends have been in the news.

Explore

Join us in sampling what the forest preserves have to offer at one of the Membership Events
& Tours for 2008.

REGISTER FOR A PROGRAM ONLINE

Earth Day in Calumet
Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to noon

Bunker Hill Wildflower Walk
Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to noon

Summer Solstice Member Picnic in Palos
Saturday, June 21

Intro to Forest Preserves at Deer Grove
Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. to noon

Busse Woods Walk
Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m. to noon


Volunteer

Friends is working hard, in partnership with others like The Field Museum and The Calumet Stewardship Initiative, to reinvigorate stewardship in the Calumet region. Join us for a workday.

Take a look at the Forest Preserve District of Cook County volunteer website (co-sponsored by Friends) to explore local groups and workdays closest to you, and get involved today.

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