Advocate for the Preserves
Learn about some of the issues that matter to the Friends community.
Members started Friends of the Forest Preserves because the preserves were in a terrible state. We’ve come a long way since 1998, but there’s still more to do to ensure that all 70,000 acres of land are preserved and healthy for generations to come. We need activists like you to stand up and lend your voice to the issues that matter most. If these issues are important to you, please become a member today!
Vote Yes for Clean Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife referendum approved
History was made on November 8, 2022 when 69% of voters approved the Vote Yes for Clean Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife referendum, ensuring a bright future for the forest preserves in Cook County. Friends of the Forest Preserves led a coalition of more than 160 partner organizations and thousands of individual supporters to educate the public, build support, and ultimately pass the referendum.
How to take care of the forest preserves – so they can take care of us – during the COVID-19 crisis.
It is now up to all of us to care for the forest preserves even more during this time of intensified use. In order to ensure the safety of everyone, please follow – and share – these guidelines.
Tell Your Commissioner to Put the Forest Preserve Referendum on the Ballot!
Tell President Preckwinkle and your Commissioner that you want the opportunity to vote in support of clean air and water, green jobs, educational programs for kids, improved habitat for wildlife, and better access and an improved experience for all Cook County residents and visitors.
Quentin Road Expansion – Deer Grove Preserve Degradation
The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways wants to expand Quentin Road from a 2 lane road to a 5 lane highway, forever degrading Deer Grove Forest Preserve (the first one in the nation by the way). Learn more about what you can do to promote alternate solutions that will help preserve Deer Grove, while still solving the problem.
Separate the Forest Preserve and County Boards
Put simply, Friends of the Forest Preserves exists because the forest preserves need help. This is partly because the current system of governance is not serving the forest preserves well. Right now, even though the Forest Preserve District is a separate government agency and collects its own taxes, it is run by the same elected officials that run Cook County – the same board that oversees the 19th largest government in the United States, including the largest integrated court system and the second-largest public health system. Learn more about our plan for board separation.
Salt Creek Trail Expansion
Phase two of the expansion has begun and will be completed in the fall of 2016! The Salt Creek Trail Expansion and Student Safety Project will improve student safety, encourage healthy living, and provide transportation choice by extending the Salt Creek Trail between North Riverside and Riverside-Brookfield High School (RBHS). Learn more about how you can advocate for better and safer trails along the Salt Creek.
Municipalities Fighting Passage of Vital Stormwater Policy
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is being bombarded by municipalities that want to dump stormwater in the preserves. Learn more about what you can do to stop pollution in the forest preserves.
