
Friends in the News – More News
Read about our latest efforts advocating for the preserves, as well as highlights from our restoration work and youth programs.

- Volunteers clean Skokie Lagoons as part of Chicago River cleanup day Chicago Tribune, May 14, 2018 Despite cold, wet weather, hundreds of volunteers, including dozens on the North Shore, showed their dedication to the environment Saturday , during the 26th annual Chicago River Day cleanup event. View the original story
- Brookfield Zoo Holds Earth Day Celebration La Grange Patch, April 3, 2018 Brookfield Zoo will host its annual Party for the Planet celebration on Sunday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. View the original story
- Planting seeds of hope for teens in the Forest Preserves Chicago Sun Times, June 30, 2017 “More than 50 African-American teenagers from the south suburbs will be working in the Cook County Forest Preserves removing invasive plant species, earning some money and maybe changing the future.” View the original story
- Benjamin Cox: Friend of the Forest Preserves The Villager, March 31, 2017 Benjamin Cox advocates for Dan Ryan Woods and all of Cook County’s forest preserves. View the original story
- Pitch in to help Dan Ryan Woods The Beverly Review, February 21, 2017 Spending a few hours regularly to volunteer at the Dan Ryan Woods is a great idea, too. Not every community has such a natural jewel. View the original story
- One Of City’s Wildest Places Becoming Wilder With Planting of 1,000th Shrub DNA Info, October 28, 2016 Keeping one of Chicago’s wildest places truly wild is a year-round effort conducted by dozens of volunteers. View the original story
- Encounter Spears Woods The Regional News, October 6, 2016 Palos Restoration group explores what lies beyond the trail. View the original story
- Friends of the Forest Preserves grow, naturally The Regional News, June 16, 2016 Friends of the Forest Preserves number more than 3,000 committed volunteers and members, but more are always welcome to join. View the original story
- Cook County programs gives youth summer forest preserve jobs The Washington Times, May 25, 2016 More than 100 young people will get the chance to earn money and experience the outdoors through a summer jobs program in Cook County’s forest preserves. View the original story
- First Ave. bike path back on track Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, February 17, 2016 A new bike path connecting 31st Street and 26th Street along First Ave./ Golfview Ave. will be completed in 2016. View the original story
- Elk Grove bike enthusiasts will cycle under the stars The Daily Herald, September 17, 2015 The first Busse Woods Night Ride set for Friday, Sept. 25 and will take cyclists on an 8-mile route, guided by a pacesetter at the front and someone in the back of the pack to make sure no one falls behind. Everyone will be required to wear helmets and headlights. View the original story
- Lakeside Heritage Walk Now Open in South Chicago’s Steelworkers Park PR Newswire, September 10, 2015 Friends partnered with McCaffery Interests to create the Lakeside Heritage Walk. View the original story
- Elk Grove, County, State Officials Cut Ribbon On Busse Dam Project Journal and Topics Newspapers, August 14, 2015 After 8 years of negotiating and planning, the Busse Dam Project will fix a long-standing stormwater problem. View the original story
- Centennial volunteers say there’s Somme-thing about Northbrook woods Northbrook Star, December 17, 2014 The Centennial Volunteers program is picking up speed at Somme Woods East. View the original story
- County OKs $100,000 for First Ave. bike path Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, July 23, 2014 The first phase of the Salt Creek Trail project is underway. View the original story
- Cook County forest preserve buy is largest in 45 years Chicago Tribune By Michelle Manchir, Robert McCoppin and Juan Perez Jr, May 6, 2014 The Forest Preserve District bought nearly 400 acres to add a site in Barrington Hills. View the original story
- Get those tents ready: Forest preserve camping begins in 2015 Chicago Sun-Times by Tina Sfondeles, March 13, 2014 For the first time in nearly 100 years, the Forest Preserve District will offer camping at five sites in 2015. View the original story
- Invasion of the land snatchers Chicago Tribune By Matthew Walberg and Andy Grimm, July 26, 2013 District attempting to beat back non-native species after years of negligent maintenance View the original story
- Cook County pool workers face reforms ABC 7 Eyewitness News by Evelyn Holmes, April 4, 2011 Forest Preserve District Board investigates employee misconduct at the Cermak Aquatic Family Center. View the original story
- Palos preserve bugged out by tiny dragonfly Southtown Star, Chicago Sun-Times by Steve Metsch, February 20, 2011 Palos preserve undergoing restoration efforts to bring back the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly. View the original story
- New forest preserves chief wants land buy to protect ecosystems CBS Chicago by John Cody, December 16, 2010 New Forest Preserve District head, Arnold Randall, wants to add more land to the forest preserves in Cook County. View the original story