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

- Supporters Celebrate ‘Victory for People and Nature’ as Forest Preserve Tax Hike Appears a Winner WTTW, November 8, 2022 “With the results we see tonight on the referendum, it’s clear that people deeply appreciate all the benefits the Forest Preserves of Cook County provides, starting with access to nature […] View the original story
- Does a beer sip in the woods? It does as a great fun-raiser if it’s Beer in the Woods Chicago Sun Times, September 29, 2021 Beer in the Woods exploded this year for Friends of the Forest Preserves and had a perfect Saturday to hold it. View the original story
- Cook Forest Preserve youth program aims to diversify conservation workforce Chicago Sun Times, July 30, 2021 Forestry and related fields have historically been dominated by white males but a program for suburban Cook County teens has a goal of drawing more workers of color. View the original story
- Conservation Organizations Support General Iron Opposition in One-Day Solidarity Hunger Strike WTTW, February 22, 2021 “The people, wildlife and wetlands of the Calumet area have borne more than their share of pollution, and it’s time for the City of Chicago to find a different way.” View the original story
- Cook County Forest Preserves: Is It Time For a Funding Referendum? WTTW, November 24, 2020 With the forest preserves enjoying unprecedented usage — twice as many trail users were tallied in 2020 as 2019 — the timing is ripe to seize upon that goodwill and […] View the original story
- On Labor Day, a reimagined Depression-era jobs plan reminds us how and why to value workers Chicago Sun Times, September 6, 2020 The time is ripe for a new Civilian Conservation Corps that would be more inclusive than its predecessor. View the original story
- How deal could speed open-space restoration in three counties Daily Herald, June 8, 2020 Restoration efforts known as the Barrington Greenway Initiative in a 14,000-acre area covering portions of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties could get a boost through a pending agreement between seven […] View the original story
- Letter to the editor: How to take care of the forest preserves, so they can take care of us. Journal and Topics, April 27, 2020 “It’s literally the only place we can go.” View the original story
- Niles News Briefs: Where Youth Learn to Love Nature Bugle Newspapers, December 11, 2019 When Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps (CCLC) students finish their six-week summer job in the Forest Preserves, they sound proud, inspired and ready for their next challenge. View the original story
- Summer jobs program puts high school students to work in forest preserves Chicago Tribune, July 17, 2019 Because of high demand, the housing authority committed an additional $85,000 to hire 32 more workers and five crew leaders, forest preserve spokesman Carl Vogel said. The program has 116 participants this year compared to 50 two years ago, Monocchio said. View the original story
- EDITORIAL: Illinois needs to do more to protect its natural wonders Chicago Sun Times, July 16, 2019 Like a rare native plant struggling to survive, the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission needs help if it is to thrive and do its job. View the original story
- Bringing Nature Back to the Chicago Area Earth Island Journal, July 15, 2019 Ecological restoration has deep roots in the Midwest, where extraordinary community efforts have revived prairies, savannas, woodlands, and wetlands. View the original story
- Engaging Cook County’s Next Generation of Conservation Leaders Parks & Recreation, January 22, 2019 2018 Innovation in Conservation Award. View the original story
- Citizens for Conservation starts 2019 with numerous indoor, outdoor programs Chicago Tribune, January 16, 2019 Volunteers worked alongside staff and stewards from CFC, Audubon Great Lakes, the Bobolink Foundation, Friends of the Forest Preserves, Forest Preserves of Cook County and Forest Preserves of Lake County. […] View the original story
- NEIU and Green Conservation Group work towards sustainability on campus The Independent, December 2, 2018 Throughout the semester, NEIU’s Green Conservation Group (GCG) have been working with Friends of the Forest Preserves and Friends of the Chicago River. View the original story
- Cook County Board 17th District Democratic nominee: Abdelnasser Rashid Chicago Sun Times, October 13, 2018 The County can support efforts at the Forest Preserves, e.g. controlled burns, and promote opportunities for residents and communities to take part in conservation through the Friends of the Forest Preserves. View the original story
- Cook County Board 11th District Democratic nominee: John P. Daley Chicago Sun Times, October 10, 2018 I believe this educated and growing visitor base will help us attract more volunteers who can work in collaboration with local groups like the Friends of the Forest Preserves and the Shedd Aquarium to help protect native plant and animal species. View the original story
- Restoring the North Branch: A Magical Transformation Chicago Life Magazine, August 18, 2018 The article starts on page 32. View the original story
- Releasing smooth green snakes: A small piece in Chicago area’s wild big picture Chicago Sun Times, July 28, 2018 The release was part of the Barrington Greenway Initiative, an ambitious cross-jurisdiction project connecting 14,000 acres of key habitat in Lake, Cook, McHenry and Kane counties. Partners include CFC, Lake County Forest Preserves, Audubon Great Lakes, Forest Preserves of Cook County, Bobolink Foundation and Friends of the Forest Preserves. View the original story
- Teens discover benefits of working summers in forest preserves Chicago Tribune, June 26, 2018 A summer work program is helping south suburban teens gain valuable experience and will make visiting forest preserves more enjoyable for everyone. View the original story

Friends’ President Benjamin Cox helps cut the ribbon for the Busse Dam Reservoir Project.
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