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 Cook County Board – 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 and more about what you can do to help.