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 is an independent non-profit and the only organization solely dedicated to protecting the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s 68,000 acres of land through political advocacy, volunteer and constituency organizing, internship programs and ecological restoration projects.

By advocating for responsible management, Friends helps ensure that all of us have vibrant, healthy and accessible natural areas in which to hike, bike, fish, golf, picnic or simply enjoy nature.

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 Friends as a member, join us for a Friends workday in the Calumet, or visit the Forest Preserve Volunteers website for opportunities throughout the county.

Friends First Annual Photo Contest View the winners here

Become a Member	Download Friends' Newsletter
Join Friends' E-mail List
Forest Preserve Watch Report on your preserve

Advocate

Friends attends all Forest Preserve District Board meetings to make sure we are on top of the issues, making connections with policymakers, and ensuring our members' voices are heard.

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
Powderhorn Prairie, Chicago
Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to noon

Spring Woodlands and Wildflowers
Deer Grove, Palatine
Sunday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to noon

Birding and Touring
Bartel Grassland, Matteson
Saturday, May 9 from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
and 9 to 11 a.m.

Friends of the Forest Preserves
First Annual Golf Outing
June 10

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 (download the schedule).

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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