2015 Photo Contest Winner, Best Fauna - "Bee" at Chicago Botanic Garden near Glencoe by Edward Boe
2015 Photo Contest Winner - Best Fauna "Bee" at Chicago Botanic Garden near Glencoe by Edward Boe

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 […]

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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 […]

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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.

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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 […]

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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