THANK YOU!

Thanks again to our partners and everyone that participated in 100 Years / 100 Events. Thank you for helping us celebrate 100 Years!

Help us celebrate our centennial!

The public is invited to a week-long, County-wide extravaganza marking a once-in-a-lifetime milestone of the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC). “100 Years / 100 Events” begins Sunday September 20 and runs through September 27. All that can be enjoyed within the Forest Preserves of Cook County can be experienced during this celebration, which is being hosted at various forest preserves sites featuring more than 100 events and activities for all ages, groups and interests.

“This is an extraordinary moment in the history of the preserves,” said Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. “There is no better way to celebrate than with an open invitation to all residents and non-residents of Cook County to come out and connect with nature and one another. The preserves are an extraordinary asset to us all. From forest woodlands to wetlands and prairies, our 69,000 acres are a natural treasure to be protected and enjoyed. I invite everyone to come out at least once, or even several times this week, and join in the fun.”

President Preckwinkle will kick off the week of festivities at the Art In Nature Event at the Crab Tree Nature Center in Barrington, followed by dozens of events throughout the week culminating in the “100 Years / 100 Events” finale with the County’s Largest Tree Hug at Caldwell Woods on Chicago’s northwest side.

“This is an exciting time at the FPCC,” said Arnold Randall, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. “ ‘100 Years / 100 Events’ is a way to get residents involved in all we have to offer while helping us celebrate the amazing gift our visionary leaders established for us a century ago.”

Most of what can be experienced as part of the celebration are organized events hosted by forest preserve staff as well as nearly 65 partner agencies. Activities include archery, nature hikes, birding, fishing derby, guided equestrian rides, group night bike rides, treasure hunts, an REI Run series, fossil hunts, camping and many other exciting and educational offerings.

Volunteer groups that work with the forest preserves year-round are also hosting restoration workshops as ways to engage with new people about the mission of the preserves, which is restoring areas to their natural states. Stewardship activities include seed collecting, brush and bush cutting, and burning.

Participating Partners

American Indian Center • BackYard Nature Center • Barrington Area Conservation Trust • Barrington Natural History Society • Bartel Grassland Volunteers • Bass Pro Shop • Billy Casper Golf • The Bird Conservation Network • Boy Scouts of America • Bullfrog Community Choir • Cajun Vagabonds • CAMBr • Chicago Archery Club • Chicago Audubon Society • Chicago Botanic Garden • Chicago River Canoe and Kayak • Chicago Model Masters • Chicago Park District • Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo • Citizens for Conservation • City of Evanston Ecology Center • Commissioner Timothy Schneider • Cook County Department of Environmental Control • Deer Grove Natural Areas Volunteers • DuPage Birding Club • DePaul University Biological Sciences • Evanston North Shore Bird Club • Field Museum of Natural History • Fishin’ Buddies, Inc. • Forest Preserve Foundation • Friends of the Chicago River • Friends of the Forest Preserves • Friends of Chicago Portage • Friends of Deer Grove East • Glengrove Equestrian Center • I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor Civic Center Authority • Illinois Natural History Survey • Illinois State Archaeological Survey • KMG Fine Arts • Lincoln Park Zoo • LL Bean • Morton Arboretum • The Nature Conservancy • NeighborSpace • Niles Public Library • North Branch Restoration Project • Openlands • Palos Hills Horsemen’s Association • Palos RC Flying Club • Palos Restoration Project • Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards • Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) • Riding Club of Barrington Hills • Riverdale Tree Commission • Shedd Aquarium • Student Conservation Association • Thatcher Woods Savanna Restoration Project • Tinley Park High School Cross Country • Ultimate Chicago • University of Illinois Extension • Village of Palos Park • Viva Lundin Productions • WYCC PBS Chicago • Wild Indigo Nature Explorations

Event Sponsors

Costco – Bedford Park • Costco – Mt. Prospect • J & L Uniforms • Name on Anything • Possibility Place Nursery • The Pizzo Group • R & D Bus Company • Whole Foods Market – Hinsdale • Whole Foods Market – Orland Park • Whole Foods Market – River Forest • Whole Foods Market – South Evanston • Whole Foods Market – Schaumburg