The Forest Preserves of Cook County is implementing sustainability strategies that minimize our contributions to climate change, mitigate the impact of climate change in Cook County and embrace adaptive land management methods to ensure that the land in our care continues to thrive.

On this page:

• Overview
• Sustainability
• Land Management in a Changing Climate
• Take Action
• Reports That Guide Our Work
• Events
• Related Resources
• Contact

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Overview

Faced with the impacts of climate change, the Forest Preserves released a Sustainability & Climate Resiliency Plan in 2018. The report documents how to harness the various strengths within the Forest Preserves to address the pressing environmental issues of our time. With more than 70,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands and prairies, the Forest Preserves offers vital ecosystem services like stormwater mitigation, carbon sequestration and refuge for biodiversity. As the climate shifts and environmental pressures intensify, these preserved lands are more important than ever.

The Forest Preserves’ sustainability efforts include reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from operations, as well as ecological restoration, land acquisition and other conservation efforts that protect our natural areas from the impacts of a changing climate, including erosion, new invasive species and hotter summers.

Today, the plan consists of four climate goals:

1. Achieve net zero by 2050
2. Reduce facility GHG emissions by 45% by 2030
3. Transition to 100% renewable electricity in building portfolio by 2030
4. Establish climate-resilient and adaptable lands by 2045*

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* This goal includes acquiring 21,000 acres of land for open space and nature protection, restoring 30,000 acres of land to the highest level of ecological health and continuing management of acres previously restored.

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Sustainability

As part of our mission to protect and preserve public lands the Forest Preserves has a commitment to incorporate sustainable operations and reduce our own organization’s GHG emissions. It is critical that we approach these tasks in an equitable way, so everyone can benefit from a sustainable and resilient Forest Preserves. 

To help us accomplish emissions reduction goals, the Forest Preserves worked with partners to create a Clean Energy Framework and a Clean Energy Action Plan. The Clean Energy Framework documents existing conditions through a needs assessment and review of current initiatives, prioritizes renewable energy options and creates a roadmap to achieving our 2030 and 2050 goals. The Clean Energy Action Plan presents details on how to eliminate GHG emissions associated with building energy use. It guides decision-making and allows the Forest Preserves to realize its clean energy and emissions goals while also considering feasibility and return on investment.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Buildings are constructed or retrofitted to reduce energy use, water consumption, utility costs and GHG emissions throughout their operational footprint, including Crabtree Nature Center, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Caldwell Wellness Center, General Headquarters and the Salt Creek Landscape Maintenance Headquarters.

Several facilities are LEED Certified, including Rolling Knolls Pavilion, Swallow Cliff Woods Pavilion, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center and Sagawau Environmental Learning Center.

Lighting

The Forest Preserves is working with partner organizations to ensure that our special landscapes and skies are there for future generations to enjoy. The Palos Preserves in southwest Cook County are an International Dark-Sky Association Urban Night Sky Place. The Dark Skies Friendly Policy outlines steps to reduce energy consumption and costs while benefiting wildlife and human health through reductions in artificial light.

Vehicles

The Forest Preserves is transitioning to a green fleet by replacing fossil fuel equipment and upgrading to electric, hybrid and propane vehicles, including retrofits and the retirement of gas and diesel models. This shift to clean alternatives reduces operational emissions.

Learning & Engagement

Sustainability requires participation from the public, staff and partners. We invest in education, outreach and sustainable behaviors across operations. Green purchasing and procurement policies prioritize sustainable products from office supplies to construction materials. The Forest Preserves is increasing recycling and composting opportunities for staff at work and for visitors in the preserves.

Staff deliver public programming on sustainability and conservation. Events like Trash Bash, volunteer stewardship, and Conservation@Home connect residents to action and awareness. We support picnics to be green and reduce waste by promoting recycling and composting at events, along with making other sustainable choices. Signage, sorting bins and staff guidance make it easier for guests to be green.

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Land Management in a Changing Climate

Forest Preserves’ Impacts for Cook County

Public open land in the Forest Preserves eases the burden of climate change on the residents of Cook County.

Natural habitats within the Forest Preserves—forests, prairies, wetlands and other landscapes—play a vital role in capturing and storing carbon. Past estimates show that Forest Preserves’ ecosystems absorb more than 1.5 million tons of CO₂ annually. Trees are especially effective at absorbing carbon while also cooling surrounding areas through shade and transpiration, reducing flood risk and supporting biodiversity.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of storms, as well. A wetland absorbs more stormwater than a parking lot. Restored lands of all types help prevent urban flooding by acting as natural sponges, capturing excess rainwater and filtering and reducing stormwater runoff.

Efforts by the Forest Preserves to expand these benefits include:

Land acquisition: We prioritize acquiring land that has benefits from high ecological value to increasing the equitable distribution of forest preserves throughout Cook County. Acquisition efforts are guided by our Land Acquisition Plan and the Acquisition & Dispossession of Land Position Paper, as well as the Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Plan, which focuses on opportunities to bring access and benefits to more communities.

Ecological restoration: Site restoration and management is the frontline for conserving biodiversity at the local scale. By correcting or mitigating harmful human impacts like the introduction of invasive species, degradation of wetlands and fragmentation of habitats, we create diverse and healthy natural areas that are more resilient.

Hydrology restoration: Stabilizing streambanks, removing dams and converting parking lots to porous materials all help reduce flooding impacts and improve resiliency.

Building Ecosystem Resiliency

With more than 70,000 acres of woodlands, prairies and wetlands, the Forest Preserves acts as an important refuge for countless species of plants, animals, people and other organisms. Cook County ecosystems are already experiencing the impacts of a warming world.

The optimal climate for many plant species is expected to shift northward. Threatened and endangered plant species in the Forest Preserves face additional risks by limited habitat (naturally infrequent or small total area), species that are naturally scarce and poaching. Changing weather is projected to bring new invasive species, including plants, insects and possibly even zoonotic diseases.

Climate change is expected to increase stormwater runoff and flooding in the Chicago region, as well. This impacts plants and animals, trails and other amenities, and homes and businesses in Cook County. The full spectrum of climate change also can impact cultural resources in the Forest Preserves—places that represent evidence of past human activity such as archeological sites or are of significance to a group of people traditionally associated with the resource, such as Native American ceremonial sites.

Using the latest climate projections along with continually evaluating management strategies and monitoring the health of native species, we are working to manage these natural areas in a way that makes them resilient in the face of climate change. This can include new strategies for how we restore degraded lands, manage threats like disease and pests, and use monitoring data to guide future actions.

To make informed land management decisions, the Forest Preserves looks to the latest climate data and projections applicable to our region prepared by NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, the Illinois State Climatologist Office and other expert organizations. As with land management and acquisition strategies, equity and inclusion is a critical component of reaching sustainability goals. Embracing a cultural commitment to sustainability initiatives ensures that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from and contribute to resilient public lands.

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Reports that Guide Our Work

Key Documents & Plans

The Forest Preserves depends on sustainability reports that outline the actions we are committed to taking to address the climate crisis:

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Progress Reports

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Take Action

• Adopt “Forest Preserves Friendly” practices with Conservation@Home
• Attend a sustainability event
• Make your gathering green
• Use responsible outdoor lighting
• Volunteer

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Events

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Related Resources

• Birding
• Dark Skies & Reducing Light Pollution
• Floodplain & Stormwater Management
• Illinois Nature Preserves
• Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan 
• Next Century Conservation Plan 
• Our Ecosystems
• Research
• What is Restoration?

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Contact

For inquiries regarding sustainability or climate change at the Forest Preserves, you can contact staff by submitting an online form.