This June, Forest Preserve District General Superintendent Arnold Randall was elected chair of Chicago Wilderness, marking the first time a land-holding agency has held the chair role.

In 1996, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County was one of 34 organizations to found Chicago Wilderness, an unprecedented alliance of Chicago-region conservationists working together across borders and specialties. The alliance has proven to be a national model of collaboration.

As chair of Chicago Wilderness, Randall will lead today’s alliance of more than 260 organizations working to restore the natural areas of the greater metropolitan region and improve the quality of life for all of the region’s residents.