Since its inception, the Forest Preserve Foundation has granted more than $980,000 to programs that support and enhance the Forest Preserves of Cook County. We help young people who work as paid interns in the Forest Preserves. We support restoration volunteers. And we fund programming for youth and families to have fun in nature.
As we enter the holiday season, we at the Forest Preserve Foundation are reflecting on our impact, and we are planning for the future. We are grateful for our supporters. We recognize and extend our gratitude to our donors, whom you will find listed in the Foundation’s recently published 2017 Annual Report.
In early November, we announced $100,000 in grants to support ecological restoration of the Forest Preserves and Youth Conservation Corps internships in the Preserves.
Our New Year’s resolution is to raise more funds to support the future of the Forest Preserves and the next generation of conservation leaders. We are asking people like you, who care about nature and the Forest Preserves, to help us by making a donation before the end of the year. It’s easy!
When you are buying your holiday gifts, use our Amazon Smile account. For every purchase you make, Amazon will donate 0.5 percent to the Forest Preserve Foundation. Here’s how: Go to smile.amazon.com. Sign into your account and a pop up page will appear. Look for the search window on the right side at the bottom of the page. Type in “Forest Preserve Foundation” and click the search button. Click on the top one and you are done. Your donations will be automatic for any purchase within the Amazon Smile program.
You can also give a tribute gift or celebrate the life of a loved one with a memorial bench or tree. Finally, you can volunteer by hosting a friendraiser for the Foundation. Friendraisers are small events that give us the opportunity to share stories of our impact and to be introduced to new potential supporters.
Consider the best way for you to get involved with the Forest Preserve Foundation and contact us for more information.
As we say goodbye to 2017, take a moment to walk a trail, take a breath and reflect on the gift that nature is for all of us.
By Shelley Davis, Executive Director of the Forest Preserve Foundation.