Openlands has long promoted the use of native plant species to expand plant and animal diversity in northeastern Illinois. This commitment has been demonstrated by projects that include our native plant demonstration gardens, Building Urban Gardens (BUGs) classes, and restoration efforts at the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve in Lake County. Native plants improve air and water quality, reduce the use of pesticides, and provide vital food and reproductive sites to birds and butterflies that nonnative plants cannot offer, helping to bring back a healthy ecosystem.

Read more: Book Review: The Midwestern Native Garden by Charlotte Adelman and Bernard L. Schwartz

Each year Bald Eagles can be seen during January along the Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park. The dam provides open water where the eagles gather to feed. Some years there are as many as 300 bald eagles fishing and nesting at Plum Island and the surrounding shoreline. Warmer temperatures prevented the river from freezing further north so there were fewer eagles this year. But whether you see 200 birds or just 1, it is still an incredible thrill to see a majestic Bald Eagle perched in a tree or soaring overhead.

Read more: Thousands attend Bald Eagle Watch at Starved Rock State Park

Openlands is working on an exciting project to create a new 55-acre public open space in Western Springs, IL, at the former Timber Trails Country Club.  Recent outreach to local residents has generated interest in learning more about the project.  Click on the list of documents related to the project for background materials.  Please contact Emy Brawley if you have questions or would like more information.

chronology 1.31.2012.pdf

final openlands concept 111011.pdf

letter from w. springs 9.7.2011.pdf

letter from w. springs 12.8.2011.pdf

letter to village 11.18.2011.pdf

letter to village 12.16.2011.pdf

timber trails briefing sheet.pdf

timber trails briefing sheet cultural history.pdf

timber trails briefing sheet fiscal.pdf

fiscal impact report 2011

On October 31, the Department of the Interior highlighted important and innovative projects in Illinois and Indiana that are chosen for President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative. Openlands is pleased that the proposed Calumet Open Space Reserve, the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge and the Lake Michigan Water Trail are recognized as some of the country's most promising ways to reconnect Americans to the natural world. Openlands' important work on these projects embodies the same goals to conserve important lands and build recreation opportunities and economic growth for the surrounding communities.

Read more: America's Great Outdoors highlights critical regional conservation and recreation projects

On October 27, the Openlands 2011 Annual Luncheon celebrated the 20th anniversary of its visionary TreeKeepers program. Nearly 700 guests attended the luncheon, the region's largest gathering of conservationists, and the event raised approximately $175,000 for Openlands' many conservation initiatives throughout the greater Chicago region. Openlands thanks Northern Trust for its presenting sponsorship.

Read more: 2011 Annual Luncheon celebrates today’s green advocates

Community gardening isn’t only about what you plant—it’s also about friendship, dedication, and pride. For years Openlands has partnered with members of the Englewood community to help propagate these and many other benefits in a neighborhood known more for vacant lots and boarded-up houses than gardens filled with lush greenery. Reporter Derrick Young, who grew up in Englewood, created this powerful video segment, which aired on CBS 2 News, to help spread the good news.

Read more: Openlands' Englewood Work Featured on CBS 2 News

Openlands invites you to celebrate a tremendous victory with us: on August 18, the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) unanimously voted to adopt new regulations to protect the growing number of people out recreating on Chicago’s rivers. The United States EPA has already written that it will bless this landmark water regulation as soon as it receives it from the state.

Read more: Landmark Protections for People Recreating on Chicago's Rivers

When students at Chicago's Edison Park and Nathan Davis elementary schools and Lincoln Park High School return to their campuses this fall, they'll discover less asphalt and more verdant green space thanks to Openlands and its Building School Gardens and Green Teacher Network initiatives.

Read more: School's Out, Sustainability's In

On Tuesday, June 21, Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino and Cook County Forest Preserve Superintendent Arnold Randall joined representatives of Openlands during site inspections of two wetland mitigation areas associated with the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP).

Read more: Chicago Aviation Commissioner Tours Openlands Restoration Sites

Photo: Sarah Ji

Openlands celebrates the landmark decision by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) to disinfect 1.2 billion gallons of effluent discharged daily into Chicago’s waterways. Forever altering the course of history for the Chicago River system, this decision is the culmination of years of studies and more than 40 days of testimony before the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) by Openlands and a coalition of local environmental groups...

Read more: Turning the Tide: MWRD Votes to Disinfect Area Rivers