Dear Friends,
As I reflect on my first year leading Openlands, I am energized and inspired by this community. I have always admired Openlands, but experiencing its impact firsthand has illuminated the relentless drive of those who care deeply about nature. Staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters like you show up with purpose, ensuring that our region thrives. From planting that white oak on a Chicago parkway to reimagining expansive oak savannas on the suburban edge, we are united by a shared commitment to conserving nature for life.
At a time of national uncertainty, one thing remains clear—local action shapes our future. This annual report highlights victories made possible by people coming together to drive change—right here in this region. Across differences, people find common ground in nature. Our open spaces belong to everyone, and it is our collective responsibility to protect and expand them.
The cost of inaction is too great—it threatens not just
our ecosystems, but our way of life.
As Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic and our 2025 Annual Luncheon awardee Blair Kamin wrote, “Public spaces make better democracies, better citizens, and better lives.” Nature and democracy both require vigilance, bold leadership, and collective protection. They are deeply connected because we fight for our democracy in these very public spaces. Their survival depends on engaged communities, and the power to safeguard them lies with us. When federal leadership steps back, local communities must step up. The cost of inaction is too great—it threatens not just our ecosystems, but our way of life.
Our region was shaped by civic leaders with the vision and creativity to build something lasting. Now, it’s our turn. This is a defining moment—one that calls for every person to do what they can, right here at home. We must be a force for nature, harnessing our collective strength to protect the landscapes that sustain us and the democratic ideals that uphold our right to access them.
The stakes are great, but so is our power. It cannot be taken, outsourced,
or consolidated. Our power blossoms through action. It multiplies when we come together.
With gratitude and determination,
Michael S. Davidson
President & CEO
Openlands
