Home / About Us / Who We Are / Accountability & Impact / Annual Report 2023
Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives.
Home / About Us / Who We Are / Accountability & Impact / Annual Report 2023
Openlands Service Area
Openlands Priority Landscape
Chicago Wilderness Boundary
Over Openlands’ 60-year history, Openlands has created a unique toolkit for conservation based on five diverse building blocks: partnering for greater impact, planning and policymaking for systemic change, protecting important landscapes, delivering technical expertise in ecology and restoration, and igniting advocacy momentum. What makes this model work is our ability to leverage, mix, and match these tools strategically to ensure an adaptable approach to conservation.
Over Openlands’ 60-year history, Openlands has created a unique toolkit for conservation based on five diverse building blocks: partnering for greater impact, planning and policymaking for systemic change, protecting important landscapes, delivering technical expertise in ecology and restoration, and igniting advocacy momentum. What makes this model work is our ability to leverage, mix, and match these tools strategically to ensure an adaptable approach to conservation.
Challenges in conservation require collaboration and Openlands is committed to building and strengthening a diverse array of partners to advance our mission. Partnerships enable fellow conservation organizations to pool resources and amplify our collective impact. To achieve the scope and reach of our work, we rely on a robust network of partners. At times, we lead initiatives, and at other times, we play a supporting role to our partners. We engage with public partners such as forest preserve districts, park districts, school districts, and those at the city, regional, state, and federal levels to navigate the complex regulatory landscapes and enact meaningful policy changes. We also rely on community partners to involve us in work that is relevant and uplifts and reflects neighborhood assets.
250+ partner organizations in the greater Chicago metropolitan area
Openlands staff and partners gather for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Prairie Boat, a new gathering space at the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Beaubien Woods. The Field Museum, with funding from Illinois Coastal Management, organized a community curatorial committee to create goals and choose designs for this space. Artist Christine Perri designed and built Prairie Boat with funds granted to Openlands from the Walder Foundation.
Planning and policymaking for systemic change
Openlands serves as a pivotal force in shaping policy and planning decisions within the intricate geo-political landscape of the greater Chicago metropolitan area. This region, spanning three states, faces unique challenges with more local units of government than any other metropolitan area in the nation. Often, land use decisions occur within municipal boundaries without a comprehensive coordinating perspective on their regional impacts on ecological health, climate resilience, and biodiversity. Openlands serves as a lynchpin in taking a comprehensive approach to the entire region by fostering collaborations among organizations, government entities, and the public.
The Vote Yes referendum victory will raise $1.1 billion over 25 years for the FPCC
Children playing on the Des Plaines River Trail at the River Trail Nature Center, Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC).
Openlands safeguards both public and private lands through property acquisition and conservation easements. As an accredited land trust with the Land Trust Alliance, Openlands adheres to the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. Our strategic approach involves identifying and purchasing key properties, expanding protected areas, and ensuring their permanent preservation as open spaces, wildlife habitats, and trails. By acquiring and transferring land to public entities like forest preserve districts and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Openlands actively prevents the degradation of ecologically rich areas. Additionally, we support private landowners in protecting significant natural features through conservation easements. This helps further secure landscapes. Openlands remains vigilant against ongoing threats to land, water, and wildlife, collaborating with partners across geographies to oppose projects that could have detrimental impacts on our invaluable natural resources.
70,000+ acres of land protected
A herd of bison grazing at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, a priority landscape for Openlands advocacy and protection efforts.
Delivering technical expertise in ecology and restoration
Openlands provides vital technical expertise in ecology and restoration to secure and expand diverse habitats throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area. This region boasts exceptionally varied native vegetation, from bogs to oak savannas to rare grasslands, hosting over 1,500 native species—more diversity than any single national park. Ongoing land protection efforts rely heavily on restoration to combat encroaching invasive species pressure. Openlands’ ecologists provide technical expertise in seed collection, revegetation, prescribed burns, erosion control, and more to restore landscapes back to ecological health and abundance. In addition to restoration projects, our experts conduct species inventories, monitor water quality, and work closely with the scientific community on data collection and research. From coordinating and managing large-scale restoration initiatives to bringing nature back to residential properties, Openlands weaves a connected web of landscapes to preserve biodiversity, enhance water quality, and foster healthier ecosystems.
15,000+ acres restored to a healthy state for nature, wildlife, and people
Openlands staff conducting restoration work at Deer Grove-East, Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Openlands sparks advocacy momentum by educating, empowering, and engaging the public in conservation efforts, making the cause personal and local. Several flagship programs, such as TreeKeepers, have emerged from this commitment to creating a diverse community of advocates across all ages and backgrounds. Garden and nature-based education initiatives involve volunteers, teachers, and students, expanding awareness and instilling a sense of responsibility for the outdoors. The Arborist Registered Apprenticeship program creates a pipeline of green jobs, further showcasing the importance of education and capacity-building in conservation. Openlands recognizes that conservation requires collective action, and our strength lies in empowering everyone to find their role in the conversation, encouraging each individual to see themselves as advocates for a sustainable future.
12,000 students engaged through the Birds in My Neighborhood program
Attendees of the 2023 Green and Growing Summit gather at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. The Chicago Public Schools, together with Openlands, the Healthy Schools Campaign, and the Advocates for Urban Agriculture hosted this inaugural summit to strengthen the connectivity of Chicago’s garden education movement.
Drawing on over 60 years of conservation experience, Openlands has developed a set of building blocks that serve as a flexible and dynamic framework. We creatively stack and combine these building blocks to address unique opportunities, challenges, and locales, allowing us to tailor our approach to the needs of each endeavor. The following section showcases a selection of impact stories from 2023 that demonstrate how these building blocks allow us to adapt and innovate to achieve meaningful conservation victories.
Partnering for greater impact
Planning and policymaking for systemic change
Protecting important landscapes
Delivering technical expertise in ecology and restoration
Igniting advocacy momentum
Partnering for greater impact
Protecting important landscapes
Delivering technical expertise in ecology and restoration
Planning and policymaking for systemic change
Igniting advocacy momentum
Partnering for greater impact
Protecting important landscapes
Partnering for greater impact
Protecting important landscapes
Delivering technical expertise in ecology and restoration
Igniting advocacy momentum
(a) Includes donation of 61 acres valued at $1,499,000 and Impairment Loss of $411,573 on lands held for conservation.
(b) Non-Operating Loss – Donation of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, consisting of 72 acres and improvements valued at $1,094,796 plus $1,360,737 in cash to protect said acreage in perpetuity.
Discover a curated selection of Openlands’ milestones spanning six decades, each leveraging various building blocks of conservation.
Partnering for greater impact
Planning and policymaking for systemic change
Protecting important landscapes
Delivering technical expertise in ecology and restoration
Igniting advocacy momentum
60 years ago, Openlands was founded in response to a national call for more open space in urban areas. Today, we are propelled by new, accelerating challenges. Openlands responds to these challenges with empathy, decisiveness, and vision for a bright and just future. The Nature for All Campaign fortifies Openlands as the region’s open space leader.
Thank you to our generous funding partners who helped to fulfill the mission of Openlands over the past fiscal year, from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023.
* In Memoriam
^ Perennial Donors: Openlands is grateful to its most loyal donors who have supported us annually for 20 years or more.
$500,000 or more
Bobolink Foundation
Hamill Family Foundation
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
$100,000–$499,999
The Arbor Day Foundation
ComEd, an Exelon Company
Comer Family Foundation
Crown Family Philanthropies
Nancy H. Hamill Charitable Lead Unitrust
The Negaunee Foundation
U.S. Forest Service
$50,000–$99,999
BMO Harris Bank
Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation
Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
Full Circle Foundation
Globe Foundation
Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
Harold M. and Adeline S. Morrison Family
Foundation
The Morton Arboretum
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Pepper Family Foundation
Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
U.S. Forest Service— International Programs
Willow Springs Foundation
$25,000–$49,999
The Bowman C. Lingle Trust
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Lauderback Family Foundation
Peoples Gas Community Fund at the
Chicago Community Foundation
Polk Bros. Foundation
Solberg Manufacturing Inc.
The Smart Family Foundation of Illinois
$10,000–$24,999
Anonymous
Archer Daniels Midland Company
G. Carl Ball Family Foundation
The Buchanan Family Foundation
Ecosia
Gaylord Donnelley Charitable Trust
Hoghton Family Charitable Trust
The Lumpkin Family Foundation
National Recreation Foundation
Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris Foundation
Prince Charitable Trusts
Dr. Scholl Foundation
The Siragusa Family Foundation
Stantec
U.S. Bank Foundation
U.S. Forest Service— Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative
Ventas
$5,000–$9,999
Anonymous
Bartlett Tree Experts
Chicago Botanic Garden
Scott Byron & Co., Inc.
Field Museum
Good Heart Work Smart Foundation
Heitman
The James Huntington Foundation
KPMG
LimeRed Studio
City of Markham
Meristem Advisors, LLC
National Philanthropic Trust
SavATree
The South Church
Christy Webber Landscapes
$2,500–$4,999
Admixt
Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.
First Congregational Church of Western Springs
Woman’s Society
Forest Preserve District of Will County
Green Extraction Technologies LLC
Lake County Forest Preserves
Liberty Prairie Foundation
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
McGraw Foundation
Jeff & Debbie Ross, Ross Family Foundation
Spiralis Musical Trust
$1,000–$2,499
Baird & Warner
Francis Beidler III and
Prudence R. Beidler Foundation
The Big Cat Foundation
The Goldblatt Family Foundation
M. Cooper Heinz
The Joyce Foundation
The Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation
The McDermott Foundation
Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation
STS Foundation
University of Chicago
Urban Forestry Organization
$250–$999
Anonymous
AmazonSmile Foundation
Daylight
Eco Promotional Products, Inc.
Exelon
Facilitated Solutions International
Gates Foundation
Leo S. Guthman Fund
Illinois Tool Works
Koya Partners
City of Lockport
Loyola University Chicago
Mastercard Impact
McHenry County Conservation District
Medtronics Foundation
Santa Barbara Foundation
The Student Conservation Association, Inc.
Tallgrass Restoration
Taylor Creek Restoration Nurseries
The Garden Club of Morgan Park/Beverly Hills
Vyne Medical
Richard L. and Lois S. Werner Family Foundation
Wheeler Kearns Architect
Openlands gratefully acknowledges the following supporters who made contributions of $1,000 or more.
$100,000–$499,999
Shaun & Andy Block ^
James & Elizabeth Bramsen ^
Stephanie Comer & Robert Craigie
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Hamill
Nancy Hamill Winter ^
Louis Schauer*
$50,000–$99,999
Cecil & Frances Cooper*
Dean & Jenny Fischer
Fay Hartog-Levin
William R. Jentes
Wendy & Hank Paulson ^
Charles & Joyce Solberg
Tor Solberg
$25,000–$49,999
Susan & Steve Bell ^
Bob & Joan Feitler
Terry Glenn* ^
The Crown Goodman Family
Dan Lauderback & Jennifer Cromheecke
Carrie C. McNally & Rick Maechling
Ms. Lois Morrison
Glenn W. & Barbara Welsh Reed
Ms. Carey Roberts
Patricia & Dick Schnadig
Travis Solberg
Judith Stockdale & Jonathan Boyer ^
Nancy Sutherland ^
Ms. Nicole S. Williams & Dr. Lawrence J. Becker
$10,000–$24,999
Fred & Cindy Acker ^
Connie & Tony Bischof
Lynn Buhl
Jonathan Copulsky & Ellen Barreto*
Dr. Naomi Donnelley
Kimberly Duchossois
Daisy Feidt & Berenice Tow
Janis Kanter & Tom McCormick
Martina Keller & Don McLellan
Mary A. Laraia & Andrew Mooney ^
Ralph Lerner ^
Mr. Raed Mansour & Ms. Salina Flores
Jeanine & Andrew McNally, IV ^
Shauna Peet ^
Laura & Ricardo Rosenkranz
Richard Salmon
JoAnn Seagren & Scott Lang
William Spence
$5,000–$9,999
Anonymous
James L. Alexander
Ms. Jill Allread & Ms. Pam Freese ^
Ann & Brian Balusek
Steven Byers & Nancy Williamson
Mr. & Mrs. James & Glenda Cartwright
Garrett & Terrence Dee
Barbi & Tom Donnelley
Ceara Donnelley
Philip Enquist & Joanna Karatzas
Hugh & Marlene Frisbie
Daniel & Gloria Kearney Foundation
Keller Family ^
Barbara & Dennis Kessler ^
Heidi Kiesler
Suzanne Malec-McKenna
Ms. Leah Mayers
Judy & John McCarter ^
Jim Mikkelsen
Alexandra & John* Nichols ^
The Janis Wellin Notz Charitable Fund ^
Jane Elinor Notz & Ian Watson
Clare Pinkert
James & Leslie Rachlin
George & Vicky Ranney ^
Alexa Rice
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Rode
John Shillinglaw
Adele Simmons ^
Mr. & Mrs. David Byron Smith ^
Emily & Charles Solberg
Sarah Solberg Ludden
Janet Swenson
Victoria J. Trauscht
Chris Wu
$2,500–$4,999
Anonymous (3)
Larry & Julia Antonatos
Edward & Frances Blair ^
Barbara & George Clark
George & Alexandra Covington ^
Matthew & Lynora Dobry
Shawn M. Donnelley & Christopher M. Kelly ^
Victoria C. Drake & James Evan-Cook ^
William Drake & JoAnn Carney
Richard L.* & Marjorie N.* Ettlinger ^
Deborah Gillespie & Charles Burbridge
Patrick & Jessica Hanley
Todd Henderson
Paul & Leslie Karas
Ms. Jill Koski
Sachin & Sara Master
Beau Nagan
Andrew Otting & Laura Hohnhold
Ms. Marion Parry
Chris Patnaude
Eric Peterson , CFP® ^
Mr. Daniel Real
Chris Roberts
John D. Rogner & Sue Elston
Charles* & Louise Saltzman
Carolyn Miller Short ^
Anne Tucker Family Charitable Fund ^
Mr. Doug & Mrs. Kim Voigt
Mr. & Mrs. David B. Waud ^
Ms. Valerie Wheeler
Paula Wolff
$1,000–$2,499
Gerald W. Adelmann ^
Anonymous
Mrs. Susan S. & Mr. Lawrence B. Aaron
JC Aevaliotis & Devon De Mayo
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Barkhausen ^
Frederick N. Bates & Ellen Benjamin ^
Frank H. Beal
Thomas E. Beck
Paul & Karen Becker ^
Mr. & Mrs. Francis Beidler, III
Mr. Christopher Binz
Mrs. Judith S. Block ^
Nick Bothfeld & Elizabeth Brown
Mrs. Susan D. Bowey ^
Mr. Joseph H. Brennan
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Bridge
Tina & Mike Brown
Allan & Suzette Bulley
Karen & Michael Buoscio
Susan & Friedrich Burian
Suzanne & Bill Clarkin
Antonia Contro & George Marquisos ^
Ms. Kathleen Covey
Peter & Elinor Crane
Ms. Judith Dainko
Allison & Frederick Daley ^
Ms. Marjorie David*
Mr. & Mrs. George W. Davis^
Mr. Matthew Derov
Mr. & Mrs. Jay D. Dietz
William S. Donnell & Claudia Daly ^
Aidan Donnelley & Bryan Rowley
Harry & Beth Drucker ^
Eliza & Timothy Earle
Theodore Eckert Foundation
Keren Eckstein
Josephine F. Elting ^
Dr. Howard Fields
Sarah Forbes Orwig
Cynthia K. Fredrick
Gabriela Freese, DDS
Jennifer Gardy
John & Michele Gillett
Mr. & Mrs. James Glasser ^
Gregory L. Gleason
Stanford & Ann Dudley Goldblatt ^
S.M. Guettler ^
Gabrielle Gustilo
Mr. & Mrs. James & Kathleen Gysler
Harmann Family—John & Laila Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Hall Healy, Winona Corporation ^
C. Hofmann & Associates ^
Ms. Mary Honda
Danielle Hookham
Vance & Randee Johnson
Brian Jones
Judy & John Keller ^
Eliza & Nathan Kerr
Ken & Elizabeth Kessler
Mr. Kerl LaJeune
Mr. Peter Landon
Margaret Lass-Gardiner
Mr. & Mrs. John S. Lillard,
Red Bird Hollow Foundation
Jessica & Torjus Lundevall
Kay Mabie
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Mann ^
Ann McDermott ^
Joanie & Andy McKenna* ^
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Megquier
Chris & Megan Mellee
The Michael & Pamela Miles Gift Fund of the
Ayco Charitable Foundation ^
Bill & Anita Miller
Dr. Debra Moskovits
Mrs. Jossy Nebenzahl ^
Mr. Rommel Noguera & Ms. Michelle Bjelke
James Noel O’Connor
Sally A. Olds ^
Mr. & Mrs. Dudley Onderdonk
Ann & Harry Oppenheimer
The Pick Family Foundation
Charissa Prezzano
Rita & Bruce Renwick
Rebecca R. Riley
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Roach
Joseph Russo & Bebe Novich
Patrick G. & Shirley W. Ryan
Mary Jo Savol ^
Dan & Sandra Scheinfeld,
The Big Cat Foundation ^
Jocarno Fund, at the request of
Mr.* & Mrs. John I. Schlossman ^
Nini & Peter Seaman
Robert & Lynn Seitz
Susan C. H. Simmers & Clayton R. Simmers
Mr. Duncan Smith
Joanne Softcheck
Lisbeth Stiffel
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Strubel ^
Mr. Richard Thies
Mrs. Jeanine Van Nice
Paul Varnado
Jane Veldman
Carol & Brad White
James Wilson & Pamela Toler
Joan & Richard Wolff
Edgar & Carol Yee
Ms. Jeanne Zasadil
Dr. Anna Zisman
Thank you to the following individuals who provide unrestricted support that sustains Openlands’ programs.
$500–$999
Anonymous
Karen Acker Lau & Te-Li Lau ^
Ron Adams
Elisa Addlesperger
Mary H. & Paul F. Anderson ^
Kris & Peter Baldo ^
Kathy Berger & Louis Schorsch
Spencer & Lesley Bloch
Debra Brosilow
Mr. Lawrence Brown
Ms. Kathleen Bruch
Meg Bunn
Rosemarie & Dean L. Buntrock ^
Tom & Dianne Campbell
Susan & Doug Carlson
Mr. Jay Clifton
Lawrence Corry
Hon. Barbara Flynn Currie
Ellen Dalton
Jon A. Daniels ^
Mr. Bruce Davidson
Mr. & Mrs. J. Bradley Davis ^
Laura & Steve Derks
Amy Dickinson & Jim Futransky
Mr. Mark & Mrs. Julianne Dieterich
Leslie S. Douglass
Peter Draper
Lisa Dush
Natasha Egan
Ms. Kristina Entner
Terry & Sam Evans
Ms. Lilly Farahnakian
Carol & Conrad Fialkowski
Ginny & Peter Foreman ^
Mary Alexis Fox
Marti & Brandon Frisbie
Paul & Chris Geiselhart
Virginia & Gary Gerst
Brian Giegerich
Bill Glass
Sue & Bruce Gottschall
Lou Ann & Larry Grabowski
Gillian Growdon
Mrs. Marietta Hance
Dr. Carole E. Hoffman
Lynn Hummer ^
Brad Hunt
Christy Hunt
Robert & Saran Hutchins
Judith & Tony Iacuzzi ^
Mr. Scott Jamieson
Mr. Thomas E. Keim
Anne Ladky & Karen Fishman
Ashish Lal
Trinita Logue
Terry J. Medhurst ^
Ms. Lauren Moltz
Brenda Nelms & John Craig
Mr. E. Scott Peterson &
Ms. Judith M. Desenis
Barbara & Thomas Pfendler
Susan Piha ^
Rutherford H. Platt
Sandi Morris & Bill Pogson
Ms. Jacquelyn Pope
Dave & Sara Reusswig
Ms. Erin C. Rohan
Ron Rohde ^
Matt Rooney & Diane Kaplan
Ms. Amy Rosenthal
Roger & Dianne Ross
Bettylu & Paul Saltzman ^
Henrietta Saunders
Kelsay Shaw
James Silvestro
Ald. Michele Smith
Jeff Smith
Margaret & Kevin Stineman Charitable Fund at The Chicago Community
Foundation
Joel F. Studebaker
Joseph C. Szabo ^
Mrs. Susan Turnage
Jennifer & Bob Van Valkenburg
Elizabeth K. Ware
Julie & Dan Wheeler, Sol &
Celia Hammerman Foundation
Chris & Jodi Wine
Carolyn J. L. Wing
Lisa Woolford
Mr. Ed Zimkus
$250–$499
Erin Aleman
Anonymous (2)
Diane & Bill Allen
Amanda & Roger Allman
Joseph T. Alves
Rita Archibald
Stephen Baker
Ms. Elizabeth Barnes
Peter & Betsy Barrett ^
Steven & Sandra Becker
Pat & Jim Bland
John Blaser
Patricia Booth
Paul Botts
Calvine & Charlie Bowen ^
Dave & Donna Brandt
Suzette Bross
Joel Brown
Barbara Butz
Gerald Callaghan & Carol Wells ^
Ms. Ellen Carton
Robert & Suzanne Cash
Etahn M. Cohen & Amy Paller Cohen ^
Art Collins & Sophia Shaw
Nancy & Tom Conforti ^
Mrs. Sarah Conley
William Crescent, Crescent Jewelers ^
Delilah Cuevas
Mr. & Mrs. Elyse & Andreas Danckers
Tracy Davis
Karen Dennis
Ms. Olga Domchenko
Dorfman Herst Charitable Fund
Paul Earle & Ellen Rudnick ^
Jo Fessett
Mrs. Nancy Fishman
Janet Franz & William Swislow
Mr. Bernard Friedman
Ms. Mary Gabryel
Russell L. Game, Game & Associates
Ms. Kay Ganser
Ms. Meredith C. George ^
Karen Glennemeier
Annemarie H. Gramm ^
Mr. Keith Green
Matt Greenberger
Thom Greene & Nadeen Kieren
Jaime Gutshall
Janet & Tom Hahn ^
Mr. and Mrs. John Haight, III
Hall & Anne Healy
Marilyn P. Helmholz
Jerry M. Herst
David B. Hirschey ^
Christy Hunt
Ms. Celia Hunt
Tommy Inglis
Jerome Johnson ^
Ms. Nancy Juda
Paula Kahn
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Keibler
Gary & Susan Klein
Chuck Knapp
Ms. Donna Kowatch
Barth Landor
Ms. Pauline M. Leblanc
Ms. Jocelyn M. Leitzinger
Mr. David Lentz
Rommy Lopat ^
Margery Martin
Judy McDonald
Madelyn McFarland
Neil & Deb McIlvain
Betsy McKenna
Kelly Meissner & Brent Knight
Paul & Cindy Meyer
Julian Mickelson
Rita Mirman & Stuart Frankel
Gregory Mueller & Betty Strack
Ms. Sally Mullan
Jennifer & Jeremy Mullman
Kate Murphy
Catherine Nagler
Robert & Susan Nelson
Ms. Kathleen O’Connor
Ms. Jane J. Ogrodnik
Heide & Steve Olson
Christine Olson
Openlands Treekeeper #973
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Ott
Laura Payne
Ms. Lisl Peterson Fuson
Frank & Becky Petrek
Doreen & Robert Pricone
Tom Priest & Sarah Davis Priest
Mr. & Mrs. George Benjamin Ranney
Ms. Ellen K. Raymond
Steven & Kimberly Ricchio
Mr. Brian Rice
Ms. Kristina Risvold
Ms. Lisa Roberts
Mr. Michael P. Roche
Ms. Lauren Rosenthal
Dianne Ross
Piper & Jono Rothschild
William J. Roznowski
Ms. Diane Salmon
Julius Schatz
Ms. Judith Scholl Lee
Dan Shannon
Mr. Dale Shields
Elizabeth Shope
Mrs. Suzanne T. Smart
Mr. J. Clarke Smith
Kiana Smith
Nancy Stevenson
Dr. Christopher Straus
Ms. Gail Taxy
Ms. Kathleen Taylor
Ms. Colleen Thorne
Kathleen & Edmund Tobin
Ms. Linda Toelke
Jessica Smasal
Barbara & Crawford Ward
Ms. Holly Waterman
Mr. Nicholas Weingarten
Paul Genega & James Werkowski
Brianna White
Wallace A. Winter & Ellen Ewing
Ms. Karen A. Witter ^
Roberta B. Zabel
James & Katherine Zartman ^
Thank you to individuals who have made provisions for Openlands in their estate plans to protect nature across the Chicago region for future generations.
Charlotte Adelman
Gerald W. Adelmann ^
Jill Allread Family ^
Gary & Susan Balling
George W. Blossom, III*
Leslie Borns & John Hollister Purcell*
Henry T. Chandler, Jr.*
Bill & Suzanne Clarkin
Cecil & Frances Cooper*
Virginia A. Croan*
Ms. Marjorie David *
Garrett & Terrence Dee
Leslie S. Douglass
Pamela Feldman
Dean & Jenny Fischer
Carlyn E. Goettsch*
Maureen E. Gustafson
Mr. and Mrs. John Haight, III
Mark & Lori Harris
Leslie Jones
Barbara & Dennis Kessler ^
Joyce Martha Kieffer*
Joy E. Knobloch
Carrie C. McNally & Rick Maechling ^
Ms. Marion Parry
Eric K. Peterson, CFP ® ^
Kenneth J. Porrello & Sherry L. McFall
Dr. George B. Rabb*
Steven & Kimberly Ricchio
J. Timothy Ritchie*
Charles* & Louise Saltzman
Mary Jo Savol ^
Louis Schauer*
Gerda Schild*
JoAnn Seagren & Scott Lang
Patrick Shaw* & Mary Sue Glosser
Georgiana Taylor*
Nicole Williams & Dr. Lawrence Becker
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations who donated products or services.
Friends of Hackmatack
Natalie Mills Bontumasi, Good Thomas Design
Beau Nagan, Cantigny Park Foundation
Teufelberger
Brian Baker, Davey Tree Experts
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Forest Preserves of Cook County
Garfield Park Conservatory
Jennifer Linton
Ms. Marion Parry
Thank you to the following industry experts who volunteer their time to teach the Openlands TreeKeepers course. TreeKeepers learn how to help keep trees green and growing, volunteering in a variety of situations including street tree care, tree planting, and advocacy.
Jim Battistoni
Tricia Bethke
Beth Botts
Mike Bremer
Vicki Capalbo
Dennis Clarke
Melissa Custic
Peter Czubak
Lindsay Darling
Betsy Elsaesser
Clara Fourcade
Manu Gamez
Luly Guiterrez
Ted Haffner
Drew Hart
Sarah Helding
Alison Herrell
Lindsay Ivanyi
Dan Kuruna
Steve Lane
Phillip Lange
Pauline LeBlanc
Bela Loza
Suzanne Malec-McKenna
Daniel Miravel
Kate Perryman
Nick Peterson
Cassandra Rushing
Jerome Scott
Dan Vavra
Anne West
Brianna White
Joel Zavala
We express our sincere appreciation to the esteemed supporters of the Openlands 2023 Annual Luncheon. This event served as a platform to honor Gerald W. Adelmann, President Emeritus, with the distinguished Conservation Leadership Award.
Diamond Anniversary Sponsor
The Negaunee Foundation
Honoree Emerald Sponsors
Bobolink Foundation
Jo Davies Conservation Foundation
Nancy Hamill Winter ^
Platinum Sponsors
Anonymous
Bartlett Tree Experts
Connie & Tony Bischof ^
Shaun & Andy Block ^
ComEd
Kimberly Duchossois
Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin (Ret.)
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
Martina Keller & Don McLellan
Mary Laraia ^
Andrew & Jeanine McNally, IV
Morrison Family Foundation
Janis W. & John K. Notz Jr.
Stantec
Gold Sponsors
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Jill Allread ^
Chicago Botanic Garden
Christy Webber Landscapes
Barbi & Tom Donnelley ^
Field Museum
Dean & Jenny Fischer
Good Heart Work Smart Foundation
Dan & Gloria Kearney
KPMG
Suzanne Malec-Mckenna
Judy & John McCarter ^
Alexandra C. Nichols ^
George & Vicky Ranney
Carey Roberts
Scott Byron & Co.
JoAnn Seagren & Scott Lang
Adele Simmons
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Table Sponsors
Alan Bell
Edward & Frances Blair ^
Richard J. Carlson & Cristina Benitez
Brookfield Zoo
Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd
George & Alexandra Covington ^
Garrett & Terry Dee
Lynora & Matthew Dobry
Philip Enquist
Richard L.* & Marjorie N.* Ettlinger ^
Forest Preserve District of Will County
Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Patrick & Jessica Hanley
Brooke & Peter Hecht
Connie & Dennis Keller
Lake County Forest Preserves
Howard Learner and the Environmental Law & Policy Center
Main Street Lockport, Inc.
Carrie C. McNally & Rick Maechling
Melcher & Tucker Consultants
Shauna B. Peet ^
James Rachlin, Meristem Advisors
Glenn & Barbara Reed
John Rogner
Laura & Ricardo Rosenkranz
Judith Stockdale & Jonathan Boyer
Nancy Sutherland
The Morton Arboretum
David & Pamela Waud ^
JoAnn Seagren
Chair
Alan M. Bell
Vice Chair
Garrett Handley Dee
Secretary
Glenn W. Reed
Treasurer
Carrie C. McNally
Immediate Past Chair
Jill Allread
Executive Committee
Matt Dobry
Executive Committee
Daisy Feidt
Executive Committee
Martina Keller
Executive Committee
Rommel Noguera
Executive Committee
Lynn Buhl
Board Member
Bill Clarkin
Board Member
Jonathan Copulsky
Board Member
George W. Davis
Board Member
Patrick Hanley
Board Member
Kerl LaJeune
Board Member
Dan Lauderback
Board Member
Raed Mansour
Board Member
Sachin Master
Board Member
James Rachlin
Board Member
Alexa Rice
Board Member
Carey S. Roberts
Board Member
Laura Rosenkranz
Board Member
Anne Tucker
Board Member
Douglas Voigt
Board Member
Nicole S. Williams
Board Member
Chris Wu
Board Member
Shaun C. Block
Honorary Director
Anthony T. Dean
Honorary Director
Marshall Field V
Honorary Director
As of March 1, 2024
Ders Anderson
Senior Trails Consultant
Laura Barghusen
Director of Restoration and Trails
Chris Bourbois
Conservation Ecologist
JoVann Bennett
Arborist Registered Apprentice
Jocelyn Brito
Birds in My Neighborhood Program Associate
Samantha Chavez
Land Management Specialist
Michael Davidson
President & CEO
Janis DiGiovanna
Director of Administration
Michael Dugan
Director of Forestry
Tom Ebeling
Senior Forestry Program Manager
Lupe Escárcega
School Garden Coordinator
Nitsaniyah Fitch
Individual Giving and External Affairs Specialist
Katie Fleming
Senior Forestry Program Manager
Jessica Fong
Director of Education
Mary Fortmann
Landscape Ecologist
Mary Gabryel
Assistant Director of Finance
Jorge García
Birds in My Neighborhood Program Coordinator
Lillian Holden
Regional Water Trails Manager
Monica Jirak
Director of Development
Chris Kessler
Director of Policy
Daniel Kuzlik
Land Preservation Coordinator
Ivy Lo
Senior Accountant
Kimberly Lucas
Administrative and Finance Coordinator
Sydney Mandel
Arborist Registered Apprentice
Joshua Noll
Arborist Registered Apprentice
Alma Olavarría Gallegos
Policy and Advocacy Associate
Maddie Peacher
Forestry Field Supervisor
Daniella Pereira
Chief Operating Officer
Emily Reusswig
Vice President of Conservation and Policy
Molly Roche
TreeKeepers Program Specialist
Tonatiú Rodríguez
Forestry Program Coordinator
Matt Ruhter
Conservation Attorney
Danielle Russell
Green Schoolyards Program Manager
Patrick Schlomas
Executive Administrator and Board Liaison
Craig Shillinglaw
Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst
Victor Short
Forestry Field Supervisor
Lai Smith
Gift and Data Entry Coordinator
Huan Song
Director of Communications
Paul Spector
Director of Finance and Accounting
Floyd Stewart
Arborist Registered Apprentice
Sarah Surroz
Director of Lake County Programs
Javier Torres
Communications Coordinator
Gerardo Trujillo
Landscaping Specialist
Yamys Urbano Valencia
Bilingual PR & Communications Specialist
Lucia Whalen
Institutional Grants Manager
Nate Whelden
Arborist Registered Apprentice
Gerald W. Adelmann
President Emeritus
Openlands Board Chairs
JoAnn Seagren (2020–present)
Carrie C. McNally (2016–2020)
Rich Carlson (2014–2016)
Jill Allread (2008–2013)
Nancy Sutherland (2004–2008)
Susan S. Bell (2003–2004)
Anthony T. Dean (1999–2003)
Stephen W. Baird (1996–1999)
Thomas Flavin (1994–1996)
Shaun C. Block (1990–1994)
Frederick N. Bates (1989–1990)
H. James Fox (1984–1989)
Arthur W. Berry (1981–1984)
George W. Overton (1978–1981)
Richard L. Ettlinger (1977–1978)
George E. Bullwinkel (1975–1977)
Farwell Smith (1972–1975)
Jeffrey R. Short (1963–1972)
Openlands Presidents & CEOs
Michael S. Davidson (2023–present)
Gerald W. Adelmann (1988–2023)
Peter Coolsen (1986–1987)
Judith M. Stockdale (1978–1986)
April L. Young (1975–1977)
Richard L. Ettlinger (1975)
Larry Christmas (1975)
Gunnar A. Peterson (1963–1975)
CorLands Presidents (1978–2010)
George W. Overton
George Covington
George E. Bullwinkel
H. James Fox
Kenneth V. Fiske
Stephen W. Baird
Richard J. Carlson
CorLands Executive Directors
Judith M. Stockdale (1978–1983)
Thomas Hahn (1984–1999)
Nancy Kaszak (2000–2003)
Robert Megquier (2004–2010)
In 1978, the Corporation for Open Lands (CorLands) was formed as an affiliate of Openlands to provide technical assistance to local governments and private groups for land acquisition and preservation. CorLands merged with Openlands in 2010.
Every donation will be matched up to $50,000. That means your gift goes twice as far to protect the natural spaces we cherish close to home.
