Dear Friends,
Openlands was founded on a belief that still guides our work today: the well-being of people and nature are inseparable, and they thrive together. In 1963, it began as a project of the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago—which would later become the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago—rooted in the social reform tradition of Jane Addams and other Chicago leaders. From the start, Openlands has built solutions from the ground up, bringing people together to care for the land that sustains us all.
This founding spirit of collaboration and civic leadership has never mattered more.
Across the country, support for conservation is increasingly uncertain, even as pressure on land grows. In moments like this, local and regional leadership becomes essential. Openlands stands out for its ability to convene public agencies, private landowners, civic leaders, and communities—protecting landscapes, advancing stewardship, and ensuring nature is prioritized and accessible to everyone.
Across the country, support for conservation is increasingly uncertain, even as pressure on land grows. In moments like this, local and regional leadership becomes essential.
In 2025, we embraced this responsibility with the launch of a new strategic plan focused on land and partnership. At its heart is togetherness: conservation succeeds in community. It is how partnerships are built, how volunteers and supporters sustain the work, and how these efforts endure across generations.
Openlands continues to evolve as a nimble, results-driven organization, equipped with the tools, partnerships, and knowledge to take on the hardest challenges in land conservation. Land is the foundation of a healthy, livable region, and protecting it requires all of us.
As a board, we are proud to steward an organization with a powerful legacy, clear vision, and enduring leadership. Thank you for being part of this work—together, we will continue ensuring that nature thrives and is accessible to all.
In partnership,
Alan M. Bell
Chair,
Openlands Board of Directors
