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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.
“The cost of inaction is too great—it threatens not just our ecosystems, but our way of life.”
“Openlands is uniquely positioned to meet these challenges because we are collaborative in uniting people across differences, courageous in fighting for what is right, and steadfast in seeing change through—no matter how long it takes.”
The African American Heritage Water Trail has been named one of the Collaboration Award winners of the 23rd annual Chicago Innovation Awards.
Openlands Service Area
Openlands Priority Landscape
Chicago Wilderness Boundary
This year, we celebrated transformative conservation milestones that demonstrate the power of local, collaborative action in reshaping the future of our landscapes.
Acres Added to Hackmatack
Openlands, Illinois Audubon, and The Conservation Fund partnered to acquire 985 acres of Tamarack Farm for Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. This acquisition, which represents about 10% of the refuge’s total footprint, helps create the third-largest conservation area in the region. It highlights how collaboration between local conservation organizations can amplify our collective impact.
This milestone marks a major advancement for the Refuge, the region’s biodiversity, and the 12 million residents of the greater Chicago, Rockford, and Milwaukee metropolitan areas, who will now benefit from expanded recreational opportunities.
Additionally, Openlands is proud to announce the creation of The Negaunee Opportunity Fund to expand strategic land protection within the region thanks to a generous $3 million gift from The Negaunee Foundation.
This fund highlights the foundation’s leadership in conservation philanthropy, providing revolving capital for Openlands to scale land protection initiatives. A key focus of the fund is expanding Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, ensuring a lasting legacy of preserved natural landscapes.
At Openlands, we drive systemic change by shaping policy and planning decisions across a complex geopolitical landscape. Nature doesn’t recognize governance boundaries, which is why we work across every level of government and unite a broad coalition of partners to protect the places we love.
For Conservation Throughout the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area
In 2024, voters in DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry Counties supported four major conservation ballot measures, adding to the success of the 2022 Vote Yes for Clean Air, Water, and Wildlife referendum in Cook County. Openlands has been integral to these efforts as part of the coalitions.
These five measures, along with a $50 million bond in Will County, will channel $1.6 billion into the region’s natural areas over the next two decades—a generationally significant investment. These victories highlight the bipartisan support for nature and show how local engagement drives lasting change.
In addition to these ballot wins, Openlands is empowering residents to take action at their own homes. The Homeowners’ Native Landscaping Act ensures that Illinois residents can no longer be barred by HOAs from planting native gardens, empowering them to mitigate climate change and support biodiversity locally. Championed by State Representative Laura Faver Dias and State Senator Karina Villa, and guided by Openlands’ technical expertise, the bill passed unanimously in the House and Senate.
Funding for the Lake County Greenway Master Land-use Plan
Openlands also supported the Illinois General Assembly’s approval of $1 million for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to develop a master land-use plan for the greenway along the former Route 53 extension.
In partnership with the Green Corridor Coalition, Openlands celebrates this key investment, which will convert a vital open space into a thriving public greenway and trail, providing more families with access to nature, recreation, and vital ecosystem services.
In Chicago, the city established the Native and Pollinator Garden Registry Advisory Board to enhance urban green spaces and wildlife. Openlands’ Jessica Fong serves as president, working alongside the City’s Urban Forestry Advisory Board—another initiative championed by Openlands and TreeKeepers. These collaborative efforts demonstrate the collective force for change that drives progress locally.
In the interdependent community of life, people play a critical role as protectors of nature. Openlands empowers individuals and organizations to take action, creating a collective force For nature that transforms neighborhoods, fosters conservation jobs, and inspires optimism through agency.
TreeKeepers Certified
This year, we celebrated remarkable milestones in community forestry, planting the organization’s 10,000th tree and certifying our 2,000th TreeKeepers. Openlands marked decades of impactful community engagement in urban forestry with a special planting event at Jardín Mallinali in La Villita.
Through pioneering initiatives like the English and Spanish language TreeKeepers® program and the TreePlanters Grant, Openlands has emerged as a national leader in fostering environmental stewardship and empowering individuals to champion our urban forest.
Arborist Registered Apprentice completes program
The Arborist Registered Apprenticeship program achieved a significant milestone with the graduation of our first apprentice, Lisa Mende.
Paired with Cantigny Park as part of the program, Lisa has worked there since 2022 and was offered a full-time position. She also passed the International Society of Arboriculture’s Certified Arborist exam. Lisa’s inspiring journey highlights the value of the ARA program in cultivating a diverse, skilled, and green workforce with a well-paying career.
Gallons of Stormwater Captured
In addition, over the past year, we completed two new Space to Grow green schoolyards—at Ronald H. Brown Elementary in West Pullman and Spencer Technology Academy in Austin.
These schoolyards offer safe, green spaces for kids to play and learn while also benefiting the broader community through stormwater management. Combined, they will hold 1,620,267 gallons of stormwater annually from entering the surrounding community’s flood-prone basements. Openlands, in collaboration with the Healthy Schools Campaign and the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment, has led a Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance Working Group to ensure coordinated, long-term care of green infrastructure investments on public property, maximizing their impact and longevity.
This project highlights the rich legacy of African American history along the Little Calumet River, connecting significant sites along the Underground Railroad with modern-day stories of resilience, resistance, and activism.
Openlands gratefully acknowledges the following partners who exemplify collaborative excellence:
Chicago’s Finest Marina
Chicago Adventure Therapy
The Field Museum
Forest Preserves of Cook County
FRESH
Friends of the Chicago River
Friends of the Forest Preserves
Golden Gate Homeowners Association
Midwest Underground Railroad Network
Metropolitan Planning Council
People for Community Recovery
Robbins History Museum
Village of Robbins
We Keep You Rollin’ (Bike & Wellness Group)
Thank you to our generous funding partners who helped to fulfill the mission of Openlands over the past fiscal year, October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
* In Memoriam
^ Perennial Donors: Openlands is grateful to its most loyal donors who have supported us annually for 20 years or more.
With heartfelt thanks to all who supported the Nature for All Campaign, and special appreciation to Campaign Co-Chairs Dean Fischer and Judith Stockdale for their outstanding leadership.
Fred & Cindy Acker
Gerald W. Adelmann
Jill Allread & Pam Freese
Frank H. Beal
Susan & Steve Bell
Alan M. Bell
Shaun & Andy Block
James & Elizabeth Bramsen
Noelle C. Brock
Mrs. Courtney Brody
James Brown
Lynn Buhl
Richard Carlson & Christina Benitez
Richard & Vicki Capalbo
John Chaveriat
Suzanne & Bill Clarkin
Comer Family Foundation
Coleman Foundation
Copulsky-Baretto Fund
Gail Cohen
Denise Corkery
Gilbert & Noreen Cornfield
Dr. Mimi Cowan
Mr. & Mrs. George W. Davis
Garrett & Terrence Dee
Laura & Steve Derks
Matthew & Lynora Dobry
Katie Dewar
Amy Dickinson
Julie & Joseph Donley
Kimberly Duchossois
Thomas Elizalde
Daisy Feidt & Bernice Tow
Dean & Jenny Fischer
Mrs. Nancy Fishman
David Forbes & Elizabeth B. Orwig
Memorial Fund
Full Circle Foundation
John & Michele Gillett
Jeffrey D. Greenspan
Dinesh Goburdhun
Ms. Maureen Gustafson
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Hamill
Hamill Family Foundation
Illinois Clean Energy Foundation
Patrick & Jessica Hanley
Julian Hansen
Faye Hartog-Levin
Hall & Anne Healy
Gene Heike
Mr. & Mrs. Paul F. Hills
Hoghton Family Charitable Trust
Michael & Amelia Howard
Celia Hunt
Dr. Shemuel Israel
William R. Jentes
Ms. Kristen A. Jones
Gwyn Jones
Leslie Jones
Kanter Family Foundation
Mr. Thomas E. Keim
Martina Keller & Don McLellan
Margaret Lass-Gardiner
Dan Lauderback & Jennifer Cromheecke
Mr. Kerl LaJeune
Tinita Logue
Michelle A. Long
John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Mann
Raed Mansour & Salina Flores
Ms. Susanne Masi
Sara & Sachin Master
Mrs. George H. Maze
Jeanine & Andrew McNally IV
Carrie C. McNally & Rick Maechling
Dennis Meisinger
Sarah Mirkin
Ms. Lois Morrison
Mrs. Addie Morrison
Harold M. & Adeline S. Morrison Family Foundation
Deborah Moore
Wendy Mospan
Kelly Mundt
Edward Nathan
Mr. Rommel Noguera & Michelle Bjelke
Pamela Ohman
Heide & Steve Olson
Mrs. Lisa O’Toole
Hank & Wendy Paulson, Bobolink Foundation
Pepper Family Foundation
Barbara & Thomas Pfendler
Robert & Doreen Pricone
James & Cheryl Purdy
James & Leslie Rachlin
Mollie & David Rattner
Glenn W. & Barbara Welsh Reed
Alexa Rice
Jill Riddell & Tim Brown
Ms. Carey S. Roberts
Jeff Rode
Laura & Ricardo Rosenkranz
Jeff & Debbie Ross, Ross Family Foundation
John Rogner
Joseph Russo* & Bebe Novich
Paul & Bettylu Saltzman
Steven Schmidt
Michael & Connie Schmidt
Judith Scholl Lee
JoAnn M. Seagren & Scott Lang
Elizabeth Shope
Ellen & Richard Shubart
Mark Simon
Mark & Nancy Smith
Jana & John Stermer
Charles & Joyce Solberg
Tor Solberg
Solberg Manufacturing, Inc.
Nancy Stevenson
Margaret & Kevin Stineman Charitable Fund at
the Chicago Community Foundation
Judith Stockdale & Jonathan Boyer
Nancy W. Sutherland & Jim Mikkelson
Jean Tsai
Sophie B. Twichell
Anne Tucker Family Charitable Fund
Jennifer & Bob Van Valkenburg
Doug & Kim Voigt
Stephen Wade
Walder Foundation
Ms. Melissa F. Weber
Ms. Nicole Williams & Dr. Lawrence J. Becker
Nancy Williamson & Steven Byers
James Wilson
Ms. Nancy Hamill Winter
Ms. Karen A. Witter
Chris Wu
$500,000 or more
Hamill Family Foundation
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
The Negaunee Foundation
$100,000–$499,999
The Arbor Day Foundation
Bobolink Foundation
ComEd, an Exelon Company
Crown Family Philanthropies
Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Nancy H. Hamill Charitable Lead Unitrust
The Northern Trust Company
U. S. Forest Service
$50,000–$99,999
Amazon
Central Indiana Community Foundation
Hunter Family Foundation
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Harold M. & Adeline S.Morrison Family
Foundation
The Morton Arboretum
$25,000–$49,999
The Bowman C. Lingle Trust
EdAssist Solutions Bright Horizons
Full Circle Foundation
Healthy Schools Campaign
U. S. Forest Service International Programs
Peoples Gas
Pepper Family Foundation
Polk Bros. Foundation
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
The Smart Family Foundation of Illinois
The Grainger Foundation
United Airlines
$10,000–$24,999
Abbie Norman Prince Trust
Bartlett Tree Experts
BNSF Railway Foundation
The Buchanan Family Foundation
CME Group Foundation
Dellora A. & Lester J. Norris Foundation
Dr. Scholl Foundation
Ecosia
G. Carl Ball Family Foundation
Lew Leibowitz Legacy Foundation
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith
Incorporated
Prince Charitable Trusts
Ross Family Foundation
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
The Siragusa Family Foundation
U.S. Bank
Village & Wilderness
VK Industrial VI Holdings, LLC
$5,000–$9,999
Allstate Foundation
American Endowment Foundation
Archer Daniels Midland Company
CenterPoint Properties Trust
Chicago Zoological Society
Christy Webber Landscapes
Gene & Rosemary Schulter Foundation
Good Heart Work Smart Foundation
Mr. Gary Gulezian
Hilton Chicago
KPMG
McMaster-Carr Supply Company
Scott Byron & Co., Inc.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
TIAA/Nuveen
$2,500–$4,999
Audubon Great Lakes
Charities Aid Foundation of America
Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.
Circle of Service Foundation
Davey Resource Group, Inc.
Enterprise Mobility Foundation
Environmental Law & Policy Center of the
Midwest
First Congregational Church of Western Springs
Koch Family Foundation
Main Street Lockport
Natural Garden Natives/Midwest Groundcovers
S&E Bramsen Foundation
John G. Shedd Aquarium
The South Church
The Wetlands Initiative
$1,000–$2,499
The Big Cat Foundation
Mrs. Susan D. Bowey^
Commonwealth Cares Fund, Inc.
Constellation
DuPage Community Foundation
Edward & Rose Donnell Foundation
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
The Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation
LUMW Foundation
McHenry County Conservation District
National Financial Services LLC
Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation
Park Ridge Wilderness Scouts & Princesses
The Goldblatt Family Foundation
Theodore Eckert Foundation
Urban Forestry Organization
$250–$999
Arch Capital
The Ayco Charitable Foundation
BMO Harris Bank
Chicago Park District
Dean L. & Rosemarie Buntrock Foundation^
EarthShare Illinois
Francis Beidler III & Prudence R. Beidler Foundation
George William Olson Trust
Give Lively Foundation
Hey & Associates, Inc.
Hoghton Family Charitable Trust
Illinois Tool Works
Jocarno Fund
Kalliopeia Foundation
Living Habitats
The McDermott Foundation
McGraw Foundation
Natural Land Institute
Open Water
Possibility Place Nursery, Inc.
Richard L. & Lois S. Werner Family Foundation
The Schwebel Company
Sierra Club—Illinois Chapter
Sirius Fund
Tallgrass Restoration
U. S. Heritage Group, Inc
Openlands gratefully acknowledges the following supporters who made contributions of $1,000 or more.
$500,000–$1,000,000
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Hamill
Kimberly Duchossois
$100,000–$499,999
Mr. & Mrs. Paul F. Hills
Eric K. Peterson, CFP®^
Ms. Nancy Hamill Winter
$25,000–$49,999
Anonymous
Ms. Barbara R. Cooper
Judith Cooper
Martina Keller & Don McLellan
Wayne & Pamela Kowalczyk
Ralph Lerner^
Janis W. Notz^
Shauna Peet^
Glenn W. & Barbara Welsh Reed
Ms. Nicole S. Williams & Dr. Lawrence Becker^
$10,000–$24,999
Jill Allread & Pam Freese^
Alan M. Bell
Shaun & Andy Block^
Lynn Buhl
Ms. Stephanie Comer
Mirja & Ted Haffner
Dorfman Herst Charitable Fund
Michael & Lindy Keiser
Mr. Tom Lanctot
Ms. Mary A. Laraia^
Jeanine & Andrew McNally IV^
Carrie C. McNally & Rick Maechling^
Carey S. Roberts
Lisbeth Stiffel
Judith Stockdale & Jonathan Boyer^
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Mann
Nancy W. Sutherland^ & Jim Mikkelson
$5,000–$9,999
Anonymous
James L. Alexander
Mr. & Mrs. Allan E. Bulley Jr.
The Amdur Family Fund
Mr. & Mrs. James & Glenda L. Cartwright
Lawrence Christensen
Copulsky-Baretto Fund
Ron Davies
Joe Ferguson & Suzanne Malec-McKenna^
Dean & Jenny Fischer
Amanda Hanley
Patrick Hanley & Jessica Hanley
Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Harvey Jr.^
Barbara & Dennis Kessler
Jill Koski
Raed Mansour & Salina Flores^
Ms. Leah Mayers
Mrs. Kate Becker Morrison
Ms. Jane Elinor Notz & Ian Watson^
Mr. Richard Salmon
JoAnn M. Seagren & Scott Lang
Mr. John Shillinglaw
Adele Simmons^
Mr. & Mrs. David Byron Smith^
Doug & Kim Voigt
The Abra Wilkin Fund
Chris Wu
$2,500–$4,999
Gerald W. Adelmann^
Nick & Sue Bridge
Mr. Richard J. Carlson^
Ms. Inga Carus^
Gloria Castillo
Barbara & George Clark
Matthew & Lynora Dobry
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Donnelley II^
Jeanne Gang
Dinesh Goburdhun
Brooke & Peter Hecht
Mr. David D. Hiller
Keller Family^
Mary Honda
Shawn & Lewis Ingall
Leslie Jones
Mr. Peter L. Osler
Mr. Andrew Otting^
James & Leslie Rachlin
Dr. George B. Rabb*
Mr. Daniel & Susan Real
John Rogner
Mrs. Louise Saltzman
Ralph Schultz
Carolyn M. Short^
Jennifer & Bob Van Valkenburg
Wendy & Greg Vichick
Ms. Cynthia Wojcieszek
Paula Wolff
$1,000–$2,499
Anonymous
Mrs. Susan S. Aaron
Fred & Cynthia Acker^
Stephen Baird
Frank H. Beal
Mr. Thomas E. Beck
Paul & Karen Becker
Susan & Steve Bell
Mr. Patricia A. Bland^
Bowlby-Jones Family
Noelle C. Brock
Daniel Brown
Julie Burke
Amy Carbone
William & Suzanne Clarkin
Color Circles Fund
Ms. Judith Dainko
Mr. & Mrs. George W. Davis^
Mr. Matthew Derov
Mr. William S. Donnell^
Marjorie Ettlinger*
Nancy Fishman
James Glasser
John & Michele Gillett
Kathleen & James Gysler
Kay & Ted Golitz^
Mr. Kevin Gordon
Mrs. Marietta Hance
Garrett & Terrence Dee
Art & Nancy Hirsch
Cecilia & Russell Hoffman^
Danielle Hookham
Vance & Randee Johnson
Judy & John P. Keller^
Mr. Peter Landon
Ms. Margaret
Lass-Gardiner
Mrs. Marcena Love^
Mrs. Nancy Chadbourne Maze^
Deanna M. McCarney
Ann L. McGill^
Ms. Martha Meyer
Mrs. Pamela Miles^
Katherine Morsbach
Dr. Debra Moskovits
Mr. Thomas Musick
Gregory Mutz
Mr. James Noel O’Connor^
Ann & Harry Oppenheimer
Darlene Queen
Andrea Raila
Bruce & Rita Renwick^
Rebecca R. Riley
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Rode
Joseph Russo* & Bebe Novich
Lou Schorsch^
Mr. Nicholas Schrag
Robert & Lynn Seitz
Leslie Ann Shad
Susan & Clayton Simmers^
Mark & Nancy Smith
Daniel J. Sobol
Paul & Anna Spector
Ms. Trisha Steele
Mrs. Nancy Stevenson
Stanley & Jan E. Tymorek
Mrs. Jeanine Van Nice
John & Jane Veldman
Rick & Cate Waddell James L. Wilson
Edgar & Carol Yee
Thank you to the following individuals who provide unrestricted support that sustains Openlands’ programs.
$500–$999
Anonymous (2)
Erin Aleman
Mary H. & Paul F. Anderson^
Tamara Andrade
Frederick N. Bates^
Bob Beaird
Mr. David Beltran
Susan Berman
Alison Blaser
Ms. Kathleen Bruch
Aldo Burcheri
Cory & Julie Chaplin
Antonia J. Contro & George Marquisos^
Allison & Frederick J. Daley Jr.^
Mr. Jon A. Daniels^
Katherine Danko
Mr. Bruce Davidson
Jorge Diaz
Amy T. Dickinson & Jim Futransky
Mr. & Mrs. Mark & Julianne Dieterich
Lisa Dush
Mr. Paul W. Earle^
Dr. Howard Fields
Sarah Forbes Orwig
Ms. Denise B. Gardner
Mr. William D. Glass
Graham C. Grady^
Ms. Sandy M. Guettler^
Mr. Julian R. Hansen^
Hall & Anne Healy^
Robert & Saran Hutchins^
Judy & Tony Iacuzzi^
Steve & Gail Jones
Ms. Patricia Jonikaitis
Kerl LaJeune
Celine Lillie
Ms. Trinita Logue^
Neil & Deb McIlvain
Carol McManus^
Terry J. Medhurst^
Sarah Mirkin
Christa Orum-Keller
Mrs. Lisa O’Toole
Lynn Pearl
Barbara & Thomas Pfendler
Ms. Susan Piha^
Kay Mabie
Sandi Morris & Bill Pogson
Michael & Nancy Roach
Piper & Jono Rothschild
Barry A. Sears
James Silvestro
Kevin Simmons
Suzanne T. Smart
Mr. Duncan Smith
Lynn Smith
Joseph C. Szabo^
Ms. Colleen Thorne
Mr. Patrick Tobin
Mary Jo Viero
James N. & Katherine W. Zartman^
Mr. Ed Zimkus
$250–$499
Anonymous
Paul & Patricia Aeschleman
Rachel Aubyrn
Janice & Gary Aull
Steph Avalos-Bock
MarySue Barrett^
Peter & Betsy Barrett^
Steven & Sandy Becker
Ms. Elizabeth Botts^
Mr. Paul R. Botts^
Dave & Donna Brandt
Mr. Gerald Callaghan^
Doug & Susan Carlson
Mr. Etahn M. Cohen & Amy Paller Cohen^
Nancy & Thomas Conforti^
Julianna Critz
Honorable Barbara Flynn Currie
Ellen Dalton
Elyse & Andreas Danckers
Brad & Bailey Davis^
Laura & Tony Davis
Mary S. Dominick
Ms. Carol L. Doty^
Ms. Reven Uihlein Fellars
Joanne Fessett
Daniel Fitzgerald
Mr. Stu Foler
Janet Franz
Hugh & Marlene Frisbie
Robert & Linda Garro^
H. Candace Gorman
Thom Greene & Nadeen Kieren^
Ms. Sarah Grossmann
Helen Harvey Mills
Daniel Hebreard
Ms. Karen Heller
Mrs. Marilyn P. Helmholz
Julia Hickey
David B. Hirschey
Dr. Carole E. Hoffman
Ms. Celia Hunt
Matt Igleski
Michael J. Johnson
Ms. Nancy Joseph
Ms. Nancy Juda
Ms. Joanne Kalnitz
Sona Kalousdian
Stephen & June Keibler^
Bo Kemp
Helen Kessler
Mr. Joel Koplos
Ms. Donna Kowatch
Scott Krave
Barth Landor
Ms. Amy Lardner
Ms. Jocelyn M. Leitzinger
Rod Levin
Dr. Judith Musick
Bryan & Mary Ellen Muskat
Brenda Nelms
Caroline O’Boyle
John & Susan R. O’Connell
Heide & Steve Olson
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Ott
Frank & Rebecca Petrek
Mr. Charlie Pick
Daniel Pogorzelski
Ms. Wendy Pollock
Robert & Doreen Pricone
Mollie & David Rattner
Nicole Redding
Ms. Joan R. Riley
Ms. Amy Rosenthal
Paul & Bettylu Saltzman^
Henrietta Saunders
Glenn Schneider
Ms. Judith Scholl Lee
Jean B. Schreiber
Craig Shillinglaw
Elizabeth Shope
Mr. Mark Simon^
Mary Ann & Joe Skvara
Mr. Jeffrey Smith
Maxine & Larry K. Snider
Mr. Whitman Soule
Ms. Tina Stretch^
Ms. Gail Taxy
Jean Tsai
Mrs. Susan Turnage
Bryan Vanderwarker
Ms. Mary K. Velez^
Ms. Melissa F. Weber^
Stacy Wells
Stephen Wierzbowski
Carolyn Williams Meza
Ms. Jeanne Zasadil^
Dr. Martha E. Zuehlke
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 & Pam Freese^
Gary & Susan Balling
George W. Blossom, III*
Leslie Borns & John Hollister Purcell*
Henry T. Chandler Jr.*
William & 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. & Mrs. John Haight, III
Lori & Mark Harris
Joyce Martha Kieffer*
Joy E. Knobloch
Dr. Lloyd A. McCarthy*
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 M. Seagren & Scott Lang
Patrick Shaw* & Mary Sue Glosser
Georgiana Taylor*
Ms. Nicole Williams & Dr. Lawrence Becker^
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations who donated products or services.
Cantigny Park Foundation
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Field Notes
Natalie Mills Bontumasi, Good Thomas Design
WasteNot Compost
LaSalle Flowers
Janice & Gary Aull
Possibility Place Nursery, Inc.
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.
Zorayda Avlia Toledo
Jade Aponte
Tricia Bethke
Beth Botts
Mike Bremer
Saoirse Cameron
Marni Curtis
Melissa Custic
Lindsay Darling
Clara Fourcade
Rolando Favela
Manu Gamez
Drew (Brent) Hart
Sarah Helding
Steve Lane
Suzanne Malec-McKenna
Joe McCarthy
Daniel Miraval
Karina Orozco
Alli Preble
Charissa Prezzano
Pablo Rodriguez
Hank Saunders
Jerome Scott
Jess Vogt
Nate Whelden
Brianna White
Joel Zavala
Thank you to the following nature-based experts who dedicated their time to support the professional development of educators in the Birds in My Neighborhood program.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Ben Berrick
Rebecca Brokaw
Melissa Siska
Maddy Turner
Environmental Education Association of Illinois
Brekke Bounds
María Dabrowski
Michelle Ramos
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.
Premier Sponsor
The Negaunee Foundation
Emerald Sponsor
Kimberly Duchossois
Executive Committee
Alan M. Bell
Chair
Daisy Feidt
Vice Chair
Glenn W. Reed
Treasurer
Garrett Handley Dee
Secretary
JoAnn M. Seagren
Immediate Past Chair
Matthew Dobry
Patrick Hanley
Martina Keller
Carrie C. McNally
Anne Tucker
Lynn Buhl
Board Members
Bill Clarkin
Jonathan Copulsky
George W. Davis
Joe Ferguson
Kerl LaJeune
Dan Lauderback
Raed Mansour
James Rachlin
Alexa Rice
Carey S. Roberts
Laura Rosenkranz
Doug Voigt
Nicole S. Williams
Chris Wu
Honorary Directors
Shaun C. Block
Anthony T. Dean
Marshall Field V
Jonathan C. Hamill
Gerald W. Adelmann
President Emeritus
As of March 1, 2025
Laura Barghusen
Director of Restoration and Trails
Chris Bourbois
Conservation Ecologist
Jocelyn Brito
Birds in My Neighborhood Coordinator
Samantha Chavez
Land Management Specialist
Michael S. Davidson
President & CEO
Janis DiGiovanna
Director of Administration
Michael Dugan
Director of Forestry
Tom Ebeling
Senior Forestry Program Manager
Lupe Escárcega
School Garden Coordinator
Katie Fleming
Senior Forestry Program Manager
Jessica Fong
Director of Education
Mary Fortmann
Landscape Ecologist
Lillian Holden
Regional Water Trails Manager
Monica Jirak
Director of Development
Chris Kessler
Director of Policy
Daniel Kuzlik
Land Preservation Coordinator
Claudia Latapí
Public Relations and Content Specialist
Leslie León-Aguilar
Forestry Program Coordinator
Ivy Lo
Accounting Manager
Kimberly Lucas
Administrative and Finance Coordinator
Laura Mueller
Assistant Director of Development
Ochuko Nana
Staff Accountant
Liam Nigro
Forestry Program Coordinator
Alma Olavarría Gallegos
Policy and Advocacy Associate
Carlos Ortega
Forestry Field Supervisor
Daniella Pereira
Chief Operating Officer
Emily Reusswig
Vice President of Conservation and Policy
Molly Roche
TreeKeepers Program Specialist
Tonatiú Rodríguez
Community Arborist
Matt Ruhter
Conservation Attorney
Danielle Russell
Green Schoolyards Program Manager
Patrick Schlomas
Executive Administrator and Board Liaison
Craig Shillinglaw
Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst
Huan Song
Director of Communications
Paul Spector
Director of Finance and Accounting
Sarah Surroz
Director of Lake County Programs
Rebecca Tobar
Development and Data Associate
Javier Torres Irizarry
Communications Coordinator
Gerardo Trujillo
Landscaping Specialist
Lucia Whalen
Institutional Grants Manager
Openlands Arborist Registered Apprentices
Jade Aponte
Saoirse Cameron
Liz Carroll
Emmett Orr
Kassandra Patrick
Leanna Strecker
Openlands Board Chairs
Alan M. Bell (2024-present)
JoAnn Seagren (2020–2024)
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.