Issue Areas: Land Preservation

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a herd of bison standing on top of a lush green field

Look for Bison at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

On November 3, celebrate National Bison Day at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. …
some signs on a pole

Have You Discovered Orland Grassland?

Located in the south suburbs and managed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Orland …
a view of a beach with trees and water

Openlands Earns Reaccreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission

Openlands is excited to share that we have been reaccredited by the Land Trust Accreditation …
a beach with a wooden fence and a lake

Lake Michigan Water Levels Impact Coastal Management at the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve

Learn more about how water levels in the Great Lakes are affecting the landscapes of …
a river running through a forest with a grassland path

Have You Discovered Volo Bog?

In the southwest corner of Lake County lies one of Illinois’ unique wetland communities, Volo …
The sun is setting over a wetland.

Following Restoration, South Cook Forest Preserves Have Become Birding Hotspots

Two forest preserves in southern Cook County, Bartel Grassland and Tinley Creek Wetlands, have proven …
A woman in a yellow jacket stands in a field

Preserving Farmland and Cherished Family Memories in Support of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge

When Elena Spiegelhoff inherited the family farm in McHenry County, she wanted to protect the …
a lake

Have You Discovered North Park Village Nature Center?

North Park Village Nature Center is a quiet yet superb place to get outside in …
Sandy beach with calm water, blue sky, scattered clouds, and two people walking along the shore.

Have You Discovered Illinois Beach State Park?

Just an hour’s drive from the heart of Chicago, Illinois State Beach Park is home …
a person standing on a wooden bridge overlooking the sea

Have You Discovered Indiana Dunes National Park?

Indiana Dunes National Park spans over 15,000 total acres, which include 15 miles of pristine …
a river running through a verdant field

Have You Discovered Glacial Park?

Just under an hour and a half from the Chicago Loop lies Glacial Park, encompassing …
A man standing at a podium in front of a microphone

A Refuge in the Wild

Chicago is the third largest metropolitan region in the country, but we lack equal access …
A group of people walking across a snow-covered field

Volunteers Sow the Seeds of Hackmatack

This winter, Openlands has organized a series of volunteer workdays at Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. …
a field of tall grass with trees in the background

Have You Discovered Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie?

Illinois didn’t earn the nickname ‘the Prairie State’ for nothing, but it is no secret …

Serene beach with clear blue water, sandy shore, lush trees, and a partly cloudy sky.

Have You Discovered the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve?

Just north of the City of Chicago sits a mile of lakefront beach and a …

a herd of bison standing on top of a lush green field

Bison Return to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

On May 7, over 2,300 visitors welcomed the American bison back to the prairie an …

a large sign in front of a lawn

As the Illiana Expressway still clings to life in court, we make no small plans

The January 11 Daily Herald article by Marni Pyke asks if the proposed Illiana Expressway …

A yellow boat travels under a red bridge

Protecting Chicago’s Second Shoreline

A wildlife biologist peers down at the Chicago River from the Washington Street Bridge. River …

a meadow filled with wildflowers and trees

Conservation Easements Create a Network of Protected Lands

Openlands envisions a Chicago region where all people can connect to a web of green. …

An Illinois Wetland

Illinois: Tell Gov. Pritzker to Protect Illinois Wetlands

Federal rollbacks have left Illinois wetlands exposed, and the state must step in Wetlands filter …

Federal: Tell Congress to Restore Endangered Species Protections

Budget cuts to forest management threaten public lands, wildlife, and our climate The USDA Forest …

Federal: Urge Congress to Sustain USDA Forest Service Funding

Budget cuts to forest management threaten public lands, wildlife, and our climate The USDA Forest …

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Jean Franczyk

See you at the 2026 Openlands Annual Luncheon!

Join us on Oct. 21 for “From the Ground Up,” honoring Jean M. Franczyk and featuring Dr. Tessa Francis as keynote.

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