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Route 35 photo competition winners people looking into a sunset

Openlands celebrates the proposed new state greenway master plan in Governor JB Pritzker’s budget

The $1 Million investment will begin the Illinois Route 53 Master Plan process for a …

A small bird perched on top of a green plant

Chicago Sun Times – For conservation’s sake, transfer Joliet Training Area to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

An investment in Midewin, one of the largest prairie restorations east of the Mississippi River, …

Donnelley Prairies and Oaks

Daily Herald – Back to the beginning: Project aims to return Libertyville-area site to its natural state

A woman in a green shirt standing in front of trees

Chicago Tribune – Daniella Pereira: Communities Such as Little Village Bear the Brunt of Air Pollution, But Solutions are Within Reach

Air pollution in neighborhoods is an environmental justice issue that disproportionately affects historically marginalized communities …

Urban Forestry Advisory Board

Chicago Urban Forestry Advisory Board Hosted Inaugural Meeting

By Daniella Pereira, VP of Community Conservation The Chicago Urban Forestry Advisory Board hosted its …

Openlands staff in DC during the Land Trust Alliance Advocacy Days

Reflecting on Openlands’ Participation in May 2023 Advocacy Days

This past April, Openlands’ staff from multiple departments embarked on a mission to make our …

Sandy beach with two people walking along calm blue water under a partly cloudy sky.

WTTW: Conservationists Pinning Hopes for Oceans’ Health on the Great Lakes

This week, the Great Lakes was named a global “Hope Spot,” joining the Galapagos Islands, …

Openlands’ Chris Kessler Quoted in Daily Herald Article about Route 53 Endorsement

Openlands’ Chris Kessler was recently quoted in an article from the Daily Herald about the …

A small red shed sits next to a body of water

Celebrating the Passage of the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act

Conservation easements play a critical role in landscape conservation and the preservation of wildlife habitat. …
Two people walking down a road in the woods

Celebrating the Successful Passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife Referendum

The results are in! It’s a historic day as we celebrate the overwhelming passage of …
a road lined with trees covered in yellow leaves

Cast Your Vote “Yes” for the Forest Preserves of Cook County

Now the Forest Preserves need our support. With less than two weeks until election day …
an aerial view of a road and a lake

Four Key Takeaways from the Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act is a large legislative package that contains a number of provisions …
Aerial view of city skyline, waterfront, parks, roads, and a circular-roofed building by the water.

With the New Museum Campus Vision, Chicago Could Become a True “City in a Garden”

No matter what happens at Soldier Field in the future, the Museum Campus has and …
a close-up of the top of a building with columns

The Time for Action is NOW: Response to West Virginia v U.S. EPA

The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in West Virginia v U.S. EPA takes the country …
a raptor soaring through the skies

Announcing the Winners of the Route 53 Fields of Vision Photo Contest

The Green Corridor Coalition is proud to announce the winners of the ‘Fields of Vision’ …
A flag waving in the wind with a clear blue sky behind it

Key Takeaways from the COP26 Climate Conference

Last week, COP26, the largest climate change conference in the world, concluded in the United …
a few people who are on the grass

Urban Forestry Advisory Board Key to Mitigating City Flood Damages, Promoting Environmental Equity Passes in City Council

To protect trees, the Chicago City Council unanimously voted on Friday, June 25 to establish …
a purple and white tree logo on a white background

Chicago City Council Unanimously Passes The Urban Forestry Advisory Board

For Immediate Release: CONTACT: Emily Reusswig, 312-863-6260, ereusswig@openlands.org The Board Will Help Care For And …

a butterfly perched atop a pink bloom

The Monarch Will Not Be Protected as a Threatened Species Under the Endangered Species Act

After six long years of consideration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced in …
an aerial view of a farm in the countryside

Why Openlands Has Joined A Lawsuit Against The City of Joliet

Openlands has joined a legal fight, alongside people who live and farm in this special …
a fire hydrant next to a tree

Why Chicago Needs an Urban Forestry Advisory Board

Chicago’s trees have always provided respite in its shade on a hot day, a connection …
a grassy field with trees in the background

What WOTUS Rollbacks Mean for Clean Water

On June 22, 2020 the Trump Administration’s new definition of “Waters of the United States” …
an aerial view of a basketball court and playground

With more record rainfall, we need Nature-Based Solutions

This past week saw a flurry of record rainfalls. What can we do in the …
a group of men standing next to each other in front of a mound of soil

Clean Energy Jobs Act: Why it’s important, what nature-based solutions can contribute, and how you can support it now

In Illinois, one of the biggest climate change initiatives has coalesced around state legislation called …
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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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