Laura supports Openlands as Senior Conservation Research Specialist, where she leads research that translates ecology and environmental planning into actionable policy, funding, land acquisition, and restoration decisions. With 25 years of experience in conservation research and planning, Laura brings expertise in ecosystem conservation, bringing together advocacy, engagement, and science to create opportunities to protect and activate open space. Before joining Openlands, she worked at Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission in the Natural Resources Department, where she mapped the wetlands of Kane County and helped identify those with high biological and stormwater storage value. Laura holds a BA in History from the University of Chicago, an MS in Zoology from Miami University in Ohio, and an MA in Environmental Geography from University of Illinois at Chicago. Passionate about exploring and sharing her enthusiasm for local habitats, Laura is known for her collaborative projects.
Favorite Place to Get Outside- She enjoys visiting Indiana Dunes, Jackson Park, and Beaubien Woods, and looking for and photographing wildlife.
Contact Information
- Email: lbarghusen@openlands.org
- Phone: 312.863.6253
