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On October 21st, seven-hundred people joined Openlands at The Palmer House for the 2022 Annual Luncheon honoring Adele Simmons with the Conservation Leadership Award. From supporting the creation of the first metropolitan greenways and trails plan in the nation to championing early planning efforts that led to the establishment of America’s first National Tallgrass Prairie—Midewin, Adele’s lifelong leadership on climate issues is inspiring. Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer for the National Audubon Society, gave the keynote address. Marshall leads the strategic direction for hemispheric-wide conservation work at Audubon to address the unprecedented climate change and biodiversity crises facing birds. Consistently the largest gathering of the conservation community in the state of Illinois, the Openlands Annual Luncheon recognizes the achievements of environmental leaders in our region and celebrates the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship in our region and world.
James L. Alexander and Shaun C. Block, Co-Chairs
2022 Conservation Leadership Award Recipient: Adele Simmons
Keynote Speaker: Marshall Johnson
Moments from 2022 Luncheon
Consistently the largest gathering of the conservation community, Openlands 2022 Annual Luncheon welcomed 700 colleagues, supporters, and friends to the Palmer House to hear keynote Marshall Johnson and honor Adele Simmons with the Conservation Leadership Award. Photos by Ashley Lane
Openlands 2022 Conservation Leadership Award - Adele Simmons
The 2022 Openlands Annual Luncheon Keynote Address
Openlands 2022 Annual Luncheon Program
2022 Conservation Leadership Award Recipient: Adele Simmons
Adele Simmons has been a life-long champion for the environment and an early and consistent voice addressing climate issues. Her early academic life included teaching at Tufts and then Princeton, where she became the youngest dean in its history. She served as the first woman president of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts from 1977 to 1989. From 1989 to 1999 she was the second president of the MacArthur Foundation.
Keynote Speaker: Marshall Johnson
Marshall Johnson serves as Audubon’s Chief Conservation Officer. In this role, Marshall leads the strategic direction for hemispheric-wide conservation work at Audubon to address the unprecedented climate change and biodiversity crises facing birds. He previously served as Vice President for Audubon Dakotas where he raised more than $50M, spearheading the development and launch of the Northern Great Plains Grasslands project, which has conserved nearly 500,000 acres across the Dakotas, enrolling over 300 farmers, ranchers, and communities.
Thank you to our sponsors who make our Annual Luncheon Possible.
