Forest Preserves of Cook County 2022 Summer Brochure

“The Nature Express Bus is another way we work to help even more people get out to enjoy all the Forest Preserves offers,” says Jacqui Ulrich, the director of the Forest Preserves Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming. “For community groups and nonprofits that have limited resources, it’s a free trip to our special events and locations.” By working with the Forest Preserves on transportation, Lost Boyz Inc. has taken youth to the Preserves’ annual Kids’ Fest at Wampum Lake and zip lining at the Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Course in Bemis Woods. These outings have helped kids learn about nature, meet other kids outside their immediate communities, and simply broadened their horizons. Is your group interested in getting out into nature? Through the Nature Express Bus program, organizations with at least 25 participants that demonstrate a need for funding can apply for free bus transportation to a Forest Preserves event, amenity or to visit one of the Forest Preserves’ partners, Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden (price of admission included). Learn more and download the Nature Express Bus application at fpdcc.com/nature-express. “[These opportunities have] had a very positive effect on them in a number of ways,” Stewart says. “It has helped to increase various protective factors, helped to decrease certain risk factors, and has enhanced their connections to people, nature and animals.” Image by: Gilbert Rosario (cropped) 15