Forest Preserves of Cook County 2023 Fall Brochure

Images: Top-Voyager boat at Party for the Preserves, Camp Bullfrog. Bottom-Volunteers at Deer Grove, photo by Anne Stake. The nearly 70,000 acres of the Forest Preserves of Cook County are a vital cog in the region’s overall ecosystem, preserving myriad habitats. As the 30th anniversary of National Public Lands Day arrives on September 23, the Forest Preserves encourages residents to celebrate them by paying a visit, perhaps during a Party for the Preserves event, or by participating in volunteer efforts that help to preserve these amazing lands. “Our public lands need stewardship in order to be healthy and thrive—especially in an urban area—where there are many threats to our preserves, from invasive species to past land uses to pollution,” says Rebecca Collings, senior resource ecologist. Contractors with machinery handle larger-scale efforts, she says, but “volunteers play a crucial role in specialized work such as hand-pulling invasive species, understanding site needs, and connecting communities to nature.” “...volunteers play a crucial role” Rebecca Collings, Senior Ecologist 15 celebrate Public Lands V IA Volunteerism —Or Jus t V i s i t i ng Continued on page 36 Image: Orland Grassland, Chris Gill, Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 2.0