Overview

Friends of the Forest Preserves protects Cook County’s forest preserves by combining advocacy, ecological restoration, and a Conservation Corps program. It lobbies and provides budget and policy input to Forest Preserve District decisions, funds contractors for large–scale restoration, coordinates year‑round volunteer workdays, and runs a paid Conservation Corps that trains local youth in conservation. The group differentiates itself through its focus on independent oversight, community engagement, and hands‑on restoration work that connects residents to nearby natural areas. Its goal is to safeguard and manage the forest preserves responsibly while helping people, especially youth from underserved neighborhoods, connect with nature and conservation careers.