This December, Openlands is adding almost 200 acres to its ongoing project to protect the high-quality Kishwaukee River through Boone County. The main stem headwaters of the Kishwaukee River start in McHenry County, close to the Wisconsin border. The river then flows west through Boone County, picking up several high-quality tributary streams, before joining the Rock River in Winnebago County. The Kishwaukee's South Branch runs through Kane and DeKalb counties and joins the main stem in Winnebago County just above the confluence with the Rock River. The Kishwaukee River is one of just a handful of rivers in the entire State of Illinois that have a "Class A" rating for aquatic quality. 

Read more: Protecting the high-quality Kishwaukee River

Orland Park resident and Cook County Forest Preserve site steward Pat Hayes is smitten with Openlands' ecological restoration work at McMahon Woods in Willow Springs, IL. She recounts "how beautiful the fall mist is on the ponds" as she recently came upon the site.

As a volunteer-expert who cares for the forest preserve's natural areas, she has reason to understand the significance of Openlands' work there. In a note to Linda Masters, Openlands ecologist, she shared that when Native Americans occupied this region, people could easily walk through the woods. The trees were widely spaced, the understory open, and the ground lush with wildflowers and grasses.

And if you dig a bit deeper, you'll find something very fragile and unique at McMahon Woods.

Read more: Restoring a "biological treasure"

On October 31, the Department of the Interior highlighted important and innovative projects in Illinois and Indiana that are chosen for President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative. Openlands is pleased that the proposed Calumet Open Space Reserve, the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge and the Lake Michigan Water Trail are recognized as some of the country's most promising ways to reconnect Americans to the natural world. Openlands' important work on these projects embodies the same goals to conserve important lands and build recreation opportunities and economic growth for the surrounding communities.

Read more: America's Great Outdoors highlights critical regional conservation and recreation projects

On October 27, the Openlands 2011 Annual Luncheon celebrated the 20th anniversary of its visionary TreeKeepers program. Nearly 700 guests attended the luncheon, the region's largest gathering of conservationists, and the event raised approximately $175,000 for Openlands' many conservation initiatives throughout the greater Chicago region. Openlands thanks Northern Trust for its presenting sponsorship.

Read more: 2011 Annual Luncheon celebrates today’s green advocates

Community gardening isn’t only about what you plant—it’s also about friendship, dedication, and pride. For years Openlands has partnered with members of the Englewood community to help propagate these and many other benefits in a neighborhood known more for vacant lots and boarded-up houses than gardens filled with lush greenery. Reporter Derrick Young, who grew up in Englewood, created this powerful video segment, which aired on CBS 2 News, to help spread the good news.

Read more: Openlands' Englewood Work Featured on CBS 2 News

On Thursday, August 18, 2011, Mayor Emanuel joined the Chicago Nature and Wildlife Advisory Committee, chaired by Openlands President & CEO Jerry Adelmann, to launch the Chicago Nature and Wildlife Plan Update: A Strategy to Enhance Urban Ecosystems 2011-2016.

Read more: Chicago Launches Nature & Wildlife Plan Update

Openlands invites you to celebrate a tremendous victory with us: on August 18, the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) unanimously voted to adopt new regulations to protect the growing number of people out recreating on Chicago’s rivers. The United States EPA has already written that it will bless this landmark water regulation as soon as it receives it from the state.

Read more: Landmark Protections for People Recreating on Chicago's Rivers

On Tuesday, June 21, Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino and Cook County Forest Preserve Superintendent Arnold Randall joined representatives of Openlands during site inspections of two wetland mitigation areas associated with the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP).

Read more: Chicago Aviation Commissioner Tours Openlands Restoration Sites

Openlands Project is now Openlands—just Openlands—and CorLands is Openlands Land Preservation.

Read more: New Name, Same Great Programs and Services