Openlands Celebrates Over 55,000 Acres Protected at Annual Luncheon

October 8, 2008
Contact: Charles Mutscheller

Chicago, IL—Openlands celebrates forty-five years of conservation success—including over 55,000 acres protected—at its annual luncheon, on Friday, October 31, at The Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr.

“Since 1963, long before green became ‘the new black’, we’ve been connecting people to nature and protecting land and water resources on their behalf in northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region,” explains Openlands Executive Director Gerald Adelmann.

One of the largest gatherings of conservation leaders in the region, this year’s event will honor George A. Ranney, Jr., president and CEO of Chicago Metropolis 2020, who played an integral role in Openlands’ efforts to create the 19,000-acre Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, near Joliet. He will receive Openlands’ 2008 Conservation Leadership Award.

“Natural open spaces help ensure cleaner air and water, as well as protect wildlife and natural communities. At the same time, access to these places helps balance and enrich people’s lives,” says Mr. Ranney. “For a long time now, Openlands has embraced these ideas and promoted them actively throughout the region.”

The luncheon will also feature a keynote address by Bruce Katz, vice president and founding director of the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program and recipient of the 2006 Heinz Award in Public Policy. A regular advisor to national, state, regional, and municipal leaders on policy reforms that advance the competitiveness of metropolitan areas, Mr. Katz will speak about the importance of conservation efforts in regional planning initiatives.

Northern Trust is the presenting sponsor of the Openlands 2008 Annual Luncheon. Tickets are $100 for individuals, $150 for patrons, and $1,250 for table sponsorships. Corporate sponsorships are also available. For more information about this event, please contact Megan Sampson at 312-863-6273 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

As one of the nation’s oldest and most successful metropolitan conservation organizations, Openlands protects not just expansive prairies, farms, and wetlands but also public parks and community gardens. In addition to conserving land and waterways, Openlands conducts research, advocates for sound conservation policies, and helps individuals and communities protect and care for their open spaces. For more information, please visit www.openlands.org.