2011 Annual Luncheon celebrates today’s green advocates

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.

Suzanne Malec-McKenna, former Commissioner of the Department of Environment for the City of Chicago, served as chair of the luncheon. As a young urban forester, Suzanne launched Openlands' TreeKeepers program. Openlands honored Michael Howard, Executive Director for Eden Place Nature Center, with its 2011 Conservation Leadership Award for his leadership in Chicago's Fuller Park neighborhood, combating environmental and socio-economic issues. And Diana Wells, renowned author of the Lives of The Trees: An Uncommon History, gave the keynote address.

Highlights of the Openlands 2011 Annual Luncheon include:

Welcome by Luncheon Chair Suzanne Malec-McKenna, who spoke of our "emotional attachment" to trees and the impact TreeKeepers have had on Chicago's urban forest:

Remarks by Board Chair Jill Allread, who highlighted the importance of environmental stewards for our region’s natural resources:

Remarks by 2011 Conservation Leadership Award Recipient Michael Howard and his wife Amelia Howard, who presented their inspiring vision, “seeing possibility and promise in the young people” within their community:

Remarks by President and CEO Jerry Adelmann, who discussed Openlands’ regional role in promoting the region’s “web of green” through valuable partnerships, showcasing a few of Openlands’ recent projects:

Keynote address by author Diana Wells, who discussed humans’ association with trees and implored us to “know our trees”:

Thank you to all of the 2011 sponsors and attendees. Please save the date of October 19, 2012 for the Openlands 2012 Annual Luncheon.