Friends of the Forest Preserves - Who We Are and What We Do

Friends of the Forest Preserves unites people to protect, promote, and care for the forest preserves in Cook County.
As an independent nonprofit organization solely focused on the forest preserves in Cook County, we work tirelessly to safeguard and improve the 70,000 acres of forest preserves for all of us and generations to come.
Founded in 1998 by a small group of concerned citizens, the Friends community is now a force of thousands working together to ensure that land, water, and life will always thrive in the forest preserves.
We invite you to learn more about the Friends community! Enjoy this video and please visit www.fotfp.org.
This video was produced by Robert Hirschfeld and Elliot Brinkman.

[@jjc6614]

I don’t really understand why you guys keep cutting all the bushes and destroy the habitat for so many birds and other animals. You are clearing the forest just to make it look “beautiful”? I don’t see any ecological principles used by you and our taxes wasted. Maybe all these volunteers, instead of cutting down all those nice bushes can clean all the trash all over the forest? I’m so sad that our taxes go to waste. I hope more people are aware of what’s happening on the forest preserves and what you guys are doing is completely wrong.

[@ForestPreserves]

Thank you for your feedback. Please know that while restoration can be unattractive in the short run, we adhere to the principles of restoration ecology and natural resource management. The removal of invasive plants in a sound manner is required in order for birds, animals, and other plants to thrive. Litter cleanup days are available for you to join throughout the year!