Forest Preserve Foundation Inc

Target demographics: Improve the quality and accessibility of the Forest Preserves of Cook County for all residents and visitors

Geographic areas served: Cook County, IL

Programs: Direct support of programs that align with the mission of the forest preserve foundation. Representative grants include:chicago conservation leadership corps; student conservation association - renewed support to student conservation association for their summer youth conservation corps program for high school age students, student conservation association will engage a minimum of 15 high school youth and leaders (ages 14 to 19). Per donors' request participants will be recruited from the city of chicago where they are deployed to work at dan ryan woods in chicago, their local forest preserve. The program is managed by the forest preserves of cook county, resource management department. ($50,000)the forest preserve experience program; a conservation corps program of the forest preserve district of cook county this is a five-week summer jobs program that provides paid employment for young people whose families utilize the services of the housing authority of cook county. Participants will be introduced to conservation work, which includes managing invasive species, collecting and dispersing native seed, and assisting with prescribed fires. ($50,000)restoration of cranberry slough; forest preserve district of cook county - cranberry slough nature preserve is the forest preserves top ecological priority. Dedicated in 1965, the 372-acre site is distinguished by its peat bog ecosystem and rolling upland woods, and is the fifth oldest nature preserve site in illinois. Cranberry slough faces considerable challenges including brush and other invasive plants that create barriers between healthy pockets, limiting habitat and making it less inviting to people. For this project the preserves proposes to continue crucial restoration work on 139 acres of woodlands and wetlands. The program is managed by the forest preserves of cook county, resource management department. ($48,690)nature play at camp bullfrog; forest preserve district of cook county, conservation and experiential programming - support to forest preserve district to install a nature play area at camp bullfrog in palos. ($20,000)