Openlands

Land preservation - as chicago's regional land trust, Openlands connects and energizes the region through strategic collaboration and local partnerships that protect land, water, and wildlife. In 2023, Openlands transferred significant land holdings to regional partners in lake and mchenry counties for the public to access and enjoy for generations.in 2023, Openlands transferred the following: 46 acres to the u.s. Fish and wildlife service to be a part of hackmatack; protected 43 acres with a conservation easement and then transferred the land to a partner non-profit organization; transferred 77 acres of restored lake front natural area to the lake county forest preserve.

Communications - Openlands communicates information and news about environmental issues in the region and provides education about environmental topics and issues.he lake county forest preserve.

Community engagement - Openlands educational programs create opportunities for students, teachers, and schools that deepen their connection to the natural world in their neighborhoods and across landscapes. We sponsor workshops and field trips in our birds in my neighborhood (bimn), school gardens, and space to grow programs.in fy 23, the bimn program impacted 1,711 students across 26 chicago public schools at the elementary level. We engaged 71 educators and 59 volunteers to introduce students to the common birds of the region, with the goal of creating advocates for nature.in fy 23, the school gardens program hosted 6 workshops with 90 participants from 83 schools and organizations and launched a new initiative to host a full day conference for educators called the green + growing summit. Through the summit we reached over 200 participants, 35 speakers, and over 30 organizations by hosting 18 workshops. In addition, we supported the development of school-based environmental education programs by providing grants to 11 chicago public schools totaling $5,000. Through space to grow, we supported the development and construction of 4 new school yards that not only address water management issues in the community and provide natural space for outdoor activity. Ninety-one teachers were engaged at the school to develop educational opportunities surrounding the new build environment.openlands sponsors the first and only registered apprenticeship for tree care in Illinois. The 2023 cohort of 6 apprentices gained over 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and classroom learning from Openlands, with 5 of 6 moving on to work in commercial and municipal tree care in our region. Apprentices learn from Openlands in the first year before transitioning to a partner tree care company for their last two years.openlands forestry programming supports the planting of trees with community residents on public land and educates residents in the care and advocacy around the urban forest. In fy 23, Openlands received 54 treeplanters grants resulting in approving 35 treeplanters projects to plant 873 trees, involving 784 volunteers.through the treekeeper certification course, residents and professionals from diverse backgrounds and geographies gain the knowledge and skills needed to care for, protect, and advocate for trees. The course is held three times during the year in the spring, summer, and fall, and trained 120 individuals. After the course, treekeepers participate in various tree stewardship activities, a highlight being the 6,732 trees pruned in fy 23.

Policy - regionally, Openlands participated in policy briefings with new chicago alderpersons and administrative staff to advocate for our work and block damaging proposals. Openlands also sat on the Illinois route 53 expansion land alternative use task force and helped advance a vision for a new 1,100 acre linear green way. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has since received support from local, county, and state elected officials through our advocacy work.in state government, Openlands helped draft and generate support for legislation that upholds our values and mission. Among the legislation supported was a bill that would protect the right to recreate on Illinois' public waterways and another to protect township open space districts from being dissolved without taxpayer approval.federally, Openlands advocated for nature-based investments and the farm bill with members of the Illinois congressional delegation. We also advanced conversations surrounding the expansion and protection of midewin national tallgrass prairie and hackmatack national wildlife refuge.

Greeways - with partners like we keep you rollin' (bike and wellness group), and the robbins history museum and more, Openlands continued coordinating a multi-pronged approach in 2023. Working with the field museum, the forest preserves of cook county, and imani village we installed a community gathering space in spring 2023 and held an opening celebration in june. We continued work to restore 20 acres of prairie by doing control of invasive species at beaubien woods, the site that launches the african american heritage water trail. Along the little calumet river, Openlands continued to work with the city of chicago, neighborspace and community partners to create public open space. These public open spaces will create opportunities for urban farming, ecological connectedness, cultural storytelling, historical and ecological education, and increased community access to the river. In 2023 Openlands continued to prepare the beaubien woods youth outdoor ambassadors to interpret the african american heritage water trail.

Wetland restoration - Openlands manages programs together with its partners to ensure the ecological restoration of wetlands aimed to promote the diversity and beauty of these native ecosystems through acquisition, creation, restoration, and enhancement. Openlands is stewarding the care of six sites in the des plaines river watershed that spans over 1,500 acres.

Lakeshore preserve - land protection and ecological restoration of lake Michigan shoreline, bluffs, ravines and public access through trails, overlooks, programming, and interpretive signage of a portion of the former fort sheridan property in highland park and highwood Illinois.