Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes.

Grant focuses on serving farming communities highlighted from Delat Institute’s “2022 Conservation Hotspot Analysis: Expanded Findings” report—namely, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties— helping to advance the region’s conservation goals by developing an economic tool that integrates soil health indicators when calculating property value, thereby promoting economic practices that have the potential to assess land managed with sustainable agriculture practices at a higher value over conventional agriculture. The goal is to build upon the learnings of our past grant by further incorporating soil health as a factor in the land appraisal process in Northeast Illinois, ultimately to help advance the climate-smart agriculture in the region.

Grant continues ELPC work to help Lake Michigan shoreline communities prepare for extreme variations of lake water levels caused by climate change. Building on ELPC’s report: “Rising Waters: Climate Change Impacts and Toxic Risks to Lake Michigan’s Shoreline Communities,” the organization will engage community groups, business and community leaders, policymakers, scientists and Great Lakes stakeholders to help analyze the economic costs of taking climate mitigation action versus the costs of damages that result from not taking action, and to develop an action plan to respond to the increased risk of flooding in their communities. This multi-year grant is payable 20K in 2023; 20K in 2024.

Grant supports a field organizer and conservation crew in forest preserves along the North Branch of the Chicago River. The crew removes invasive species, collects and spreads native seeds, and assists with prescribed fire burns in the area.

First year of a 2-year grant. Friends supports the Illinois Nature Preserves System by finding increased support/funding and training local volunteer communities. This grant supports the cost of Field Representatives who build communities of volunteers that steward northeast Illinois nature preserve sites and advocate for their continued care and protection.

Gateway to the Great Outdoors was developed to provide children in under-fresurced neighborhoods eqitable access to comprehensive STEAM and environmental education. By combining STEAM with outdoor learning, GGO enhances the quality of health, science literacy and environmenatl stewardship for children who would otherwise have been excluded from these transformative experiences.

The Oberweiler Foundation funded Groundswell’s partnership with Operation Fresh Start (OFS), an organization that empowers emerging adults on a path to self-sufficiency through education, mentoring, and employment training. OFS’s Conservation Academy is a full-time, hands-on paid training program giving young adults education and experience to help them land a job in conservation. Groundswell plays a role in not only supporting the Conservation Academy by hiring their crew to do conservation work on Groundswell land, but to also hire a Conservation Academy graduate as a full-time Groundswell staff member.

Midwest Grows Green (MGG) initiative will identify, teach and implement landscaping practices, strategies and policies that protect water quality, pollinator health and public health in the Illinois Coastal Region along Lake Michigan.

Oakleaf is a network of nature-based early childhood programs run by parents & teachers. This grant supports an expansion of their programs in Barrington, IL including the Northwest Nature Preschool – an outdoor preschool promoting respect for people and nature; curiosity about the environment.

Partnering with the Lake County Forest Preserves, YCC’s Summer Conservation Program provides 16-18 year old crew members with environmental education, leadership development, and the opportunity to earn college scholarships.

Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes.

This grant builds on restoration work completed previously in the Spring Lake Nature Preserve. In 2023, the plan is to remove invasive brush from another 3.38 acres along Spring Creek allowing native wetland vegetation to grow, improving water infiltration, and decreasing soil erosion.

Friends supports the Illinois Nature Preserves System by finding increased support/funding and training local volunteer communities. This grant supports the hiring of a Northeast Illinois Field Organizer who will recruit, mentor and guide volunteers while developing new models or pilot efforts in the region.

Second of a two-year grant (total $50K). Friends of the Chicago River improves and protects the Chicago River system for people, plants and animals. The Chicago River System Land Use Plan connects many government and nonprofit projects together through a broad watershed analysis, addressing overlapping environmental, water qualty and equity challenges. The project consists of Chicago River Watershed Council, Wildlife Connectivity Action Plan, Nature belongs to You and Chicago Wilderness.

This grant funds a Conservation Corps crew that removes invasive species, collects and spreads native seeds, and assists with prescribed fire burns in the Forest Glen Preserves North Branch sites. The grant also funds a Volunteer Organizer who strives to increase community engagement and a volunteer team to provide stewardship of 4,000 acres of public land.

The Illinois Environmental Council has identified the need to establish a new structure to organize coalition work related to Nature Based Climate Solutions and align that work with the international 30×30 campaign (30% land conservation by 2030) Scientists believe that conserving and restoring 30 percent of the lands and waters worldwide by the year 2030 would spare nature and deflect the worst impacts of climate change. This grant provides builds on previous work and funds three town halls on conservation and open space. It als enables IEC to table at area events, prooviding infrmation at fairs and festivals such as Earth Day at McHenry County College.

The IPM Institute of North America is aiming to eliminate synthetic chemical inputs and increase organic matter content on athletic and recreational turfgrass fields across the Greater Chicago Region. IPM will help Greater Chicago communities, landscaping companies and other landscape managers achieve its new sustainable landscaping standards (Green Shield Certified for Landscapes) by increasing access to the Lawn & Land Forum and Technical Assistance Program.

Internship provides fieldwork experience and educational opportunities for eight college students allowing them to follow their career path informed by ecological knowledge gained. Interns will assist the Land Stewardship team with invasive species removal, native seed collection, trail maintenance and other restoration efforts at Lake Forest Preserves.

The Wetland’s Initiative (TWI) seeks to restore the wetlands of the Midwest to improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce flood damage.

The Alliance for the Great Lakes aims to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and communities for all generations of people and wildlife. As a member of Chicago’s Lead Service Line Replacement Working Group, the Alliance will work with other environmental organizations, consultants, city agencies and the Mayor’s office to make the process transparent and efficient. Nearly 400,000 lead service lines in Chicago will be replaced. The Alliance will strive to bring equity to the process to ensure under-served communities will have a voice and role in the project outcomes.

Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes.

Delta Institute works with communities throughout the Midwest to solve complex environmental challenges. This grant supports work to standardize soil health testing and develop easy-to-use kits which connect with data lab systems. The goal is to help Northern Illinois farmers increase profitability by reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, increase their soils’ resilience against extreme weather events, and reduce local greenhouse gas emissions

Ecdysis Foundation’s mission is to transform food production systems in the United States by using scientific research, education and demonstration that support adoption of regenerative agricultural practices. This grant supports inventories of four local agricultural fields which will provide knowledge of the current state of soil and farm health and allow the farms to serve as examples for adoption of regenerative practices. The grant also supports research of honey bee hives, including the impact of Roundup herbicide, to support honey bee health and their long-term contributions to regenerative agriculture.

First year of a two year grant. ELPC helps public leaders and communities prepare for and better understand how to advance solutions to the heightened risk of serious flooding along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Climate change realities are causing extreme fluctuations in lake water levels. Community response and adaptations include changed land use, zoning development, water management, and natural resources conservation strategies/actions. This grant supports ELPC efforts to work with community leaders on these mitigation plans

In support of the Barrington Greenway Initiative, this grant funds a Conservation Corps crew that removes invasive species, collects and spreads native seeds, and assists with prescribed fire burns. The grant also funds a Volunteer Organizer who recruits from the community a team to provide stewardship of 4,000 acres of public land.

Discretionary. Matched.

Groundswell Conservancy, located in Madison, Wisconsin, is a land trust and nonprofit, community-based organization that conserves land by permanently protecting it— primarily through the purchase or acceptance of donations of land or conservation easements. The grant from the Oberweiler Foundation will fund better access to Westport Prairie Preserve in southeastern Wisconsin, including signage, parking and trails. Over the past three years, Groundswell Conservancy has worked to stabilize the fragile habitat at Westport Prairie, a portion of the historic Empire Prairie which was formed by glaciers and hurt by farming, development and ecological succession.

The Illinois Environmental Council has identified the need to establish a new structure to organize coalition work related to Nature Based Climate Solutions and align that work with the international 30×30 campaign (30% land conservation by 2030) Scientists believe that conserving and restoring 30 percent of the lands and waters worldwide by the year 2030 would spare nature and deflect the worst impacts of climate change. This grant provides IECEF the resource to hold 2-3 listening sessions in Northern Illinois allowing local Illinoisans the opportunity to inform policies and solutions while educating decision makers.

The IPM Institute of North America is aiming to eliminate synthetic chemical inputs and increase organic matter content on athletic and recreational turfgrass fields across the Greater Chicago Region. MGG holds the expertise, knowledge and resources to help sports and recreational field managers meet community expectations without the use of harmful synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

In 1983, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission created the Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN) to connect volunteers to the outdoors and the natural world. Since then, the VSN has empowered thousands of people to preserve Illinois’ lands and waters. These volunteers work to protect and restore natural areas by collecting and dispersing native seeds, removing invasive species, planting trees and other plants, performing prescribed burns and many other activities. This grant supports scholarships and tools necessary to allow volunteers to get certification and training, operational supplies, and to participate in volunteer working groups.

The Trust for Public Land in Chicago focuses on creating and improving parks and trails by working with communities to achieve their visions for their public spaces by providing data, research, tools, fundraising, planning support and more. This grant funds the creation of a data-driven tool to help identify and prioritize environmental projects for the Chicago-Calumet River Watershed Council.

The mission of the Barrington Area Conservation Trust is to preserve our community’s rare and exceptional open spaces for current and future generations. This grant builds on the BACT highschool summer intership program and Teens4Green Youth Advisory Board. It funds the development of a year-round opportunity for future environmental stewards to participate and learn from the environment. Specifically, students will work on wetlands, prairie and oak savanna restoration.

Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes.

This small grants program is designed to respond quickly to unexpected technology expenses incurred as organizations adapt to working from home. Grants are made to help Chicago-area non profit environmental and conservation organizations work effectively and remotely during the Covid-19 public health crisis

ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy organization. Climate change realities are hitting hard on the Lake Michigan shoreline communities as record-high lake water levels and waves hammer the built environment, and upcoming lower water levels will stretch and strand water intakes, piers, docks and marinas. High water levels, combined with high waves caused by storm surges, are wreaking havoc now on residential buildings, commercial and industrial facilities, and beaches and parks along Lake Michigan. Multiple communities are threatened. This grant supports multi-faceted work to help make the Lake Michigan Shoreline resilient to flooding risks by analyzing specific high flood risk areas and through raising awareness of flooding challenges with policymakers. Additional funding was provided to address urgent needs resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic including a loss of fundraising revenue and additional IT expenses for work-from-home.

The Forest Preserve Foundation dedicates energy and resources needed to connect people with nature in Cook County. This grant funds restoration efforts in the Spring Creek Valley headwater and supports the conclusions provide in Openlands’ Status of Headwater Streams of Chicago Wilderness Report. Considering the priorities present in the Openlands report, the Forest Preserve Foundation will restore six acres around the Spring Creek Valley headwater. where currently two sedge meadows at the site are divided by a large wall of buckthorn, which is contributing to the erosion of Spring Creek’s streambanks.

First of a two-year grant (total $50K). Friends of the Chicago River improves and protects the Chicago River system for people, plants and animals. The Chicago River System Land Use Plan connects many government and nonprofit projects together through a broad watershed analysis, addressing overlapping environmental, water qualty and equity challenges. The project consists of Chicago River Watershed Council, Wildlife Connectivity Action Plan, Nature belongs to You and Chicago Wilderness.

IPM’s mission is to improve sustainability in agriculture and communities by using the power of the marketplace. IPM projects aim to increase adoption of IPM and other best practices that improve working conditions, reduce greenhouse gases, improve air quality, water quality and soil health while reducing risks to health and the environment from pesticide and nutrient use in agriculture and communities. This grant supports efforts to transition the north lawn of the Field Museum, a part of Chicago Park District’s Grant Park, to organic lawn care.

Second year of a two-year grant ($15K in 2019; $15K in 2020) In 1983, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission created the Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN) to connect volunteers to the outdoors and the natural world. Since then, the VSN has empowered thousands of people to preserve Illinois’ lands and waters. These volunteers work to protect and restore natural areas by collecting and dispersing native seeds, removing invasive species, planting trees and other plants, performing prescribed burns and many other activities. This grant supports scholarships and tools necessary to allow volunteers to get the certification and training they need to participate in the very important function of prescribed fire and builds on prior year grants.

Covid 19 Emergency funding covers the unexpected expense of equipping staff to work from home. Includes lap top computers with cameras, extra large monitors, additional outside IT support.

Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes. Grant covers cost of CFC’s first paid Restoration Manager who supervises this program following the death of Tom Vanderpoel.

ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy organization. This grant supports multi-faceted work to improve water quality and protect conservation values and public health in Northern Illinois. ELPC works to protect the drinking water supply in Northern Illinois counties from heavy metals and other contaminants that leach into the groundwater near quarries and coal plants. The grant supports these initiatives: 1. Explore effective solutions to address groundwater contamination from quarries that use Clean Construction Demolition Debris. 2. Legal and policy solutions to protect Illinois waters from coal ash pollution at Midwest Generation/NRG’s Waukegan coal plant in Lake County.

The Forest Preserve Foundation dedicates energy and resources needed to connect people with nature in Cook County. This grant funds restoration efforts in the Spring Creek Preserves in Barrington, Illinois. Given the sensitive nature of the fen and presence of federally-listed endangered species, management activities must be done in a careful manner. This grant builds on prior funding and conservation efforts at the Galloping Hill Fen. At the end of the project, the fen will be buffered by over 6 acres of healthy native habitat helping to improve the quality of water entering the creek.

Second year of a two-year grant ($20K in 2018; 20K in 2019). Friends of the Chicago River’s mission is to improve and protect the Chicago River system for people, plants, and animals. The MWRD Land Leasing project aims to protect thousands of acres along the Chicago and Calumet rivers thereby expanding forest preserves, connecting trails and providing important connected green healthy open space along the river. Friends will identify and recruit partners who will lease, protect, and manage priority MWRD parcels in ways that meet the goals of increasing conservation and recreation opportunities. Friends will utilize watershed assessment data to further drive protection, guide future site design, define lease parameters, and inform future development.

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) institute of North America seeks to improve sustainability in agriculture and communities through market mechanisms in IPM and other sustainable practices. IPM hosted Chicago Grows Green Week showcasing the latest progress for pesticide reduction in landscapes by organizing webinars, workshops and fun competitions across Greater Chicago.

First year of a two-year grant ($15K in 2019; $15K in 2020) In 1983, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission created the Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN) to connect volunteers to the outdoors and the natural world. Since then, the VSN has empowered thousands of people to preserve Illinois’ lands and waters. These volunteers work to protect and restore natural areas by collecting and dispersing native seeds, removing invasive species, planting trees and other plants, performing prescribed burns and many other activities. This grant supports scholarships and tools necessary to allow volunteers to get the certification and training they need to participate in the very important function of prescribed fire and builds on prior year grants.

The mission of the Preservation Foundation is to extend and accelerate the Lake County Forest Preserves goals through private philanthropy to restore and preserve Lake county’s natural and cultural resources into perpetuity. Funding will help assess the structural integrity and complete a biological inventory of Lake Michigan Ravines. The information will be used to update the 2009 Strategic Sub-watershed Identification Process. This will help to provide a critical roadmap for conservation – identifying highest priority ravines for conservation and serving as a tool to secure outside funding.

The Wetland’s Initiative (TWI) seeks to restore the wetlands of the Midwest to improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce flood damage. TWI is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. The Oberweiler Foundation grant was matched by long time TWI supporter, Bob Fisher, in memory of his wife, Karen, who died this past spring

Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes.

Grant covers cost of CFC’s first paid Restoration Manager who supervises this program following the death of Tom Vanderpoel.

ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy organization. The Driftless Area is a beautiful scenic landscape of rolling hills and blufflands, meandering valley streams and small town and family farms straddling the Mississippi River. It’s also the Midwest’s premier biodiversity and habitat hotspot. ELPC is exploring ways to protect clean water, wildlife habitat and important natural areas in the Driftless Area which is threatened by agricultural runoff. The volume of pollution spilling into waterways from livestock and farming operations continues to grow each year. Excess nutrient pollution can result in toxic algal blooms that choke drinking water supplies, and contribute to downstream low- or no- oxygen dead zones. This grant builds on previous funding/work. ELPC will find policy based solutions to nutrient pollution levels, supporting federal Farm Bill funding programs, coordinating multi-state conservation and restoration efforts, and challenging the construction of the proposed Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line.

First year of a two-year grant ($20K in 2018; 20K in 2019). Friends of the Chicago River’s mission is to improve and protect the Chicago River system for people, plants, and animals. The MWRD Land Leasing project aims to protect thousands of acres along the Chicago and Calumet rivers thereby expanding forest preserves, connecting trails and providing important connected green healthy open space along the river. Friends will identify and recruit partners who will lease, protect, and manage priority MWRD parcels in ways that meet the goals of increasing conservation and recreation opportunities. Friends will utilize watershed assessment data to further drive protection, guide future site design, define lease parameters, and inform future development.

Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes. Donation honoring Tom Vanderpoel, board member and head of CFC’s restoration efforts. Tom was a visionary in the work of conservation, a 40 year veteran in the field and a friend to the Oberweiler Foundation.

The Forest Preserve Foundation dedicates energy and resources needed to connect people with nature in Cook County. This grant funds restoration efforts in the Spring Creek Preserves in Barrington, Illinois. Given the sensitive nature of the fen and presence of federally-listed endangered species, management activities must be done in a careful manner. Brush was removed from around the fen, herbaceous invasive species in the site wetlands were hand-wicked, and herbicide work completed.

This is the second year of a two year grant ($25,000 per year). Friends of the Chicago River’s mission is to improve and protect the Chicago River system for people, plants, and animals. The MWRD Land Leasing project aims to protect thousands of acres along the Chicago and Calumet rivers thereby expanding forest preserves, connecting trails and providing important connected green healthy open space along the river. Friends will identify and recruit partners who will lease, protect, and manage priority MWRD parcels in ways that meet the goals of increasing conservation and recreation opportunities.

Midwest Pesticide Action Center is dedicated to reducing the health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides by promoting safer alternatives. The Midwest Grows Green project’s overarching goal is to support the restoration and preservation of regional watersheds and to reduce the negative impacts of synthetic lawn care chemicals on pollinators, people and pets. The grant funds efforts to involve citizens in the Calumet region to serve as environmental stewards while better understanding natural lawn care and organic gardening techniques.

Habitat restoration of a 110-acre expansion of Grassy Lake Forest preserve located at the confluence of Flint Creek and the Fox River. The land was purchased in 2009 and public access improvements were completed in 2015. Funds will be used to restore this property’s diverse native habitat and improve the ecological function of this preserve.

In 1983, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission created the Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN) to connect volunteers to the outdoors and the natural world. Since then, the VSN has empowered thousands of people to preserve Illinois’ lands and waters. These volunteers work to protect and restore natural areas by collecting and dispersing native seeds, removing invasive species, planting trees and other plants, performing prescribed burns and many other activities. This grant supports scholarships and tools necessary to allow volunteers to get the certification and training they need to participate in the very important function of prescribed fire.

The “606” is an innovative project on Chicago’s Northwest side that transformed nearly three miles of unused rail line into the elevated Bloomingdale Trail, which links five ground-level neighborhood parks. This grant helps to fund final stages of the “606” public parks and trail system.

Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes.

DeKalb County Community Gardens empowers DeKalb County residents to choose healthy, sustainable foods through community education and participation. Funding supports a prairie restoration program at Walnut Grove Vocational Farm, a place providing agriculturally based training and employment for people with disabilities in an integrated supportive setting. In addition, funding supports the needed materials to build a bridge connecting prairie paths and cross streams. The path allows individuals with multiple physical limitations to enjoy the restorative therapy benefits of the prairie.

ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy organization. The Driftless Area is a beautiful scenic landscape of rolling hills and blufflands, meandering valley streams and small town and family farms straddling the Mississippi River. It’s also the Midwest’s premier biodiversity and habitat hotspot. ELPC is exploring ways to protect clean water, wildlife habitat and important natural areas in the Driftless Area which is threatened by agricultural runoff. The volume of pollution spilling into waterways from livestock and farming operations continues to grow each year. Excess nutrient pollution can result in toxic algal blooms that choke drinking water supplies, and contribute to downstream low- or no- oxygen dead zones. ELPC will conduct a thorough analysis of available and effective methods for controlling nutrient pollution and develop initial policy recommendations for making those methods more accessible and attractive to farmers. This grant builds on a prior grant in support of the 2015 Confluence Conference in which the Driftless area was established as a priority.

The Forest Preserve Foundation dedicates energy and resources needed to connect people with nature in Cook County. This grant builds upon previous work at the Shoe Factory Nature Preserve in Hoffman Estates – funded, in part, by the Oberweiler Foundation. Shoe Factory is one of Illinois’ oldest and most biologically significant nature preserves receiving 15,000 to 20,000 visitors each year. The small site provides habitat for rare plants and insects including little bluestem, northern dropseed, porcupine grass and over 100 other prairie species. Vulnerable to encroachment, the site is in need of care including the removal of trees shading out the prairie and reseeding.

This is the first year of a two year grant ($25,000 per year). Friends of the Chicago River’s mission is to improve and protect the Chicago River system for people, plants, and animals. The MWRD Land Leasing project aims to protect thousands of acres along the Chicago and Calumet rivers thereby expanding forest preserves, connecting trails and providing important connected green healthy open space along the river. Friends will identify and recruit partners who will lease, protect, and manage priority MWRD parcels in ways that meet the goals of increasing conservation and recreation opportunities.

First year of a three-year grant ($10,000 in 2016; $40,000 in 2017 and 2018). The Land Conservancy works with individuals and communities to preserve and restore natural scenic and agricultural land resources for the benefit of current and future generations. Grant supports the purchase of a 30 acre parcel of land between McHenry and Woodstock. The property contains, along with key elements of McHenry County’s natural heritage, a 350-year old Wolf Oak visible from the road. Preservation of the property will create an “Ambassador Site” for TLC. It will be used to raise awareness and community engagement in TLC’s work, the issue of oak woodland conservation, and the ecological relationship between oak woods and wetlands in the McHenry County landscape.

Second of a two year grant ($10,000 in 2015; $16,300 in 2016). Headwater streams are a dominant feature in our landscape. But, headwater streams and their often unique and rare habitats are left unprotected and subject to loss or degradation. Over the past 6 years, the Oberweiler Foundation has funded through Openlands a number of headwater stream inventories. This put Openlands in a unique position to influence the habitat protection and restoration focus of a large number of local conservation agencies throughout the Chicago Wilderness region. With this grant, Openlands will prepare a major report that will give the guidance and motivation to conservation agencies so that headwater streams becomes a new priority habitat of concern and preservation.

A three-year grant ($10,000 in 2014, $20,000 each in 2015 & 2016) to support the acquisition and restoration of the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes in North-Central Illinois, one of only 36 wetlands of international importance in the country. TWI will restore 288 acres to an extremely rare grouping of native habitats, including globally imperiled oak savanna and sand prairie, benefiting many birds and wildlife. The parcel of land is regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized for its excellent biodiversity and critical importance to migrating waterfowl and breeding wetland birds.

Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes.

Funding for a high-level symposium bringing together leading Great Lakes scientists and policymakers to better understand Great Lakes water quality problems stemming from nutrient loading. Problems are caused in large part by unsustainable fertilization practices in industrial agriculture.

The Forest Preserve Foundation dedicates energy and resources needed to connect people with nature in Cook County. This grant will help the Foundation reach its Next Century Conservation Plan as it applies to the Shoe Factory Nature Preserve in Hoffman Estates. Shoe Factory is one of Illinois’ oldest and most biologically significant nature preserves receiving 15,000 to 20,000 visitors each year. The small site provides habitat for rare plants and insects including little bluestem, northern dropseed, porcupine grass and over 100 other prairie species. Vulnerable to encroachment, the site is in need of care including maintenance and fencing.

The Land Conservancy works with individuals and communities to preserve and restore natural scenic and agricultural land resources for the benefit of current and future generations. Discretionary grant given as part of a matching program on “Giving Tuesday.”

Funding to support NRDC’s legal suit to block approval of Dow’s newest toxic herbicide, Enlist Duo, which threatens to destroy milkweed – the only food that monarch butterfly larvae can eat. Monarch populations have already plunged due to other chemicals more than 80% in the nation’s farm belt. Grant will support NRDC’S campaign to the EPA to protect butterflies from this chemical assault and to counter the pro-pesticide propaganda by the agrichemical industry.

Second year of a two-year grant at $30,000 per year to assist in funding the reintroduction of Bison not seen in 175 years to the Nachusa Grasslands Preserve to reclaim Illinois’ once historic prairie landscape at the Kankakee Sands Preserve which spans the Illinois/Indiana border and totals 25,000 acres of protected prairie and savanna. In addition, conservation management of this historic land will reconnect the Emiquon floodplain to the Illinois River to create a healthier freshwater system.

First of two-year grant ($10,000 in 2015; $16,300 in 2016)Headwater streams are a dominant feature in our landscape. But, headwater streams and their often unique and rare habitats are left unprotected and subject to loss or degradation. Over the past 6 years, the Oberweiler Foundation has funded through Openlands a number of headwater stream inventories. This put Openlands in a unique position to influence the habitat protection and restoration focus of a large number of local conservation agencies throughout the Chicago Wilderness region. With this grant, Openlands will prepare a major report that will give the guidance and motivation to conservation agencies so that headwater streams becomes a new priority habitat of concern and preservation.

The Preservation Foundation’s goal in restoring 116-acre Grassy Lake is to establish a sustainable, diverse native plant community to improve the ecological function of critical habitats, including wetlands, floodplain forest, savanna, and prairie. Primary restoration strategies include eradicating the remaining invasive species, which are choking out the wetlands and floodplain forest areas of the preserve, and planting native seeds, shrubs and trees to restore the site’s hydrology and biodiversity.

Part of VG’s Swan Valley Grizzly Bear Habitat Conservation Initiative. Three contiguous conservation easements will permanently protect 160 acres of prime grizzly bear habitat on private property from development. The Elk Flats Project is ideally located in a wild and remote area in the Swan Mountain Range that is bordered by protected land in a critical habitat linkage zone.

A three-year grant ($10,000 in 2014, $20,000 each in 2015 & 2016) to support the acquisition and restoration of the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes in North-Central Illinois, one of only 36 wetlands of international importance in the country. TWI will restore 288 acres to an extremely rare grouping of native habitats, including globally imperiled oak savanna and sand prairie, benefiting many birds and wildlife. The parcel of land is regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized for its excellent biodiversity and critical importance to migrating waterfowl and breeding wetland birds.

Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes.

Funding to complete a challenge grant provided by the Energy Foundation to enhance ELPC’s legal advocacy to force old, highly polluting coal plants in the Midwest to clean up or shut down in order to prevent continued mercury and thermal pollution of the Great Lakes, rivers/streams, and groundwater as well as noxious, sulfuric air pollution.

The centerpiece of Friends’ policy initiatives and advocacy efforts this project focuses upon the disinfection of sewage plant effluent and adjustments to temperature standards for improving the water quality of the Chicago River so that it can support a diverse range of aquatic life, be fully utilized as a recreational resource, and eliminate a severe health risk.

Specifically, to preserve vastly more wilderness through market-driven solutions that will spur industry to transform destructive practices. In this case, to pressure Northern Dynasty Minerals to abandon plans for gouging out the disastrous Pebble Mine from Alaska’s spectacular Bristol Bay wilderness and devastate the World’s greatest wild salmon runs, the linchpin of an unspoiled ecosystem.

All over the country, bees are dying in massive numbers, as many as 35 % of all bee colonies have collapsed in a single winter, with some regions reporting die-offs of 50% or more. The cornerstone of some of the some of the most fundamental life-sustaining processes on Earth is being driven towards disaster because of agrochemicals. The $1,000 grant will support NRDC’S campaign to the EPA to protect bees from this chemical assault and to counter the pro-pesticide propaganda by the agrichemical industry.

A two-year grant at $30,000 per year to assist in funding the reintroduction of Bison not seen in 175 years to the Nachusa Grasslands Preserve to reclaim Illinois’ once historic prairie landscape at the Kankakee Sands Preserve which spans the Illinois/Indiana border and totals 25,000 acres of protected prairie and savanna. In addition, conservation management of this historic land will reconnect the Emiquon floodplain to the Illinois River to create a healthier freshwater system.

A three-year grant ($10,000 in 2014, $20,000 each in 2015 & 2016) to support the acquisition and restoration of the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes in North-Central Illinois, one of only 36 wetlands of international importance in the country. TWI will restore 288 acres to an extremely rare grouping of native habitats, including globally imperiled oak savanna and sand prairie, benefiting many birds and wildlife. The parcel of land is regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized for its excellent biodiversity and critical importance to migrating waterfowl and breeding wetland birds.

Funding for four, college summer interns who participate in weed control, seed production, planting plugs, education functions, and other miscellaneous conservation issues as part of a native habitat restoration project to return the Flint Creek Savanna, and other critical properties in the Barrington area, to their original (pre-1840) condition of tall grass prairie, oak and hickory savannas, sedge meadows, and wetlands as a habitat for bluebirds, bob-o-links and sand hill cranes.

A fourth year and final extension of a grant to reduce toxic mercury pollution, especially at the proposed Elm Road Coal Plant. Methylmercury contamination poses a significant health risk, especially for developing fetuses and children. Clean Wisconsin is advocating for the adoption of stronger mercury reduction rules for the state’s power plants and for a ban on certain products containing mercury. Also, it is necessary to prevent future illegal sources of mercury pollution, such as the proposed cooling system for the Elm Road plant, which would add significant mercury pollution to Lake Michigan.

The centerpiece of Friends’ policy initiatives and advocacy efforts which focuses upon a disinfection of sewage plant effluent and adjustments to temperature standards for improving the water quality of the Chicago River so that it can support a diverse range of aquatic life, be fully utilized as a recreational resource, and eliminate a severe health risk.

A grant to assist the Conservancy in expanding its capacity to effectively manage stewardship of its growing owned, managed, and preserved properties portfolio, increase and develop stewardship income streams through contracts with conservation easement land owners.

A grant matched by the Vervane Foundation to win permanent protection of endangered wild regions that surround and encompass NRDC BioGems – unspoiled ecosystems threatened by development. Specifically, to preserve vastly more wilderness through market-driven solutions that will spur industry to transform destructive practices, with the NRDC will insure is permanent by helping to craft far reaching agreements with governments and landowners wherever possible.

The purpose of this project is to lay the groundwork for a long-needed approach to outreach to, and enlist the participation private property owners to protect and enhance the biodiversity in this valuable river system. The project would expand the natural resource baseline data of the Kishwaukee River watershed, while identifying a minimum of 1000 landowners who would participate in protecting and enhancing riparian habitat on their property contiguous to the River. Openlands will lead this effort to build commitments from the individual members of the Kishwaukee River Ecosystem Partnership made up the Boone County and McHenry County Conservation Districts, the DeKalb and Winnebago County Forest Preserve Districts, the Natural Land Institute, the Land Conservancy of McHenry County, Northern Illinois University, and the Rockford Park District.

The mission of Vital Ground is to protect and restore North America’s grizzly bear populations by conserving wildlife habitat through the primary strategy of land acquisition and conservation easements. The 143-acre piece of land at Alvord Lake (east of Troy, Montana) is home to grizzly bears, lynx, wolverines and loons giving it significant conservation value. Seeking to protect the land from undesirable and certain development, Vital Ground partnered with the owners, community and other funders to purchase the land. The project is unique in its benefits not only to environmental conservation and education, but its focus on securing public access and enjoyment of the entirety of Alvord Lake.