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Share exciting news about the Forest Preserves of Cook County's
Next Century Conservation Plan by .
Forest Forward! 

News to Know & Share about the Next Century Conservation Plan 

Forest Forward is a monthly newsletter about the progress and programming of the Next Century Conservation Plan (NCCP). It's designed to be easy-to-read - and easy-to-forward -- filled with information that you will want to pass on to your network of co-workers, colleagues and friends.

Forest Forward is being delivered to members of the NCCP implementation team, along with other friends. Please help us grow the distribution list to include people from your network who care about great, open spaces. Together, by spreading the word of our work, we can generate awareness, enthusiasm and excitement for the NCCP.
A Centennial Celebration for the Forest Preserves 

When you turn 100 years old, it seems fitting to throw a big party. Really big, in fact -- with big trees, big fun and big crowds of friends. And that's just what the Forest Preserves of Cook County did when it celebrated its centennial anniversary in September, with nearly 10,000 people attending events during the seven-day celebration.

Activities were held throughout the county and included archery, bonfires, fishing derbies and nature hikes, as well as exploration and restoration activities that were hosted by staff, partners and Cook County Commissioners. See a video recap of the week-long, County-wide event here.

The centennial week's finale was a gathering at Caldwell Woods on Chicago's northwest side, where children and adults joined Forest Preserve President Toni Preckwinkle in circling scores of trees for what was called the "County's Largest Tree Hug." See video from the day here
Partner Spotlight: Openlands 

Will you be among the more than 900 guests expected for what is recognized as the largest gathering of conservation-minded organizations, volunteers, and elected officials in metropolitan Chicago? Cook County Board President and Forest Preserves of Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle will be honored with the Openlands Conservation Leadership Award on October 29 at the Hilton Chicago. The award will be presented at Openlands' annual luncheon, an event that focuses on caring for natural resources in the Chicago region for the benefit of people and the environment.

Openlands cites the President's leadership in the development and implementation of the Next Century Conservation Plan for the Forest Preserves of Cook County, an ambitious roadmap formulated by a dedicated commission. The plan creates healthy landscapes for the people, inspires economic growth, and builds a culture of conservation. Openlands, Metropolis Strategies, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County facilitated work on the plan, with Openlands providing staffing for the effort.

Click here for more information about Openlands.
Being a Follower is OK, too 

Everyone can be a leader... and no doubt, you're among the metro area's best leaders. But are you a follower, too? Here are a few great ways to keep up with the latest happenings in the Forest Preserves of Cook County:
Watch WGN-TV anchors take the #CampinCook challenge! 

To help celebrate the opening of Camp Bullfrog in Willow Springs, four WGN-TV morning anchors visited the campgrounds and took on five team challenges - archery, tent-building, fire-starting, tether-balling and canoeing.
Watch some of the antics of WGN-TV's Marcus LeShock, Lourdes Duarte, Erin McElroy and Demetrius Ivory here
Help us generate buzz for the NCCP

There's an axiom in public relations: "Tell 'em, tell 'em what you told them, and tell 'em again." In other words, a message delivered with frequency is a message that sticks.

That's the approach we will begin to take with news of the Next Century Conservation Plan, and that's how we will generate buzz. By sharing our news frequently, clearly and across several communications platforms, we will nurture interest in and support for the plan.

It all begins with you. There are several ways you can generate buzz right from your desk. Click here for tips on how to:
  • Enhance your email signature with a line about your committee service
  • Strengthen your resume with an entry about your civic work
  • Update your professional bio with a smart statement
  • Boost your LinkedIn profile with an interesting blurb
  • Speak volumes with a voicemail greeting that touts the NCCP
When list building is team building

Let's build a list together. Who do you know who ought to know what you know about the NCCP? Plenty of people, we're sure. Introduce them to the Plan and keep them informed of its progress by submitting their names to the Forest Forward distribution list. We're asking that each committee member provide at least a dozen names (with email addresses) to add to our distribution list. In doing so, you'll help build a team of supporters for our work, and spread our reach even further. Please email your contact names and email addresses to
LaKisha.Williams2@cookcountyil.gov.