The Preservation Foundation is the charitable partner of the Lake County Forest Preserves. It supports the growth, development and sustainability of our region’s natural lands and cultural heritage.

Like a root system pulls vital nutrients from the soil, the Preservation Foundation drives the mission of the Forest Preserves by responsibly directing funds to projects and programs of the Forest Preserves that might otherwise go unfunded.

Donations to the Preservation Foundation make possible the programs, places and priorities of the Forest Preserves—from the Dunn Museum and summer concert series at Independence Grove to the Green Youth Farm, Gateways Grants for schools, Adopt-a-Turtle program, and habitat restoration.

When you support the Preservation Foundation, you nourish your Lake County Forest Preserves so that they might not merely exist, but grow and thrive.

We Hit our Fundraising Goal For Greenbelt!

Thanks to a Community Stewardship Challenge Grant from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, every dollar raised to restore Greenbelt Forest Preserve (North Chicago) was matched with $3! This grant will supply volunteers with native woodland seeds and wetland plants to replace the buckthorn thickets and other invasive species that have been degrading this site for decades.

We exceeded our fundraising goal and raised $7,500 and reached 400 hours of volunteer service at Greenbelt! Thank you to everyone who helped us get there!