Openlands

Tom Ebeling, Openlands' Director of Forestry, shared his story about his experience working with the Chicago Housing Authority and the residents of Dearborn Homes and Lake Parc Place Apartments.

“Sometimes trees are just trees. But sometimes, they are a tool for rebuilding a home. Sometimes they are a tool restoring agency, pride, and self determination.”

You can read about Tom's experience using trees to restore a beloved community space and what it looks like to support a community vision from the ground up. See the full story here: https://openlands.org/2026/06/04/openlands-opentalks-a-conversation-from-the-ground-up-with-tom-ebeling/

Openlands hosted Opentalks in May 2026 at The Richard H. Driehaus Museum in downtown Chicago. The event aimed to deepen our supporters’ connection to our local environmental efforts through behind-the-scenes stories shared by our dedicated team of conservation experts.

Chicagoland has a serious bird-window collision problem—and we need caring people like you to help save our birds!

Every year, millions of migrating birds pass through Chicago. Over the past several decades, conservation groups have documented TENS OF THOUSANDS of bird collisions at just a handful of Chicago buildings.

The good news is that buildings can be made safer for birds. Early data on bird-friendly collision deterrents at McCormick Place—a Chicago building known for its high volume of bird collisions—have indicated that they reduce bird collisions by well over 90%!

We are asking Chicagoland residents to contact City Council members and ask them to support strong, mandatory bird-friendly building standards. Protect our birds by taking action today: https://ow.ly/OPQp50ZgsMa

It’s National Pollinator Week! Did you know that pollinators like bees, bats, birds, and butterflies are responsible for the health of more than 75% of the world's flowering plant species? These animals are critical to our natural ecosystems and food chains.

From June 22 to June 28, we are raising awareness about our region’s native pollinators, some of which are endangered on the state and/or national levels:
1. Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis)
2. Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
3. Spring Beauty Mining Bee (Andrena erigeniae)
4. Leadplant Flower Moth (Schinia lucens)
5. Northern Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius ontario)

Share this post to spread the word about the essential role our local pollinators play in maintaining our region’s ecosystems!

Sara Egan, Openlands' Director of Conservation Planning, was featured on The 21st Show Show from Illinois Public Media!

Sara chatted with Brian Mackey about how Openlands is pushing to get The Grand Illinois Trail project across the finish line. The Trail spans more than 500 miles, from Chicago to the Quad Cities and back. After 30 years of planning, the trail is almost fully connected.

Listen to the full segment here: https://ow.ly/vkGx50ZerQZ

“My tie to this work is ancestral and familial. The wilderness I grew up in, the mountains, creeks, and valleys were my playground and training ground. It was in this same wilderness that my grandparents taught me to work on the land with my mind, strength, water and fire.”

Openlands' Landscaping Specialist Gerardo Trujillo shares his story about his work in local communities turning conservation skills into industry jobs. With Openlands, he runs programs that pay and train landscapers to select, plant and care for native species, as well as clearing land of invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle.

“Their work on the land is their livelihood.”

Openlands hosted Opentalks in May 2026 at The Richard H. Driehaus Museum in downtown Chicago. The event aimed to deepen our supporters’ connection to our local environmental efforts through behind-the-scenes stories shared by our dedicated team of conservation experts.

Read Gerardo’s full story here: https://ow.ly/2mB450ZehZY

Good news alert! Openlands is proud to announce the recent purchase of the Killam Property, a 34-acre parcel of land in Boone County. Originally prairie, it was converted into farmland during the settlement of the region.

This parcel significantly expands existing permanently protected land as it is adjacent to the Piscasaw Fen Conservation Area managed by the Boone County Conservation District. Openlands will hold and maintain this parcel until it can be further restored and transferred for public enjoyment in the future.

Protecting land is our mission. When we buy land and transfer them to public agencies, that land and its natural features are protected forever. By safeguarding critical habitats and expanding our region’s natural spaces, we are able to build resilient and connected landscapes for generations to come.

By 2030, Openlands aims to conserve an additional 10,000 acres of land through protection and restoration initiatives.​ Learn more about Openlands' land protection initiatives: https://ow.ly/u68B50Ze11E

This Juneteenth, join Openlands and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County at the Little Calumet River! We’ll be paddling from Beaubien Woods to the Indiana Street Bridge in large canoes while learning about the extraordinary history of the African American Heritage Water Trail.

This event is FREE and open to everyone 3 years+. No experience necessary! All canoes are guided by an expert paddler.

Registration is required. Sign up today: https://ow.ly/kU7150ZcvCo

Additionally, the CTA is extending the 34 bus service into Beaubien Woods, starting at 10am and going until 8pm on June 19th. You can pick up this special event shuttle at #34 bus stops within Altgeld Gardens.

Openlands was on WBEZ! Emily Reusswig, Openlands' Vice President of Conservation and Policy, spoke about The Grand Illinois Trail on In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons.

In 1995, The Illinois Department of Natural Resources proposed stitching together existing trails and building new ones to create the longest continuous trail in the state. Over 30 years later, the Grand Illinois Trail is 90% complete.

There are 10 gaps to fill and advocacy groups are calling for further investment in the project to complete the loop.

Along with cycling enthusiast Christine Hubert, Emily chatted about the potential benefits of The Grant Illinois Trail, what cycling on it is like, and the efforts underway to finish up the trail.

Listen to the full story here: https://ow.ly/VzrG50Zcv19

Our Arborist Apprentices represented Openlands at the Illinois Arborist Association's Annual Tree Climbing Competition!

Three past and present apprentices competed in this year's event: Lisa Mende (2021 cohort), Manu Gamez (2022 cohort), and Liz Carroll (2024 cohort). Lisa was recognized with the Spirit of the Competition award, and Liz came in first in the Aerial Rescue event, third overall in the women's division, and advanced to the Masters Challenge on Sunday. Liz is the first Arborist Apprentice to compete in the finals and place at this level - and this was their first time competing!

Events like this give Openlands apprentices a glimpse into the opportunities that exist in their careers during and after the ARA program. We are incredibly proud to see Openlands Apprentices actively engaging with the industry, building professional connections, and demonstrating the talent and passion that will help shape the future of urban forestry!