Nature Foundation Presents $393K Donation To Forest Preserve

ROMEOVILLE, IL — The Nature Foundation of Will County Executive Director Tara Neff presented a check for $393,450 to the Forest Preserve’s Board of Commissioners at its monthly meeting on Sept. 12, according to a release from the preserve.

The donation will support several programs and initiatives for the preserve, including at Isle a la Cache in Romeoville.

Foundation funding has provided program support, supplies and a wide variety of Forest Preserve enhancements through the years. This is all accomplished by a large circle of people who volunteer their time, energy and money to make the Foundation successful, said Forest Preserve Board Commissioner Julie Berkowicz, who also is a Foundation Board member.

“There’s just an incredible circle of people who are donating in ways you can’t even measure to the Forest Preserve system,” she said during the meeting. “That isn’t recognized enough. It’s a mighty force in the background that has its own little energy.”

The check included a $375,000 donation from the Dollinger family. The money was used for a two-phase, recently completed Lake Chaminwood Preserve improvement project.

“The generous Dollinger family donation to the Nature Foundation allowed Forest Preserve staff to create a plan that incorporated short- and long-range goals and made possible a large-scale project completed in two phases rather than having a vision and hoping to secure funding in the future,” Neff said.

In addition to improving Lake Chaminwood, this donation check is being used for the:

• Woods Walk hiking challenge, which began Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
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• "Indige-Facts," a contemporary Native American exhibit, which opens Sept. 21 at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville.
• "Lost and Found – Remnants of Savannas and Old-Growth Forests" exhibit, which opens Oct. 15 at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.
• Nature restoration at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, provided by Pembina.
• The acquisition of a fully restored and functional 1936 John Deer Tractor and Wagon for the Riverview Farmstead Preserve site. The tractor, which was provided by a grant from Target and restored by Bruce Roskens, made its debut at Fall on the Farm
• Bird feeding enhancements at Isle a la Cache Museum.
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The Nature Foundation also announced a $10K in 10 Days: The Decade Challenge fundraiser, which began Sept. 13 and runs through Sept. 22.

“The Nature Foundation of Will County has been supporting Forest Preserve District programs and activities that protect nature, inspire discovery, and bring people and nature together for 10 years,” Neff said.

That support has funded the Take It Outside Challenge, the Birds in Art exhibit, inclusivity features at preserves, the Willy’s Wilderness website, and natural area and open space protection and improvements, the preserve said in a release.

“And we’re asking people who use and enjoy all these benefits to show their support and appreciation by choosing to donate to our $10K in 10 Days: The Decade Challenge.”

Since its inception a decade ago, the Nature Foundation has raised more than $1.85 million for Forest Preserve programs and initiatives.