Today is World Lake Day!🌊 Chicago's lakefront offers a wide variety of destinations, including parks, beaches, natural areas, cultural attractions & water sports venues. Explore our Get Outside map to discover 100 locations: ow.ly/iIWj50WN5ns

A new study from MortonArboretum & Purdue University reveals 80% of Chicago-area forests are overrun by invasive shrubs like buckthorn & honeysuckle. Block Club Chicago highlights the urgency of restoration efforts. Read the full piece: ow.ly/7A3J50WNROW 📸:Colin Boyle

🌳 Invasive shrubs threaten 80% of our region’s forests. Openlands’ Lands in Harmony program helps Lake County property owners with buckthorn ID, removal & eco-friendly practices. Schedule a consultation with our ecologists today: ow.ly/zW3w50WNRU1

Tree mulching is a fundamental practice for supporting the healthy growth of newly planted trees. Learn best practices and techniques such as donut mulching and the 3x3x3 rule in this demonstration from tree care expert, Tom Ebeling. Tune in and share: ow.ly/xKla50WN8Z1

🍂 Fall Nature Fest is back! Join us Sat, Sept 13 from 12–3pm at LaBagh Woods with 60+ environmental orgs for this free event—featuring animals from Brookfield Zoo Chicago, family activities, food trucks & more! Learn more: ow.ly/HbOT50WN9tR Commissioner Bridget Degnen

It’s Marathon Monday! 🌿 Meet Team Openlands runner Megan Manning, running her first @chimarathon to support the mission that shaped her childhood in Chicago’s green spaces. 🏃‍♀️ Support runners like Megan: ow.ly/vlNY50WPke9

Openlands ecologists teamed up with Shedd Aquarium to monitor mussels in North Branch Nippersink Creek, a vital water quality indicator. Huge thanks to our dedicated volunteers! Discover more and plan your visit to Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge: openlands.org/places/nippers…

🌳 Fall tree planting season is here! Our Forestry team is excited to partner with grant recipients to grow green communities. Apply for the Openlands TreePlanters Grants today and make a difference! 🌱💚 ow.ly/oqBw50WRYtA

Openlands staff had a great time at #LTARally2025 in Cleveland! 🌿 This annual gathering brings together land conservation leaders from across the nation to protect cherished places. Huge thanks to Land Trust Alliance, organizers & workshop leaders for an inspiring event!

🌳 What's in my TreeKeeper bag? Join Molly Roche as she unveils essential tools for assessing urban tree health! 🌱 Want to lead a TreeKeepers event? Email: [email protected]

Join Chris Bourbois from Openlands & Shedd Aquarium as they explore mussel monitoring in the Nippersink Creek! These key species signal water quality & wildlife diversity. Tune in for insights on our mussel monitoring process! 🌊🔍

Attention teachers & community members! Join our Garden Party on Sept 16, 4:30-6:30 PM at Irma C. Ruiz Elementary, Pilsen! Bring a friend, and enjoy dinner, music, hands-on gardening activities & cooking demos. 🌿✨Free fun for all! Register now: ow.ly/FELY50WUT1T

Join us for the Lake to Prairie Wild Ones Conference on Nov 8 at Village of Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center. Learn from keynote speaker Doug Tallamy & Openlands Landscape Ecologist Mary Fortmann on creating thriving habitats. Register now: ow.ly/VQFC50WXePx

Openlands proudly celebrates Leslie Leon Agular and Carlos Ortega as our newest ISA Certified Arborists! Their expertise strengthens our urban forestry team and enhances our city's green canopy. Congratulations to both for this remarkable achievement!

We celebrated our Garden Party at Irma C. Ruiz Elementary with U of I Extension & Chicago Grows Food as part of our HUBS program! Guests learned safe harvesting, weed ID & removal, enjoyed cooking demos, and built grow kits for home. Thank you to our partners and attendees for joining.🌱

🌳 Students, staff & volunteers teamed up with Openlands to plant native trees at RMHS & FVEC! These trees will bring shade, beauty & a lasting lesson in environmental stewardship. Thank you to everyone who made it happen!

We’re thrilled by the recent press coverage celebrating the completion of the O’Hare Modernization Wetlands Mitigation Project at Deer Grove East—one of the largest and most successful restoration projects in our region. Read more in our newsroom: ow.ly/wmN250X8e7V

Thank you to the media outlets that featured this milestone for regional restoration and conservation: Daily Herald WTTW - Chicago PBS WBEZ WBBM Newsradio Patch Stantec Forest Preserves