SPRING INTO NATURE

“We really believe that when people are involved with Lake Forest Open Lands they feel good—about what they’re doing and the nature that they’re experiencing,” says Ryan London, President of Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA). “We’re working hard to decrease barriers to engagement with us.” For this reason, the team at Lake Forest Open Lands used the winter months to redesign their website and fine-tune a full calendar of programming.

LFOLA unveiled their redesigned website in February. Susan Lenz, Senior Vice President, Community Conservation oversaw the project.

“Our new website is story-focused and user-friendly. It’s very filterable so that you can search the site as a parent, a volunteer, or a donor and find exactly what you’re looking for. We’ve also updated all of our maps with our trails,” Lenz explains. “We hope the revamped site will help users ‘discover,’ ‘connect,’ and ‘join.’”

Additionally, all of the LFOLA trails can now be found on the app TrailForks. “You can download this app and find all of our trails, their mileage, and landmarks and wildlife you can be looking for,” Lenz adds.

This spring marks the one-year anniversary of LFOLA opening the Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve. “Things have gone swimmingly,” London says, noting that the final finishing touches have been made along with several new bilingual signs. Additionally, LFOLA received an award from the American Council of Engineering Excellence for the suspension bridge that is a highlight for anyone who visits.

LFOLA is committed to engaging the community creatively in its conservation efforts. Earth Day celebrations, the Native Plant Sale, and Cattails & Cocktails are among the many opportunities coming up for residents to become involved. Additionally, LFOLA has two informational events planned to explain this summer’s most noisy visitors—the cicadas. On May 31, adults are invited to Conservation Cocktails at 6 p.m., “Cicada Sensation” with Jim Louderman from the Field Museum. Then on June 1, all are invited to Family Day from 10 a.m. to Noon with Allen Lawrance from Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

“Cicadas are a natural reminder that we’re part of something much bigger,” adds London. “[Experts] are predicting that there will be more cicadas than stars in the milky way galaxy. Our sessions will help people better understand their visits and their role in the cycle of life.”

LFOLA is an independently funded conservation and educational organization devoted to the acquisition and stewardship of our natural landscapes, and to ensuring all generations have a meaningful, lasting connection to nature and the land.

To learn more about how you might become involved with LFOLA, visit lfola.org.