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Get Outside
- Get Outside Mega Menu
  
  Explore the Region’s Trails, Waterways, and Outdoor Spaces.
  
  The Openlands Get Outside Map
  
  With the Openlands Get Outside Map, discover places and ways to enjoy nature in the Chicago region.
  
  Paddle Northeastern Illinois
  
  An interactive guide to the Northeastern Illinois water trails system, which encompasses 10 waterways, ranging from creeks that flow through densely wooded forest preserves to the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago.
  
  Explore Regional Trails
  
  Utilizing trails is the easiest way to enjoy our region’s natural landscape. Find peace and solitude or share an experience with family and friends while you run, bike, or hike in natural serenity!
  
  Paddling Newsletter Signup
Get Involved
- Get Involved Mega Menu
  
  There are many ways to help protect the nature you love with Openlands.
  
  Take Action Now
  
  One of the simplest ways you can take action against Climate Change is by advocating for the protection of nature and wildlife. Learn more about current campaigns to support.
  
  Education Programs
  
  Learn more about our Education programs including, Birds in My Neighborhood, Space to Grow, and school garden support opportunities.
  
  Training & Certification
  
  Join our ever-growing community of tree ambassadors that care for the Urban Forest in Chicagoland.
  
  Bring your property into harmony with nature
  
  View volunteer opportunities
  
  Sign up as an arborist employer
  
  Newsletter Signup
Get Help
- Get Help Mega Menu
  
  Get the help, information, and resources you need to maintain and protect your land.
  
  Property Owner Landscape Practices
  
  Bring your property into harmony with the Earth through conservation-friendly practices.
  
  Protecting Public & Private Lands
  
  Learn more about how we help public and private landowners create a web of healthy land and water across the Chicago metropolitan region.
  
  Food and Farmland
  
  Learn more about conservation-friendly practices for farmland in our region.
  
  ComEd Green Region Grant
  
  TreePlanters Grants
  
  Urban Forestry
  
  Contact Us
Get Expertise
- Get Expertise Mega Menu
  
  Stewarding environmental responsibility and change in the region for 60 years.
  
  Our Experts
  
  As innovative protectors and stewards of the land, we work to create access to nature for all.
  
  Learn About Our Projects
  
  Our projects strive to give back to our region’s open spaces and create new ones so that we can continue to enjoy their solace and health benefits for generations to come.
  
  Get the Help You Need
  
  Questions for us? Contact our expert team.
  
  Newsletter Signup
Get Me To
- Get Me To Mega Menu
  
  Find a place to hike, paddle, and explore
  
  Take action on a current campaign
  
  Learn about ways to support Openlands
  
  Register to volunteer
  
  Register to be a certified TreeKeeper
  
  Register to be an Arborist Apprentice
  
  Get technical assistance with my property
  
  Contact a conservation expert at Openlands
  
  Apply for a TreePlanters Grant
  
  Apply for the ComEd Green Region Grant
  
  Newsletter Signup
  
  Shop the Openlands Native Plants Sale!
  
  Give nature and the land you love something big by planting something small. Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale offer a gorgeous selection of native plants that, in addition to soaking up stormwater, cleaning the air, and beautifying our properties, provide the much-needed habitat that pollinators and other wildlife depend on.
  
  Learn More

Search …

Search …

Get Outside
- Get Outside Mega Menu
  
  Explore the Region’s Trails, Waterways, and Outdoor Spaces.
  
  The Openlands Get Outside Map
  
  With the Openlands Get Outside Map, discover places and ways to enjoy nature in the Chicago region.
  
  Paddle Northeastern Illinois
  
  An interactive guide to the Northeastern Illinois water trails system, which encompasses 10 waterways, ranging from creeks that flow through densely wooded forest preserves to the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago.
  
  Explore Regional Trails
  
  Utilizing trails is the easiest way to enjoy our region’s natural landscape. Find peace and solitude or share an experience with family and friends while you run, bike, or hike in natural serenity!
  
  Paddling Newsletter Signup
Get Involved
- Get Involved Mega Menu
  
  There are many ways to help protect the nature you love with Openlands.
  
  Take Action Now
  
  One of the simplest ways you can take action against Climate Change is by advocating for the protection of nature and wildlife. Learn more about current campaigns to support.
  
  Education Programs
  
  Learn more about our Education programs including, Birds in My Neighborhood, Space to Grow, and school garden support opportunities.
  
  Training & Certification
  
  Join our ever-growing community of tree ambassadors that care for the Urban Forest in Chicagoland.
  
  Bring your property into harmony with nature
  
  View volunteer opportunities
  
  Sign up as an arborist employer
  
  Newsletter Signup
Get Help
- Get Help Mega Menu
  
  Get the help, information, and resources you need to maintain and protect your land.
  
  Property Owner Landscape Practices
  
  Bring your property into harmony with the Earth through conservation-friendly practices.
  
  Protecting Public & Private Lands
  
  Learn more about how we help public and private landowners create a web of healthy land and water across the Chicago metropolitan region.
  
  Food and Farmland
  
  Learn more about conservation-friendly practices for farmland in our region.
  
  ComEd Green Region Grant
  
  TreePlanters Grants
  
  Urban Forestry
  
  Contact Us
Get Expertise
- Get Expertise Mega Menu
  
  Stewarding environmental responsibility and change in the region for 60 years.
  
  Our Experts
  
  As innovative protectors and stewards of the land, we work to create access to nature for all.
  
  Learn About Our Projects
  
  Our projects strive to give back to our region’s open spaces and create new ones so that we can continue to enjoy their solace and health benefits for generations to come.
  
  Get the Help You Need
  
  Questions for us? Contact our expert team.
  
  Newsletter Signup
Get Me To
- Get Me To Mega Menu
  
  Find a place to hike, paddle, and explore
  
  Take action on a current campaign
  
  Learn about ways to support Openlands
  
  Register to volunteer
  
  Register to be a certified TreeKeeper
  
  Register to be an Arborist Apprentice
  
  Get technical assistance with my property
  
  Contact a conservation expert at Openlands
  
  Apply for a TreePlanters Grant
  
  Apply for the ComEd Green Region Grant
  
  Newsletter Signup
  
  Shop the Openlands Native Plants Sale!
  
  Give nature and the land you love something big by planting something small. Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale offer a gorgeous selection of native plants that, in addition to soaking up stormwater, cleaning the air, and beautifying our properties, provide the much-needed habitat that pollinators and other wildlife depend on.
  
  Learn More

Search …

Home / About Us / Who We Are / Our People

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Our People

We are committed innovators, conveners, and stewards of the land, guided by 60 years of impact and experience.

Home / About Us / Who We Are / Our People

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Who We Are
What We Do
Where We Work
Contact Us

Who We Are
What We Do
Where We Work
Contact Us

Our Expert Staff

Gerald W. Adelmann

President & CEO

Openlands Staff Ders Anderson

Ders Anderson

Greenways Director

Openlands Staff Laura Barghusen

Laura Barghusen

Blueways Director

JoVaan Bennett

JoVaan Bennett

Arborist Apprentice

Openlands Staff Chris Bourbois

Chris Bourbois

Conservation Ecologist

Openlands Staff Stephanie Carper

Stephanie Carper

Director of Development

Our Board of Directors

Openlands Board Member JoAnn Seagren

JoAnn Seagren

Chair

Openlands Board Glenn Reed

Glenn W. Reed

Vice Chair

Openlands Board Member Alan Bell

Alan M. Bell

Secretary

Openlands Board member James Rachlin

James Rachlin

Treasurer

Openlands Board Member Carrie McNally

Carrie C. McNally

Immediate Past Chair

Openlands Board Member Jill Allread

Jill Allread

Executive Committee

Careers at Openlands

Join us in conserving nature for life.

Explore open positions

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© 2023 Openlands

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About Openlands
Explore the Outdoors
Openlands Projects
Openlands Programs
Openlands Campaigns
Ways to Give
News
Events
Contact Us

About Openlands

About Openlands

Who We Are
People
Openlands History
Accountability & Impact
Strategic Plan
Careers

Who We Are
People
Openlands History
Accountability & Impact
Strategic Plan
Careers

What We Do
Growing the Tree Canopy
Protecting Land, Water, & Wildlife
Empowering People & Communities
Advocating for Policy Solutions

What We Do
Growing the Tree Canopy
Protecting Land, Water, & Wildlife
Empowering People & Communities
Advocating for Policy Solutions

Where We Work

Where We Work

Take Action – Current Campaigns

Take Action – Current Campaigns

News

News

Events

Events

Newsletter Signup

Openlands Programs
TreeKeepers®
Arborist Registered Apprenticeship
TreePlanters Grant
Garden & Nature-Based Education
Birds in My Neighborhood®
Space to Grow®
Lands in Harmony®
ComEd Green Region Grant
Native Tree & Plant Sale
Conservation Easements
Land Trust Technical Assistance
Food and Farmland

Openlands Programs
TreeKeepers®
Arborist Registered Apprenticeship
TreePlanters Grant
Garden & Nature-Based Education
Birds in My Neighborhood®
Space to Grow®
Lands in Harmony®
ComEd Green Region Grant
Native Tree & Plant Sale
Conservation Easements
Land Trust Technical Assistance
Food and Farmland

Explore Maps
Get Outside Map
Regional Trails Maps
Paddle Northeastern Illinois

Explore Maps
Get Outside Map
Regional Trails Maps
Paddle Northeastern Illinois

Volunteer with Openlands

Volunteer with Openlands

Projects
Little Calumet River
The African American Heritage Water Trail
Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
Liberty Prairie Reserve
Greenways
Openlands Lakeshore Preserve

Projects
Little Calumet River
The African American Heritage Water Trail
Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
Liberty Prairie Reserve
Greenways
Openlands Lakeshore Preserve

Arborist Apprenticeship
How to Apply
Meet the Apprentices
Employ an Apprentice

Arborist Apprenticeship
How to Apply
Meet the Apprentices
Employ an Apprentice

Ways to Give
Donate Now
The Openlands Annual Luncheon
Green Legacy Society
Employee Matching Gifts
Corporate Giving
Stock Gifts

Ways to Give
Donate Now
The Openlands Annual Luncheon
Green Legacy Society
Employee Matching Gifts
Corporate Giving
Stock Gifts

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