We are so honored and proud to announce that The Conservation Foundation and two of our staff members were recognized with awards by the Garfield Heritage Society and Campton Historical Agricultural Lands.
This year, Garfield Farm Museum recognized individuals who were willing to sell their family property to be preserved as open space, naming them Cooperators for Campton’s Conservation. The Goldenstein Family and The Conservation Foundation were deemed Cooperators for Campton’s Conservation as the last two owners of two parcels of land that came to the Campton Township Open Space Program. Growing up on their family farm, sisters Margaret and Katherine “Kay” Goldenstein had a deep attachment to their family land and desired for it ultimately to be preserved. After Katherine’s death in 2019, the family heirs were receptive to the sisters’ wishes and sold the land to The Conservation Foundation as part of a buy and hold transaction in partnership with Campton Township. We were able to purchase the land and hold it for Campton Township until they were ready to take ownership. The Goldenstein land and all of the natural benefits it offers will now be available for public enjoyment.
Back in 1992, Garfield Farm Museum gave an Environmental Preservation award to The Conservation Foundation. Now, 34 years later, they have bestowed the same honor upon our President/CEO, Brook McDonald, this year presenting him with an Environmental Preservation award. Brook has served for 30 years as our President/CEO in charge of the day-to-day operations, and prior to his time at The Conservation Foundation he also did conservation work for the Wheaton Park District and Forest Preserve District of DuPage County for 10 years prior. Garfield Farm Museum wrote the following about Brook: “This forty-year commitment to the environment with his steadfast 30 years to the Foundation has provided critical leadership continuity. This has greatly strengthened and made the Foundation a vital ally in helping governmental, private, and nonprofit environmental efforts in the Chicago metro region and the Fox River Valley. His leadership has demonstrated a way to bring the power of the many individual lovers of nature to have as great or greater impact than the region’s historic individual philanthropists that first began saving open space over 140 years ago. The museum is pleased to present McDonald with its Environmental Preservation Award.”
Our sincere thanks to Garfield Heritage Society and Campton Historical Agricultural Lands for this recognition and for our many years and decades of impactful partnership!