Preserving our common ground is the core of our mission.
Land preservation is about more than protecting open spaces and wildlife — it’s about caring for something we all share. Healthy land supports clean air and water, safeguards biodiversity, and helps buffer the effects of climate change. But beyond its ecological value, land also has the power to bring people together. In a time when so much feels divided, preserving natural areas reminds us of our common ground — literally and figuratively. Whether we hike, picnic, volunteer, or simply enjoy a quiet view, protected lands give everyone a place to connect with nature and with one another, fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility for the world around us.
I am so excited to share our two latest land preservation successes: the transfer of a 113-acre property to the Campton Township Open Space Program for the enjoyment of the public, and another 113 acres protected through a conservation easement in Grundy County along Nettle Creek.
We purchased the Goldenstein East property from the Goldenstein family in 2023 on behalf of the Campton Township Open Space Program, and have been holding it as they awaited grant funding. A couple of weeks ago, we were able to officially transfer the property, which will soon be open space for local residents and visitors to Campton Township to explore. Down in Grundy County, the Gore farm was once in the “middle of nowhere,” but large industrial facilities and warehouses are popping up closer and closer. This threat motivated Marion Gore to move forward with protecting the land that has meant so much to her, her late husband Arthur, and their children. The West Fork of Nettle Creek meanders through the property on its way to the Illinois River, and boasts a large population of mussels indicative of high water quality. Now this stretch of Nettle Creek, as well as the woodlands along it, and the farmland that offers rich restoration potential are preserved in perpetuity!
But we cannot lose our momentum. We need to keep pace, acting now to save and restore our forests and prairies, home of the trees and plants that clean our common air and give us places to escape the hustle and bustle, where we can breathe freely and better our mental and physical health.
Your gift to the Strengthening Our Foundation end-of-year campaign will help us protect the nature around us.
