Quarterly Foundation donation exceeds $40,000

_{From left to right are Forest Preserve Executive Director Tracy Chapman, Forest Preserve Board President Judy Ogalla, Foundation Executive Director Tara Neff, Forest Preserve Deputy Director Adam Oestmann, and Forest Preserve Board and Foundation Board members Julie Berkowicz, Elnalyn Costa and Dawn Bullock. (Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)}

Fundraising efforts by The Nature Foundation of Will County netted $45,200 in the most recent quarter.

Foundation Executive Director Tara Neff presented a check for that amount to the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at its Feb. 11 meeting. 

Neff said the money will support a wide variety of programs and initiatives in the District, including $11,500 to purchase prizes and incentives for the Route 66 Get Your Kicks Challenge, the Be a Trailblazer experience and the 2026 Preserve the Moment Photo Contest. 

“All of these activities help encourage people to visit new places, meet new people and spend time in the preserves,” Neff said. “All of these things make people happy and healthy.” 

The Foundation also will provide $9,200 for the District’s conservation department for prescribed burns. And a $5,000 donation from Pembina Pipeline will be used for invasive species management at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.

The Foundation also allocated more than $8,000 to the Restore Will County small grant program, which helps provide training tools, equipment and supplies to volunteer site stewards and the natural resource management department to help improve preserves throughout the county.

Another $7,500 is for visitor center exhibits including the Federal Duck Stamp Art Display exhibit at Plum Creek Nature Center and 'I Am Not a Costume' at Isle a la Cache Museum. 

“In addition, we are also providing funds for Isle a la Cache Museum staff to purchase supplies and archival materials to support their museum collections,” Neff said. 

Foundation funding totaling $12,000 will be used for the Willy’s Wilderness website, the care of animal ambassadors and supplies and equipment for public and nature education programs.

The Foundation was created to enhance the recreational and educational opportunities of the Forest Preserve. To find out more or to make a donation, visit willcountynature.org.