The Conservation Foundation of DuPage embodies this idea through its many efforts to improve the local environment for DuPage County residents.

The meeting of the DuPage Democratic Club on Thursday, May 12^th will feature Jim Kleinwachter of the Conservation speaking about their Conservation@Home program. Our meeting will start at 8 PM and will be held at the Lombard Commons, 433 E. St. Charles Road, Lombard (southeast corner of Grace and St. Charles Road).

The first official meeting of The Conservation Foundation (then called the Forest Foundation of DuPage County) was in January of 1972. The founders of this organization were Brooks McCormick, Paul Butler, William B. Greene, Bill Rutherford, H.C. "Chuck" Johnson, Carleton Nadelhoffer, Marvin Chandler, Donald Carlson and Mark Bisbee McCormick. All of these individuals were leaders in the DuPage County, Illinois, community.

In 1973, the Foundation completed its first preservation of open space. William B. Greene donated the 260-acre Greene Homestead Property, which is now part of the Greene Valley Forest Preserve near Woodridge, Illinois. This was the first of many land preservation projects for the Foundation in the far west suburbs of Chicago.

On October 1, 1974, a resolution was passed by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County to formally constitute the Forest Foundation of DuPage County as an official support organization of the District. The structure of the Foundation consisted of nine trustees, five of whom were appointed by the District.

In the meantime, land preservation continued. In 1975, 35 acres of what is now known as the Paul Butler Nature Preserve within Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook, Illinois, was acquired at a bargain price from Mr. Butler. The Sam Dean Memorial Building was constructed on the site the next year, honoring this strong supporter of the Foundation.

In the late seventies, the Foundation began hosting nature art shows, nature photography shows and cross county ski competitions. The Foundation initiated the formation of other conservation groups in the early eighties. Some of these groups still exist independently today including Friends of the Furred and Feathered (now called the Willowbrook Wildlife Foundation) and Friends of Danada.

In 1988, the Foundation hired its first Executive Director, Jean Connell, and underwent restructuring. The trustees were no longer partly appointed by the Forest Preserve District and a public membership drive began. Also, the Foundation acquired its current name, The Conservation Foundation, and was completely independent of the Forest Preserve District.

Sam Dean was a strong supporter of the Foundation up until his death in 1975. His widow, Dorothy Dean, has illustrated her support for the Foundation's work in many ways. Besides significant financial support, in 1995 Dorothy Dean Cavenaugh donated her 40-acre estate in Oak Brook, Illinois, subject to a life estate. The Oak Brook Park District will operate this natural area in the future as the Sam & Dorothy Dean Nature Sanctuary. The Conservation Foundation worked on this project for several years with Dorothy, Oak Brook Park District and McDonald's Corporation in making Dorothy's dream become a reality.  The Conservation Foundation holds the conservation easement placed over these 40 acres.

Lenore McDonald donated her 60-acre Naperville, Illinois, farm in 1992 subject to a life estate. Full control was passed to The Conservation Foundation in December 1997. The farm is unique in that it is completely surrounded by the suburban sprawl of Naperville, yet still functions as a farm. There are historic buildings on the site and a master plan has been developed for its use for conservation, agriculture and education.  The Foundation's office is located here.

Today, The Conservation Foundation is one of the regions largest and oldest private conservation organizations -- with more than 3,000 members and donors, and more than 500 volunteers who contribute 20,000 hours per year. These volunteers work on several projects as part of the DuPage River Coalition, the Friends of McDonald Farm, the Bikeable Roads and Trails, and the West Chicago Prairie Stewardship Group.

We hope that you can attend our May meeting. The meeting will be followed by a period of informal conversation and fellowship, with refreshment being served.

DuPage County Democratic Home Page

Other issues of the DuPage Democrat