An anonymous private foundation and Wintrust Financial Corporation, a financial services company founded in Lake County, have together donated $1.5 million to endow two popular forest preserves. The funds will be used to care for nearly 1,000 acres of public land and ensure they remain ecologically healthy for future generations.

Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago and Lyons Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan are islands of green in one of Lake County’s most densely populated regions.

“Homes, businesses, roads and industry surround and place pressure on the two preserves,” said Angelo Kyle, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “We are actively restoring these lands through grants, volunteer support and capital funds. These generous charitable gifts will help ensure the preserves remain healthy for residents today and forever.”

Northeastern Lake County bears the heaviest burden of environmental and health inequities in the area, as highlighted in a Brushwood Center study, "Health, Equity and Nature: A Changing Climate in Lake County." The opportunity to invest in two of the most important green spaces serving residents in this region aligns with Wintrust’s commitment to build thriving communities and protect the environment.

“Wintrust aims to meet these goals by improving business operations, offering climate-friendly investments and making deeply impactful charitable gifts like this one,” said Steve Madden, chief executive officer of Libertyville Bank & Trust and north region market head, Wintrust Financial Corporation. “Lake County has more biodiversity than any other county in Illinois, and we all have a role to play in protecting it for plants, animals and people.”

The Forest Preserves relies on public funds to preserve land and restore it to diverse woodlands, wetlands, prairie and savanna. Charitable gifts like these protect the preserves against ongoing threats such as invasive species, exotic pests and climate change.

The Wintrust gift is the first major corporate gift in support of "Every Acre Strong," a community campaign for the Forest Preserves. Managed by the Forest Preserves’ charitable partner, the Preservation Foundation, the campaign aims to raise $20 million to endow beloved forest preserves including Greenbelt and Lyons Woods. "We are thrilled that Lake County’s leading bank, with its deep roots and commitment to community, has stepped forward as our first major corporate donor,” said Nels Leutwiler, president of the Preservation Foundation.

These two lead gifts will provide about 75% of the funds needed to endow Greenbelt and Lyons Woods, Leutwiler reported. “Our goal is $2 million, so we have just $500,000 to go. We hope Wintrust’s generosity will inspire other Lake County companies to step forward and help us close the gap.”

The Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves was established in 2007. A nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, the Foundation raises private support for forest preserve projects, programs and initiatives that might otherwise go unfunded. Its mission is to extend and accelerate the Forest Preserves goals through private philanthropy to restore and preserve natural and cultural resources in perpetuity.

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