Lake County's Forest Preserves will pursue a net-zero headquarters, ban single-use plastics and back a $20 million endowment under a sweeping four-year plan the Board of Commissioners approved on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The strategic objectives, published Aug. 17, translate the Forest Preserves' 25-year strategic directions into concrete actions through 2030. For residents who hike Fort Sheridan's 70-foot bluffs or bike nearby preserve trails, the plan signals a more aggressive push on sustainability and public access across the district's 31,800-plus acres.
"This plan gives us a clear path forward at an important moment for the Forest Preserves," executive director Ty Kovach said in a statement published with the plan. "Residents have entrusted us with protecting more land, restoring wildlife habitat and improving public access. These objectives will help us fulfill that commitment while building an organization capable of caring for these investments well into the future."
Sustainability targets
The environmental commitments are specific. The Forest Preserves will reduce carbon dioxide emissions tied to energy use by 15% by 2030 and eliminate single-use plastics where alternatives exist by the end of 2027. Staff will also increase the use of natural and mechanical alternatives to chemical herbicides.
The highest-profile capital goal: developing a strategy to relocate the current headquarters in Libertyville and the Dunn Museum to a new "destination location" designed for net-zero operations. The district already runs a net-zero energy building at Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods, giving planners a working model.
No timeline has been set.
$20 million endowment push
The plan formally backs the Preservation Foundation's "Every Acre Strong" campaign, which aims to build a $20 million endowment by Dec. 31, 2027. That fund would provide permanent revenue for long-term land stewardship across the system.
How much has been raised so far was not disclosed.
Land, trails and access
Other priorities include completing projects funded through the voter-approved 2024 referendum and supporting the Lake Plain Coastal Preserves, described as Lake County's first 10,000-acre ecological complex. The district's trail network has grown from 114 miles in 2002 to 209 miles in 2026.
The plan also calls for more programs and printed materials in Spanish and sustainable funding for volunteer engagement in under-resourced communities.
What's next
Board president Jessica Vealitzek called the priorities ambitious, citing the district's permanent responsibility to the land it protects. The Forest Preserves will work with Lake County's state legislative delegation to pursue increased operating revenue and seek state and federal grants for high-priority projects.
Internally, the district plans to evaluate staffing needs, strengthen cross-department communication and launch a recurring employee survey.
The full plan is available at lcfpd.org/future-plan.
