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As the chairman of the Executive Committee of the Cook County Forest Preserve Foundation’s board of directors, Stu Cohn works with the board’s eleven other volunteer members to organize fundraisers, educational programs, and conservation events that reflect the mission of the county’s Forest Preserve District.
Cohn is a graduate of the University of Chicago and works as an attorney operating the Law Offices of Stuart A. Cohn. His previous work includes serving as executive vice president for the online brokerage firm Web Street, Inc., which was later acquired by E-Trade Financial. Cohn’s work with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County began in his capacity as an attorney when he helped establish the foundation in 2013. Cohn then accepted an invitation to join the foundation’s board. His other community service efforts include work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago and the American Youth Soccer Organization.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Forest Preserve Foundation is an independent entity that raises funds to support the protection and restoration of native habitats in the county’s forest preserve system, primarily through the development of partnerships with corporations, individual donors and other foundations. This fall, the foundation will help the Forest Preserve District of Cook County celebrate its 100th anniversary. Celebrations will include 100 activities open to the public throughout the district including bike rides, nature walks, hiking, live music and movies.
The Daily Whale sat down recently with Cohn to learn more about the foundation’s educational programs and conservation efforts. An edited transcription of that conversation follows.
DW: How would you sum up the mission of the Cook County Forest Preserve Foundation?
SC: The Forest Preserve Foundation exists first and foremost to support the mission and the objectives of the Forest Preserve District, specifically in the areas of restoration and preservation of natural habitats and also enhancing the outdoor experience of Cook County residents, particularly with a focus on outdoor education and making those features of the forest preserves available to all parts of the community.
DW: The foundation provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to fund nature and education programs. What are some examples of programs that benefit from these grants?
SC: One program would be Citizen Scientists, where student groups are taken to Forest Preserve District locations and they have educational experiences around the botany and ecology of the outdoors. They’re also exposed to the possibilities of careers in the sciences, particularly biological and botanical sciences. Another would be a group called Nature Express. They simply provide transportation. It’s for our members of the community who cannot easily get from point A to point B to take advantage of the forest preserve. … Then a third would be the Conservation Corps, which is a youth work training program focused on conservation and the environment, including young people who have had contact with the juvenile justice system and others who perhaps have not but who are out of work.
DW: Who are some of the foundation’s largest supporters?
SC: Our largest supporter is CSX Transportation, which has been a generous supporter since day one. We also have received lead gifts and a great deal of support from BMO Harris Bank plus about 200 other corporations and individuals.
DW: You’ve been involved with the Cook County Forest Preserve Foundation since its inception. In what ways have you seen the organization develop over the years?
SC: When we started, … we had a volunteer board and it was difficult to make a lot of headway on the efforts of volunteers only. … We really knew we needed to bring in an executive director, but it was a bit of a catch-22 because you need to raise money to hire a director and executive directors are the ones that help you raise money. So we had to figure out a way to cut that knot, and we did with a grant from the Forest Preserve District that enabled the foundation to hire its first executive director, Shelley Davis, in 2013. Really since then, we’ve expanded our budget, our programming, our board, and our brand and name recognition.
DW: What are some initiatives the foundation is working on for the summer?
SC: The principal event for the summer is the activities surrounding the 100 year anniversary of the forest preserves. That will culminate the weekend of Sept. 25 – 27. It’s called 100 Years, 100 Events. The public will be invited to experience the forest preserves in a variety of ways, including camping, biking and contributing to natural restoration – also hiking. On Sept. 26, the Forest Preserve Foundation is hosting an event at the Thatcher Pavilion in River Forest that will showcase many of the activities available, including a family food event.
DW: One of the Forest Preserve Foundation’s largest events of the year is the Conservation Cup. Can you explain what that event is about?
SC: The Conservation Cup is our primary funding event that takes place in September. It’s held in the George Dunn golf course, which is the crown jewel of the eleven golf courses in the Forest Preserve District. It’s one of the most beautiful golf courses in the country, and it is a public access golf course. We host a fundraising event there. We have 144 golfers. This is our fourth year. [Cook County Board] President [Toni] Preckwinkle attends, greets and takes pictures with all of the golfers. Our budget this year is to raise $175,000. We’re still selling a few foursomes.
DW: Why did you decide to get involved with the Forest Preserve Foundation?
SC: Years ago I ran into a friend of mine, [former Cook County Commissioner] Mario Moreno, … [and] I helped him form a neighborhood non-profit organization. Then shortly after that Al Pritchett, who was our founding chairman, … asked [the Forest Preserve Board] if anybody knew a lawyer who could help form a non-profit. Mario Moreno raised his hand in the air and said, “I got the guy for you.” That’s how I got recruited as a volunteer. So I was really a lawyer for the organization for a few years and then got asked if I would be interested in joining the board, which I did because obviously I think very highly of what the organization is doing and the people that are involved.
DW: Are there any ways Chicago or Cook County is unique in regards to conservation?
SC: The Forest Preserve of Cook County is one of the oldest forest preserves in the country. It occupies 10 percent of the land footprint in the county: 69,000 acres. So in that respect we’re unusual in terms of size. We have numerous cultural, Native American and early European settler artifacts. We have very ecologically diverse natural habitats, including wetlands, prairies, woodlands and savannahs.
DW: What is your favorite part about working for the Cook County Forest Preserve Foundation?
SC: The mission of supporting preservation of outdoor education. [My wife and I] have four sons. All of our sons attended wilderness camps for many years when they were younger. My wife and I are big believers in the virtues of outdoor education and being exposed to nature. Also, it’s a very fine group of volunteers who are very dedicated and committed to the mission – as well as an outstanding executive director.
DW: Do you reside in Cook County?
SC: We’re in Cook County, but in the suburbs. We live in Winnetka. It’s a very nice, family-oriented community. It has good schools. We like the location. It’s close to the lake and has good access to downtown Chicago.
DW: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
SC: I’m a lawyer by day. I have a wonderful wife and four sons. I’m an avid exerciser, although my days of outdoor running are behind me. I call myself a health club rat. I read quite a bit of history. I like military history and a variety of nonfiction.