News Release
Support DuPage Forest Preserves on GivingTuesday and Double Your Gift
Matching gifts on Dec. 3 benefit nature, wildlife, and conservation efforts
DuPage County residents are encouraged to keep their GivingTuesday donations local by supporting DuPage forest preserves on Dec. 3.
Board members from the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will match every donation dollar-for-dollar, doubling contributions to support wildlife and natural areas across the county.
From Dec. 3 through Dec. 31, donations made to the Friends will be matched up to $13,800 thanks to the commitment and generosity of the foundation's volunteer board of directors. These funds will help care for injured wildlife, restore local habitats, and expand conservation efforts countywide.
To contribute, donors may give online at dupageforest.org/friends or mail a check payable to Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County at 3S580 Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60189.
“This giving opportunity through the Friends is a wonderful example of thinking globally and acting locally,” said Diane Addante, who is completing her second three-year term on the Friends board. “Here in DuPage County, the District protects and enhances habitats, improves air and water quality, and safeguards vital natural resources for future generations.”
In addition to supporting ongoing habitat restoration, this year the Friends is helping fund construction of the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center in Glen Ellyn. The new center, slated to reopen in summer 2025, will provide veterinary care and treatment to injured wildlife. During construction, the existing center has continued treating wildlife patients, with more than 10,500 admissions this year alone.
Donations to the Friends have also supported habitat restoration at preserves like Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn and West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve in West Chicago.
Businesses and civic groups are invited to learn about the Friends’ Community Partners program, which connects charitable giving with nature-focused initiatives at dupageforest.org/get-involved/community-partners.
For more information about the Friends, contact the Forest Preserve District’s Partnership & Philanthropy team at 630-871-6400 or fundraising@dupageforest.org.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County improves the quality of life for all DuPage County residents. Its 26,000 acres of woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and waterways contribute to cleaner air and water, help with flood control, create vital habitats for wildlife, and provide safe spaces where people can boost their physical and mental health. More than 5.5 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 175 miles of trails, seven education centers, and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter and Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok pages.