There is a famous Native American proverb:
With the planet warming and development increasing, it is important that we work tirelessly to further our mission and aspire to be the generation that will see Forest Park restored. It is important to protect this gift, so that our children, city and region can continue to live a healthy and active lifestyle, where clean air and green infrastructure set us apart from other metropolitan areas. When I look back over the past year, I am proud of our accomplishments and excited and hopeful about the future. Through the work of dedicated staff, volunteers and funders, we doubled the miles of trail maintained, engaged 547 students in environmental education and launched the Greater Forest Park Conservation Initiative, a 20-year collaborative strategy to enhance and protect over 15,000 acres of public and private land within the Greater Forest Park Ecosystem.
This is just the beginning! With growing ecological pressures associated with urban areas, we have the opportunity, as a community, as partners, to make significant strides in restoring the health of the Greater Forest Park Ecosystem. This endeavor will take significant financial and staffing resources over the years to come, but with dedicated volunteers, passionate staff and an engaged community behind us, we will succeed! Thank you for supporting our mission and for your dedication and love for Forest Park.
For the Forest,
Renee