2026-06-26T12:38:47+00:00 2025-09-30 331498605 Plante & Moran PLLC 10 SOUTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA 9TH FLOOR CHICAGO IL 60606 990 2024-10-01 362649603 OPENLANDS OPEN 3128636250 25 E WASHINTON ST 1650 CHICAGO IL 606021708 MICHAEL DAVIDSON CEO 3128636250 2026-06-26 true true DAVID LOWENTHAL CPA P00378651 3122071040 2026-06-25 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z MICHAEL DAVIDSON 25 E WASHINTON ST 1650 CHICAGO IL 606021708 14874598 false X WWW.OPENLANDS.ORG X 1963 IL OPENLANDS PROTECTS THE NATURAL AND OPEN SPACES OF NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS AND THE SURROUNDING REGION TO ENSURE CLEANER AIR AND WATER, PROTECT NATURAL HABITATS AND WILDLIFE, AND HELP BALANCE AND ENRICH OUR LIVES. 29 29 60 1269 0 9360666 10589565 144221 149982 940635 863088 -126053 -105735 10319469 11496900 283913 325938 0 3872034 3992018 0 0 622636 5041065 3341986 9197012 7659942 1122457 3836958 38497137 43306045 2649135 2261840 35848002 41044205 X OPENLANDS PROTECTS THE NATURAL AND OPEN SPACES OF NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS AND THE SURROUNDING REGION TO ENSURE CLEANER AIR AND WATER, PROTECT NATURAL HABITATS AND WILDLIFE, AND HELP BALANCE AND ENRICH OUR LIVES. false false 2247528 5000 157417 Forestry and Community Engagement - Openlands Forestry programming supports the planting of trees with community residents on public land and educates residents in the care and advocacy around the urban forest. In FY 25, Openlands planted 1,3158 trees. Through the Openlands TreeKeeper Certification Course, community residents gain the knowledge and skills needed to care for, protect, and advocate for trees. In FY25 trained 123 individuals. TreeKeepers participated in 255 volunteer events, resulting in 4,446 trees pruned and 1,362 trees inventoried. 1296856 320938 Restoration and Greenways - Openlands works to return the Chicago Region to a healthy state for nature, wildlife, and people. We work with diverse partners to accomplish ecological restoration goals that ensure resilient and biodiverse ecosystems for years to come.In 2025: we continued phase 1 of a 1,500 acre grassland bird restoration project in the Grant Creek Watershed at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. 1283137 7980 Land Preservation - As Chicago's regional land trust, Openlands connects and energizes the region through strategic collaboration and local partnerships that protect land, water, and wildlife. In 2025, Openlands acquired and transferred land holdings to regional partners in and around the metro Chicago area. The Lands In Harmony program allowed over 70 private landowners to learn about sustainable land management for their properties 434588 Policy - In the City of Chicago, Openlands has been actively engaged with the Urban Forestry Advisory Board and also published a policy report calling for an update of the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance. Regionally, Openlands celebrated the passage of successful ballot measures in DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties that will generate $669 million in new funding to support their forest preserves and conservation district over the next 20 years. In state government, Openlands advocated for legislation that upholds our values and mission. Openlands was instrumental in the passage of a new state law to strengthen protections for township open space districts. Federally, Openlands advocated for the Forest Conservation Easement Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. 396647 23540 Other Programs 831235 23540 5658756 true true false true false false true false false true true false false true true false true false false false false false false false true false false true false true false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false true 48 0 true 60 true false false false false false true true false false false false false false X 29 29 false false false false false false false true true false false false true true true true true true true true false false IL X X MICHAEL DAVIDSON 3128636250 E WASHINGTON ST Chicago IL 606021708 Alan Bell Secretary 5.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 Glenn Reed Vice-Chair 5.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 James Rachlin Treasurer 5.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 Joann Seagren Chair 5.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 Alexa Rice Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ANNE TUCKER DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Bill Clarkin Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Carey Roberts Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Carrie McNally Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 CHRIS WU DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Daisy Feidt Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Daniel Lauderback Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DOUGLAS VOIGT DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Garrett Dee Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 George Davis Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Jill Allread Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Jonathan Copulsky Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Joseph Russo Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Kerl Lajeune Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Laura Rosenkranz Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Lynn Buhl Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Martina Keller Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Matt Dobry Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 NICOLE WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Patrick Hanley Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Raed Mansour Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sachin Master Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Daniella Pereira COO 35.0 0.0 X 157829 0 16904 Michael Davidson President and CEO 35.0 0.0 X 232538 0 13997 Emily Reusswig VP of Policy and Land Preservation 35.0 0.0 X 133027 0 15169 Monica Jirak Director of Development 35.0 0.0 X 100865 0 9509 Paul Spector Director of Finance 35.0 0.0 X 111476 0 11527 735735 0 67106 5 false true false Homer Tree Service Inc 16464 W 143rd St Lockport IL 60441 Land Clearing 388420 Studio Watershed 1507 Sheridan Rd Highland Park IL 60035 Strategic Planning Consulting 198000 Hilton Chicago Park US Lessee 720 S Michigan Ave Chicago IL 60605 Event Service 103948 3 319931 1880093 8389541 1028974 10589565 REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION 149982 149982 0 0 0 0 149982 848464 848464 24250 0 24250 0 24250 24250 1262077 1945379 1262158 1930674 -81 14705 14624 14705 -81 54881 319931 184866 -129985 -129985 0 0 0 0 0 11496900 188937 0 718398 325938 325938 473266 210323 167656 95287 0 0 0 0 2856398 2046037 481591 328770 75988 55718 15470 4800 357482 278969 52095 26418 228884 164665 38429 25790 27213 27213 51868 51868 27608 27608 709345 346309 347820 15216 47133 36842 4672 5619 100576 71063 15872 13641 437236 368094 16151 52991 18029 15392 1524 1113 80859 47320 17815 15724 31903 27448 2518 1937 78673 24796 53877 Impairment Reserve Expense 660000 660000 Landscape & Materials 623147 623147 Dues and Subscriptions 61232 45421 6602 9209 387164 284061 76982 26121 7659942 5658756 1378550 622636 9117531 15851651 4955477 2614132 247256 655267 0 0 150000 150000 271527 292618 7001606 391266 7988002 6610340 10656211 12273316 0 0 5111133 4858721 38497137 43306045 368798 401503 335192 341462 0 1945145 1518875 2649135 2261840 X 5819282 8990885 30028720 32053320 35848002 41044205 38497137 43306045 X 3836958 902745 456500 X false true true true true X 8877994 8296104 7139205 9360666 10589565 44263534 0 0 8877994 8296104 7139205 9360666 10589565 44263534 10983348 33280186 252586 262684 455129 789601 872714 2632714 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 46896248 1168789 0.70966 0.677 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 2705 18956 21661 7015645 7037306 501865 0 125466 0 0 466230 571952 578971 501865 2119018 3178527 25167 20299 24343 21661 91470 116558 1452988 144743 125466 1839755 2759633 1776 10570 2705 15051 X X X X 64 3721.6 0 0 0 1 true 84.0 10255 8639807 2510 993459 278310 9357466 7405948 91000 1394507 251648 8639807 8260188 35800 826631 1716671 7405948 9859572 78200 -1393533 284051 8260188 6488664 2517040 1111220 257352 9859572 0.0 0.68 0.32 false false 6348231 6348231 200000 54551 145449 26716 26716 0 426659 309999 116660 6610340 BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN RETIREMENT FUND 420075 BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN TRUST 3503237 RIGHT-OF-USE ASSET 935409 4858721 Federal Income Taxes FISCAL AGENT DEPOSITS 46814 DEFERRED LEASE LIABILITY 1045919 BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN RETIREMENT FUND 420075 LAND SALE DEPOSITS 6067 1518875 13073409 902745 60006 641366 1604117 11469292 27608 0 27608 11496900 7877206 60006 184866 244872 7632334 27608 0 27608 7659942 Schedule D, Part II, Line 5 Conservation easements policy THE OPENLANDS EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP POLICY SETS PARAMETERS FOR MONITORING, INSPECTIONS, HANDLING OF VIOLATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT OF EASEMENTS HELD. THIS INCLUDES MAINTAIANING GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE LANDOWNERS AND COORDINATING WITH OTHERS WHEN EASEMENT RESPONSIBILITY IS SHARED WITH EASEMENT CO-HOLDERS Schedule D, Part II, Line 9 Conservation easements financial reporting EASEMENTS RECEIVED AS DONATIONS ARE NOT RECOGNIZED AS REVENUE AND NOTRECORDED ON THE BALANCE SHEET. Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 Intended uses of endowment funds THE OPENLANDS ENDOWMENT FUND IS INTENDED TO SERVE AS A PERMANENT, PERPETUAL FUND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE ONGOING OPERATION OF OPENLANDS THROUGH A COMBINATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND RETAINED EARNINGS. Schedule D, Part XI, Line 2(d) Other revenues in audited financial statements not in form 990 FUNDRAISING EXPENSES - 184866 CHANGE IN VALUE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN TRUST - 456500 Schedule D, Part XII, Line 2(d) Other expenses in audited financial statements not in form 990 FUNDRAISING EXPENSES - 184866 Annual Luncheon 374812 319931 54881 184866 0 0 374812 319931 54881 184866 184866 -129985 true The Wetlands Initiative 53 W Jackson Blvd Suite 1015 Chicago IL 60604 363942451 501(c)(3) 165341 0 N/A N/A Subgrant to The Wetlands Initiative for wetland restoration at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Origin Woods Restoration 11302 S Forrestville Avenue Chicago IL 60628 364328909 501(c)(3) 10000 0 N/A N/A ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - Origin Woods Restoration Friends of the Woodstock Public Library 414 West Judd Street Woodstock IL 60098 363262558 501(c)(3) 10000 0 N/A N/A ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - Prairie Roots: Planting Connections at the Woodstock Public Library Logan Square Preservation 2934 W Logan Boulevard Chicago IL 60647 363858039 501(c)(3) 10000 0 N/A N/A ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - Emil Biorn Community Garden and Memorial Park DeKalb County Regional Office Of Education 2500 N Annie Glidden Rd Suite C DeKalb IL 60115 823612299 GOV'T 10000 0 N/A N/A ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - The Basics Toddler Gardens The Conservation Foundation 10 S 404 Knoch Knolls Road Naperville IL 60565 237221206 501(c)(3) 10000 0 N/A N/A ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - Dixie Briggs Fromm Prairie Restoration Project The Theosophical Society in America 1926 N Main Street Wheaton IL 60187 362167934 501(c)(3) 10000 0 N/A N/A ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - Nurturing a Local Arboretum in a Time of Climate Change and Species Loss NeighborSpace 445 N Sacramento Blvd Suite 204 Chicago IL 60612 364105593 501(c)(3) 10000 0 N/A N/A ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - La Esquinita Community Garden Kendall County Forest Preserve District 110 West Madison Street Yorkville IL 60560 366006598 GOV'T 10000 0 N/A N/A ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - KCFPD Connecting Trail Corridors (Hoover, Subat and Fox River Bluffs Forest Preserve) Pollinator Habitat Enhancement Project Forest Preserve District of DuPage County 3S580 Naperville Road Wheaton IL 60189 366006552 GOV'T 10000 0 N/A N/A ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - New greenhouse for native seed collection and distribution in DuPage forest preserves, preserving pollinator habitat North Chicago Community Unit School District 187 2000 LEWIS AVENUE NORTH CHICAGO IL 60064 363660804 GOV'T 9850 0 N/A N/A COMED GREEN REGION 2025 GRANT - LANDSCAPE REDEVELOPMENT AT NEAL MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY Friends of Gray 5338 W Warwick Ave Chicago IL 60641 821840743 501(C)(3) 9647 0 N/A N/A COMED GREEN REGION 2025 GRANT - GRAY SCHOOL NATIVE GARDEN Climate Action Evanston PO Box 1748 Evanston IL 60201 275177173 501(C)(3) 9300 0 N/A N/A COMED GREEN REGION 2025 GRANT - WEST FOREST WATER MANAGEMENT Chicago Park District 4830 South Western Ave Chicago IL 60609 366005822 GOV'T 8265 0 N/A N/A COMED GREEN REGION 2025 GRANT - NORTH PARK VILLAGE NATIVE PLANT PROPAGATION INITIATIVE Latinos Progresando 2724 W Cermark Rd Chicago IL 60608 364355072 501(C)(3) 7683 0 N/A N/A COMED GREEN REGION 2025 GRANT - HAMMOND ELEMENTARY GREEN SCHOOLYARD STEWARDSHIP Just Roots PO Box 16444 Chicago IL 60616 824241543 501(C)(3) 5102 0 N/A N/A COMED GREEN REGION 2025 GRANT - BUILDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE THROUGH REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE Peace Village 10300 Village Circle Palos Park IL 60464 363386534 501(C)(3) 5000 0 N/A N/A COMED GREEN REGION 2025 GRANT - NATURE RESTORATION City of Harvard 201 W Diggins Street Harvard IL 60033 366005916 GOV'T 4750 0 N/A N/A COMED GREEN REGION 2025 GRANT - OAKTOBER TREE PLANTING AT LION'S PARK Flossmoor School District 161 41 E Elmwood Drive Chicago IL 60411 366004378 GOV'T 1000 0 N/A N/A COMED GREEN REGION 2025 GRANT - FLOSSMOOR SCHOOL DISTRICT 161 PARKER JUNIOR HIGH NATIVE POLLINATOR HABITAT PROJECT 19 0 Schedule I, Part I, Line 2 Procedures for monitoring use of grant funds THE WETLANDS INITIATIVE IS A SUBGRANTEE UNDER OUR FEDERAL AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGE GRANT. THEY WERE SELECTED AS A PARTNER AND SUBGRANTEE BASED ON THEIR UNIQUE ABILITY TO MANAGE THE WETLANDS RESTORATION WORK ON THE GROUND AT MIDEWIN TALL GRASS PRAIRIE. COMED GREEN REGION GRANTS ARE REVIEWED AND RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING BY A VOLUNTEER ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND MEMBERS OF THE CONSERVATION COMMUNITY. COMMONWEALTH EDDISON (COMED) APPROVES THE FINAL LIST OF GRANTEES RECOMMENDED BY OPENLANDS. X X false false false false false false false false false Michael Davidson President and CEO 232538 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13997 0 246535 0 0 0 Daniella Pereira COO 157829 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16904 0 174733 0 0 0 275 38974 Market value 1 990000 Other - Professional Valuation 0 false true false Schedule M, Part I Explanations of reporting method for number of contributions Securities - Publicly traded - Number of shares Real estate - Other - For Conservation Number of parcels Form 990, Part III, Line 4a-4c Description of program services (Expenses $ 434,588 including grants of $) Policy - In the City of Chicago, Openlands has been actively engaged with the Urban Forestry Advisory Board and also published a policy report calling for an update of the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance. Regionally, Openlands celebrated the passage of successful ballot measures in DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties that will generate $669 million in new funding to support their forest preserves and conservation district over the next 20 years. In state government, Openlands advocated for legislation that upholds our values and mission. Openlands was instrumental in the passage of a new state law to strengthen protections for township open space districts. Federally, Openlands advocated for the Forest Conservation Easement Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Form 990, Part III, Line 4a-4c Description of program services (Expenses $ 396,647 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 23,540) Other Programs Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Review of form 990 by governing body THE BOARD RETAINS THE SERVICES OF AN INDEPENDENT CPA FIRM TO PREPARE THE ORGANIZATION'S FORM 990. THE ORGANIZATION'S DIRECTOR OF FINANCE WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE FORM 990 PREPARER IN ANSWERING ALL QUESTIONS ON THE FORM AS WELL AS PROVIDING ACCURATE FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION. A DRAFT OF THE FORM IS THEN REVIEWED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE PRIOR TO FINALIZATION. ANY CHANGES THEY DETERMINE ARE REQUIRED ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE FORM PRIOR TO FILING. A COPY OF THE FORM 990 IS PROVIDED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BOARD BEFORE IT IS FILED. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Conflict of interest policy ANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS ARE PROVIDED BY THE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a Process to establish compensation of top management official THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE PRESIDENT/CEO'S COMPENSATION. DATA FROM A REVIEW OF COMPENSATION FOR COMPARABLE POSITIONS IN OTHER SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS IS UTILIZED. THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATES IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL SALARY SURVEYS AND USES THE RESULTS TO EVALUATE THE COMPENSATION OF THE CEO. THE PRESIDENT/CEO REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE COO'S COMPENSATION. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b Process to establish compensation of other employees THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE PRESIDENT/CEO'S COMPENSATION. DATA FROM A REVIEW OF COMPENSATION FOR COMPARABLE POSITIONS IN OTHER SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS IS UTILIZED. THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATES IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL SALARY SURVEYS AND USES THE RESULTS TO EVALUATE THE COMPENSATION OF THE CEO. THE PRESIDENT/CEO REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE COO'S COMPENSATION. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Required documents available to the public OPENLANDS MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAIABLE ON OUR WEBSITE Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 Other changes in net assets or fund balances CHANGE IN VALUE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN TRUST - 456500; Total - 456500;