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Kane Forest Preserve Foundation

Sponsor a Tree for the Next Century of Conservation

Overhead concept of Centennial Grove Project

LAUNCH THE NEXT 100 YEARS OF CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY

Sponsor a tree by June 30, 2025, to be featured on the second plaque!


Johnson’s Mound was the first property ever acquired by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. As the Forest Preserve District celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025, they’re kicking off the next century of conservation — and the Kane Forest Preserve Foundation is asking you to be a part of it.


The mature forest at Johnson’s Mound includes the very first trees planted in the Forest Preserve District. For a century, these trees here have stood tall, and offered shade, beauty and a sense of history. We invite you to be a part of this living legacy. By sponsoring one of 800 trees in the new Centennial Grove Project, you’re supporting the District’s next century of conservation, beginning at Johnson’s Mound. The Centennial Grove Project features:


  • 800 trees, mostly oaks, but also hickories and maples. These new trees will be planted adjacent to the very oldest trees in the Forest Preserve District. You also have the opportunity to plant your own!
  • A new 23-acre prairie
  • A public-art piece called Guardians, by renowned local artist Mike Baur
  • Benches to rest and reflect
  • An ADA-accessible limestone path to the new amenities, as well as a mowed trail
  • Bronze plaques displayed on monuments, gratefully acknowledging our sponsors


These new amenities will be unveiled at our Centennial Celebration — June 8 at noon at Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve. With your sponsorship, you’ll be planting more than just a tree — you’re planting a future. Your name can be forever tied to a forest that will grow and thrive for the next 100 years, and provide beauty and shelter for future generations to enjoy. Sponsor a tree in the Centennial Grove Project, today.

Sponsor a Tree
Sponsorship Brochure
Centennial Champions Map & GPS Locations

THE CENTENNIAL GROVE PROJECT AT JOHNSON’S MOUND

Follow a path through mature forest at Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve to the Centennial site. First, you’ll see the one-of-a-kind sculpture, Guardians, created specifically for the Centennial Grove by local artist Mike Baur.


Guardians is intended to capture the essence of the Midwest’s natural cycles, inspired by the seasonal winds that sweep through the region’s forests. As branches and trunks fall, they form intricate patterns that nourish the land and provide homes for wildlife. This two-part sculpture, a combination of concrete and steel, evokes the horizontal shapes and movements of downed wood, shaped by prairie winds. Standing as two monolithic figures, each is uniquely cast using molds fabricated from salvaged fallen trees. The sculpture embodies both the monumental and the intimate. Its design connects viewers with the forest, evoking the delicate balance between nature’s power and our role within it. Commissioned as part of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s 100-year celebration, Guardians is the District’s first public art piece. It will serve as a focal point for visitors, and encourage a deeper appreciation for the environment.


Outside Guardians are limestone monuments containing bronze plaques, gratefully acknowledging supporters of the Centennial Grove Project.


Beyond the circle, you’ll see the newly planted 23-acre prairie to the south, and the new centennial grove tree-planting, made up of 800 oaks, hickories and maples, to the north. Centennial Champion and Corporate Sponsors will have their trees planted prior to the Centennial Celebration, June 8. Heritage Partner Sponsors will have the opportunity to plant their 3-5-gallon tree during the Centennial Celebration.

RECOGNITION OF YOUR SUPPORT WILL LAST FOR GENERATIONS


On the outside of the Guardians sculptures, you’ll find limestone monuments featuring bronze-etched plaques. These plaques will feature sponsors of the Centennial Grove Project:


COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

Names of Centennial Champions ($800 sponsorship) will be displayed on a plaque in a prominent size. Larger, 1.5-inch caliper trees will be planted in their honor, with a year of tree care. Each Centennial Champion-level sponsor will receive the GPS location of their larger, pre-planted, 1.5-inch caliper tree, so they can come back and watch it grow and change over time. See the Sponsorship Brochure for additional benefits. 


Names of Heritage Partners ($400 sponsorship) will be displayed on a plaque in a smaller size. Heritage Partners have the opportunity to plant their 3-5-gallon tree at the event, otherwise, it will be planted for them. See the Sponsorship Brochure for additional benefits.


Names of Friends of the Forest ($100 sponsorship) will be displayed on this website.



CORPORATE PARTNERS

Various corporate sponsorship opportunities are available. All include prominently featured names on the bronze plaque and large, 1.5-inch caliper trees with GPS location. See the Sponsorship Brochure for detailed benefits. These elegant monuments and plaques will serve as a lasting tribute to the generosity and support of those helping to preserve and enhance the Kane County forest preserves.



CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Join us for the Centennial Celebration, when we’ll unveil these new amenities and celebrate!

Sunday, June 8, 2025 at Noon — Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve, 41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn.

Detail your services

If customers can’t find it, it doesn’t exist. Clearly list and describe the services you offer. Also, be sure to showcase a premium service.

The Centennial Grove at Johnson's Mound

    Thank you to our Centennial Sponsors

    CORPORATE PARTNERS


    Silver Sponsors

    REV Entertainment

    The Kane County Cougars Foundation


    Bronze Sponsors

    Midwest Groundcovers, LLC

    Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD

    Nancy Lamia


    CENTENNIAL CHAMPIONS

    Ball Horticultural Company

    The Conservation Foundation

    The Rich Foundation

    Shodeen Family Foundation

    Toyota Chicago Region

    Deborah Allan

    In Memory - Past Members BPDG

    Anthony Pauline Bartnick

    Jon & Joy Duerr

    Dolores Swanson Durrbeck

    The David Compton Family

    Haberthur Family

    Jeffrey M. King Family

    The McKittrick Family

    Irv & Mary Ochsenschlager Family

    Dave & Jen Petschke Family

    Tony & Cathy Sisto Family

    Christy Ford

    Dr. Earl & Patricia Hanson

    Gerald Hodge

    Michael, Leslie, Emma, and Madi Juby

    Chris and Linda Kious

    Kim Haag & Greg Knipp

    In Memory of Gerry Lanigan

    Ruth Ann Lanigan

    Mary & William Lenert

    Michael M Linder

    Dan, Julie, Molly, Katie Long

    Dan & Julie Long IMO Rob

    Cara Mansfield & Family

    Andy & Laurie Metanchuk

    James & Denise Morgan

    Sara Simon & Scott Murray

    In memory of Peter Orum

    Ted & Beth Penesis

    Miceli-Randolph Family

    John Rogner

    Laura M. Rudow

    Sarah J. Ryerson

    Andrew Scott & Sarah Luckart

    Bill and Marie Stammet

    Esther E. Steel

    Rick and Jennifer Williams

    HERITAGE PARTNERS

    AlphaGraphics St. Charles

    David and Paula Altekruse

      Rachel Baumbach

    Mari Stanis and Mike Baur

    William and Anne Burnidge

    James and Sarah Cain

    Laurel, Laura, Pat Chess

    Maeve, Owen, Eli, Alma, Oakes and Tighe Clough

    Paul Clusen

    FIA Kane County

    Phil and Sally Dunn

    The Dall & Weber Families

    The Meagher Family

    The Gawrys-Bixler Family

    Blauvelt Family

    The Brinkworth Family

    The Butler Family

    DL Dosado & Family

    Frasz Family

    Craig Hanson & Family

    Matt & Becky Henry Family

    The Morgan Family

    Schlinkmann Family

    The Sponsler Family 

    Esther Steel Family

    Scot, Crystal, Tigs & Freyja

    Becky and Craig Gillam

    Pamela and Jonathan Gripe

    Kimberley Haag

    Roger and Jane Harris

    Speer Financial, Inc.

    Mike & Carol Kenyon

    Greg Knipp

    Anita Lewis

    Marilyn and Keith Magowan

    Nicholas "Nature Nerd" McCarney

    Craig S McGregor

    Suzi Myers

    Christopher John Nass

    Carol Cummins & Greg Podczaski

    Jeff and Julie Ricketts

    William M. Roth

    LeClercq Insurance Services

    John H Stark & Terry L Slaney

    H. Jane Smith

    Commissioners Bates, Kious &  Strathmann

    Lena and Harlan Walley

    FRIENDS OF THE FOREST

    Block & Burkhalter Families |Bob & Cathy Brill  |In Honor of John Whildin |The Sanecki Family |

     | Sarah Violet Galpin | Grace Hirmer| The Van Slyke Family |Gayle Safford |

    Carmen Irizarry | Doug and Sarah Kimber| Julie Long |Greg and Carol |  Jim and Sue Mikowski | 

    NuToys Leisure Products Inc. |Rachel Neville | The Neville Family | Archer & Bennett Yessa |

    Morgan & Kellen Jaeger | The Scanlan Family | For Gary Wiszo-Waty |Madi & Logan Hubble |

    Tom & Karen Stewart  | The Swanson Family | Dr. J. Richard & Mrs. Sandra Toleikis | TPM Graphics, Inc. |

    Robert, Dawn & Aiden Bigelow | Jim and Lisa Vielbig | Linda and Kenneth Volin

    Questions?

    Contact Communications & Marketing Supervisor Brittany Kovach

     kovachbrittany@kaneforest.com   (630) 232-3955 

    Copyright © 2025 Kane Forest Preserve Foundation - All Rights Reserved.