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WORKING FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COMMUNITY

As a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of our communities, The Forge Charitable Adventures is always looking for unique opportunities to support the places where our for-profit company operates. Get in touch with us to learn how you or your organization can help us to make a lasting impact on the town you love.

CURRENT PROJECT:
The Heritage Quarries Recreation Area
Lemont, Illinois

In 2019, The Forge Charitable Adventures identified several unique opportunities to support the Village and Township of Lemont by sponsoring initiatives in the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area.​ Through our initial work, we identified six foundational projects to enhance this historically significant area. Since beginning our work, we have invested over $3,000,000 into major infrastructure projects benefitting the community.

 

Examples include extending and widening the access roads, building new parking facilities, installing lights, security cameras, and signage, adding new trails and public spaces, clearing invasive trees, restoring pollinator meadows, funding environmental restoration studies, supporting a dozen Eagle Scout projects, and working with local government on a long-term plan for activating the quarries.

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​Major representative projects underway or completed include:

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  • Invasive plant species remediation - In-process

  • Developing the TFCA Nature Education Center - In-process

  • Quarry Shoreline restoration - In-process

  • Aquatic life (plants and animals) analysis and support - In-process

  • Meadow creation & restoration - In-process

  • Trail restoration and development (bike & pedestrian) - In-process

  • Public road & parking improvements - Complete!

  • New pedestrian footbridge and access trail - Complete!

  • Improved public parking facilities - Complete!

  • Children’s Educational Programming - Complete!

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Looking ahead, we want to do more!

 

We are excited to partner with the community, local and regional businesses, and other environmentally focused non-profit organizations to oversee a 20-year Environmental Restoration Plan. Learn more HERE.

REPRESENTATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2019 - 2021

  • Retained 3rd party agencies and consultants to visit the HQRA and provide an initial determination of the kinds of restoration work that needs to be done and offer suggested pathways forward

  • Developed a phase one PUD to identify areas for improvement for the HQRA

  • Began clearing invasive trees and plants and building trails at the HQRA in accordance with the stipulations of the PUD

  • Invested millions of dollars in public infrastructure to add and improve trails, roads, lights, and access bridges to enable greater access to the HQRA

  • Developed extensive programming for corporate, scouting and other civic and conservation-minded groups to get involved in activities at the HQRA

  • Created a list of Eagle Scout and Bronze/Silver/Gold award project opportunities for scouts

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2022 - 2023

  • Hosted TFCAs Earth Day Summit to showcase the work that we've done to this point and increase awareness of our mission in Lemont

  • Completed the development of the TFCA Adopt-A-Trail program to help maintain the trails we've already cleared and begin advertising it to corporate and nonprofit organizations 

  • Completed initial Scouting Program activity offerings and secured a date for TFCAs inaugural Merit Badge Workshop event in May and camporee in September, 2023

  • Introduced a Conservation Sundays program at the quarries to engage and support the community to learn more about the quarries and conservation

  • Completed the TFCA Controlled Burn Plan and trained burn bosses

  • Obtained controlled burn permits from the Illinois EPA and the Village and Township of Lemont

  • Funded and completed a third-party Environmental Restoration Plan for the Heritage Quarries

  • Hosted our Weeds to Seeds awareness and fundraiser

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