Kaaren Oldfield is a true unsung hero, but not the flashy kind you’ll see on the “good morning” shows or the two-minute pieces closing out the news. She’s a real-deal local champion, whose quiet yet unstoppable energy has been shaping the green spaces and forest preserves across four large counties in the suburbs of Chicago for the last 27 years.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a stroll, a bike ride, a concert, or a sports event at a local park yourself, then you’ve probably felt the positive impact of work like Kaaren’s—even if you didn’t know it. Urban conservation doesn’t happen by accident, and Kaaren’s story and knowledge about getting this done is so important that we just had to share it here on the Goodness Exchange. It is a story of harnessing the unique expertise and interests of community to create something bigger than any one individual.

Our Green Spaces are Endangered 

In urban areas all around our country, development is indiscriminately gobbling up every square inch of potential for green space, even while communities deteriorate by almost every measure. (How many times in the last few years have you seen a lovely potential park, or just a patch of trees, suddenly transformed into a warehouse or a block of high-priced “luxury apartments?”)

Kaaren Oldfield’s wisdom and experience teach us that green spaces aren’t just pretty places for picnics—they’re also practical investments when it comes to public safety and saving money, among so many other things. When we allow these spaces to go to new development without considering the quality of life in the neighborhood that is developing, we lose a lot more than just trees, grass, and wildlife.

For instance, forest preserves and wetlands work like giant sponges in areas that often flood, especially near rivers. When heavy rains hit, these natural spaces soak up the water, preventing it from flowing into our streets and homes, saving communities millions in flood damages. Imagine if all those trees were replaced with concrete neighborhoods or shopping centers. What do you think would happen then?

The flood risk would skyrocket, and the cleanup costs would be astronomical. 

Thanks to Kaaren Oldfield’s efforts, residents in these areas are far better protected from the expensive and devastating effects of flooding; unimaginable private and public expenditures, not to mention the physical damage and health issues it can cause—and that’s far from the only positive consideration.

Protecting Chicago’s Green Spaces

In the suburbs of Chicago, over 35,000 acres of forest preserves have been protected across DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, in large part due to Kaaren’s vision, understanding of the system, and dedication. Thanks to her leadership, 14 voter referendums have been passed—and with a flawless 100% success rate to boot! 

Kaaren is no typical environmentalist. She has a rare combination of experiences that have specifically shaped her to convince everyday folks that green spaces are one the best investments we can possibly make, both in our towns and in our collective future. She invites people into the future with a graceful enthusiasm that is infectious, not just showing voters how to save trees, but showing us how to improve our quality of life; bettering neighborhoods, raising property values, attracting businesses, and helping towns keep their budgets in check. 

Altogether, she and the people who have answered her call have raised over $1 billion in funding to ensure we keep natural spaces alive and well for future generations in our communities.

Kaaren’s work ensures that people in DuPage County are never more than 10 minutes away from a preserved natural space, whether it’s a forest, wetland, or prairie. These places are critical habitats for wildlife, provide recreational opportunities for residents, and contribute to overall mental and physical well-being—as her unique background in real estate, marketing, and journalism allow her to plainly explain. 

It’s Not Easy Being Green…But It’s Worth It!

Green spaces are consistently linked with better property values and taxes, and while some of the reasons for that link are obvious, there are others that seem impossible until you hear Kaaren explain them. 

For starters, did you know that trees can cool down entire neighborhoods? Not just immediately around them, but all over. Here’s a fun activity: Go on your phone and check the temperature where you live. Then check the temperature of the nearest major city (or a nearby suburb with a few good-sized parks, if you live in the city yourself.)

There’s a difference of at least two or three degrees, right? (Probably more if it’s a sunny or hot day!) 

The fewer surfaces the sunlight has to bounce off of, the less its ability to raise the temperature near the ground—which means less wear and tear on roads and fewer repairs, as well as lowered cooling costs, fewer dangerously hot summer days, and fewer agitated people.

That’s also one of many ways that green spaces help reduce crime: It turns out, people are nicer—and crime rates drop accordingly—when there are well-maintained parks to hang out in. 

The research on this is wide-ranging, and any number of factors could be cited for that association—from explanations as simple as ‘it gives people something to do’ to ones as technical as ‘humans have evolved with some base psychological need to be near trees.’ 

Regardless of the reason, however, the results are indisputable: as documentarian Kevin Perjurer once succinctly summarized, “Trees calm people down.” Calmer people always means less crime, and those lower crime rates mean less strain on police departments and local justice systems, as well as safer and friendlier neighborhoods—both of which lead to better taxes and higher property values.

Green spaces also promote healthier lifestyles for kids, keeping them active and reducing absenteeism in schools. The more time kids spend outside, the better it is for their lungs, their hearts, their immune systems, and their general overall wellness. 

So just to sum up; more green space equals less money spent on fixing roads, lower crime rates, and healthier students. It’s like nature’s multi-tool! Saving local green spaces isn’t just about the environment—it’s about creating a better future for everyone. 

We Need More Kaaren Oldfields Out There…

…and she is willing to train anyone and everyone in this community-building superpower. 

Kaaren’s story matters to all of us: she’s proof that one person, equipped with the right knowledge and a passion for their community, can make a huge difference. 

So what can you do next? 

Share this story and interview with someone in your community who has a passion for community development. 

Kaaren is ready to pass on the torch. She’s got the kind of wisdom and experience that can help other communities protect their own natural spaces, and she knows how to speak the language of homeowners, town officials, and local businesses when addressing the very real benefits of protecting green spaces. She can explain to anyone why these spaces are crucial for keeping property values high, attracting jobs, and making towns more desirable places to live.

If your town is being overrun by developers, crime is going up, your schools are struggling, or you just want to see more green spaces in your backyard, the answer to “Who you gonna call?” Shouldn’t be “Ghostbusters” this year—it should be Kaaren Oldfield.

If you think we might be talking to you, this is your sign: It’s time to pick up the phone or drop her an email and learn how she’s pulled off what many thought was impossible—because when it comes to balancing growth and conservation, we need more people like her to keep our communities green, thriving, and beautiful for generations to come, you could be one of them!

• Contact Kaaren: [email protected] OR (630) 800-8223
• Fordham University Study on Green Spaces and Crime Rate
• National Environmental Education Foundation: How Greening Communities Can Reduce Violence and Promote Health
• National Library of Medicine: The importance of green space for mental health
• Natural History Museum: City life: Why are green spaces important?
• YouTube Docuseries: Defunctland Season 3 Episode 8: “The History of Coney Island”

• 00:00 – Intro & Welcome
• 04:13 – Why Green Spaces Matter
• 05:57 – Chicago’s Urban Planning and Green Spaces
• 08:55 – Community Efforts for Green Space Preservation
• 12:24 – Strategic Thinking and Voter Support
• 14:24 – The Long-Term Impact of Green Spaces
• 20:52 – Kaaren’s Origin Story
• 27:43 – Running a Campaign for Green Spaces
• 32:00 – Break
• 34:24 – Building a Kitchen Cabinet for Success
• 38:45 – Developers and Green Space
• 50:25 – Final Thoughts and Contact Information
• 54:25 – Closing