Gerald W. Adelmann

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Gerald “Jerry” W. Adelmann is an American civic and environmental leader. Adelmann currently serves as the President and CEO of Openlands. Previously, he served as the President of The Canal Corridor Association.

Career

Canal Corridor Association and Lockport Historic Preservation

In 1980, Adelmann partnered with the Open Lands Project (later Openlands).^[1] In 1982, Adelmann founded the Upper Illinois Valley Association, which was later renamed the Canal Corridor Association. Two years later, the association’s work led to federal designation of the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Area, the first of 62 federally-protected National Heritage Areas in the U.S. Before and during his tenure at Canal Corridor Association, Adelmann also worked to preserve historic sites in Lockport, including Central Square, the Gaylord Building, and the Adelmann Block.^[2]

Openlands

In 1988, Adelmann assumed the role of executive director of Openlands and was later named its president and CEO. Under Adelmann’s leadership, Openlands experienced a period of expanded growth and influence by fostering a collective approach to environmental stewardship through collaborations with diverse stakeholders, including governmental bodies, local communities, environmental advocates, and private sector partners.

Adelmann played a leadership role in the founding of Chicago Wilderness Alliance, a coalition of over 250 partner organizations encompassing roughly 6,000 conservation practitioners across the region.^[3] He led the creation of several Openlands initiatives focused on improving ecosystems in the City of Chicago, including Treekeepers (1991),^[4] and Space to Grow (2014).^[5]

Adelmann collaborated on several major Chicago regional planning initiatives, including the the 21st Century Open Space Plan (1990),^[6] The Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways Plan (1992),^[7] the Northeastern Illinois Water Trails Plan (1999),^[8] the Calumet Area Land Use Plan (1999),^[9] and Where Worlds Connect: A New Vision for Chicago’s Museum Campus (2022).

Adelmann has chaired the City of Chicago’s Nature and Wildlife Committee and served as Chair and Vice Chair at the Center for Humans and Nature.^[10] He is emeritus member of National Board of Advisors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation^[6] and an honorary member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.^[11][12] He also served as the Vice Chair of the board of the Illinois State Museum and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.^[13]

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