After four decades, the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s newsletter is heading in a new direction, albeit with some very familiar goals in mind.
What had been known as The Citizen since it debuted in 1982 will now be known as The Compass, which unveiled its first edition under the new name on Jan. 4. The rebranding also comes with the new tagline, “Navigating Your Way into Nature,” as it is intended to be a road map to the forest preserves. It is to be published digitally every Tuesday.
“After 40 years, it was time for a change,” said Cindy Cain, the district’s public information officer. “The new name better reflects the newsletter’s intent, which is to help people navigate their way into nature. A compass helps people orient themselves in the world, and the forest preserve’s newsletter will assist readers as they search for the best ways to enjoy nature.”
The Compass aims to inform, entertain, inspire and educate, according to the forest preserve district. It includes more videos, a section with recreational offerings, volunteer services, employment opportunities, lessons about the environment and reports on the district’s board of commissioners, as well as links to popular posts on the district’s social media accounts. It also features a Most Read Story from the district’s website, Photo of the Week and links to the district’s other newsletters.
“This modern mix of news, features, social media and video will inform readers and entice them to delve deeper into nature,” Cain said. “Many people read news on smartphones these days, so the newsletter is designed to be easily viewed from a phone, tablet or computer.”
The first edition of The Citizen, published in the winter of 1982, was a four-page newsletter that served as an annual report for the district’s departmental news, Cain said. That version eventually grew to 16 pages that were printed on tabloid-style paper and mailed to a list of subscribers quarterly up until October 2016. Then, it transitioned to a digital-only weekly format, distributed by email.
“With today’s technology, it made sense to cease printing the newsletter to save money and to have a ‘greener’ product by sending the newsletter out via email to subscribers’ inboxes,” Cain said.
The change also allowed the newsletter to adapt as needed and get news to readers quickly, in the event that trails were closed for repairs or new amenities opened. The shift turned out to be a major benefit during the COVID-19 pandemic, when getting word out about the latest heath guidance became necessary, Cain said.
“With the pandemic dragging on into another year, people are seeking the tools they need to get outside to boost their mental and physical health,” Cain said. “The Compass is the perfect guide to help them navigate where they should go, how they can access programs and which recreational activities are available. … We want people to know that all are welcome at forest preserve programs, and we are encouraging everyone to learn about and experience nature.”
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The Compass is part of a larger information effort by the forest preserve district. Stories found in it are also posted under the Current Headlines section of the website and promoted on social media. The forest preserve district also publishes a Get Going newsletter, formerly known as the Weekly Five, on Thursdays. That newsletter highlights upcoming programs and events. And there is Canine Quarterly for the dog park patrons and Willy’s Wilderness for educators.
The district also has more than 30 Facebook pages — one main page, plus pages for individual preserves and trails — as well as multiple Twitter accounts starting with @WillCoForests and a YouTube page, featuring programs such as “The Buzz.”
Those interested in subscribing to The Compass for free can do so by visiting ReconnectWithNature.org and scrolling near the bottom of the homepage to find the “Sign Up for a Newsletter” section. Those who already subscribed to The Citizen do not need to sign up again to receive The Compass.
Bill Jones is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.