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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING FRIENDS OF THE CHICAGO RIVER FOR DECADES OF SERVICE AND ADVOCACY TO THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Friends of the Chicago River is a non-profit organization established in 1979 for the purpose of advocating for and improving the health of the Chicago River system; and
WHEREAS, Friends of the Chicago River's mission calls for policy initiatives geared towards improving water quality, on-the-ground projects for the improvement and preservation of quality habitat, and education and outreach programs that inform and inspire support for the Chicago River as a catalyst for community revitalization; and
WHEREAS, Friends of the Chicago River has successfully raised resources that support exciting and meaningful projects that have directly benefitted the plants, animals, and people of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (the "Forest Preserves"); and
WHEREAS, Friends of the Chicago River has committed these resources toward important ecological restoration activities that improve the health of the Chicago River and its surrounding watershed; and
WHEREAS, to date, Friends of the Chicago River has funded the restoration of over 100 acres of nesting habitat for at-risk populations of native turtles. Additionally, they have installed five osprey nesting platforms and six bat community houses on Forest Preserve property that support these important and iconic species in our region; and
WHEREAS, Friends of the Chicago River also contributed resources to education programs such as the Chicago River Schools Network, and citizen science activities including the Gullywalkers, a program that engages volunteers to identify and find ways to repair gullies caused by poorly managed stormwater that damage the health of the river and the preserves; and
WHEREAS, Friends of the Chicago River plays a key role in the Centennial Volunteers initiative that connects people from throughout Cook County in stewardship activ...
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