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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
Honoring the Fall 2014 Next Generation Youth Outdoor Ambassadors (YOA) Managers and Students
WHEREAS, on September 9, 2014, the Next Generation Youth Outdoor Ambassadors will present their findings on how the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (the "Preserves") can better connect teens to nature and outdoor recreation and enable young people to have an active voice and role in the Preserves. The Next Generation Youth Outdoor Ambassadors is a program funded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management in conjunction with the Illinois Coastal Management Program, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and was conducted in partnership with Fishin' Buddies; and
WHEREAS, six Youth Outdoor Ambassadors planned and coordinated five events at five different locations that attracted more than 800 teens; and
WHEREAS, the Youth Outdoor Ambassadors introduced over 800 youth to Forest Preserve programing and presented to an additional 600 youth in classroom settings; and
WHEREAS, the Youth Outdoor Ambassadors designed a survey data form that was utilized to determine which Preserve programs resonate most with teens. More than 200 youth from the Calumet region completed the survey; and
WHEREAS, the Youth Outdoor Ambassadors exceeded their goals for this project and have successfully gathered findings that will help the Preserves improve their teen programming; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of Credell Walls, Preserves' Community Outreach Specialist, Pete Gizyn, YOA Program Manager, John Kidd, Sr., Founder & President of Fishin' Buddies, and the YOA members Bria Foster, Amari Floyd, Kelvin Boyd, Stephenie Monroe, Aleah Moore, Chental Handy, and Christopher Morris have provided valuable data that will allow the Preserves to grow and develop successful teen programming; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Arnold L. Randall, General Superintendent, and Toni Preckwinkle, President, and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners, hereby thank and congratulate the Youth Outdoor Ambassadors, Pete Gizyn, and Credell Walls.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to Credell Walls, Peter Gizyn, John Kidd, Sr., and the Youth Outdoor Ambassadors as a token of appreciation for their service to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County residents.
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