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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE RECEIPT OF THREE (3) 2014 CONSERVATION AND NATIVE LANDSCAPING AWARDS
WHEREAS, the Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards recognize projects within the Chicago region that demonstrate exemplary use of native landscaping, ecosystem restoration, and conservation design; and
WHEREAS, these practices create and protect habitat for a variety of native plant and animal species and result in important environmental benefits for both people and nature; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the "Forest Preserves") has won Conservation and Native Landscaping awards for the following sites: Bartel Grassland, Grand Army of the Republic and Thomas Jefferson Woods, and Somme Nature Preserve; and
WHEREAS, Bartel Grassland, a 585 acre preserve located in the Village of Matteson in southern Cook County, has benefitted from over 10 years of restoration and partial restoration of hydrology to convert former agricultural field to grassland; and
WHEREAS, Bartel Grassland is now home to an increasing variety of native plant species, and serves as valuable breeding habitat for migratory grassland birds; and
WHEREAS, Bartel Grassland has been designated as an Illinois Land And Water Reserve since 2003; and
WHEREAS, Bartel Grassland has benefitted from extensive volunteer stewardship under the leadership of Dick Riner; and
WHEREAS, Grand Army of the Republic and Thomas Jefferson Woods are a part of the Thatcher Woods Complex in the Village of River Forest in central Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Grand Army of the Republic and Thomas Jefferson Woods represent a cross-section of the Des Plaines River Valley and features high-quality examples of remnant floodplain forests, savannas and prairies; and
WHEREAS, Grand Army of the Republic and Thomas Jefferson Woods have been subjected to extensive invasive species removal, opening the savanna to sunlight and activating dormant seeds; and
WHEREAS, Victor and Jean Guarino have dedicated significant volunteer hours to these restoration efforts; and
WHEREAS, Somme Nature Preserve is an oasis of remnant black soil prairie surrounded by degraded natural space; and
WHEREAS, following restoration efforts initiated in the 1970's, the diversity of plant and animal life at Somme Nature Preserve has rebounded, and in the last three years more intensive restoration has been conducted to expand the prairie; and
WHEREAS, Somme Nature Preserve has benefitted from extensive volunteer stewardship under the leadership of Christiane Rey and Laurel Ross; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserves does hereby recognize the receipt of these awards, and the significant contributions that have been made by all parties towards the preservation and restoration of these remarkable sites; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dick Riner, Victor Guarino, Jean Guarino, Christiane Rey, and Laurel Ross as a token of appreciation for their service.end