title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING FRIENDS OF BLUFF SPRING FEN FOR 35 YEARS OF SERVICE TO PROTECT BLUFF SPRING FEN
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Preserves”) manages nearly 70,000 acres of public land, including 23 dedicated nature preserve sites that represent some of the highest quality natural lands in the state. The designation of these sites is overseen by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and protects some of the last and best remaining examples of Illinois’ wilderness; and
WHEREAS, in 1982 Bluff Spring Fen, a 95-acre site in Elgin, Illinois, was a desolate dumping ground and former gravel quarry until “Friends of the Fen”, a visionary and grassroots group founded by Doug Taron, Leon Halloran and Steven Byers, recognized the significance of the site with its rare fen and remarkable landscape, and launched a concerted stewardship effort; and
WHEREAS, Friends of the Fen later became Friends of Bluff Spring Fen, and have worked tirelessly to protect and restore the area, resulting in the site being designated a Nature Preserve in 1987; and
WHEREAS, Friends of Bluff Spring Fen encouraged the Forest Preserves of Cook County to acquire this area in 2006, thus ensuring the site’s continued protection; and
WHEREAS, Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve is now one of the Preserves’ premier locations with more than 400 plant, 60 butterfly, and 30 dragonfly varieties and nearly 100 migratory and nesting bird species, and affords the residents of Cook County the opportunity to explore nature and experience a peaceful and idyllic place; and
WHEREAS, the Preserves deeply values its partnership with the Friends of Bluff Spring Fen who continue to care for the site and collaborate with surrounding neighbors including the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, City of Elgin, Bluff City Cemetery and the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission, and have expanded stewardship efforts from the 95-acre Nature Preserve to an additional 65 acres of buffer to better protect this fragile site; and
WHEREAS, the Friends of Bluff Spring Fen actively participate in citizen science and have monitored Bluff Spring Fen--particularly its rare orchid and butterfly populations--since 1988. They have actively shared their data with the Preserves, and are one of the first stewardship groups in Illinois to monitor butterflies, led by Doug Taron founder of the Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network and Chief Curator at the Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. They have also been successful in reintroducing the rare Swamp Metalmark butterfly at the site; and
WHEREAS, the Preserves greatly appreciates the spirit of collaboration, generosity, and enthusiasm that the Friends of Bluff Spring Fen bring to everything they do and recognizes that this volunteer group has inspired countless others to become interested and actively engaged in caring for the Forest Preserves.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and General Superintendent Arnold Randall do hereby congratulate the Friends of Bluff Spring Fen on their 35th anniversary and on their success in restoring and protecting Bluff Spring Fen, a remarkable and unique remnant of our region’s natural heritage; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Friends of Bluff Spring Fen.
end