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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 activities at numerous forest preserves along the North Branch and Little Calumet Rivers; and
WHEREAS, Friend of the Chicago River has been successfully inspiring and engaging people to adopt a stewardship ethic through numerous outreach activities including the annual Chicago River Day, as well as by offering paddling and other outdoor recreation activities; and
WHEREAS, in one year alone, 2017, Friends of the Chicago River contributed $750,000 in raised funds, staff time, programs costs, volunteer time, and materials directly to the Forest Preserves. These contributions were generously made at no cost to the Forest Preserves, leveraging years of supplemental collaboration benefitting the wildlife and riverine habitats of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Friends of the Chicago River has been an exemplary partner to the Forest Preserves for decades sharing knowledge, expertise, time and energy to enhance the ecological health of the preserves and to inspire people of all ages to become advocates for nature; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize the significant contributions and investment Friends of the Chicago River has made to the Forest Preserves and Chicago River corridor as a whole; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserves, and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Friends of the Chicago River as a token of appreciation for their service to the Forest Preserves and the residents of Cook County.
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