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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY’S VOLUNTEER STEWARD CRAIG STETTNER, IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, Craig Stettner was a tireless advocate for nature, a positive force for conservation in the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”), and an exemplary teacher who inspired new and continuing students to become conservation leaders; and
WHEREAS, Craig Stettner played an integral role in the Spring Creek stewardship community, a group of devoted volunteers who care for Spring Creek, a 4,000-acre forest preserve located in northwest Cook County that contains grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands; and
WHEREAS, Craig Stettner was the site steward at Penny Road Pond Woods and helped to restore the remnant oak woodlands to ecological health for the benefit of countless rare birds, amphibians, and other animals; and
WHEREAS, Citizens for Conservation honored him with the William H. Miller Conservation Award in 2013 in recognition of his outstanding contributions toward conservation; and
WHEREAS, Craig Stettner’s kindness, enthusiasm, and generous spirit inspired people to become interested in, and care for, nature. Over more than 15 years, Craig Stettner motivated more than 1,600 individuals to contribute 5,400 hours of volunteer service to restore Penny Road Pond Woods and to become supporters and users of the Forest Preserves; and
WHEREAS, Craig Stettner shared his passion and expertise for birding, both locally and globally; served as a board member of Chicago Audubon Society; led countless bird walks in the Forest Preserves; and contributed valuable observations of bird populations for scientific study; and
WHEREAS, Craig Stettner combined his passion for the environment and teaching by joining Harper College, Palatine in 2002 as a professor in the biology department, oversaw the college’s Environmental Club, and led numerous study-abroad programs to Costa Rica, where he is affectionately remembered as “Amigo de la Selva (Friend of the Jungle)”; and
WHEREAS, Craig Stettner was devoted to his family, friends, and students and delighted in sharing with them his passion for nature; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Toni Preckwinkle, along with the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family and many friends of Craig Stettner and joins them in sorrow at this time of loss. Craig Stettner will be greatly missed within the Forest Preserves’ stewardship community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to the family of Craig Stettner as a token of appreciation for his service to the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the residents of Cook County.end