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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE FIELD MUSEUM AND MIGHTY ACORNS PARTNERS AND THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY FOR EACH RECEIVING AWARDS FROM THE JOHN MUIR ASSOCIATION
WHEREAS, on April 20, 2019, the Field Museum and its Mighty Acorns Partners, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County each received awards from the John Muir Association; and
WHEREAS, The Field Museum and Mighty Acorns Partners received the Environmental Education Conservation Award for the Mighty Acorns program for their outstanding contributions to environmental education; and
WHEREAS, Mighty Acorns is one of the Midwest region’s largest and longest running environmental education programs for 3rd to 5th graders. The program is a partnership housed at the Field Museum which coordinates the work of nearly 20 partners; and
WHEREAS, for nearly 25 years Mighty Acorns has grown and adapted based on the expertise and innovation of a strong network of environmental educators and conservation organizations and has touched the lives of over 120,000 children; and
WHEREAS, Mighty Acorns’ effective combination of hands-on restoration at local natural areas and in-class lessons on science and ecology provides elementary students with a deep connection to nature, a scientific understanding of the region’s biodiversity, and the skills and attitudes needed to take care of local natural areas; and
WHEREAS, the John Muir Association awarded the Forest Preserves of Cook County with its Public Agency Conservation Award for demonstrating significant achievement and leadership in the advancement of environmental protection and conservation; and
WHEREAS, the award recognizes the work of both the Forest Preserves of Cook County and its partners in protecting, restoring and promoting the natural habitats in its care and advances the goals and priorities outlined in both the Next Century Conservation Plan and the Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, this award reaffirms the Forest Preserves of Cook County commitment to restoring 30,000 acres of priority landscapes to health and ensuring the future of these important public lands; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Toni Preckwinkle, President, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners thank and congratulate the Field Museum and Mighty Acorns Partners and the Forest Preserves of Cook County for their commitment to restoring, protecting and connecting people to our natural lands.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to awardees as a token of appreciation for their service to the Mighty Acorns Program, the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the residents of Cook County.
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