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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING FLORA OF THE CHICAGO REGION FOR RECEIVING THE LITERATURE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN BOTANY AND FLORA FROM THE COUNCIL ON BOTANICAL AND HORTICULTURAL LIBRARIES
WHEREAS, on May 17, 2019, Flora of the Chicago Region, authored by Gerould Wilhelm and Laura Rericha, with illustrations by Mary Marguerite Lowther and published by the Indiana Academy of Science, received the Award of Excellence in the category of Botany and Flora from the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries' Annual Literature Awards; and
WHEREAS, this award program recognizes work that makes a significant contribution to the literature of botany or horticulture; and
WHEREAS, Gerould Wilhelm, Director of Research at the Conservation Research Institute and Laura Rericha, Wildlife Biologist at the Forest Preserves of Cook County, have dedicated over 100,000 hours over the last 15 years in research to produce the most complete record of vascular plants of the Chicago region; and
WHEREAS, the book breaks new ground by documenting the relationship between flora and fauna, describing the habitats in which plants and their ecological counterparts occur, and noting the impacts of climate change and consequent habitat degradation; and
WHEREAS, the book significantly adds to the current body of scientific knowledge in the areas of plant biogeography, phytosociology, morphology, taxonomy, physiology and reproduction as well as describes typical insect associates with each plant that either pollinate or otherwise interact with each plant's biology; and
WHEREAS, within the rapidly changing landscapes of the Chicago region, this book may be the last detailed look at native plant communities in their natural state with information critical not only for conserving these remnant landscapes, but also acting as the reference for rebuilding communities in altered landscapes; and
WHEREAS, Flora of the Chicago Region is one of the most comprehensive and important publi...
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