title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY’S PARTNERSHIP WITH ADLER PLANETARIUM, A WORLD-RENOWNED PLANETARIUM, RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION AND CHICAGOLAND DESTINATION
WHEREAS, the partnership between the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) and the Adler Planetarium reflects a shared commitment to protect our local ecosystems, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to connect people to nature and the remarkable universe we all share; and
WHEREAS, since 2018, the Adler Planetarium has spent over 200 hours partnering with the Forest Preserves: (1) to reduce the Forest Preserves’ nighttime light pollution; (2) to educate staff and the public about the importance of dark skies; and (3) to assist the Forest Preserves in its pursuit of the International Dark Sky Association’s Urban Night Sky Designation for one of its preserves; and
WHEREAS, nighttime light pollution in Cook County renders invisible thousands of twinkling stars, contributes to global warming, negatively impacts human health and wildlife, and contributes to birds becoming disoriented during migrations and colliding with buildings, making Chicago one of the most dangerous place in the United States for birds according to a 2019 study from Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology; and
WHEREAS, the Adler Planetarium helped the Forest Preserves perform lighting and window upgrades throughout its facilities and parking lots, trained Forest Preserve staff on light monitoring protocols, and collected night light readings across the Forest Preserves in an effort to reduce light pollution; and
WHEREAS, the Adler Planetarium has helped the Forest Preserves: (1) grow its community science and outreach efforts by exploring the effects of light pollution on breeding populations of frogs and toads with the Preserves’ “Calling Frog Survey” program; and (2) brought Adler’s “Far Horizon Teen Program” into the Forest Preserves for programming and educational sessions; and
WHEREAS, in August of 2021 the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) officially certified the Forest Preserves’ Palos Preserves region, approximately 6,600 acres colloquially referred to as Mt. Forest Island, as an Urban Night Sky Place; a designation awarded to a municipal park, open space, observing site, or other similar property near or surrounded by a large urban place, whose planning and design actively promote an authentic nighttime experience in the midst of significant artificial light; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves’ Palos Preserves region is the largest designated Urban Night Sky Place in the world and is only the third such designation made by the IDA; and
WHEREAS, the IDA Urban Night Sky Place designation of the Forest Preserves’ Palos Preserves region would not have been possible without the Adler Planetarium’s generous, supportive and enthusiastic collaboration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Toni Preckwinkle, President, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners thank the Adler Planetarium, for their commitment to the mission of the Forest Preserves and for helping the Forest Preserves Palos Preserve region receiving the Urban Night Sky Place designation by the International Dark Sky Association; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to the President of the Adler Planetarium and the Senior Manager of the Far Horizons Program at the Adler Planetarium, as a token of appreciation for their service to the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the residents of Cook County.
end