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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY FOR RECEIVING A CHICAGO WILDERNESS EXCELLENCE IN ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION AWARD AND A CHICAGO WILDERNESS GEORGE B. RABB FORCE OF NATURE AWARD
WHEREAS, on December 8, 2021, the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve was honored with a Platinum Accreditation, the highest accreditation, from the Chicago Wilderness Excellence in Ecological Restoration Program and the Forest Preserves’ Greater Maywood Paddling Program was honored with a Chicago Wilderness George B. Rabb Force of Nature Award during a ceremony held at the Forest Preserves’ Thatcher Woods Pavilion in River Forest; and
WHEREAS, the Excellence in Ecological Restoration Program recognizes high-quality natural areas in the Chicago region and highlights projects that set an example of best practices in natural resource management and ecological restoration; and
WHEREAS, Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve is a 380-acre state-dedicated nature preserve in Willow Springs and is located within the 14,000-acre Palos/Sag Valley Forest Preserve system that comprises the largest contiguous tract of forest preserve habitat; and
WHEREAS, Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve is distinguished by its peat bog, remnant woodland, oak savanna, and natural prairie communities and it contains glacial kettlehole depressions that support vernal ponds, marsh, and sedge meadow habitats; and
WHEREAS, restoration at Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve began in the 1990s, led by volunteer stewards, and was accelerated in 2015 when the Forest Preserves secured funding to initiate a major restoration project, which included removal of invasive brush, selective tree thinning, and stream restoration along Crooked Creek which flows through the nature preserve; and
WHEREAS, today Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve is a thriving, high quality natural area thanks to ecological restoration efforts of volunteers and staff; and
WHEREAS, the George B. Rabb Force of Nature Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose conservation, restoration, advocacy or educational activities in the region are inspirational examples for others; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Maywood Paddling Program is a unique community paddling initiative that provides an economical, supportive and user-friendly way for organized groups to connect to nature through kayaking; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Maywood Paddling Program is the only kayak gear lending and training program in the country that partners with community groups and trains them to lead their own kayaking trips and provides participants with all the supplies needed to lead organized group paddling excursions; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Maywood Paddling Program is an excellent example of collaboration, with the Forest Preserves working together with partners to develop the infrastructure and programming necessary to make paddling an accessible, approachable and safe activity; and
WHEREAS, to date, 1,434 people have participated in the program, 30% of which are youth under 18 years, and the program has trained 46 community leaders representing 17 organizations: and
WHEREAS, the Greater Maywood Paddling Program helps community members connect with nature through outdoor recreation, advances the Next Century Conservation Plan and its goal to ensure that everyone in Cook County feels welcome in the preserves, and is a multi-award winning model for community engagement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Toni Preckwinkle, President; and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners thank and congratulate the winners of both the Chicago Wilderness Excellence in Ecological Restoration Award and George B. Rabb Force of Nature Award and thank them for their commitment to the mission of the Forest Preserves; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to the awardees as a token of appreciation for their service to the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the residents of Cook County.
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