title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING VOLUNTEER STEWARDS VICTOR AND JEAN GUARINO FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Victor and Jean Guarino are founding members of the Thatcher Woods Savanna Restoration Project, a coalition of volunteers established in 1990 dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the diverse, high quality ecological landscapes of the Thatcher Woods river corridor, which includes Grand Army of the Republic Woods and Thomas Jefferson Woods; and
WHEREAS, Victor and Jean Guarino have served as Site Stewards at these preserves for over 30 years, building a team of local volunteers who have helped care for these incredibly unique landscapes for decades; and
WHEREAS, the Thatcher Woods landscape is considered one of the finest remnants of mesic upland forest and floodplain forest in the region, supporting a high diversity of native plants and wildlife; and
WHEREAS, under their leadership, the flora and fauna of the Thatcher Woods area have recovered and thrived through sustainable volunteer effort and public education in the preservation value of natural areas and encouragement of their proper use; and
WHEREAS, thanks to Victor and Jean Guarino’s hands-on site management, community leadership and advocacy, the Thatcher Woods landscape is on course to be submitted for dedication as an Illinois Nature Preserve; and
WHEREAS, Victor and Jean Guarino have been true supporters of the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) and its mission, who have encouraged collaboration between volunteer stewardship leaders and staff to develop key volunteer programs such as the Path to Stewardship; and
WHEREAS, Victor and Jean Guarino’s efforts featured active community engagement and activism; as examples, Jean, a local author and history columnist, published several articles in local newspapers calling attention to the history and ecological benefit of the Thatcher Woods preserves within the community, and the Guarinos petitioned for the preservation of the historic Thatcher Woods Pavilion, which has since been restored and today serves as an event space that is an asset to both the Forest Preserves and the public, as well as a testament to the area’s local history; and
WHEREAS, Victor and Jean Guarino are valued members of the Chicagoland environmental community who have mentored and inspired countless volunteers and visitors to care about nature; and
WHEREAS, Victor and Jean Guarino’s contributions over three decades of volunteer service to the Forest Preserves will always be treasured and appreciated, and their work exemplifies the power of volunteerism and engagement to enact change for the betterment of our region’s natural areas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Toni Preckwinkle, President, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby recognize Victor and Jean Guarino on their well-deserved retirement from active site stewardship, and thank them for their lifelong commitment to the mission of the Forest Preserves; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to Victor and Jean Guarino as a token of appreciation for their service to the Forest Preserves and the residents of Cook County.
end