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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE REGISTRATION OF POPLAR CREEK PRESERVE AS AN ILLINOIS LAND AND WATER RESERVE
WHEREAS, on January 24, 2023, at the 243rd meeting of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Poplar Creek Preserve was approved for registration as an Illinois Land and Water Reserve; and
WHEREAS, dedication of a site as an Illinois Land and Water Reserve provides a high level of protection for land in Illinois, and is granted only to natural areas of regional ecological or cultural significance; and
WHEREAS, Poplar Creek Land and Water Reserve, commonly referred to as Carl R. Hansen Woods, is an approximately 572-acre preserve located within the larger Arthur L. Janura Preserve complex near the Village of Hoffman Estates in northwest Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Poplar Creek primarily consists of reconstructed prairie, savanna, mesic woodland, and streamside fen natural communities; and
WHEREAS, historically much of the site prior to acquisition by the Forest Preserves of Cook County was utilized as agricultural land interspersed with intact remnant woodlands and prairies. The land has since been successfully transformed into functional native ecosystems through significant investments in restoration and the efforts of volunteer groups such as the Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards, who have led management of the site since 1989; and
WHEREAS, Poplar Creek serves as an important buffer and extension of the rare gravel hill prairie community already preserved in the adjacent Shoe Factory Road Nature Preserve; and
WHEREAS, the site supports at least twenty-seven (27) species of plants and wildlife identified as being in the greatest need of conservation and provides habitat for several grassland bird species that are sensitive to habitat fragmentation, underpinning its ecological importance to the region; and
WHEREAS, authority to submit this addition for registration as an Illinois Land and Water Reserve was granted by the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners on May 10, 2022 per Board Item No. 22-0222; and
WHEREAS, the addition of Poplar Creek establishes the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s 6th Illinois Land and Water Reserve. The Forest Preserves of Cook County now currently owns and manages 27 dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves and 6 Land and Water Reserves totaling approximately 10,968 acres; and
WHEREAS, registration of Poplar Creek advances the goal set forth in the Next Century Conservation Plan to dedicate eligible lands for Illinois Nature Preserve protection, and is consistent with the recommendations of the Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Toni Preckwinkle, President, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby acknowledge the dedication and protection of Poplar Creek as an Illinois Land and Water Reserve, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s steadfast commitment to protect and restore our region’s significant natural resources. end