Sustainability Efforts Reflected in FPD Annual Report

Cook County Forest Preserve (CCFP)
Board of Commissioners Meeting
Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Notes from the Commissioners’ meeting include:

• The Finance Committee stated that in this year’s annual report it will show  CCFP costs for fuel were down and cost for electricity were up as a result of improving sustainability efforts throughout the CCFP toward clean energy which includes more electric vehicles to lower their carbon footprint.
  
• The Real Estate Committee announced the creation of a new 37 acre Forest Preserve near Sweet Woods in southeast Cook County in the 5th District. 
  
• The annual Diversity Report for the CCFP showed that 61% of contracts were awarded to minority/women run businesses. There were also 19 outreach programs conducted to assist vendors in applying to the Forest Preserves.
  
• Commissioner McCaskill came to talk with this Observer about how much she appreciates the work of the League of Women Voters and then went on to talk about the 11 new all terrain wheelchairs now available at two different CCFP locations and efforts to increase the accessibility of the Forest Preserves for those with disabilities. There is also water accessibility recently built at the Beaubien Woods. 
  
• The Shedd Aquarium was recognized for their outstanding support of the CCFP over the past 10 years in the areas of restoration and protection of the land and waterways and animals throughout the Forest Preserves. Lisa Dunkau Lopez and others from the Shedd were recognized at the meeting. Ms. Lopez discussed how the partnership with the Shedd includes research, restoration of 21 monitored wetlands including the Skokie Lagoons. As well as teaching over 600 volunteers including highschool students on restoration methods.
  
• Finally, the Busse Forest nature Preserve added an expansion of 767 acres in northwest Cook County.

Observer - Deborah Halpern