Category: Brookfield Zoo

ARPA Funds Available to Cook County Forest Preserve District

4/28/2023

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
April 25, 2023 10am - 12:30pm

Board Action:

The Forest Preserve District has received ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds and will use approximately $10 million within the Forest Preserves for capital improvements such as restrooms; another $10 million will go to the zoo for improvements; and $10 million for the Botanic Gardens to replace a roof. (Agenda Item 23-0308)
The Forest Preserves has received a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) for acquisition of a 14.3 acre parcel in Orland Park. The parcel is just north of the 960 acre Orland Grassland Preserve. (Agenda Item 23-0296)
The Board approved moving the May 23, 2023 board meeting from Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland to Sagawau Environmental Learning Center due to construction at Sand Ridge. (Agenda Item 23-0295)

Other items of interest:

Out of seven public speakers, four spoke out on the issue of the coyote at the River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook requesting the coyote be moved to a sanctuary in Colorado. Superintendent Randall shared that the enclosure is currently being enlarged with increased enrichment being included.
Stephen Hughes, CFO of the Cook County Forest Preserves, will retire shortly. He was recognized for his 40 years of public service and as a strong advocate for the recent referendum. (Agenda Item 23-0309)

Observer: Laura Davis

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Continues Focus on Land Acquisition and Services to Public

2/14/2023

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Cook County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) Board Meeting
February 7, 2023

Board Action:

Items approved for land acquisition, 3 parcels (23-0109, 23-0110, 23-0111). 2 funded through AARPA. authorizes creation of new Forest Preserve near Sweet Woods. (23-0109)
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) donated a 5-7 acre parcel adjacent to Wolf Rd Prairie (23-0123).
Approved Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Morton Grove regarding redevelopment of small parcel (23-0113).
Status Report on Model Policing (23-0139) was Received and Filed. During FPD Law Enforcement Committee meeting, discussion of changes in hiring/training, social media outreach, SafeT Act Mandates and their impact took place. Training for CCFPD takes longer than Sheriff’s police; IDNR provides additional training for officers’ work in forest preserves.
Interagency Agreement Between Chgo. Zoological Society and CCFPD for increase in admissions and parking fees at Brookfield Zoo to support its 2023 budget proposal (23-0183). Approved.

Items of Interest:

3 new Members were approved to join Conservation and Policy Council, an independent advisory group to CCFPD: Daisy Feidt, Megan Bang, Ryen Nagle. (23-0132)
Finance Committee: Final Corporate Expenditures for 2022 are anticipated to be below estimates for the year (2022). Report to be completed by the end of the month. Property tax collections are now up to date. PPRT collected is $14.5 M over last year, total was $23.7M.

Carolyn Cosentino - Observer

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Veterinary Residency Partnership Outlined at Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting

2/18/2022

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Forest Preserve District Cook County (FPDCC) Board Meeting
February 8, 2022

Board Action:

The 2021 Annual Report from the “Racial Equity Diversity Inclusion Committee” (REDI) was received and filed. The FPDCC is committed to advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion, striving to make everyone feel welcome in the Forest Preserves. This committee was formed November 2018 and consists of employees from across the Forest Preserves and continued in the past year to advance community engagement projects. In 2019 a Land Acknowledgment was created highlighting the relationship Native Americans in Cook County have with the forest preserves. FPDCC acknowledges the lands of the Council of Three Fires (Ojibwa, Ottawa, Potawatomi), the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sauk and Meskwaki peoples. The FPDCC continues to collaborate with organizations serving Native American communities. The REDI committee was awarded the 2021 Social Justice award from the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials.
Advertising and promotional services for FPDCC was approved. Advertising would align with the 2022 communication goal of focused outreach to communities and populations impacted by a history of racial inequity and would highlight goals of the FPDCC’s “Next Century Conservation Plan”
A partnership was authorized for the FPDCC, U of I Champaign, and the Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield to support a three-year veterinary residency program focused on wildlife health management in urban areas. The resident would provide veterinary care for FPDCC Nature Centers’ managed animals, wildlife field studies/disease management programs. The resident would work with U of I’s Wildlife Epidemiology Lab for health/disease studies and practice zoological medicine at Brookfield Zoo in association with FPDCC’s research programs. This partnership will further investigation into zoonotic disease (disease transmitted to humans from animals) and wildlife health as part of conservation efforts in Cook County. This veterinary residency would be one of only two programs focused on wildlife health management and lead to board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine.
Payment was approved for the Friends of the Forest Preserves to administer paid employment programs that provide youth and young adults job skills training within the conservation field, with a focus on ecological restoration in the preserves. The Palos Conservation Corps and Forest Preserve Experience program also provide, besides pay, environmental education. The Forest Preserve Experience program has a partnership with the Cook County Housing Authority to hire and train a diverse group of young people hopefully to be the next generation of conservation leaders.
The Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Plan Progress Report FY2018-FY2021 was received and filed: This report covers the progress to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration. This plan is found HERE.

Observer: Michele Niccolai

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Proposed 2022 Cook County Forest Preserve Budget Presented to CCFPD Board

10/22/2021

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting
October 5, 2021

Special Meeting:

President Preckwinkle submitted the executive budget for the FPCC for 2022. The budget is $136M total, a 1.8% increase from last year. $23.4M for the Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Garden, which is the same level as 2021. This 2022 budget includes borrowing $17M from the Corporate Reserve Fund to make ends meet next year.
Preckwinkle talked about the importance of the 2022 ballot initiative which would put the Preserves on a sustainable path. This would only increase property taxes by 1/10th of 1%. She also spoke about the importance of the Preserves for the community during Covid. In 2020, visitors increased from 62M to 100M, and there was a 33% increase in visits to the FPCC website.
There will be a public hearing to discuss the budget on 10/21/21 at 6pm, and 10/28/21 at 9am. These meetings will be virtual.
The 2022 proposed budget was referred to the Committee on Finance. (Agenda Item 21-0471)

Board Actions:

The board approved an increase in the grant amount from the Audubon Great Lakes in the amount of $165,000. This increase is for finalizing the design and construction of a water control and fish passage system at Powderhorn Lake in Chicago. Costs have exceeded the original grant amount of $807,290, and Audubon wishes to contribute additional funding to complete the project. (Agenda Item 21-0451)
The board approved a partnership agreement with Openlands. Openlands has received a $400,000 grant from the Walder Foundation for the ecological restoration of Beaubien Woods. (Agenda Item 21-0453)
The board added a resolution on Planning for the Development of a Model Police Department. This item was referred to the Law Enforcement Committee. (Agenda Item 21-0474)

The proposed calendar of events was approved for October. Please check the Forest Preserve’s Website for events and activities www.fpdcc.com/events

Observer: Amber L Elmer Meeting Length: One hour, six minutes

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100th Anniversary of Chicago Zoological Society Recognized by Forest Preserve District Board

9/26/2021

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting
September 21, 2021

Board Actions:

Agenda Item 21-0406 The board passed a resolution in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Chicago Zoological Society, which is the non-profit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserve of Cook County
21-0405 The board passed a resolution honoring Dr. Stuart D Strahl on his retirement as President and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society after 18 years. Dr. Strahl participated in the meeting and spoke about the great honor it has been to serve the zoo and community.
21-0427 Resolution passed honoring the life and legacy of Albert Pritchett for his leadership and contributions to numerous Cook County governments.
21-0415 The Forest Preserves’ Palos Preserve region, known as Mt. Forest Island, was officially certified an Urban Night Sky Space. There was some discussion about the significance of this designation by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), as it is the largest designated Urban Night Sky Place in the world. The Adler planetarium collaborated with the Forest Preserve for over 200 hours to make this possible.
21-0430 Calendar of Events approved. Check the Forest Preserve’s website www.fpdcc.com/events for a list of events and activities.
21-0391 Ordinance Amendment was approved by the board to allow for remote participation and voting in meetings, as allowed under the Open Meetings Act. A quorum must still be physically present, and the member must give 24 hour notice to the Secretary of the Board for reasons such as personal illness, disability, or family emergency. The ordinance amendment was passed and is effective immediately.

Observer – Amber L Elmer Meeting Length: 2 hours

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Budget Includes No New Fees or a Tax Increase

11/21/2020

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) Board Meeting
November 17, 2020

Finance Meeting:

Agenda item 20-0389 Cook County Commissioners applauded Superintendent Arnold Randall for his fiscal 2021 budget which plans for no new fees or tax increases. The budget is described as a “caretaker budget” which will use reserves to fill in budget holes. Commissioner Suffredin talked about the value of the forest preserves to all of Cook County, particularly during this time of pandemic. He believes there needs to be a referendum next year in order for the forest preserves to expand land for preservation and more money for Brookfield Zoo and the Botanic Garden. He applauded the efforts of the Conservation Community Council, led by Wendy Paulson, for all the efforts by volunteers to support the forest preserves.

Board Meeting

A public speaker requested increased security measures at Midlothian Meadows where a young woman was recently murdered. Security measures could include increased patrols, emergency call boxes and cameras. Superintendent Randall discussed some of the difficulties, but stated that patrols have increased and there continues to be investigation to determine who committed the crime.
The Cook County Land Bank donated 5.84 acres of land/property by Cermac Woods which is on a flood plain, to the FPDCC. The District cleared the property of the house.
The FPDCC has entered into a revenue generating agreement with Trailbound Trips, Barrington, IL., to offer hikes in the forest preserves.

Observer - Laura Davis Meeting length: Approximately 1 hour

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ARPA Funds Available to Cook County Forest Preserve District

Cook County Forest Preserve District Continues Focus on Land Acquisition and Services to Public

Veterinary Residency Partnership Outlined at Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting

Proposed 2022 Cook County Forest Preserve Budget Presented to CCFPD Board

100th Anniversary of Chicago Zoological Society Recognized by Forest Preserve District Board

Cook County Forest Preserve District Budget Includes No New Fees or a Tax Increase

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