Cook County Forest Preserve Expands Popular Conservation Corps Programs

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Directors Meeting
December 13, 2022

General Superintendent Arnold Randall introduced contract amendments to the Board that increase funding for Conservation Corps programs that are looking to expand, as a result of an increase in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”). Conservation Corps programs are required to provide participants with “paid, field-based ecological restoration experiences that train participants to restore the land as directed.”

• The Board approved an additional $170,000 for the Experience Program, which is a summer youth employment program. (Agenda Item 22-0524)
• The Board approved additional funding for the Chicago Conservation Corps young adult Gap Year Program. (Agenda Item 22-0525)
• The Board approved a contract with Greencorps, a green-industry employment program with on-the-job training. (Agenda Item 22-0526)
• The Board approved a contract amendment extending the current contract until 2023, and adding $180,000 to the North Branch Conservation Corps program. (Agenda Item 22-0424)

Other items of interest:

• The Board approved a partnership with The Field Museum to build a Gathering Space at the Beaubien Wood Boat Launch. Artist Christine Perri is designing a Prairie boat, and once finished will belong to and be maintained by the Forest Preserve. (Agenda Item 22-0521)
• The Board approved the reappointment of Jacqui Ulrich, Director of the Conservation and Experimental Programing Dept. (“CEP”) to the Board of Directors of NeighborSpace. NeighborSpace is an affiliate partner of the Forest Preserves that owns and maintains property around Chicago for the community to use as gardens or however the community sees fit. (Agenda Item 22-0365)

​Observer: Amber L Elmer