Forest Preserve District  Interest Group

This group observes the meetings of the Cook County Forest Preserve Board .

Actions and issues from the meetings are reported in Observer Reports available on this website.

This group advocates for the preservation of open land in Cook County and compliance with the Forest Preserve's Next Century Conservation Plan.


2024- 2025 Activities

LWVCC sent a letter to the Forest Preserve Board in support of the updated Land Use Policy put forth by the Conservation and Policy Council  See Action

 Focus

Monitor the Forest Preserves in relation to the Next Century Conservation Plan and what the plan calls for by tracking the priority actions and initiatives:  significant commitment to restoring habitat to robust ecological  health and to acquiring and protecting more land making the Forest Preserves more inviting and accessible to all Cook County residents
 

Activities

In 2022, the LWV Cook County Board and all 14 local Leagues supported the referendum to increase the tax levy for the Forest Preserve District.   The increase in revenue will help:
 * capture water and thereby minimize flooding 
 * protect wildlife habitat and native flora and fauna and remove invasive species
* create jobs for our communities particularly in disadvantaged communities
 
The Forest Preserve Interest Group led an effort to educate voters about the importance of the referendum and the value of the Forest Preserves. 
 We organized guided walks in the Forest Preserves throughout Cook County and
 provided programs to Local Leagues explaining the importance of the referendum.

On Tuesday, November 8, voters across Cook County Voted Yes for Clean Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife.  
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      The Next Century 
​       Conservation Plan

The plan calls for the County to make a massive commitment to restoration, expand protected lands by at least 30%, and to make the preserves more accessible to the diverse people of Cook County.

Read more about the plan here.


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Learn More

Please contact Laura Davis
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