Cook County Forest Preserve Sets a New Course

On January 24, Forest Preserves of Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle formally accepted the Next Century Conservation Plan for the Forest Preserves of Cook County created by a commission of business and civic leaders.

This ambitious plan lays out a set of bold actions to make Cook County a national leader in urban conservation. It highlights the preserves as one of the region’s greatest assets for the environment, the economy, and quality of life, but suggests that its fragile native ecosystems are at risk. 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.

The complete Next Century Conservation Plan and more information about the plan’s creation and next steps are available online at www.nextcenturyconservationplan.org