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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING PROSPECT HEIGHTS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION’S 10 ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, April 22, 2024, is Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970; and
WHEREAS, the first Earth Day brought together millions of people and gave rise to the modern American environmental movement; and
WHEREAS, sustainable communities is one of the six key pillars of Cook County’s Policy Roadmap and over the next decade the County is committed to implementing policies that support healthy, resilient communities that thrive economically, socially and environmentally; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is dedicated to the health and well-being of the community, tasking the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability with improving the quality of the environment for all Cook County residents; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is investing $45 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds towards sustainable, resilient, and healthy communities across the County; and
WHEREAS, Cook County’s Climate Resiliency Planning for Communities has awarded $16 million to support environmental planning in the Villages of Bellwood, Franklin Park, Justice, Lynnwood and the City of Markham; and
WHEREAS, numerous communities in the 14th District have commissions, task forces, and plans centered around the environment and sustainably including the Village of Arlington Heights, Village of Glencoe, Village of Glenview, Village of Northbrook, City of Rolling Meadows, Wheeling Park District, Village of Wilmette, and Village of Winnetka; and
WHEREAS, in Prospect Heights, the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission was founded by Dr. Agnes Wojnarski in 2014 and turns 10 years old this year; and
WHEREAS, the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission is an all-volunteer network designed to enhance, restore and manage the natural areas and resources in order to maintain and improve their ecological health and biodiversity; and
WHEREAS, the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission is still chaired by Dr. Wojnarski and is comprised of individuals who are recognized by their peers as leaders in the environment and natural resource sphere including Dana Sievertson, Ed Madden, Jill Moskal, John Kamysz, John Kamysz, Peter Hahn, Seth Marcus; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wojnarski’s work as the chairman of the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission was celebration in 2020 when she was named District 14’s Unsung Heroine, following a nomination by the late Prospect Heights Mayor Nicholas Helmer; and
WHEREAS, the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission is credited with rooting out invasive species and returning open spaces to their natural splendor; and
WHEREAS, at the moment, the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission is restoring wildlife habitat and biodiversity to the Prospect Heights Slough, a historically important wetland in the heart of the community, as well as prairie restoration along the Prospect Heights bike path; and
WHEREAS, the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission collaborates with the City of Prospect Heights, the Prospect Heights Park District, Com-Ed, private landowners and volunteers; and
WHEREAS, the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission Education and Outreach Program “Nature Speaks,” held in partnership with the Prospect Heights Public Library, brings four featured regional and national speakers to the community; and
WHEREAS, the hard work done by the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission leadership and volunteers yields benefits to the residents of the 14th District including flood-water retention, erosion control, air-quality benefits, and the opportunity to enjoy beautiful and inspiring nature; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton and the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby acknowledge and applaud the dedicated stewards of the Prospect Heights Natural Resource Commission, their work to promote environmental justice, climate resiliency, and energy efficiency which are central to thriving communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this text be presented to the members of the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission as a means of conveying our thanks and congratulations.
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