Deer Grove Restoration Project Open House
|
Palatine,
IL - A large-scale, 5-year project for the
Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine is
slated to get underway in late summer, helping to restore and enhance wetlands
and increase the biodiversity of diminishing native plants and animal species.
The restoration project is a
joint effort of the Cook County Forest Preserve District and Openlands Land
Preservation (formerly CorLands). The project was chosen by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers as a wetland mitigation project under the O'Hare Modernization
Mitigation Program and will be funded through a grant from Openlands in
conjunction with the Army Corps.
The project will eventually allow
Deer Grove East Forest Preserve to retain additional ground water and reduce
the risk of flooding to nearby communities, provide opportunities for environmental
education programs and increase public awareness of the importance of natural
areas.
"This project is an incredible
opportunity for the forest preserve and the communities surrounding it," said
Cook County Commissioner Gregg Goslin of the 14th District in which
Deer Grove East is located. "The restoration will not only enhance the quality
of life in the forest preserves, but improve the quality of life for the entire
region."
The Cook County Forest Preserve
and Openlands will hold an Open House on August 1, 2009 to provide the public
with specifics of this restoration effort.
"This gives us an opportunity to
explain to residents the phases of the plan in detail," said Joseph Roth,
Restoration Programs Director at Openlands, who will act as the contracting
agent and financial administrator for the project. "For instance, in addition
to restoring wetlands it will also include the removal and herbiciding of
invasive brush, non-native vegetation and prescribed burns."
Open House
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Walter R. Sundling
Jr. High
1100 N. Smith Street
Palatine, IL
For more information, please contact my office at 312-603-4932.
|
