Forest Preserves - 13th Cook County Board District Commissioner Larry Suffredin


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Forest Preserves

To read a policy paper from the Cook County Conservation & Policy Council entitled:

Moving Towards Racial Equity in the Forest Preserves of Cook County click here

For up-to-date information on any precautions associated with Covid-19 in the Forest Preserves of Cook County click here

Permits, reservations available online and in person Click here

To see a current calendar of events taking place in the Forest Preserves of Cook County click here

Forest Preserve Permit Users Survey Summary Report

To read the 2021 annual survey click here

There was no report in 2020

To read the 2019 annual survey click here

To read the 2018 annual survey click here

To read the 2016 annual survey click here

To read the 2015 annual survey click here

CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN

Click here to read the Chicago Botanic Garden Annual Report.

Click HERE to read the Strategic Plan 2019-2023.

Click here for an up-to-date calendar of events.

To watch a 20 minute documentary on the Cook County Forest Preserves click here for details.

The Forest Preserve District currently holds over 70,000 acres of open space in trust for the public. It is considered the crown jewel of Cook County. The District has been steadily improving the infrastructure but must still address the critical need to restore health to its prairies, woodlands and wetlands.

The Forest Preserves of Cook County recently celebrated a milestone: our 100th anniversary.
The Forest Preserves are a critical component of our urban landscape. Just like the lakefront is Chicago’s front yard, the Forest Preserves are Chicago’s back yard. During our Centennial years and beyond, we invite you to visit a preserve, share in the experience of nature and experience one of Cook County’s true gems.

Land Management

We must protect our 70,000 acres of open space by working with the many volunteers who help restore the land. Land management policies and practices must be expanded with a true eye towards providing for the long-term sustainability of these holdings. I support the Preserve Keepers Corp to augment the existing Volunteer Steward Network that has been the life source of the volunteer program.

Visit the Forest Preserve District Volunteer website.

In 2006, I was happy to support President Steele’s historic Executive Order to fully lift the moratorium on controlled burns that currently prohibits a key tool of restoration work and land management. Visit the North Branch Restoration Project website: www.northbranchrestoration.org.

Land Acquisition

We must increase land acquisition efforts. I am in full support of funding the purchase of the 7,000 additional acres that law allows the FPD to have. This must be done before there is no open land left.

I co-sponsored the land policy resolution and amendments strengthening the land use ordinance; both were approved by the Board on November 4, 2004. In 2009, I updated the Land Use Policy Ordinance to further strengthen protections for District holdings. View updated ordinance.