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Action Alert from Friends of the Forest Preserves

Please help keep the drum beat going Restoration supporters out numbered those against prescribed burning at the community meeting last week by a 4 to 1 ratio. Now we're asking you to help keep the drum beat in support of restoration going in three ways. Join us: Come out for a special meeting of the North Park Village Advisory Council at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct 24th, at the Administration Building (5801 N. Pulaski Road (Map it) Chicago, IL 60646 ) when the draft management plan for the Nature Center will be presented. The same folks on the attack at the forest preserves have been attacking the nature center staff over their restoration activities.  There will be a chance to make brief comments or submit a friendly question. It can be something as simple as, "I support the great educational work being done by the staff and volunteers at the nature center." Or it can be a courteous, informational response to a comment critical of the plan. Call or write: Contact your Alderman and your County Commissioner to voice your support for land management and to oppose the "Ordinance to Prohibit Open Burning in Chicago Property Lying Within Forest Preserves", especially if you live in the 39th, 41st, or 45th Ward.  See below for contact information.  If you don't know who your representatives are we can help - please call (312) 356-9990. Learn more: Join Friends of the Forest Preserves, Audubon, and Sierra Club for a "Restoration 101" workshop on November 13th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to help you learn more about the hows and whys of restoration and how you can help deal with the current challenges.  This workshop will be for members only and registration is required. If you need more information about this issue or if you would like to pre-register for the workshop, please contact us at (312) 356-9990 or info@fotfp.org.   Best,   Friends of the Forest Preserves     Why care?   Woodlands, savannas and prairies require controlled burning to thrive.  Chicagoans are lucky to have these habitats within the city limits, harboring hundreds of species with nowhere else to live.  The preserves are treasured by the growing numbers of people who appreciate nature.  Quality woodlands like Caldwell Woods harbor birds, butterflies and wildflowers that will disappear under the shade of invasive plants if they are not controlled.    Fire has been used as an essential tool for maintaining natural areas throughout the Forest Preserves of Cook County for more than 30 years without incident.  Controlled burns are necessary to reduce invasives and to promote reproduction of native plants.  Brushpile burning is the most cost effective and least damaging way to dispose of the large amounts of invasive brush that must be removed.      Contacts: Chicago Aldermen:   39th Ward: Alderman Margaret Laurino 4404 West Lawrence Avenue Chicago, IL 60630 ward39@cityofchicago.org 773-736-5594   41st Ward: Alderman Brian G. Doherty 6650 N.Northwest Highway Chicago, IL 60631 bdoherty@cityofchicago.org 312-744-3208/744-3942    45th Ward: Alderman Patrick J. Levar 5205 N. Milwaukee , Suite 100 Chicago, IL 60630 ward45@cityofchicago.org 773-545-2545   Click here for all other Chicago Aldermen.   County Commissioners:   9th District Commissioner Peter N. Silvestri cookcty9@aol.com (312) 603-4393   12th District Commissioner Forrest Claypool fclaypool@cookcountygov.com (312) 603-6380 13th District Commissioner Larry Suffredin