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File #: 23-0779    Version: 1
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
File created: 7/31/2023 In control: Miscellaneous & New Business
On agenda: 8/10/2023 Final action: 8/10/2023
Title: RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing the 60th anniversary of Openlands

RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 10, 2023

 

Title

RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing the 60th anniversary of Openlands

Body

 

WHEREAS, founded in 1963, Openlands was created as a component of the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago (WCMC) and was one of the first organizations formed with the purpose of addressing environmental issues within a metropolitan area; and

 

WHEREAS, in 1968, Openlands separated from the WCMC and became a separate environmental organization.  In 1971, the Lake Michigan Federation (now known as the Alliance for the Great Lakes) separated from Openlands, becoming independent from the larger organization; and

 

WHEREAS, Openlands has participated in the formation of a number of related conservation organizations including Friends of the Parks and Friends of the Chicago River; and

 

WHEREAS, throughout the years, Openlands has contributed to numerous conservation victories including: the preservation of Beall Woods (1965) and Goose Lake Prairie (1969); the establishment of Ryerson Woods Conservation Area Nature Preserve (1972), the McHenry County Conservation District (1972), the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor (1984), the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (1996), Hackmatack (2012), and the African American Heritage Water Trail (2020); and the passage of the Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance (1973); and

 

WHEREAS, Openlands works with the Chicago Public Schools on the Space to Grow program, to which the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is a contributing partner; and

 

WHEREAS, Openlands is committed to conservation in the Northeastern Illinois region.  Dedicated to facilitating discussions between local government, organizations, and the public, Openlands seeks to balance regional growth with the health of the environment; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize the 60th anniversary of Openlands; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

 

Dated:  August 10, 2023