SR0637 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0637 LRB098 13822 GRL 48428 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District was organized in 1971 under the Conservation District Act; and

WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District exists to preserve, restore, and manage natural areas and open spaces for their intrinsic value and for the benefits to present and future generations; and

WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District's vision is to have all residents develop a personal responsibility for their local environment and to gain a greater appreciation for the natural world; and

WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District is governed by a seven-member volunteer Board of Trustees and stewarded by 80 employees and more than 783 volunteers, many of whom are respected and experienced leaders in the parks, recreation, and conservation fields; and

WHEREAS, Over the past decade, the McHenry County Conservation District has focused on purchasing land, restoring wildlife habitats, developing sustainable sites, improving organizational efficiencies, implementing cost saving measures, producing environmental education programs and events, and outdoor recreation experiences; and

WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District manages more than 25,000 acres of open space, 33 sites open to the public for recreational access, including 115 miles of hiking trails, 41 miles of biking trails, 15 miles of canoeing, 20 miles of horse trails, 19 fishing sites, 23 picnic shelters, and 6 campgrounds; and

WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District conservation areas, sites, and facilities are an economic driver and catalyst for sustainability and growth in McHenry County; and

WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District promotes environmental stewardship through an active volunteer program, the People and Nature Certificate Program, and multiple educational programs and workshops; and

WHEREAS, The County Conservation District promotes sound environmental practices through the development of public sites and through the establishment of ongoing green practices within agency operations; and

WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District embodies environmental stewardship in its core mission and is recognized as a premier public agency in preserving, protecting and managing open space in Illinois, the region, and the country; and

WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District has been recognized by the United States Department of the Interior for their recent leadership role in establishing the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge as a bi-state national wildlife refuge within 100 miles of Chicago and 50 miles of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, The National Park and Recreation Association is the leading advocacy organization dedicated to the advancement of public parks, recreation, and conservation with more than 30,000 members and representing public spaces in urban communities, rural settings, and everything in between; and

WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District has been awarded the 2013 Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award by the National Park and Recreation Association, which recognizes a parks and recreation agency that has achieved excellence in environmental stewardship on a national level; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the date of October 29, 2013 as McHenry County Conservation District Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize and commend the administration and employees of the McHenry County Conservation District for receiving the 2013 National Recreation and Park Association's Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award and wish them continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the McHenry County Conservation District as a symbol of our esteem and respect.