The Resource Management Department is responsible for the preservation, restoration and protection of the natural areas and public open spaces of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, providing an environment for the region’s native plants and wildlife to thrive in an urban landscape.

• The General Office division monitors all field locations and represents the department with the public, Board of Commissioners, other Forest Preserves departments and outside agencies.
• The Fisheries Management division maintains Forest Preserves lakes and ponds and conducts fish population analyses, water monitoring, nuisance aquatic vegetation control, brood stock propagation, invasive species monitoring and educational programming.
• The Resource Ecology division assesses the ecological health of the Forest Preserves’ holdings and recommends and designs ecological restoration projects, at times with other conservation organizations and agencies.
• The Wildlife Management division monitors and collects data on wildlife populations on Forest Preserves holdings, conducts educational programs, and works closely with other governmental agencies, researchers and universities to investigate zoonotic disease transmittal and control programs.
• The Resource Project Management division coordinates the work of private contractors and cooperative agencies to design and execute restoration and vegetation removal projects.
• The Resource Programming division administers the Conservation Corps program with a variety of workforce, justice system and community agencies, and coordinates intern-appropriate habitat restoration projects and in-house training programs.
• Five Resource Management Crews are responsible for large-scale land management, vegetation removal and trail maintenance projects.