A select list of awards and honors presented to the Forest Preserves of Cook County and its employees, partners and collaborators.
2010
Steve Bylina, Diana Krug, Richard Newhard, Justin Pepper, and John Raudenbush received the Grassroots Conservation Leadership Award from the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project for their partnership with and support for restoration volunteers–specifically, for allocating funds for restoration with the input of site stewards. The award recognizes individuals who have made a particularly inspiring impact on conservation and restoration in the Chicago Wilderness region.
Mike Quigley received the Grassroots Conservation Leadership Award from the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project for his work on land acquisitions, the budget, and ecological management, and for participating in restoration workdays as a Forest Preserve Board member. The award recognizes individuals who have made a particularly inspiring impact on conservation and restoration in the Chicago Wilderness region.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County – Finance Department received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for its comprehensive annual financial report for the previous fiscal year, which achieved the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting. The award recognizes state and local governments that go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.
Orland Grassland Restoration Project received the Conservation & Native Landscaping Award from the U.S. EPA and Chicago Wilderness for restoring a prairie with scattered wetland habitats, to the benefit of grassland nesting birds and regional plant diversity, through prescribed burns, drill seeding, and removing invasives. The award honors outstanding efforts by corporations, park districts, and municipalities to use native plants in the landscape or use conservation development practices within the Chicago Wilderness region.
2009
Forest Preserve District of Cook County received the Hospitality Award of Merit from the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau for taking a major role in the development of the Chicago Southland’s newest trail, the Calumet-Sag trail, and for collaborating with the 14 communities and park districts along the trail to design a unique, multi-purpose transportation and recreation corridor. The award recognizes members, municipalities, and organizations for their outstanding service in the hospitality and tourism industries.
John McCabe received the Grassroots Conservation Leadership Award from the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project for improving training in restoration techniques and coordinating staff and volunteers as Assistant Director of Resource Management. The award recognizes individuals who have made a particularly inspiring impact on conservation and restoration in the Chicago Wilderness region.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County – Finance Department received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for its comprehensive annual financial report for the previous fiscal year, which achieved the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting. The award recognizes state and local governments that go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County – Finance Department received the Recycling Hall of Fame Award from Keep Chicago Beautiful which honors organizations for keeping Chicagoland clean and beautiful through good solid waste management practices.
Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards received the Conservation & Native Landscaping (Leaders in Conservation) Award from the U.S. EPA and Chicago Wilderness for their work restoring tallgrass prairie, oak-hickory woodland, ponds, sedge meadows, and savannas. The award honors outstanding efforts by corporations, park districts, and municipalities to use native plants in the landscape or use conservation development practices within the Chicago Wilderness region.
2006
Forest Preserve District of Cook County received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Cesar Chavez Serve and Learn Program for outstanding participation in curriculum-based service learning. Students from Chicago Public Schools participated in habitat restoration activities at Somme Woods and Somme Prairie Grove and learned about biodiversity.
Dave Kircher received the Progress Award from the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers to honor and thank him for his devotion and continued dedication for helping to build alliances between land managers and user groups.
Bartel Grassland Restoration Project received the Environmental/Conservation Award from the National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials for a large-scale restoration effort impacting grassland plants and birds and offering an invaluable resource to the local community. The award recognizes an exceptional effort to acquire, restore, preserve, operate, or develop unique or significant conservation and natural areas or programs.
2004
Debbie Antlitz received the Conservation Leadership Award from the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project for her report on the quality of the Forest Preserve District’s natural areas as a Forest Preserve District Ecologist. The award recognizes individuals who have made a particularly inspiring contribution to conservation and restoration in the Chicago Wilderness region.
Bill Koenig received the Conservation Leadership Award from the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project for his support for volunteers as a Volunteer Coordinator. The award recognizes individuals who have made a particularly inspiring contribution to conservation and restoration in the Chicago Wilderness region.
2002
NeighborSpace Program received the James C. Howland Urban Enrichment Gold Award from the National League of Cities which recognizes community efforts that have preserved and enriched the environmental quality of life in cities and towns.
NeighborSpace Program received the Illinois Tomorrow Award from the Governor of the State of Illinois for the acquisition of open space in Chicago. The award recognizes planning initiatives that invest in communities by improving job opportunities, infrastructure, open space, and quality of life for community residents.
John Elliot received the Leadership Award from the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project for his work in bird monitoring, environmental education, and restoration with the Forest Preserve District. The award recognizes individuals who have made a particularly inspiring contribution to conservation and restoration in the Chicago Wilderness region.
2001
Baker’s Lake Heronry Reconstruction Project received the Project of the Year (Environment–Less than $2 Million) Award from the American Public Works Association Chicago Metropolitan Chapter for building artificial nesting structures that brought a resurgence in the heron population. The award recognizes projects representing the best in the public works profession.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County received a Special Commendation from Chicago Defender Charities, INC. Bud Billiken Parade recognizing those who have demonstrated excellence and commitment in their fields, who have merged their work with their calling, and whose organizations have established a paradigm for excellence nationwide.
2000
Baker’s Lake Heronry Reconstruction Project received the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (Less than $5 Million) Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers Illinois Section for building artificial nesting structures that brought a resurgence in the heron population. The award honors an exemplary project that illustrates superior civil engineering skills and represents significant contributions to civil engineering progress and society.
NeighborSpace Program received the Great Lakes Region Partnership Award from the National Recreation and Park Association which recognizes an outstanding partnership that has been established to address a pressing issue that a single organization could not solve.
NeighborSpace Program received the Acts of Caring Award from the National Association of Counties which county government sponsored programs that meet community needs and foster citizen responsibility.
NeighborSpace Program received an Honorable Mention from Harvard University–Innovations in American Government.
NeighborSpace Program received the Excellence in Resource Management Award from Harvard University–Innovations in American Government.
1999
Busse Woods Forest Preserve received the Centennial Medallion Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects which honors America’s places of the heart – landscapes that improve the quality of life in communities around the nation. Busse Woods was recognized for this award because it is a 3,700-acre complex of woods, water, and meadows, this heavily-used refuge accommodates more annual visitors than many National Parks. Through thoughtful landscape architectural planning and design, people and nature coexist to create a model urban forest preserve.
Mighty Acorns Expansion received the Regional Conservation Education Outstanding Achievement Award from the USDA Forest Service.
1998
CitySpace Plan received the Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning from the Metropolitan Planning Council which honors innovative and visionary planning efforts in the Chicago metropolitan region.
NeighborSpace Program received the Urban Innovation Award for Fiscal Responsibility.
1997
Burnham Greenway Bicycle Trail received the Award of Excellence from the National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of parks and recreation.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County received the Organizational Achievement Award–Governor’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement Training from the Illinois Law Enforcement Standards Board.
1996
City Space received the Special Merit Award from the Chicago Horticultural Society for the FPDCC’s innovative partnership with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District to create CitySpace–a visionary project dedicated to developing a comprehensive plan for creating and preserving open space in Chicago.
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County received the Chicagoland’s Tremendous Trees Award from Openlands and the Morton Arboretum.
Back Injury Prevention Program received the Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties which recognizes innovative county government programs.
Quality Council–Forest Preserve District of Cook County received the Government Assistance Program Model of Excellence.
1995
Cultural Diversity Training Program received the Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties which recognizes innovative county government programs.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County received the William Penn Mott Jr. Award for Excellence from the National Society for Parks Resources which honors outstanding achievements in the field of parks and recreation.
Quality Council–Forest Preserve District of Cook County was recognized as a Government Assistance Program Model of Excellence.
1994
1994 Land Acquisition Plan received the Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects–Illinois Chapter which recognizes outstanding professional achievement in landscape architecture.
Skokie Lagoons Lake Restoration received the Project Award for Exceptional Project from the National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of parks and recreation.
Strategic Design–Forest Preserve District of Cook County recognized as a Government Assistance Program Model of Excellence.
1993
Youth Opportunity Corps received the Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties in recognition of distinguished contributions to the cause of strong and efficient county government.
Youth Opportunity Corps received the Award for Exceptional Programming from the National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of parks and recreation.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County received the President’s Award from the National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of parks and recreation.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County and Save the Prairie Society received the Land and Conservation Fund Excellence Award from the US Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service, Midwest Region in recognition of their efforts in the acquisition of Wolf Road Prairie.
1992
Bicycle Trail Network received the Award of Excellence from the National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of parks and recreation.
1991
Bicycle Trail Network received the Public Recognition Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects–Illinois Chapter which recognizes outstanding professional achievement in landscape architecture.
1990
Centennial Trail and the Illinois and Michigan Canal Heritage Corridor received a Special Resolution from the Open Lands Project and Upper Illinois Valley Association for their commitment to the environment in creating the Centennial Trail.
1986
Forest Preserve District of Cook County received the Honor Award for district-wide improvements from the American Society of Landscape Architects–Illinois Chapter which recognizes outstanding professional achievement in landscape architecture.