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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District was
3organized in 1971 under the Conservation District Act; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District exists
5to preserve, restore, and manage natural areas and open spaces
6for their intrinsic value and for the benefits to present and
7future generations; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District's vision
9is to have all residents develop a personal responsibility for
10their local environment and to gain a greater appreciation for
11the natural world; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District is
13governed by a seven-member volunteer Board of Trustees and
14stewarded by 80 employees and more than 783 volunteers, many of
15whom are respected and experienced leaders in the parks,
16recreation, and conservation fields; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Over the past decade, the McHenry County
18Conservation District has focused on purchasing land,
19restoring wildlife habitats, developing sustainable sites,
20improving organizational efficiencies, implementing cost
21saving measures, producing environmental education programs

 

 

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1and events, and outdoor recreation experiences; and
 
2    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District manages
3more than 25,000 acres of open space, 33 sites open to the
4public for recreational access, including 115 miles of hiking
5trails, 41 miles of biking trails, 15 miles of canoeing, 20
6miles of horse trails, 19 fishing sites, 23 picnic shelters,
7and 6 campgrounds; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District
9conservation areas, sites, and facilities are an economic
10driver and catalyst for sustainability and growth in McHenry
11County; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District promotes
13environmental stewardship through an active volunteer program,
14the People and Nature Certificate Program, and multiple
15educational programs and workshops; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The County Conservation District promotes sound
17environmental practices through the development of public
18sites and through the establishment of ongoing green practices
19within agency operations; and
 
20    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District embodies
21environmental stewardship in its core mission and is recognized

 

 

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1as a premier public agency in preserving, protecting and
2managing open space in Illinois, the region, and the country;
3and
 
4    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District has been
5recognized by the United States Department of the Interior for
6their recent leadership role in establishing the Hackmatack
7National Wildlife Refuge as a bi-state national wildlife refuge
8within 100 miles of Chicago and 50 miles of Milwaukee,
9Wisconsin; and
 
10    WHEREAS, The National Park and Recreation Association is
11the leading advocacy organization dedicated to the advancement
12of public parks, recreation, and conservation with more than
1330,000 members and representing public spaces in urban
14communities, rural settings, and everything in between; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District has been
16awarded the 2013 Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award by
17the National Park and Recreation Association, which recognizes
18a parks and recreation agency that has achieved excellence in
19environmental stewardship on a national level; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
21ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the date
22of October 29, 2013 as McHenry County Conservation District Day

 

 

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1in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That we recognize and commend the administration
3and employees of the McHenry County Conservation District for
4receiving the 2013 National Recreation and Park Association's
5Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award and wish them
6continued success in the future; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8delivered to the McHenry County Conservation District as a
9symbol of our esteem and respect.