Forest fight: Preserving a bit of nature ... from ourselves

From forest preserves to city parks, from municipal golf courses to schoolyards, public green spaces in heavily urbanized regions pose a multi-dimensional challenge: How to protect their lands and resources from the very people they are there to serve.

District strives to balance preservation and play

The legislation that created the Cook County Forest Preserve District in 1913 charged it with a dual mission: preservation of natural resources and recreation for the public. Sometimes, they clash.

Poachers target forest preserves

The word “poaching” conjures images of distant lands, elephant guns and tiger pelts, but it’s also a problem for the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Coveted species include hawks, snakes and rare orchids.

 

Forest preserves not perfect but getting better, commissioner says

Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri (R-9th) has seen a lot of changes around the forest preserves since his election in 1994. He recently sat down with Anne Look to discuss improvements made since a recent management overhaul and challenges the preserves still face.

Police chief adds flora and fauna to officer training

Richard Waszak, chief of the Cook County Forest Preserve District police, boosted conservation training for his officers - topics like tree identification, endangered animals, and poaching threats.  He talked with Kevin Janowiak to explain why the police also needs to act as naturalists.

 

Humans in the wild

The forest preserves attract a wide variety of visitors - from vandals to church-goers. Bird watchers, horseback-riders, and ghost hunters all share the same trails.

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