Letter: Support wildlife, clean air, water

The Cook County Forest Preserves are a gem that civic leaders over a hundred years ago had the foresight to protect. The value that we all receive from our forest preserves is hard to measure. Right now we have the opportunity to preserve our Forest Preserves for the next generation by approving the Vote Yes for Clean Air, Clean Water and Wildlife referendum on the November ballot.

The referendum will invest critical and foundational funds into the Cook County Forest Preserves. This money will allow the Forest Preserves to continue the vital work of removing invasive species and repairing roads, parking lots, pavilions, Nature Centers and trails.

The Cook County Forest Preserves help to capture and filter water. This is particularly important for those of us on wells and all of us exposed to flooding. Forest Preserves clean our air and minimize pollution. This is particularly important for so many of us who struggle with asthma or breathing disorders.

The Forest Preserves protect wildlife habitat and the restoration work being done in the forests to remove invasive species is vitally important to support our native flora and fauna. Restoration work includes removing nonnative plants, such as buckthorn, and revitalizing native prairies and grasslands.

Finally, the Forest Preserves creates jobs, particularly in historically underinvested communities. This referendum will support the restoration of 35,000 acres of natural areas.

The Cook County Forest Preserves are a separate unit of government that need to come to the voters for more money, which has not happened since the 1930s. The referendum asks for a small property tax increase that amounts to less than $1.66/month for the vast majority of Cook County homeowners. The money will secure foundational funding for the Cook County Forest Preserves.

Laura Davis

Inverness