Geneva Park District receives conservation honors

The Geneva Park District has achieved the distinction of receiving two national awards from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Wildness for its conservation efforts and commitment to open space.

On Dec. 10, the Geneva Park District was recognized with the Leadership in Conservation Award for their commitment to obtaining, preserving and enhancing open space, as well as, developing it into crucial habitat for plants and animals. The Geneva Park District competed against 45 other agencies nationwide for this honor.

The district's Mill Creek Community Park was honored with the Conservation and Native Landscape Award. This award recognizes sites that are exemplary in terms of native landscaping, ecosystem restoration and protection, and/or conservation design.

The park district's Mill Creek Community Park was recognized for the well-established prairies that have been integrated into the park along with the active recreation area. The native prairie plantings also serve as watershed protection for the Mill Creek Neighborhood. This natural prairie has provided habitat and a nesting area for state threatened wildlife including: the Illinois chorus frog, smooth soft-shell turtle and the black crowned night heron.

Geneva Park District owns and maintains approximately 700 acres of open space. Of those acres, 400 acres are maintained as natural areas providing safe habitat for native plants and animals to live and breed, as well as open space for the community to enjoy. In addition, these natural areas provide outdoor education and allow children and adults to experience and learn about biodiversity, reconnecting them with the land.

The Geneva Park District is proud to be an innovator and a leader in our commitment to preserving and maintaining open space in our community.

For more information, visit www.genevaparks.org or call (630) 232-4542.