Letter: Forest Preserves offer vital service
The Forest Preserves of Cook County are a world-class asset that provide vital bird and wildlife habitat, keep our water and air clean and provide ample opportunities for people to connect with nature. However, they need more resources to ensure the preserves are healthy and accessible for future generations of wildlife any people.
When it comes to protecting wildlife, there is little time to spare. We have lost 3 billion birds since 1970 and two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk of extinction due to climate change.
More than 300 species of birds nest or migrate through the Forest Preserves of Cook County annually, relying on its woodlands, grasslands and wetlands for food and shelter. One species, the Bobolink, annually embark on an epic weeksÂlong journey from their wintering grounds in Argentina to Illinois where they need specific habitat to nest and rest. The large, treeless prairies that they need are virtually nonexistent in our region outside of our Forest Preserves.
As a conservation manager for Audubon Great Lakes, I have seen the incredible impact that the Forest Preserves have on our communities. Each year we welcome a diverse cohort of young adults to learn about conservation and participate in habitat restoration on Forest Preserve lands. Since 2014, 80 percent of our interns have moved into jobs in environmental and conservation-related fields.
Voters across Cook County have an amazing opportunity to keep our water and air clean, reduce flooding, and allow local wildlife to thrive by voting yes on the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife referendum. This referendum will create and sustain thousands of conservation jobs, and restore and expand forest preserve land for residents and wildlife to enjoy. This November, vote yes for the Forest Preserves.
Daniel Suarez, Conservation Manager
Illinois/Indiana Audubon Great Lakes
Chicago