Preckwinkle accepts new forest preserves plan

Forest Preserves of Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle Friday formally accepted the “Next Century Conservation Plan” for the preserves. The plan was created by a blue-ribbon commission of local leaders appointed by Preckwinkle in 2013 as part of the forest preserves’ centennial anniversary celebration. The plan aims to make Cook County a national leader in urban conservation. It sets goals and priorities to be implemented over the next 25 years and calls on the preserves to develop annual operational plans, set measurable targets and refresh the plan every five years. There are four key priorities — restoring native landscapes; making the preserves more inviting and accessible; expanding the economic benefits of the preserves; and ensuring future leaders sustain the focus on conservation and accountability.