DuPage survey respondents say preservation is key

Preserving and protecting natural areas and wildlife for future generations should be the top priority of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, according to residents who responded to a survey.

Not as many of the respondents believe the district should focus on adding land and far fewer consider providing historical sites to be a priority.

The survey of 800 people who live and/or work in DuPage was one of several methods officials used to gather feedback for the district's strategic plan, which is being created to help guide long-term decision-making.

"It's been enormously helpful gathering the community input to help us identify our priorities going forward," spokeswoman Sue Olafson said.

The survey contained questions about, among other things, the performance of the district and awareness about its services and facilities.

One question asked respondents to identify the district's top priority.

Forty-nine percent said it's preserving and protecting natural areas and wildlife. Providing places to enjoy nature was ranked first by 26 percent of respondents.

Meanwhile, 14 percent said the district should focus on adding land and only 4 percent cited "providing historical sites" as a top priority.

In addition to the "representative sample" of DuPage constituents, more than 1,400 other county residents were allowed to take the survey. Responses from that so-called "opt-in" group were tabulated separately.

When it came to desired priorities for the district, the responses from the opt-in group mirrored those from the representative sample. For example, 56 percent listed preserving and protecting natural areas and wildlife as the top priority.

When it comes to how the district should use its land, all the survey respondents placed the highest rating on protecting wildlife and their habitats.

Another question asked residents if they knew which voting districts they live in. DuPage is divided into six districts with a forest preserve commissioner representing each one.

A vast majority of the representative sample group (85 percent) didn't know their district. Sixty-seven percent of the opt-in group didn't know.

Forest preserve commissioners are expected to review the results later this month.

Olafson said it will be an opportunity for board members to share their views about the data. "What do they see as some of the critical pieces that we need to focus on so we can create a mission, a vision and organizational values that are going to resonate with the community?" she said.

The district is hoping to draft a final version of its strategic plan later this year.