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NIPC Adopts Biodiversity Recovery Plan

Chicago, December 16:  The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) today became the first major metropolitan planning agency in the nation to adopt a Biodiversity Recovery Plan for its region. The plan is the product of the Chicago Region Biodiversity Council, also known as Chicago Wilderness, a coalition of agencies and organizations with a shared interest in the preservation of the region's natural heritage. The recovery plan identifies strategies to protect and restore the rich biological diversity of natural landscapes in northeastern Illinois and adjacent portions of Indiana and Wisconsin.

"We are proud to have worked with the Biodiversity Council in developing this unique plan," said NIPC President Herbert T. Schumann. "This is another demonstration of the power of collaboration in addressing complex metropolitan issues. The Biodiversity Recovery Plan will be a central component of our overall Regional Growth Strategy, as well as a model for efforts in other metropolitan areas."

The plan provides a vision to protect the wetlands, prairies, woodlands and waters of the Chicago region, as well as a blueprint for achieving that vision. Many of these native ecosystems are in public ownership, but their ecological value is diminished by the pressures of urban development. By protecting and restoring biodiversity for future generations, Chicago Wilderness hopes to foster a sustainable relationship between society and nature in the region.

"The coming decade will determine whether we save or lose our globally rare native ecosystems," said John Rogner of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, chair of the Biodiversity Council. "The urgency of the situation is why 98 organizations came together to form Chicago Wilderness. While biodiversity loss is a worldwide environmental problem, we in the Chicago region have the opportunity at hand to save nature here and improve the quality of life of our citizens as well."

Development of the plan was a three-year effort in which more than 175 people representing 120 organizations were actively engaged. In addition to protecting and restoring globally and regionally important natural communities, the Council's goals as embodied in the Recovery Plan include strengthening the scientific basis of ecological management, and developing citizen awareness and understanding of biodiversity and its importance.

With NIPC's adoption, the plan now becomes an integral part of the body of policies intended to guide the future of the six-county northeastern Illinois area. "In the next 20 years, the population of the six counties will increase by more than one million people," said President Schumann. "This vibrant growth, which we welcome, will place increasing pressure on our remaining natural land and water resources. It is important that we take steps now to protect the Chicago Wilderness, both for its inherent ecological value and for what it adds to the quality of life in northeastern Illinois."

The Biodiversity Recovery Plan includes 141 action recommendations for state and federal agencies, park and forest preserve districts, cities and villages, non-governmental organizations, and individuals citizens. It is expected that many of these entities will adopt or formally endorse the plan. The forest preserve districts in DuPage, Kane, and Will counties have already done so. The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission is also acting to adopt the plan.

NIPC's Regional Growth Strategy will recommend policies to assure that all parts of the region share in the benefits of balanced growth. In addition to environmental protection, the strategy will include measures to promote strengthening and redevelopment of established communities and to promote new suburban growth based on sound public investment.

The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission is the comprehensive planning agency for the six-county metropolitan area. In addition to planning, the agency provides technical and research assistance and reviews state and federal grant requests for local governments.

northeastern illinois planning commission

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