The American Planning Association has awarded its 2001 Outstanding Planning Award for a Plan to the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan. The plan was developed by Chicago Wilderness, a partnership of 124 public and private conservation, resource management, citizen advocacy and planning groups. The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) is a member of the coalition.

According to NIPC President Herbert T. Schumann, who accepted the APA award in New Orleans on March 13, "We’re proud to have helped in developing this unique plan. This is another indication of the power of collaboration in dealing with complex metropolitan issues. The Biodiversity Recovery Plan will be a central part of NIPC’s comprehensive general plan, as well as a model for efforts in other metropolitan areas."

The plan includes a number of specific goals:

• creating a network of protected land and waters for wildlife habitat
• ensuring the long-term viability of native plants and animals.
• reducing invasive species
• incorporating human-constructed environments with parks and forest preserves
• providing ecological and economic vitality to Chicago-area residents

The Chicago Wilderness region includes roughly 200,000 acres of land across Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry and Will counties, and some of the best surviving woodlands, wetlands and prairies in the Midwest.

Local governments can schedule a presentation on how to protect nature in their communities by contacting Dennis Dreher, at (312) 454-0400, or email dreher@nipc.org. Copies of the Biodiversity Recovery Plan are available free of charge at the NIPC Publications Center. For mail order copies, there is a $3.20 postage charge. Call 312-454-0400, x210 for more information on obtaining the plan. It can also be downloaded in three parts as Adobe Acrobat PDF files from NIPC's web site at www.nipc.org/new-pubs.htm.

Additional information about the Biodiversity Plan can be found on the web site of Chicago Wilderness, www.chicagowilderness.org or by contacting Lucy Hutcherson, Director of Communications, at (708) 485-0263, extension 253. For more information about NIPC’s role in the Biodiversity Plan, contact Alice Kaderlan, (312) 454-0400, kaderlan@nipc.org.

The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission was created by the Illinois Legislature to undertake comprehensive planning for the six-county metropolitan area. NIPC also provides technical and research assistance and reviews state and federal grant requests for local governments.

northeastern illinois planning commission
222 South Riverside Plaza * Suite 1800 * Chicago IL 60606 * (312) 454-0400 * FAX (312) 454-0411