Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan Wins More National Recognition

The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) has awarded its 2001 Achievement Award for Regional Excellence to the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan. "The NARC Achievement Awards honor regions whose projects promote regional cooperation and address cross-jurisdictional issues and challenges," said outgoing NARC President Paul Koneck.

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. The plan previously received the American Planning Association's 2001 Outstanding Planning Award.

According to NIPC President Herbert T. Schumann, who accepted the NARC award in Omaha June 4, "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." John Rogner, chair of Chicago Wilderness, was also present at the award ceremony.

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 by e-mail at dreher@nipc.org. 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 Sandi Radtke, (312) 454-0400 or radtke@nipc.org. 

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.

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