SALUTE TO 5Q YEARS OF OPENLANDS
WHEREAS, On October 25, 2013, Openlands, one of the oldest metropolitan conservation organizations in the nation and the only such regional organization of its kind in the greater Chicago area, will celebrate its Golden Anniversary with a reception, luncheon and program at the Hilton Chicago on South Michigan Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Openlands was founded in 1963 as a project of the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago. This outstanding eleemosynary organization has helped protect more than 55,000 acres of land for public parks and forest preserves, land and water greenway corridors as well as urban farms and community gardens; and
WHEREAS Openlands creates and implements long-term solutions that balance development of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region with the vital protection for open spaces critical to the quality of life and preservation of natural resources for future generations. Its leadership and work have resulted in landmark conservation achievements such as the Illinois Prairie Path, the I & M Canal National Heritage Corridor and the 19,000-acre Midewin National Tallgrass
Prairie; and
WHEREAS, The impact of Openlands extends from local school and community gardens in Chicago to trail networks on land and water that link three states. Volunteer programs encourage the younger generation to take responsibility for the region's natural resources. The Openlands Lakeshore Preserve at Fort Sheridan in Lake County and the establishment of the bi-state Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in McHenry County, Illinois and Walworth County, Wisconsin are its most recent projects; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti has apprised this august body of the significant milestone achieved by this venerable and vital environmental conservation organization; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this 16th Day of October, 2013, do hereby salute Openlands for five decades of devotion to the care and preservation of this region's open space and natural resources and extend our very best wishes for the continuing success of its important mission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Gerald W. Adelmann, President and CEO of Openlands.
ROBERT W. FIORETTI Alderman - 2nd Ward