DuPage County residents are invited to give feedback on a proposed master plan identifying the DuPage County Forest Preserve District’s priority projects and initiatives for the next five years.
Residents are asked to email their comments through Nov. 27 to [email protected]. Comments should include the respondent’s name and address.
The master plan is expected to come before the forest district board on Dec. 10, and the board is expected to vote on whether to approve the plan at its Dec. 17 meeting.
The forest district last completed a master plan in 1992. Since then the agency has acquired 3,300 additional acres, completed numerous major natural-resource restoration projects, improved its five nature and cultural centers and added a sixth, renovated two golf courses and added new trails, parking lots, shelters and other amenities. After 27 years, the district needed an updated master plan to address this changed environment.
In late 2017 the forest district began a robust planning process and held several community meetings and surveys to gather feedback from the public, volunteers, staff, commissioners and special-interest groups. In all, the forest district gathered input from more than 6,500 people.
From this extensive research, district officials identified key priorities to guide them over the next five years: protect and restore natural resources, provide and improve nature experiences and outdoor recreation, maintain and improve trails, and invest in existing mission-aligned facilities.
The forest district has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 4 million people visit its 60-plus forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call (630) 933-7200 or visit https://www.dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the district’s e-newsletter, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
