Bill Text: IL SR0637 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designates October 29, 2013 as McHenry County Conservation District Day in the State of Illinois and recognizes and commends the administration and employees of the McHenry County Conservation District for receiving the 2013 National Recreation and Park Association's Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2013-10-23 - Resolution Adopted [SR0637 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-SR0637-Introduced.html

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SR0637 LRB098 13822 GRL 48428 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District was
organized in 1971 under the Conservation District Act; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District exists
to preserve, restore, and manage natural areas and open spaces
for their intrinsic value and for the benefits to present and
future generations; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District's vision
is to have all residents develop a personal responsibility for
their local environment and to gain a greater appreciation for
the natural world; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District is
governed by a seven-member volunteer Board of Trustees and
stewarded by 80 employees and more than 783 volunteers, many of
whom are respected and experienced leaders in the parks,
recreation, and conservation fields; and
WHEREAS, Over the past decade, the McHenry County
Conservation District has focused on purchasing land,
restoring wildlife habitats, developing sustainable sites,
improving organizational efficiencies, implementing cost
saving measures, producing environmental education programs

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and events, and outdoor recreation experiences; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District manages
more than 25,000 acres of open space, 33 sites open to the
public for recreational access, including 115 miles of hiking
trails, 41 miles of biking trails, 15 miles of canoeing, 20
miles of horse trails, 19 fishing sites, 23 picnic shelters,
and 6 campgrounds; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District
conservation areas, sites, and facilities are an economic
driver and catalyst for sustainability and growth in McHenry
County; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District promotes
environmental stewardship through an active volunteer program,
the People and Nature Certificate Program, and multiple
educational programs and workshops; and
WHEREAS, The County Conservation District promotes sound
environmental practices through the development of public
sites and through the establishment of ongoing green practices
within agency operations; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District embodies
environmental stewardship in its core mission and is recognized

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as a premier public agency in preserving, protecting and
managing open space in Illinois, the region, and the country;
and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District has been
recognized by the United States Department of the Interior for
their recent leadership role in establishing the Hackmatack
National Wildlife Refuge as a bi-state national wildlife refuge
within 100 miles of Chicago and 50 miles of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, The National Park and Recreation Association is
the leading advocacy organization dedicated to the advancement
of public parks, recreation, and conservation with more than
30,000 members and representing public spaces in urban
communities, rural settings, and everything in between; and
WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District has been
awarded the 2013 Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award by
the National Park and Recreation Association, which recognizes
a parks and recreation agency that has achieved excellence in
environmental stewardship on a national level; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the date
of October 29, 2013 as McHenry County Conservation District Day

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in the State of Illinois; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we recognize and commend the administration
and employees of the McHenry County Conservation District for
receiving the 2013 National Recreation and Park Association's
Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award and wish them
continued success in the future; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
delivered to the McHenry County Conservation District as a
symbol of our esteem and respect.