NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 17, 2009
Deer Grove Restoration Project Open House August 1
Palatine, IL – A large-scale, 5-year project for the Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine is slated to get underway in late summer, helping to restore and enhance wetlands and increase the biodiversity of diminishing native plants and animal species.
The restoration project is a joint effort of the Cook County Forest Preserve District and Openlands Land Preservation (formerly CorLands). The project was chosen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a wetland mitigation project under the O’Hare Modernization Mitigation Program and will be funded through a grant from Openlands in conjunction with the Army Corps.
The project will eventually allow Deer Grove East Forest Preserve to retain additional ground water and reduce the risk of flooding to nearby communities, provide opportunities for environmental education programs and increase public awareness of the importance of natural areas.
“This project is an incredible opportunity for the forest preserve and the communities surrounding it,” said Cook County Commissioner Gregg Goslin of the 14th District in which Deer Grove East is located. “The restoration will not only enhance the quality of life in the forest preserves, but improve the quality of life for the entire region.”
The Cook County Forest Preserve and Openlands will hold an Open House on August 1, 2009 to provide the public with specifics of this restoration effort.
“This gives us an opportunity to explain to residents the phases of the plan in detail,” said Joseph Roth, Restoration Programs Director at Openlands, which will act as the contracting agent and financial administrator for the project. “For instance, in addition to restoring wetlands it will also include the removal and herbiciding of invasive brush, non-native vegetation and prescribed burns.”
Open House – August 1, 2009
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Walter R. Sundling Jr. High
1100 N. Smith Street, Palatine
For more information, please contact: Commissioner Gregg Goslin, Cook County Board, (312) 603-4932
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