Chicago Launches Nature & Wildlife Plan Update

On Thursday, August 18, 2011, Mayor Emanuel joined the Chicago Nature and Wildlife Advisory Committee, chaired by Openlands President & CEO Jerry Adelmann, to launch the Chicago Nature and Wildlife Plan Update: A Strategy to Enhance Urban Ecosystems 2011-2016.

The Chicago Nature and Wildlife Plan Update reviews progress made since the original 2006 Plan and sets priorities for the next five years. The launch of this plan update marks Chicago's continued commitment to expand and improve our important urban natural areas through four key strategies:

• Protect and expand natural areas;
• Manage existing natural areas;
• Foster stewardship; and
• Monitor sites and conduct research.

It also represents the city's commitment to implementing the Chicago Wilderness's Biodiversity Recovery Plan at the local level.

Urban natural areas are an important opportunity to connect people, especially children, to nature and the physical and emotional benefits of being outdoors. The Committee looks forward to working in collaboration with many local and regional partners to increase the visibility and accessibility of Chicago’s natural environment, to foster stewardship, and to make a deeper connection to nature for all who live, work, and play in Chicago.