FY 2007 Budget - Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Wildlife:
• Works in conjunction with other government agencies, researchers and universities to understand
human/animal relationships in disease transmittal and control.
• Works with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on white-tailed deer and Canada goose
management.
• Works with Resource Ecology on habitat improvements and policy.
Volunteer Resources:
• Recruits and supports ecosystem management with assistance from volunteer stewards.
• Coordinates the Preserve Keepers Corps. Program consisting of high school students and citizens
who assist the District in maintaining various trails, streams, lakeshores and picnic areas
throughout the county.
Safety and Training:
• Creates a better-educated and more efficient work force at the District by providing training for
District staff including Certified Arborist classes; maintenance procedures for chain saws, brush
chippers, tractors and mowers; prescribe burning certification; pesticide use; first-aid; and plant
identification.
Trails Management:
• Inspects, maintains and recommends improvements for approximately three hundred (300) miles
of paved and unpaved multi-use trails throughout the county.
• Attends meetings with members of the Trails Committee.
• Interacts with different trail user groups.
• Conducts trail work improvement projects with volunteers.
Resource Management Crews
• Implements “Best Management Practices” on District holdings which includes; prescribed
burns, removal and herbicide of invasive plants and planting of native plants.
• Performs stream cleanup on major waterways throughout the District.
• Assists volunteers conducting habitat enhancement projects throughout the District.
• Staff assists with implementing Forest Preserve District’s Restoration Intern Program.
• Responds to public inquiries regarding hazardous vegetation along roadways, picnic areas,
and District holdings adjacent to residential properties.
• Provides in kind services as a match for various grants received by the District.
• Conducts surveys and collaborates with state and federal agencies to control forest pests
such as Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle and Gypsy Moth.
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