EPA, Chicago Wilderness honor top projects
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 and Chicago Wilderness announced the winners of their annual Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards.
“Native plants reduce the use of pesticides and valuable water resources,” said EPA Regional Administrator Susan Hedman. “EPA is pleased to recognize these outstanding examples of sustainable design.”
The awards recognize park districts, local governments and corporations for exemplary natural landscaping, conservation and sustainable development projects. The winners will be recognized during a Jan. 28 ceremony at EPA's Chicago office.
Winners for outstanding conservation, native landscaping and sustainable design projects during 2010:
Yellowstone Natural Area, Algonquin Public Works.
Baker's Lake Savanna, Village of Barrington.
Campus Restoration, Oakton Community College (Des Plaines).
Woodland and Wetland Restoration Project, Midwestern University (Downers Grove).
Island Prairie Park Nature Center, Frankfort Square Park District (Frankfort).
Carillon North Buffer Enhancement, Carillon North Homeowners Association (Grayslake).
Conservancy at Estates at Inverness Ridge (Inverness).
Reed-Turner Woodland Sedge Meadow Restoration, Long Grove Park District.
Whippoorwill Farm Preserve, A Mettawa Gateway (Mettawa).
Calvary Church Restoration Prairies (Naperville).
Orland Grassland Restoration Project, Forest Preserve District of Cook County (Orland Park).
Grand Haven Prairie, Grand Haven Homeowners Association (Romeoville).
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, Village of Schaumburg.
Carrington Reserve Natural Area, Village of West Dundee.
Crow Island Woods Woodland Restoration, Winnetka Park District.
Certificates of Merit are awarded to the following projects:
Jackson Creek Native Prairie, Frankfort Park District
Terada Park Partners for Wildlife Native Landscaping – Phase I, Schaumberg Park District
St. Charles Commons, St. Charles Commons Commercial Condominium Association.
Amhurst Lake Business Park Ponds, ALBP Owners Association (Waukegan).
“The Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards are a celebration of conservation success: the recipients are inspiring examples of what can be done to restore and enhance the health of our local nature,” said Melinda Pruett-Jones, executive director of Chicago Wilderness.
See more information about the Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards including photos: www.epa.gov/greenacres/awards/2010awards/index.html.
Chicago Wilderness is a regional alliance that connects people and nature. More than 250 public, private and corporate organizations work together to restore local nature and improve the quality of life for all who live here, by protecting the lands and waters on which we all depend. For more information, visit www.chicagowilderness.org.