The Forest Preserve District relies on the strong partnerships it has formed with municipal, county and state agencies to ensure it can provide the best amenities for DuPage County residents while adhering to its mission. In 2016 and 2017 the Board of Commissioners approved several intergovernmental agreements that benefited forest preserve visitors and neighbors alike.
Recent shared services and joint-purchasing agreements between DuPage County and the Forest Preserve District have produced measurable taxpayer savings of $275,000.
Efforts over the past year have included an increase in collaboration between the two agencies’ information technology departments. Sharing software-licensing agreements and geographic information system services for mapping and establishing one locale to house hardware for data backup purposes resulted in $246,000 in combined savings. Collective savings from these efforts could grow by as much as $100,000 over the next year.
The Forest Preserve District also saved more than $29,000 by partnering on a joint bid with the county’s public works department to lock in a lower price for aggregate stone and gravel for trail maintenance and landscaping. In December the Forest Preserve District and county also partnered on tree removal along Naperville Road in Wheaton, an effort that expedited the removal of 40 to 50 dead or unsound trees and other overhanging branches to reduce disruption for the public.
Other cooperative cost-saving efforts included a revision to the Forest Preserve District’s mosquito management policy to better align with county protocols addressing emerging mosquito-borne diseases and the decision to use the county’s sewer-cleaning equipment instead of purchasing the service from a third-party vendor. Additional opportunities may include tree assessments, naturalized planting plans, mowing services, trail and paved-area maintenance, and additional shared IT projects.
City of Wheaton
Extension of water supply improvements and provision of water to St. James Farm Forest Preserve
DuPage County
Conveyance of an easement for relocation of existing path and construction of improvements within Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve
Acceptance of the Cool DuPage Initiative
DuPage County Stormwater Management, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the DuPage River Salt Creek Work Group
Cook-DuPage Watershed Initiative, A Watershed Protection Partnership
Forest Preserve District of Kane County
Mussel propagation, monitoring, training and research collaboration
Forest Preserve District of Will County
House, display and care for DuPage County Blanding’s turtles in support of the Forest Preserve District’s Blanding’s Turtle Recovery Program
Multipurpose trail connection between Greene Valley Forest Preserve and Whalon Lake
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Grant agreement for captive rearing of the federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonflies at the Urban Stream Research Center at Blackwell Forest Preserve
Illinois Department of Transportation
Improvements at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve
Trail and trailhead improvements at Dunham Forest Preserve
McHenry Conservation District
Mussel propagation and research collaboration
Village of Glen Ellyn
Agreement providing for the lease of a maintenance building, property and the McKee House at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve
West Chicago Park District
Establishment of multipurpose trail connection between Dunham Forest Preserve and Cornerstone Lakes Park
In addition to cooperating through intergovernmental agreements, the Forest Preserve District regularly collaborates with park districts, townships, county departments, state and federal agencies, and universities and local colleges.
Benedictine University
Affiliation agreement to provide practical learning environment and mentorship for university students
Bensenville Park District
Improvements and sheep display at Fischer Farm
Commonwealth Edison Company
Three leases for trail maintenance adjacent to Cricket Creek, Salt Creek Marsh and Greene Valley forest preserves
Conservation Foundation
Grant application to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the Fox Valley Monarch Corridor Project
DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau
Collaboration for healthy lifestyles and recreational activities in DuPage forest preserves
Friends of Danada
Danada House flooring improvements and enhancement of water feature in rear courtyard
Wayne Area Conservancy
License agreement allowing the conservancy to assist with restoration of an additional 18 acres at Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve
Wayne Township Road District
Letter of support for the Klein Road Trail
3S580 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-933-7200
forest@dupageforest.org
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Forest Preserve District is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. Contact 630-933-7683 or TTY 800-526-0857.