Our Partnerships

Working Together for DuPage County

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.

Shared Service Projects Add Up to Big Taxpayer Savings

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.

Intergovernmental Agreements

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 

Community Partnerships

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