Page 60 - Illinois Association of Park Districts Benefits of Membership 2017 - 2018

The issue
POSITION OF THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PARK DISTRICTS
Protection of natural resources
Illinois’ park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies are stewards of more than 350,000 acres of public land and open space. These public lands include neighborhood and community parks, forest preserves, conservation areas, dedicated nature preserves, open space, grasslands, prairies, golf courses, trails, greenways, ponds, riparian habitat, streams, lakes, wetlands and significant fish and wildlife habitat. These sites serve the local recreational needs of a demanding public in a heavily populated state. Some of the areas contain pristine, ecologically rich, unique natural features, as well as diverse flora and fauna.
These acres require considerable care and attention to ensure their preservation and long-term protection. The agencies responsible for the stewardship of these lands are held to the highest standards by the public and are expected to set the example for the protection of the natural resources within their purview and political jurisdictions.
The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) affirms that all people, regardless of age, gender, race or socioeconomic status, should expect that all necessary steps and prudent measures will be taken by all Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies to ensure the protection of the natural resources entrusted to their care.
Background
Regulatory functions associated with the protection of natural resources are the statutory responsibility and domain expressly assigned to select federal agencies, e.g., the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Department of the Interior (National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard; and/or state agencies that include, but are not necessarily limited to, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Human Services.
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