Cook County Board To Make $1 Million Investment In Preserves

SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle is expected to announce a $1 million investment in a challenge that hopes to get south suburban residents outside.

According to a spokesperson for Preckwinkle, the president of both the county board and the Forest Preserves of Cook County will join community leaders to launch the "Connecting People to Nature Challenge" initiative.

The initiative is meant to "increase local residents' awareness about and time in nature," the spokeswoman said. While Preckwinkle is expected to speak on the specifics of the campaign Thursday, officials told Patch the money would go towards three main forest preserves: Sauk Trail Woods, Miller Meadow and Caldwell Woods.

For the three preserves, money will be spent on ecological restoration, nature programing, new signage and other public engagement tools.

According to a press release, officials hope the investment will be the first of many as local businesses and organizations see forest preserves as viable community assets.

Preckwinkle will formally introduce the initiative Thursday at 11 a.m. at Sauk Trail Woods, Grove No. 5.