Is It Possible For Forest Preserves To Become Greener
One would think that every park is naturally Green, wouldn't they? The presence of trees, flowers, and even compost would lead anyone to conclude that there is no Greener place in the community that a forest preserve. Well, there is still plenty of room to improve nearly any Green program. Ryerson Woods has continually stepped up its environmental standards and has recently earned the silver level certification from the Green Business League.
Ryerson Woods (www.ryersonwoods.org) worked closely with Kaye Kharasch from Green Building Connections to work through an evaluation of the point values needed to accomplish this Green certification. Kaye Kharasch is a well-know and Green Certified Consultant who has an absolute dedication and experience to the environmental issues in the greater Chicago area.
The Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area (Ryerson Woods) is an inimitable forest preserve in the country--nationally renowned for its ecological, historical and architectural implication. It is a 552-acre preserve located near Deerfield, Illinois. Located on the east bank of the Des Plaines River, the area has for a long time served as a natural passageway for voyage by land and water. With 279 acres formally devoted as an Illinois Nature Preserve, Ryerson is home to more than a few rare species, as well as the blue-spotted salamander, wood frog, eastern Mississauga rattlesnake, red-shouldered hawk, very, and purple fringed orchid. Also, they have a key Native American trails forded the river at the present site of Ryerson Woods.
Six miles of flat trails wind through a stately forest and follow a quiet river. They are open to hikers and--when snow is at least four inches deep--cross-country skiers. Brushwood,built as a summer homeby Ryerson Steel chairman and Chicago land philanthropist, Edward L. Ryerson, houses the staff of the Friends of Ryerson Woods, as well as a collection of rare nature books and changing art exhibitions depicting the beauty and wonder of nature.
The Brushwood home is one of the architectural resources of the Ryerson Conservation Area. Inspired by a 1840s Greek revival farmhouse in Marengo, Illinois, Brushwood was built in 1942. The majestic home with a columned portico was designed by Ambrose Cramer, who previously worked for the great estate architect, David Adler. The momentous feel of the house was achieved by salvaging brick, woodwork, and fixtures from older buildings. Cramer always described his project for the Ryerson's as his best. Ryerson Woods is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This is a perfect model of green structural design, The Welcome Center houses a wide-ranging natural science library,a children's nature library and the environmental education employees of the Lake County Forest Preserves. The Ryerson Conservation Area gives the option of many nature programs and special events all through the year for families, adults, children, teachers and district groups.
Friends of Ryerson Woods uses the unique setting of Ryerson Woods to catalyze people's understanding, life-long appreciation, and behavior in support of nature. Friends accomplishes its mission in partnership with the Lake County Forest Preserve District. They will be a steward of the natural sanctuary that the Woods provide, ensuring its continuance as a quiet retreat. The historic buildings and grounds will be a center for training, education and discourse about nature for all skill levels and age groups, and an incubator for innovative approaches to environmental issues. Friends will convene organizations of the Chicago metropolitan region to seek creative, collaborative partnerships, providing a rich array of interdisciplinary programs that build a tradition of quality and dynamism.
In order to earn the Green certification, Ryerson Woods established a wide variety of accessible Green Practices, and has even more plans to develop the Green Practices of the entire operations. Even park districts have business offices that use tools, energy, paper, and need to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ). Every office produces waste and ultimately must throw out used equipment. In other words, running a park district is not just about gorgeous gardens of aromatic flowers. There is a realistic business side that needs the same kind of awareness to the daily function as many other businesses.
