Is It Possible For Forest Preserves To Become Greener?
Most people think that each park is naturally Green, wouldn’t they? The attendance of trees, flowers, and even compost would lead anybody to believe that there is no Greener place in any area then a forest preserve. Well, there is still an abundance of room to advance nearly any Green program. Ryerson Woods has constantly stepped up its environmental standards and has lately 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. 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. Key Native American trails forded the river at the present site of Ryerson Woods. It is a 552-acre preserve located near Deerfield, Illinois. 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.
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. The momentous feel of the house was achieved by salvaging brick, woodwork, and fixtures from older buildings. The majestic home with a columned portico was designed by Ambrose Cramer, who previously worked for the great estate architect, David Adler. Inspired by a 1840s Greek revival farmhouse in Marengo, Illinois, Brushwood was built in 1942. Ryerson Woods is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cramer always described his project for the Ryerson’s as his best.
A model of green architecture, The Welcome Center houses an extensive natural science library,a children’s nature library and the environmental education staff of the Lake County Forest Preserves. The Ryerson Conservation Area offers many nature programs and special events throughout the year for families, adults, children, teachers and community 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 demonstrated a wide variety of existing Green Practices, and has even more plans to improve the Green Practices of the whole operations. Even park districts have business offices that use equipment, energy, paper, and need to improve the indoor air quality. Every office produces trash and eventually must throw out used equipment. In other words, running a park district is not just about beautiful gardens of fragrant flowers. There is a practical business side that needs the same kind of attention to the daily operation as many other businesses.
The willingness of Ryerson Woods to go from its level of positive community authority to the next level of Green operation is admirable and exciting. The Ryerson Woods Park District is very happy to certify the Ryerson Woods Park District as a Green certified operation that everyone in the Deerfield, Illinois community can beyond a doubt enjoy. Do your part as well.
