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Sustainability Plan Development Project
START DATE
June 2023
END DATE
April 2024
LOCATION
Wilmette Park District
About the Project
Background/History
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability can be a hard term to define, as it can mean a variety of different things to different people. Generally, sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of present generations without compromising the needs of future generations. Sustainability allows humans to live in harmony with the natural world around them.
Why now?
The Wilmette Park District understands their position as stewards of nearly 300 acres of green space and is committed to addressing the impacts of climate change at the local level. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “The Midwest has gotten warmer, with average annual temperatures increasing over the last several decades.” Additionally, the EPA states, “Heavy downpours are already common, but climate change is expected to intensify storms and lead to greater precipitation across the entire region during this century.” By implementing sustainability measures now, the Wilmette Park District can make a meaningful contribution towards mitigating climate change while enhancing its readiness to adapt to future climate-related challenges.
Project Inception
In June of 2023, The Wilmette Park District launched the sustainability planning process to begin developing The Wilmette Park District’s Guide to Green Sustainability Plan. The first step in the process was to establish a steering committee of invested staff members from across the agency. This committee held their first meeting in June to discuss their goals, objectives and develop a timeline for the overall project. The committee then conducted four total surveys, five “table talks”, and provided a draft strategy feedback opportunity to engage with patrons to gauge community perspectives and gather ideas from the public.
Planning Goal and Outcomes
The sustainability planning process involved the collection and analysis of data, industry research, and feedback from both an internal steering committee and Park District patrons. These findings were used to establish The Wilmette Park District’s Guide to Green Sustainability Plan. The Plan outlines practices and initiatives to strengthen existing sustainable policies within the Park District while providing a roadmap for achieving greater sustainability goals in the coming years. Through the adoption of environmentally-friendly strategies, the Wilmette Park District aims to protect and enhance the natural resources that make our parks and community special.
To view the WIlmette Park District Guide to Green Sustainability Plan, click on the cover image:
Documents and Downloads
Project Timeline
July 31, 2024
Sustainability and Green Initiatives web page goes live with information about Park District Sustainability Plan progress and current initiatives.
Contact
For additional questions or comments, please reach out to Lucy Mellen, Sustainability Coordinator at sustainability@wilmette.com
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