Press Release - Wednesday, February 01, 2006
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Lt. Gov. Quinn and Mayor Daley Thank U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Large Grant
CHICAGO - Wednesday, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley accepted a $750,000 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The grant is the first of its kind given to the state of Illinois and will launch the development of Chicago's Southeast Side Hegewisch Marsh into the region's premier conservation area.
The Hegewisch Marsh Restoration Project is a joint collaboration of the State of Illinois, City of Chicago, Conservation Fund, and Field Museum. The project will restore the rich wetlands of one of the largest undeveloped pieces of land in Chicago.
"Wetlands are the kidneys of Lake Michigan" Quinn said. "They serve to protect Lake Michigan's water quality and their rich environment attract wildlife and enhance nature-based tourism."
Located in the Calumet Open Space Reserve in Southeast Chicago, Hegewisch Marsh includes 100 acres of forests and wetlands bordering urban and industrial properties. Restoring the land to its natural state will protect species such as the heron, the whooping crane, and the yellow-headed blackbird. And adding accessible trails will attract the more than 100,000 visitors expected each year.
Quinn and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley were joined by representatives from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agency.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service previously funded the acquisition of the Hegewisch Marsh site with $1.66 million in grants, which was matched by the state of Illinois.
"This Coastal Grant Award recognizes the Hegewisch Marsh as an important part of a broader effort to restore and protect the resources of the Great Lakes Basin," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall. "It is also a testament to the commitment of the City of Chicago and its partners to natural resources conservation. Chicago is truly a model for the nation in demonstrating how to integrate conservation into the urban landscape."
A restored Hegewisch Marsh will feature educational trails, observation platforms and creative signage. Located adjacent to the proposed Ford Calumet Environmental Center, the area will also serve as a learning center for the Illinois students who attend the 22 schools within a 10-mile radius of the marsh.
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