Efforts for Rare Turtle Earn St. Charles Park District Award

SOURCE: St. Charles Park District

The St. Charles Park District will be presented the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association’s Outstanding Sustainability and Conservation Award at the Illinois Parks and Recreation’s Annual All-Conference Awards Luncheon to be held downtown Chicago on Jan. 24, 2014.

This award recognizes the district’s Blandings Turtle Recovery Program Breeding Project that is managed by the naturalist staff at the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Road.

The purpose of the award is to honor public agencies for outstanding and innovative achievements in environmental conservation projects or programs. While the Blandings Turtle Recovery Project is a cooperative partnership effort among the St. Charles Park District, DuPage County Forest Preserve, Wheaton Park District’s Cosley Zoo, Peggy Notebaert Museum in Chicago and Brookfield Zoo, each agency contributes to the programs goals of achieving success in this endangered species.

Hickory Knolls uses its exhibit to introduce the Blandings Turtles to the Kane County residents and visitors, and share the importance of regional marshes and wetlands to the public. The goal of turtle exhibit is to educate the public on the plight of the Blandings turtles, which are endangered in Illinois and to achieve indoor breeding success.

Holly Cabel, Director of Parks and Recreation, is excited that the District has been honored for their sustainability efforts this past year. “As we go forth in the New Year, the District plans on continuing its green efforts and being conscious about our ecological footprint.”