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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS AND CASE STUDIES: A Plan for Nature in Glenview: Creating and Implementing a Natural Resources Plan at the Community Level

Robyn Flakne^a1 c1 and Robert Keller^a2 p1

^a1 Natural Resources Manager, Village of Glenview, Glenview, Illinois

^a2 Formerly, Ecological Restoration Intern, Village of Glenview, Glenview, Illinois

Abstract

Green infrastructure planning at the community level is explored through a description of the development and implementation of a natural resources plan for the Village of Glenview, a Chicago suburb. The plan grew from previous investments in natural resources, such as zoning and ordinance protection and the redevelopment of a 1,121-acre naval air station in the village. Projects originating from the plan have included streambank stabilizations, detention basin naturalizations, rain gardens, remeandering and naturalization of a reach of the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River, and public outreach efforts. Keys to the plan's creation and implementation to date include official incorporation of a politically sophisticated Natural Resources Commission into local government, thorough ecological assessment of existing natural resources, grant funding and political viability due to the coincidence of habitat- and water-quality improvement goals, consistency with regional plans, peer recognition, and efforts to secure public acceptance through private landowner incentives, volunteer workdays, and communications campaigns. Barriers to full implementation include diverse public and private ownership of desirable natural resources, limited funding for natural resources capital projects, and an implementation plan not officially adopted by the village board of trustees.

Environmental Practice 14:35–44 (2012)

(Received August 15 2011)

(Revised September 01 2011)

(Accepted September 09 2011)

(Online publication March 20 2012)

Correspondence:

^c1 Robyn Flakne, Village of Glenview, 1333 Shermer Road, Glenview, IL 60025; (phone) 847-904-4536; (fax) 847-724-1345; (e-mail) rflakne@glenview.il.us

^p1 Ecological Restoration Technician, Applied Ecological Services, Huntley, Illinois

Robyn Flakne is the Natural Resources Manager and Tree Preservation Officer for the Village of Glenview, and serves as the staff liaison to the Natural Resources Commission. The position provides continual opportunities to learn and practice ecological restoration and identify possible ways to apply green infrastructure and improve natural habitat in a well-developed suburb. Robyn holds a BA in Biology from Augustana College, an MA in Geography and Environmental Studies from Northeastern Illinois University, and a PhD in Forestry from the University of Minnesota. Occasionally, she teaches natural resources–related courses as an adjunct professor at Northeastern Illinois University.

Robert Keller is an ecological restoration technician. He received his BS in geography from Northern Illinois University in 2010. Robert is currently the technology administrator for the nonprofit organization BackYard Nature Center. He has experience and interest in ecological restoration, green infrastructure, and geographic information systems (GIS) research.