[BCNnet] re: North Park Village Nature Center

[chicago_audubon@juno.com]

Hi All, and Friends of North Park Village Nature Center,
As many of you know, the Mayor intends to transfer the management of
North Park Village Nature Center to the Chicago Park District. For those
concerned about this issue, there will be a meeting of the volunteers and
friends of NPVNC at the Nature Center on Thursday, October 3rd, at 7pm.
The meeting will be attended by DOE Commissioner Marcia Jimenez.

Included in this email is the text of a sample letter to send to Mayor
Daley, though letters containing your own thoughts and feelings are
encouraged. Thanks for listening. Please reply personally to Jerry Garden
at jerrygarden@sprynet.com or to Karen Andersen at
chicago_audubon@juno.com.

karen andersen
chicago, IL
chicago_audubon@juno.com

Mayor Richard M. Daley,
City Hall
121 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60601

Dear Mayor Daley;
	I have heard of and strongly oppose the intent of the City to
transfer your management of the North Park Village Nature Center from the
Department of the Environment to the Chicago Park District.
	The North Park Village Nature Center is a valuable environmental
facility whose role in our city has developed over its more than 22 year
lifetime. Since the Chicago Department of Environment assumed management
of the Nature Center, the missions of the Nature Center and the
Department have been ideally matched. The Nature Center has grown and
thrived over the years with a sensitivity and awareness toward the urban
natural environment on its grounds. The staff of the Nature Center has
attempted to ensure that the increasing numbers of individuals who visit
the site or are touched by its many outreach programs share in that same
sensitivity. Through these efforts, the Department of Environment has
developed a loyal affiliation with the many volunteers and visitors to
the Nature Center.
	The mission of the Chicago Park District is to provide the
citizens of Chicago with facilities and opportunities for recreation.
With the establishment of the district's Division of Natural Resources
about two years ago, there has been significant movement toward the
development of natural areas with the City's parks. However, while that
is a wonderful new direction, the Park District still lacks the
experience and support to maintain and provide for the unique needs of
the environmental education facility at the North Park Village Nature
Center, its natural areas and wildlife.
	I emphatically urge you to retain the budget for and the presence
of the Department of Environment at the North Park Village Nature Center.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,


Supporter of North Park Village Nature Center


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