The Byron Forest Preserve District (BFPD) today announced that it has received a Best Green Practices Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD). BFPD accepted the award at the Best of the Best Awards Gala at the Wheeling Park District’s Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling, IL.
The IAPD Best Green Practices Award is presented to a park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency that has taken the initiative to incorporate and encourage environmentally-friendly business practices and policies. Winning organizations have demonstrated practices that could include recycling and solid waste reduction; education and advocacy; conscientious purchasing, green buildings; and energy and materials conservation.
“We are proud to be recognized by the IAPD for our organization’s green practices,” said Todd Tucker, Executive Director at BFPD. “We are dedicated to preserving the open spaces and natural resources in our region and this recognition is a great honor and a sentiment to our commitment.”
The BFPD has implemented several initiatives over the last five years that have helped with energy efficiency. At PrairieView Golf Club, hand watering practices and the reduction of “mowed space” has led to 25 percent less water usage. In addition, PrairieView changed-over its fleet of 80 golf carts from gas to all electric carts which has reduced noise, air pollution and the need for fossil fuel.
The Keller Education Center, which houses the district’s 85 student preschool education program, is a 2013 Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building with wind turbines, solar panels, a geothermal well and many other energy conservation features. Students at the preschool use iPads and a Smartboard to reduce paper consumption in the classroom.
The Jarrett Prairie Center which houses the district’s administrative offices and newly renovated Natural History Museum has had roof-top solar panels for more than ten years which have saved thousands of tax payer dollars
