Environmental Reviews and Case Studies: A Plan for Nature in Glenview: Creating and Implementing a Natural Resources Plan at the Community Level

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.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Village of Glenview Natural Resources Commission for years of dedicated service. Members of the Natural Resources Commission have included Kent Fuller (originator and chair, 2003–2010), Henrietta Saunders (member from 2008 and chair from 2010 to present), Judy Beck, Rob Blomquist, Carol Freeman, Ron Ganim, Karen Glennemeier, Nancy Halliday, and high school student members Anders Ahlberg, Casey Chiappetta, Benjamin May, and Hannah Nelson. Thanks also to the consultants and contractors, Village staff, and Village board of trustees for authorizing and implementing the various projects that make A Plan for Nature in Glenview viable. Grant funding for several of the projects described in the article has been administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (in part through its North Branch Planning Committee). Mike Digiannantonio of MGP created Figure 1.