Chicago Wilderness Approves Model Conservation Policies

The executive council of Chicago Wilderness recently approved its first two "model policies." These papers inform agency policy makers and the general public on emerging conservation issues. The full model policies — one on forest conservation and the other covering controlled burns — are on the Chicago Wilderness Web site and will be published in at least two forms (the full policy and a glossy, illustrated summary) by the Chicago Region Biodiversity Council.

The model policy on wooded lands, developed by a wide-ranging group from 13 Chicago Wilderness member agencies, summarizes woodland ecology, conservation priorities, and best practices for restoration and management, including deer management, controlled burns in woodlands, and thinning invasive tree species.

The policy paper defines this region's various types of natural wooded lands (woodlands, flatwoods, oak forests, maple forests, and savannas) and describes their history. The largest section of the paper covers forest management, with such topic headings as, Monitoring and setting goals, Control of invasive trees, Control of other invasive plants, Restoration of predator/prey balance, Deer control, Gypsy moths, Controlled burns, and Restoring natural hydrology.

These policy papers should be of great value to agencies and individuals interested in restoring natural good health to the region's biodiversity.