2024 Conservation Partner of the Year
Minooka Awarded the Conservation Foundation's Partner of the Year!
Minooka’s commitment to conservation stems back many years and continues to grow. The Conservation Foundation, based in Naperville but active in several northeastern Illinois counties, was founded in 1972 and has already helped preserve over 35,000 acres of open space across northern Illinois. The Village is proud to announce that in February the Conservation Foundation awarded Minooka the 2024 Conservation Partner of the Year award. The two agencies have forged a strong and lasting relationship over the years, initially partnering to double the size of downtown’s Veterans Memorial Park. Most recently, the Conservation Foundation and the Village collaborated to preserve an additional five acres of land near Aux Sable Springs Park, protecting a large corridor of wetlands and woodlands.
Mayor Ric Offerman and Village Trustee Terry Houchens, chairman of the Parks and Recreation committee, accepted the award on behalf of the Village. Under their leadership, Village staff has been provided the inspiration and the tools to seek out further conservation opportunities. Minooka’s partnership with the Conservation Foundation is special, and the Village is grateful for their commitment to conservation and support of the community.