Ryerson Woods In Deerfield Is Greener Still
One would think that every park is naturally Green, wouldn’t they? The presence of trees, flowers, and even compost would lead anyone to conclude that there is no Greener place in the community that a forest preserve. Well, there is still plenty of room to improve nearly any Green program. Ryerson Woods has continually stepped up its environmental standards and has recently earned the silver level certification from the Green Business League.
Ryerson Woods (www.ryersonwoods.org) worked closely with Kaye Kharasch from Green Building Connections to work through an evaluation of the point values needed to accomplish this Green certification. Kaye Kharasch is a well-know and Green Certified Consultant who has an absolute dedication and experience to the environmental issues in the greater Chicago area.
The Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area (Ryerson Woods) is an inimitable forest preserve in the country–nationally renowned for its ecological, historical and architectural implication. It is a 552-acre preserve located near Deerfield, Illinois. Located on the east bank of the Des Plaines River, the area has for a long time served as a natural passageway for voyage by land and water. With 279 acres formally devoted as an Illinois Nature Preserve, Ryerson is home to more than a few rare species, as well as the blue-spotted salamander, wood frog, eastern Mississauga rattlesnake, red-shouldered hawk, very, and purple fringed orchid. Also, they have a key Native American trails forded the river at the present site of Ryerson Woods.
Six miles of flat trails wind through a stately forest and follow a quiet river. They are open to hikers and–when snow is at least four inches deep–cross-country skiers. Brushwood,built as a summer homeby Ryerson Steel chairman and Chicago land philanthropist, Edward L. Ryerson, houses the staff of the Friends of Ryerson Woods, as well as a collection of rare nature books and changing art exhibitions depicting the beauty and wonder of nature.
The Brushwood home is one of the architectural resources of the Ryerson Conservation Area. The momentous feel of the house was achieved by salvaging brick, woodwork, and fixtures from older buildings. The majestic home with a columned portico was designed by Ambrose Cramer, who previously worked for the great estate architect, David Adler. Inspired by a 1840s Greek revival farmhouse in Marengo, Illinois, Brushwood was built in 1942. Ryerson Woods is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cramer always described his project for the Ryerson’s as his best.
A model of green architecture, The Welcome Center houses an extensive natural science library,a children’s nature library and the environmental education staff of the Lake County Forest Preserves. The Ryerson Conservation Area offers many nature programs and special events throughout the year for families, adults, children, teachers and community groups.
Friends accomplishes its mission in partnership with the Lake County Forest Preserve District. Friends of Ryerson Woods uses the distinctive setting of Ryerson Woods to catalyze people’s perceptive, life-long appreciation, and behavior in support of nature. The historic buildings and grounds will be a hub for training, education and discourse about nature for all skill levels and age groups, and an incubator for pioneering approaches to environmental problems. Friends will assemble organizations of the Chicago urban area to seek creative, mutual partnerships, on condition that a rich display of interdisciplinary programs that build a custom of quality and dynamism. They will be a steward of the natural refuge that the Woods supply, ensuring its continuation as a quiet withdraw.
In order to earn the Green certification, Ryerson Woods established a wide variety of accessible Green Practices, and has even more plans to develop the Green Practices of the entire operations. There is a realistic business side that needs the same kind of awareness to the daily function as many other businesses. Even park districts have business offices that use tools, energy, paper, and need to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ). Every office produces waste and ultimately must throw out used equipment. In other words, running a park district is not just about gorgeous gardens of aromatic flowers.
The willingness of Ryerson Woods to go from its stage of positive community influence to the next stage of Green operation is admirable and electrifying. The Ryerson Woods Park District is very happy to certify the Ryerson Woods Park District as a Green certified operation that everyone in the Deerfield, Illinois community can truly enjoy. Do your part as well.