About two dozen citizens brainstormed ideas to improve environmental sustainability in Lake Forest at a community engagement forum held Oct. 21 at Gorton Community Center.
Ideas were captured and recorded on a list by Glenn Adelson, an associate professor of environmental studies at Lake Forest College.
“It could cost less to register a car if you have lower emissions,” suggested resident Gene Cartwright. Adelson grabbed a marker and added the idea to a pad of paper.
The forum was held by the Lake Forest Collaborative for Environmental Leadership, which includes representatives of school districts 67 and 115, Lake Forest Open Lands Association, Lake Forest College and the city.
At other tables, facilitators and residents discussed storm water management, keeping the local ecosystem alive, conserving Lake Forest’s ravines and renewable energy.
The collaborative is gathering resident input to craft an environmental sustainability plan for the city. Over the summer the group posted a survey on the city website, said Chair Curt Volkmann. More than 400 people filled out the survey, Volkmann said.
But the low numbers at the Gorton event led organizers to rethink how they would get the word out.
“Based on the turnout, we’re going to need more input,” Volkmann said. “It’s a need we have to stand up in front of the city council to say with confidence that the initiatives reflect the broad consensus of the community and we don’t think we have that yet.”
Getting that resident input could mean organizing another community forum or perhaps popping up at other events, Volkmann said.
“We’re going to get creative,” he said.
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