Northbrook parks first in Illinois to be awarded prestigious ‘sanctuary’ certification by Audubon International

Recently, Northbrook has become the first park district in Illinois to earn cooperative sanctuary program certification from Audubon International.

Northbrook, with a total of 23 parks, totaling just over 200 acres, has become a leader in environmental stewardship, with two of their parks earning this prestigious certification this summer, Park District officials say.

Bill Meyer, superintendent of grounds and golf maintenance of the Northbrook Park District, says their two largest parks — Techny Prairie Park and Fields and Wood Oaks Green Park — met the rigorous standards required for certification by Audubon International.

“Site visits began in 2021, under the leadership of then Superintendent Mark Kosbab, and I carried on the initiative from there,” Meyer said.

The two-year process included evaluations of existing park conditions, setting goals for how to improve and develop park areas, and setting time frames for project completion.

“In my opinion the standards were attainable, but required diligence in developing and implementing a deliberate environmental management plan and carefully documenting its results,” Meyer said.

According to Meyer, the plan included increasing biodiversity through native plantings and bird-friendly environments; water and energy conservation, waste reduction; environmental education for staff and visitors; wildlife and habitat assessment to guide conservation efforts; chemical use reduction and community engagement through volunteer activities and collaboration.

Further, the proximity of Wood Oaks Junior High School to Wood Oaks Green Park can encourage future opportunities for community educational outreach with students and the creation of an outdoor classroom, Meyer says.

Each case study in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program is different, and created with a focus on environmental resource management and natural plant selection.

At Techny Prairie Park and Fields, for example, the park’s pond is used as an irrigation reservoir for Anetsberger Golf Course and the Techny Prairie natural turf ball fields and has a system that employs a rain shut-off sensor.

At Wood Oaks Green Park, the Park District engaged in a two-year shoreline restoration project which included a substantial increase in native plantings, representing 90% of the park’s flora, and creating additional buffer zones to limit erosion, Meyer said.

These two parks are among only three locations in Illinois to meet this standard, the third location is Cantigny Park in Wheaton, which is funded by the nonprofit Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Across the entire United States only 27 non-golf course locations have earned this designation, according to a Park District news release.

The Northbrook Park District offers 36 holes of golf at two golf courses — Heritage Oaks Golf Club with 27 holes and Anetsberger Golf Course with a 9-hole course.

Park District Executive Director Molly Hamer said Heritage Oaks Golf Club earned the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf certification in 2015, with recertification achieved in 2022, and is among 713 golf courses on that list across the country.

“Our vision statement speaks to being a national leader in parks and recreation, only achieved due to the expertise and passion of our committed staff,” Hamer said.

Northbrook Park District Director of Parks and Properties Chris Leiner said this remarkable achievement showcases the district’s unwavering commitment to the national standards for the ecological management of public lands.

“With Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program status as a symbol of our dedication, we continue to invest wholeheartedly in preserving and enhancing our precious natural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations,” Leiner said.

Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.