COMMISSIONERS RECEIVE SERVICE AWARDS, AGENCY RECEIVES FINANCIAL REPORTING AWARD

Several awards have recently been presented to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
      Five members of the District’s Board of Commissioners were recognized by the Illinois Association of Park Districts for milestone years of service to the public. Board President D. “Dewey” Pierotti Jr. of Addison and Commissioner Michael Formento of Glen Ellyn were recognized for their 20 years of service. Commissioners Joseph Cantore of Oak Brook, Marsha Murphy from Addison and Carl Schultz of Aurora were honored for their ten years of membership on the board.
      “I can’t express how proud I am of this Board’s achievements in recent years,” says Pierotti. “We have maintained high fiscal standards through a comprehensive 15-year financial plan, acquired new lands, built new recreational facilities, improved existing educational centers, and strengthened the levels of protection on some of our highest quality natural areas.”
      He added that though the Board of Commissioners will feature several new members in its next term, the strategic vision and dedication to the agency’s mission of conservation, education and recreation established by the current elected members will have lasting positive influence.
      The District has also received, for the 25th consecutive year, the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting presented by the Government Finance Officers Association. This year’s recognition is for the District’s comprehensive annual report for fiscal year 2010 – 2011. The nonprofit Government Finance Officers Association has been in existence for over 100 years and today serves roughly 16,000 governmental professionals in the U.S. and Canada. It developed this particular program to encourage agencies to exceed standard accounting requirements.
      Established in 1915, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County manages over 25,000 acres of prairies, woodlands and wetlands. Each year, over 4.3 million visitors enjoy the District’s 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers, and scores of scheduled programs and events. To learn more, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org.