Lake County Sustainability Initiatives Take Root in 2024
While Earth Month has ended and Migratory Bird Day is this Saturday, Lake County is looking forward to a brighter future focused on sustainability initiatives now underway and planned for the remainder of 2024 and 2025. One of Lake County’s core goals in our Strategic Plan, adopted by the Board in 2023, is to work to become a national leader in sustainability. While planning for our county’s future, we will act and conduct business in an environmentally responsible manner. We plan to lead by modeling best practices and incorporating sustainability in every aspect of our work.
In 2020, the County Board began setting goals for a Net Zero Lake County. This included setting targets to reduce emissions, increase renewable energy generation and use, and divert waste going into landfills from County operations. An official plan to reach these goals is to be adopted by the end of 2024. This planning will involve a holistic look at government operations to determine how each department will play a role in conserving energy, reducing waste, attending trainings and more to meet targets.
“2024 is on track to be a big sustainability year for Lake County,” said County Board Chair Sandy Hart. “Years of planning, research and effort are coming together allowing us to make changes that will have a positive effect on County operations and ultimately benefit our residents and the environment long term. I’m excited to see the growing impact of this important work across the county.”
Part of the County’s work to reach Net Zero includes utilizing reusable energy sources. A solar array is being constructed to power the Central Permit Facility on our Libertyville campus. The Regional Operations and Communications (ROC) Facility, also currently under construction on our Libertyville campus, will be the County’s first Net Zero building. This means the facility will consume no more energy than is produced from renewable sources. The County also supports the Solar Switch program to assist residents and small businesses secure solar panels on their property.
Earlier this year, the County launched its Regional Tree Initiative: The Tree Planting Solution for Clean Water. This American Rescue Plan Act funded program encourages local communities to improve their stormwater management systems by planting new trees. This initiative will enhance the green infrastructure across Lake County communities. Participating communities will be better equipped to address the impacts of climate change, including increased severe weather events, air pollutants and rising temperatures. The Tree Initiative application period for communities has closed for the first round, with the first tree plantings scheduled for Fall 2024. A second application round is planned for this fall.
Another important initiative Lake County is working towards is developing a Sustainability Model Ordinance Engagement Plan. This will involve an ongoing effort to compile the County’s sustainable regulations and policies into a sustainable ordinance toolkit that can be used as a template to be replicated by other organizations. Counties, municipalities, schools, townships, park districts and other organizations can use Lake County’s work as a springboard to build their own initiatives, instead of starting from scratch. This plan will not only create outreach and offer support to other communities with similar goals, it will make it easier to collectively create a greener region.
“Lake County Government is dedicated to creating a healthier, more sustainable environment for Lake County residents and beyond,” said Jessica Vealitzek, Lake County Board Member District 10 and Planning, Building, Zoning and Environment Committee Chair. “We take our ecological responsibility seriously and hope the County’s work can be used to benefit other organizations that are focusing on building a more sustainable future using our policies and codes as guides.”
Lake County is working to finalize and approve a Bird Friendly Building Design policy, a Dark Sky Commercial Lighting Ordinance and a Dark Sky Facilities policy this year. These policies will work to protect wildlife in Lake County and limit light pollution.
“In alignment with the Lake County Board Strategic Plan, we have been extensively evaluating bird friendly building design and dark sky lighting best practices," said Eric Waggoner, Director of Planning, Building & Development. "Given Lake County’s location within a major migratory flyway, bird friendly policy and regulatory improvements can have a significant positive impact on bird populations. Dark sky practices can also benefit local wildlife and residential quality of life in our unincorporated areas.”
The County also works to promote education and sustainability internally through our Green Team. During Earth Week, April 22-26, they hosted a series of events, including a lunch and learn featuring educational videos with discussion and questions, a seed swap event and staff volunteered their time to help maintain the green roof on the Central Permit Facility. These events challenged employees to see their part in the work to create a more sustainable environment.
Further details about Lake County’s present and future sustainability plans can be found on our website.
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