PROJECT KICKS OFF AUG. 16
New center will advance wildlife care, community engagement, and sustainability
WHAT: Join us for a ceremonial groundbreaking for an ambitious $25.5 million master plan project for Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn that will transform the center and make it the District’s first net-zero designed building.
The centerpiece of the project is a 27,000-square-foot wildlife rehabilitation clinic and visitor center that will allow visitors to view animals through one-way windows and video monitors as they are examined, treated, in surgery, being fed, and rehabilitated.
The building is slated to be one of the first net-zero facilities in DuPage County, meaning it will produce more energy from renewable resources than it will consume on an annual basis. The high-performance facility will include a geothermal heating and cooling system and energy-efficient features throughout. Solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity will produce electricity for the facility and be visible to visitors to learn about renewable energy.
WHY: To mark the beginning of a major transformation at Willowbrook Wildlife Center. The DuPage Forest Preserve District received a $400,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to help pay for the renovations.
WHO: Forest Preserve District of DuPage County officials, including President Daniel Hebreard and commissioners; Friends of the Forest Preserve District; other honorary elected and invited guests; Willowbrook volunteers.
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 525 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn
BACKGROUND:
Plans also include new animal rehabilitation areas, an outdoor classroom, an interpretive trail with wildlife observation areas, and outdoor activity spaces that demonstrate how to attract and live in harmony with native wildlife.
Willowbrook Wildlife Center is a nationally recognized wildlife rehabilitation center that provides care and medical treatment to approximately 10,0000 sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife each year.
Willowbrook also supports the District’s threatened and endangered species captive-rearing program. The center is also an environmental and educational resource for the public.
Improvements are needed so the center can remain a national leader in engaging visitors in veterinary science, medical care and wildlife rehabilitation while championing healthy interconnected ecosystems to foster safe, healthy and sustainable communities for all living things in DuPage County and beyond.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 6.2 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok pages.
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Contact on site:
Anamari Dorgan, Director of Community Engagement Services
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
630-462-5654
Contact prior to event:
Johanna Biedron
Community Relations
630-933-7246