EYE ON THE  P R O F E S S I O N
A CLOSER LOOK AT TRENDS AND ISSUES IN THE PARK AND RECREATION PROFESSION

William J. M. Wald IPRA Chief Executive Officer

The Green Movement: For Parks and Recreation and Future Generations

For those in the parks and recreation profession, "going green" must become much more than a phrase. It should be a way of life. It should be the example we set for others.

From Government Mandate to Moral Imperative

"Going green" is a concept that grew out of the modern environmental movement, which initially came to public prominence on the first Earth Day back on April 22, 1970. This movement, as important to our earth as it is, is not legislated or regulated.

For years, environmental issues were government-directed and focused on compliance. The government developed laws and regulations, cleanup standards, policies and standards for guidance. For the rest of the country the 'Three Rs' became the calling:

• Reduce the amount of waste generated,
• Reuse what can be reused, and
• Recycle the remaining waste.

While these are still the standards for public environmental morality, the environmental movement has become more expansive and has produced more public attention. During the past few years, greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and carbon footprints have become more a part of America's vocabulary.

Sustainability is the environmental buzz word today because preserving and protecting natural resources for future generations is no longer just a governmental discussion. It is the discussion that we all are having and are vitally concerned about - and parks and recreation is at the forefront.

Illinois Agencies Can Lead the Way

Should parks and recreation set the example in being "greener"? Absolutely yes!

Ultimately our professional responsibility is to ensure open space and sound environmental conditions for the future generations of the communities we serve. Communities expect that parks and recreation agencies demonstrate the social responsibility of preserving the environment because that is our charge.

There are many things that can be done internally and externally that will show our communities that social responsibility is more than a concept worth just thinking about. It is the action on the part of Illinois park and recreation agencies that can make a difference for generations to come.

The IPRA Environmental Committee Provides the Tools

Communities expect that parks and recreation agencies demonstrate the social responsibility of preserving the environment because that is our charge.

The Illinois Park and Recreation Association's Environmental Committee has done amazing work over the past couple years to develop tools for agencies looking to "go green."

Based on the Model Environmental Policy created in 1992 by the association, the committee recently created a Report Card for agencies to complete. The report serves as a self-evaluation tool.

Once the Report Card is completed, a very useful Environmental Toolkit can be put into action to assist in the "greening" of your agency.

I encourage you to download these documents from the IPRA's online Resource Library. (Or, you may find them as Web Xtras for the March/April 2007 issue of IP&R.)

You are also invited to attend the Environmental Committee meetings held each month. To find the next meeting, please reference the IPRA Web site or e-mail Cheryl Toohey of the Skokie Park District at CAToohey@skokieparkdistrict.org.

When each of us does our part, we can make our communities a little bit better and make a positive impact on our world for future generations.

8   I l l i n o i s   P a r k s   &   R e c r e a t i o n     www.ILipra.org

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