Chicago Ecological Services Office staff chair Chicago Wilderness’ proposals committee and worked with representatives from the Chicago Wilderness Partnership to suggest rankings of C2000 proposals. 

C2000 is a state of Illinois program providing competitive grants to individuals and organizations through ecosystem partnerships.  The Chicago Wilderness partnership received 9 proposals for funding. 

Under the C2000 program, the partnership awards 50 points, the IDNR C2000 coordinator awards 50 points and IDNR biologists award 100 points for a possible total of 200 points. 

The proposals ranked included a research project examining effective means of controlling invasive cat tails; two proposals to restore wetlands; a plant monitoring program called Plants of Concern; a study evaluating the effects of sewage treatment plants on the biota of Nippersink Creek; removal of invasive brush to increase habitat available for grassland birds; a patch program for Girl Scouts; and a new invaders watch program. 

Most of the proposals were very good, so ranking them was extremely difficult.  The CW Steering Committee approved the ranking of the proposals.