The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s fleet has been named the #1 Green Garage for 2024 by the NAFA Fleet Management Association, topping the list of the 10 most progressive and environmentally committed vehicle fleet maintenance garages in the nation.

The Green Garage Contest showcases best practices in sustainable garage operations and beyond. The District’s achievement highlights its organization-wide commitment to sustainability through initiatives like repurposing cut trees into decking for trailers and picnic tables, powering multiple buildings with solar arrays, and the ambitious design and construction of the net-zero-designed DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center.

“This was truly a Districtwide win,” said Mike Webster, interim director of Public Safety & Services. “It demonstrates how our collective efforts are leading the way in environmental innovation.”

NAFA Fleet Management Association is a global membership organization for professionals who manage a wide range of vehicle fleets, including commercial, public safety, utility, military, and off-road equipment, while overseeing assets, services, and operations behind billions of annual miles.

An impressive 95% of the vehicles in the Forest Preserve District’s fleet run on alternative fuels, including liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, ethanol, biodiesel, hybrid electric, and electric. These efforts have significantly lowered fuel costs, reduced tailpipe emissions, and extended vehicle lifespans. Further demonstrating its leadership, the District supports local municipalities by providing access to the alternative fuel station at Blackwell Forest Preserve — the first of its kind in Illinois — offering four types of alternative fuels.