(Jan. 4, 2023) Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center are excited to announce $2 million in federal funding that will be used to construct and increase the energy efficiency of a new 27,000-square-foot net-zero-designed wildlife rehabilitation clinic and visitor center. 

 

“After an extremely competitive project submission process and many months spent advocating tirelessly for our community, I am proud to deliver $2 million in Community Project Funding for Willowbrook Wildlife Center,” said Rep. Casten. “I am proud to have fought for funding that will make our community healthier, safer, stronger, and even more resilient. This is democracy in action.”

 

“Thank you to U.S. Representative Sean Casten for helping to secure funding for our Willowbrook Wildlife Center master plan project. We are proud to be incorporating renewable energy into this center that will be open for all to enjoy,” said Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President Daniel Hebreard. “Our new wildlife rehabilitation clinic and visitor center will be the District's first net-zero-designed building, which means energy produced from renewable resources will exceed the energy consumed by the building. The center helps us care for local native wildlife and wild areas while increasing the District’s sustainability and connecting people with nature.”

 

Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn is a nationally recognized wildlife rehabilitation facility that provides care and medical treatment to approximately 10,000 sick, injured, and orphaned native wild animals each year. The new clinic and visitor center are expected to open in mid-2024 and will allow visitors to view animals through one-way windows and video monitors as they are examined, treated, in surgery, being fed, and rehabilitated. All of Willowbrook’s operating expenses are funded by the Forest Preserve District, grants, and private donations. Community members are invited to visit dupageforest.org/donate to learn more.

 

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, seven 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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