the Cook County Forest Preserves.

The district's board of commissioners unanimously approved today.

The purchase of this 68 acre plot of land in south suburban Cook County.

This brings the forest preserves holdings to more than 70,000 acres.

Our Patty Wet Lee joins us now with more.

Patty, how significant is this milestone for the district?

I bring you Good news us it's huge.

They have been aiming toward this number for a decade.

You know, just this year alone, they've acquired 249 acres, which is the most second most that they've acquired since 1984.

>> So think about 84.

Is that what 40 years ago?

through the like how?

How long it's taken to acquire land these days.

There's not that much available.

There's competition for it.

You know.

So this is they said is a very big, big, big for them.

So how much land has the district quiet so far this year?

You just mentioned 200 and something.

>> How is it possible?

You know, it's interesting because they had it, you know, the day for formed in 1914, in the first 2025 years.

They acquired like 33,000 Acres.

So think about how long it's taken them to get to this 0.

70 acres here, 70 acres there.

And they've really been focused on it and promised that the tax levy that Cook County voters approved in 2022, would go toward acquiring more land, more Habitat for Wildlife, more nature for humans to enjoy and to be able to maintain and restore it.

So, you know, today is kind of their, you know, proof is in the pudding that they delivered on the promises that they made to voters having made good makes county forest preserves.

I should that the snow is maybe coming so maybe should have done that to freedom snow.

thanks so much