Chicago Zoological Society

News Release

June 30, 2011

Contact: Sondra Katzen
Public Relations
708.688.8351
sondra.katzen@czs.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Note: A photo of Thor Soderberg may be downloaded at www.czs.org/PressRoom.

Fallen Officer Thor Soderberg Honored at Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield, Ill.—Chicago Police Officer Thor Soderberg had a passion for helping young people experience the outdoors and nature. On Thursday, July 7, a year after he was slain in the line of duty, the 100 Club of Chicago is helping organize a private event at Brookfield Zoo celebrating Soderberg’s life and vision.

Following Soderberg’s slaying, his wife, Jennifer Loudon, established the Thor Soderberg Fund—Connecting Youth with Nature, which is administered by Chicago Community Trust, to continue his dream of getting children who live in urban communities out of the city and connected with nature. The Foundation believes that connecting youth with nature can expand their horizons and thus positively impact their lives. People can donate and find out more about the Thor Soderberg Fund by visiting www.cct.org.

“I am honored to be able to pursue my husband’s dream of connecting urban youth with nature,” said Loudon. “Brookfield Zoo is a fitting location to celebrate his legacy and life, as the Chicago Zoological Society also strives to connect people with wildlife and nature.”

“Thor Soderberg had a huge heart for helping people and saving lives. He also had a strong passion for introducing kids from underresourced communities to nature, animals, and conservation. Mentoring them gave these children a chance to gain an appreciation for the natural world, but more importantly, it provided them a chance to be kids,” said Joe Ahern, executive director of 100 Club of Chicago.

The 100 Club of Chicago is the civilian organization that provides support and financial assistance for the families of Cook County police officers, firefighters, and paramedics who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Attending the event will be members from the various units Soderberg worked closely with, including the Chicago Policy Academy and the Central Bike Control Unit, as well as representatives from youth organizations. The day’s celebration will feature comments from Soderberg’s wife and colleagues.

"Thor Soderberg epitomized the core values of a Chicago police officer personally and professionally," said Howard Lodding, assistant deputy superintendent of the Chicago Police Education and Training Division. "Thor served as an exemplary model of character and principle in his many commitments, from being a mentor encouraging young people to explore nature to acting as an instructor teaching police recruits. Thor's legacy will persevere in inspiring others through initiatives such as the Thor Soderberg Fund—Connecting Youth with Nature, and Chicago Police are proud to honor his ideals in an award established in his name, which is given to recruits who demonstrate his example of dedication," added Lodding.

At no other time in human history have so many children been separated from direct experiences with the natural world. The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society and the Thor Soderberg Fund—Connecting Youth with Nature is all the more important as several studies demonstrate the importance of nature play in a child’s psychological and physical health. Studies indicate that early-childhood play opportunities help bridge the gap between children and nature.

"With 68,000 acres of open space, the Cook County Forest Preserves is the ideal place to honor Thor Soderberg's quest to connect kids to nature," said Arnold Randall, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. "And there is no better place to do it than at Brookfield Zoo. Thor's aspirations were the same as our own, which is why we've vowed this year to introduce 2,000 children to natural treasures in our Forest Preserve District. Today is an important step toward that goal."

“We admire Officer Thor Soderberg’s dream to connect children with nature and commend his wife for making it a reality,” said Stuart Strahl, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Society. “At Brookfield Zoo, we strive to allow children to foster a stronger sense of caring for nature and animals in the hope that it will inspire them to take an active role in conservation throughout their lives. With that being our mission and in honor of Officer Soderberg’s life and vision, the Chicago Zoological Society is happy to offer urban youth organizations the opportunity to interact with nature by providing free passes to visit Brookfield Zoo,” said Strahl.

The Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Open every day of the year, Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service.

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