Lake County Forest Preserves

Profiles in Excellence Celebration

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Join us for a tribute to Lake County's African-American churches at the annual Profiles in Excellence program celebrating black history month. The event will be held Sunday, February 5, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Greenbelt Cultural Center near North Chicago. The Profiles in Excellence program is free and open to all ages.

Learn the fascinating history of Lake County's first African-American churches, which first opened in the 1860s in response to an influx of African-Americans to the county during and after the Civil War. From slavery to Christianity, community leaders and historians will tell the story of how African-American churches evolved into the leadership and service roles that they hold today in the community.

Singers and praise dancers will perform. Free refreshments will be served. The annual Profiles in Excellence program honors the history and achievements of Lake County African-Americans. For more information about the program, call the Cultural Center at 847-968-3477.

The Blues: From the Heart and Soul

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:01 GMT

The Blues: From the Heart and Soul brings the sound and feel of the Chicago blues scene to the galleries of the Lake County Discovery Museum.

This unique exhibition offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most influential periods of modern music and showcases the expansive collection of memorabilia from local blues legend “Barrelhouse” Chuck Goering of Libertyville, Illinois. The Blues exhibit is on display in Wauconda, Illinois from February 18 to August 19 and is sponsored by the Daily Herald and the Friends of the Lake County Discovery Museum.

From playbills and autographs to the original musical instruments that created some of the most influential music in American history, The Blues: From the Heart and Soul exhibit provides a highly interactive and engaging environment to relive this exciting era. Visitors can gain an insider’s perspective of the blues culture in Chicago from artifacts, stories, and videos which document the talent and work of “Barrelhouse” Chuck and other famous Chicago blues musicians. Discover your own unique blues name, and take the spotlight on the interactive stage complete with guitar, drum kit, and karaoke to perform in your very own blues band.

Hear “Barrelhouse” Chuck and other local blues artists perform live and share their stories at special concerts offered during the exhibit run. Follow the Museum on Facebook and Twitter @LakeCoMuseum or click here for dates and times of lives performances, and other special exhibit programs and events.

For more information about the exhibit or to download discount admission coupons, click here or call 847-968-3400.

About “Barrelhouse” Chuck Goering

Known for his blues, boogie-woogie and barrelhouse piano style, “Barrelhouse” Chuck, whose real name is Charles Goering, is one of Chicago’s greatest blues pianists. While living in Florida, he heard his first Muddy Waters record featuring Otis Spann on piano and became hooked on the blues. Not long afterwards, he formed his own band and opened for Willie Dixon, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters. He also played with the great Bo Diddley. In 1979, he drove to Chicago to see blues pianist Sunnyland Slim, who Chuck calls the great-granddaddy of blues piano players. He spent the next 16 years in Chicago studying with him. He also studied with Pinetop Perkins, Blind John Davis, Detroit Junior and Little Brother Montgomery.
Over the last 30 years, Chuck has developed his immense mastery of blues piano and has performed and recorded alongside many notable Chicago blues musicians such as Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Kim Wilson, Hubert Sumlin, Otis Rush, Louis Myers, Buddy Guy, Big Smokey Smothers among many others. Chuck regularly appears at the Chicago Blues Festival.

About the Lake County Discovery Museum

The Lake County Discovery Museum is located on Route 176, just west of Fairfield Road and east of Wauconda in Lakewood Forest Preserve. Gallery hours are Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for seniors ages 55 and older and students ages 18 to 25, and $2.50 for youth ages four to 17. Children three years and under are free. On Discount Tuesdays, admission is $3 for adults, and youth 17 years and under are free. Admission is always free for museum members.

Hike, ski or snowshoe on solar lighted trail

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:01 GMT

With small solar lights to guide their way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can get some brisk evening exercise along a hilly, scenic section of the Millennium trail adjacent to the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda.

Though regular preserve hours are 6:30 a.m. to sunset, the illuminated 1.65-mile trail loop will remain open after sunset until 9 p.m., daily, through March 11. This section of lighted trail will be closed to bicycle and equestrian traffic after sunset. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.

Parking and access to the lighted trail is available from the Winter Sports Area located on Fairfield Road just south of Route 176 in Wauconda. The Winter Sports Area features a sled hill and ice skating rink, and is also lighted, allowing for winter fun until 9 p.m., daily. The lighted trail and Winter Sports Area parking lot close at 9 p.m. Lake County Forest Preserve Rangers regularly patrol the area.

The trail is being tested on a trial basis and is the first lighted trail to be offered by the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Board approves purchase of new preserve

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:01 GMT

The Board of Commissioners approved purchase of two different land transactions totaling 227 acres at their Tuesday, January 17 meeting. The acquisitions create a new preserve in north central Lake County named Lake Marie Forest Preserve. The combined purchase cost for the land buys is approximately $7.45 million.

“These transactions are significant enhancements to the District’s holdings,” said Ann Maine. “The purchases are possible because of current land bargains and a successful 2008 referendum that provided funds for land purchases like these with no increase in taxes to residents. Preserving these lands will not only protect and preserve wildlife habitat and native wetlands and woodlands, but will also offer future recreational trails and public access to Lake Marie for all residents to enjoy.”

New Forest Preserve Created

The Board approved purchasing approximately 150 acres known as the Lake Marie property at a cost of $6,097,500 million. The land is located on the north side of Beach Grove Road just west of Illinois Route 59 and provides lake access. A portion of this property includes a campground with both temporary and permanent structures, however operation of the campground will not continue once the Forest Preserve completes the purchase.

The Board also approved purchasing approximately 77 acres known as the Beach Grove Road/Route 59 property for $1,347,500 million. The land is adjacent to the Lake Marie property and provides frontage on the northwest corner of Illinois Route 59 and Beach Grove Road.

When combined, the two properties create one new preserve named Lake Marie Forest Preserve that will eventually offer public access to Lake Marie and significant future trail and recreational uses.

The unique natural features of the two properties include rolling hills and a scenic vista overlooking the bay on Lake Marie. The high-quality lake provides habitat for many species of waterfowl. Groves of hickory and oak trees also dot the landscape and provide habitat for other species of wildlife. Purchasing these properties offers excellent potential for woodland, wetland and prairie restoration and stabilization of the lake shore. These restoration efforts will help improve the water quality entering Lake Marie and reduce storm water runoff.

Next Steps

Each individual land transaction is contingent on a final closing in the fall of 2012. If the closing is successful, the new 227-acre preserve will join an extensive network of open spaces currently totaling more than 29,300 acres that create the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Hours extended at Dog Exercise Areas

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Top dogs from Lake County and beyond can now play, swim, bark and run off-leash one hour longer each day.

All four Dog Exercise Areas are now open daily until 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is later. The areas open at 6:30 a.m. daily and a permit is required for entry.

A daily or annual permit allows you and your canine companions to enjoy four uniquely different sites designed just for dogs: Independence Grove (entrance off Milwaukee Avenue) in Libertyville, Lakewood in Wauconda, Prairie Wolf in Lake Forest, and Duck Farm in Lindenhurst.

Forest Preserve Rangers regularly patrol the dog areas and will issue a citation to anyone using the areas without a permanent, temporary or daily permit properly displayed in their vehicle's windshield. If you haven't bought a 2012 permit yet, do so quickly so your canine companion doesn't miss out on a full year of fun.

Annual permits can be purchased online, over the phone at 847-367-6640, or in person at the Forest Preserve General Offices at 1899 West Winchester Road in Libertyville. The annual permit allows access to all four Dog Exercise Areas.

Daily permits can be purchased at a self-pay station located in the parking lot at each Dog Exercise Area.

Snow is here!

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Take advantage of the current snow and cold temperatures.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and watch for special program announcements. We make the best of the weather with impromptu programs such as snowshoe hikes or moonlight skiing. While you're out in the forest preserves, capture the beauty of the season in photos and post them to our flickr pool for others to view.

Before heading out to a Lake County Forest Preserve location for a winter hike or a twirl on the ice, call our 24-hour winter sports hotline at 847-968-3235. A recorded message conveys current trail and ice conditions for sledding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing or ice skating.

Sledding

Sled hills are located at Lakewood Forest Preserve (Wauconda) and Old School Forest Preserve (Libertyville). The Lakewood hill is part of a dedicated Winter Sports Area at that site, and is lighted, allowing for winter fun until 9 p.m., daily. The Old School hill is open until sunset, when conditions allow sledding. Snowboards, metal runners or toboggans are not permitted.

Cross-country Skiing

Cross-country skiers can enjoy more than 124 miles of trails at forest preserves throughout Lake County. Groomed trails are available at Lakewood’s Winter Sports Area and at Old School, when conditions allow. Grooming is typically done two days after a large snow fall. A 4-inch snow base is required for cross-country skiing at the Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods.

Snowmobiling

Snowmobilers can use nearly 24 miles of designated trails within the preserves, many of which connect to other area snowmobile trails. A 4-inch snow base is required for snowmobiling. These trails are groomed and patrolled by Lake County Forest Preserve staff and volunteers.

Snowmobile trail routes at Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve in Grayslake have been changed in an effort to protect wildlife and sensitive natural areas. Snowmobilers should use caution and watch for trail route signs at this location, and along all other forest preserve snowmobile trails.

Snowmobilers can ride for eight miles along the Des Plaines River Trail from Russell Road to just south of Wadsworth Road. Parking and trail access is provided at Van Patten Woods just east of Route 41 at Russell Road and at the Wadsworth Road Canoe Launch.

When conditions allow, snowmobile trails are open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6:30 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The following snowmobile trailer parking lots are open extended hours for snowmobilers: Van Patten Woods parking area (on Russell Road east of Route 41 in Wadsworth), Wadsworth Road Canoe Launch parking area (on Wadsworth Road east of Route 41 in Wadsworth), and the Operations Office parking area at Lakewood (on Ivanhoe Road west of Fairfield Road in Wauconda). All other parking lots close at dusk.

Ice Skating

Lace up your skates and head to the lake at Independence Grove in Libertyville or the man-made rinks at Lakewood’s Winter Sports Area and Old School. The shallow rinks typically freeze earlier in the season than the lake at Independence Grove where a 4-inch ice layer is required for ice skating.

Ice Fishing

When conditions allow, ice fishing is available at Banana Lake at Lakewood, Sterling Lake at Van Patten Woods, and the South Bay at Independence Grove. A 4.5-inch layer of ice is required for ice fishing. Shanties and shelters are permitted for day use, only two poles are allowed, and holes must be drilled eight inches or smaller. All other fishing regulations apply. Independence Grove is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to sunset for ice fishing. Van Patten Woods is open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. until one hour past sunset for ice fishing, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 6:30 a.m. to sunset.

Winter Hikes

All the preserves are open daily from 6:30 a.m. to sunset for hiking in a lovely winter setting, listening to the sounds of woodpeckers and chickadees as they forage for a meal and watching squirrels scamper in the snow.

Summer Camp registration now open

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County Forest Preserve Summer Camps and Day Programs offer summer learning cleverly disguised as fun and adventure. Registration for the 2012 camp season is now open with early bird sign-up discounts available through February 15, 2012. Programs fill quickly so enroll early. For details and to register, visit the Summer Camps website or call 847-968-3321.

Forest Preserve programs meet the summer wishes of kids and parents alike and are offered for ages four through 17. Choose from nature exploration, fun on the farm, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, history, theater, or arts and crafts. Camps are led by professional educators experienced in supervision, safety techniques and activity development.

Register for camps online, by phone, fax, or mail. Partial scholarships are available in the case of financial hardship. A financial assistance application is available online and in each Summer Camp brochure. For a free copy, stop by the Lake County Forest Preserves General Offices at 1899 West Winchester Road between Route 45 and Butterfield Road in Libertyville, call 847-968-3321, or download a copy.

For additional information about your Lake County Forest Preserves, call 847-367-6640 and request a free copy of the Horizons magazine.

Preserve safety tips

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Move It or Lose It.

Safeguarding against auto burglary.

The simple act of placing valuables in the trunk of your car and out of plain view can significantly reduce the likelihood of being a victim of auto burglary. A laptop, cell phone, GPS, wallet, purse, or even a cup holder full of change can tempt a would-be thief. You may believe that leaving these items on the floorboard or seat and covering over them will keep them safe, but instead it just broadcasts that you may be concealing something of value in your car.

Incorporating these simple safety tips into your daily life may help safeguard against auto burglary and protect your personal information:

Conceal and secure

Secure your valuables. As you arrive at your destination, whether it’s a forest preserve, park, or shopping mall, be aware that someone may be watching as you put valuables under your seat. Instead, secure them in your trunk before you arrive, or take them with you when you leave your car.
Vehicle registration. Black out the address on your registration and photocopy it. Keep the copy, not the original, in your car. You must be able to present it to a police officer upon request.
Personal information attached to keys. If stolen, having personal information or a vehicle license number attached to your keys only compounds the problem. A criminal now has access to your home, automobile or office.
Personal mail. Don’t leave it in your car.
Garage door opener. Keep it out of sight.

Lock it up

Always lock your vehicle and take your keys with you, even for quick errands.
Lock your vehicle’s trunk, hatchback or tailgate.
Close all windows, including vent or wing windows and sunroofs.
Buy—and use—a vehicle alarm. You may think no one notices alarms anymore, but they are effective deterrents to thieves looking for an easy target.

Park safely

If you have a garage, park and lock your car in it, and lock your garage doors. Always lock your car when it’s parked in the driveway.
Park in a well-lit area.
Park in an area visible to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Email your best safety tip to forestpreserves@LCFPD.org. Help us help you. Take part in our Preserve Watch program and alert us to any unusual activity you may see on forest preserve property.

Rainbow trout fishing

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda will open for rainbow trout fishing on Saturday, October 15, following the release of roughly 600 pounds of trout in Banana Lake. Most of the trout range in size from three-quarters to one pound. The trout stocking is a biannual fall and spring event at the 3.2-acre Banana Lake. Daily creel limit is five. The deepest point in Banana Lake is 25 feet.

Fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves is FREE. Anglers ages 16 and over must have an Illinois fishing license. Trout fishermen must also have an Illinois inland trout stamp. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps help fund the stocking program.

Lakewood features four additional lakes, including: 8-acre Taylor Lake with maximum depth of 20 feet; 5-acre Beaver Lake with maximum depth of 10 feet; 2-acre Acorn Pond with maximum depth of 14 feet; and 4-acre Heron Pond with maximum depth of 5 feet. Most are natural potholes and sloughs that were dammed to create deeper permanent lakes and ponds. All contain largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Black crappie, green and pumpkinseed sunfish, and golden shiners are present in some of the ponds.

Download a free guide to fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves at www.LCFPD.org/fishing or anglers can call at 847-367-6640 to request a copy.

More than 12 lakes and ponds are currently profiled in the guide, which includes directions, depth maps and color illustrations of the fish to seek. Des Plaines River access points are also included, along with wheelchair access points, ice fishing information and more.

Important rules are detailed in the guide, such as minimum lengths and catch limits set by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These rules help maintain healthy fish populations in Forest Preserve lakes and ponds that are managed with assistance from the IDNR. For more information about fishing in Illinois visit http://www.ifishillinois.org/.

IDOT's Route 21 corridor improvements underway

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:01 GMT

As part of the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) efforts to improve Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue), the following projects will be completed:

A trail underpass at Route 21 near Casey Road to provide a link to the Des Plaines River Trail and to Independence Grove Forest Preserve.
Sidewalks installed along Route 21 and Route 137 to Independence Grove.
A dedicated left turn lane into the Indepedendence Grove Dog Exercise Area.
Approximately 1,800 new trees planted in forest preserves throughout Lake County to replace the trees removed by IDOT to widen the road.

Preliminary work is underway and includes tree removals and construction of temporary pavement on the east side of Milwaukee Avenue. At various times during the preliminary work phase access to the Lake County Forest Preserves General Offices and to the Independence Grove Dog Exercise Area, both located on Route 21 north of Route 137, may be restricted. Preliminary work is expected to be complete by October 31, 2011.

Major road construction work to widen and reconstruct the road is scheduled to begin in 2012. At various times during the road construction phase, access to the Dog Exercise Area will be limited, and for a portion of the year, the Dog Area will be closed completely. During these times, we encourage regular visitors to explore the three other Dog Exercise Areas that are available to all permit holders. The new 4-lane road is expected to be open in late 2012.

For project updates, check IDOT's construction status page or our website.

Portions of new section of Millennium Trail now open

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Portions of a new 2.5-mile section of the Millennium Trail and Greenway are now open from Litchfield Drive to Fairfield Road in Round Lake. The new trail includes a bridge over Squaw Creek and a boardwalk. Parking is available off Fairfield Road at the Round Lake Area Park District's Fairfield Park.

The first section of the planned 35-mile Millennium Trail to connect central, western and northern Lake County communities and forest preserves opened in fall 2002 at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda.

Today, more than 20 miles miles are now complete and open to hikers, bicylclists and cross-country skiers. A 9.25-mile section from Lakewood north to Singing Hills Forest Preserve is open to equestrians.

Trail sections currently open include from Hawley and Route 176 in Mundelein west and north through Lakewood and Singing Hills to Marl Flat Forest Preserve in Volo; from Litchfield Drive to Fairfield Road in Round Lake; along the Round Lake Bike Path; from Hook Drive east through Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve in Grayslake; and from Bonner Heritage Farm to McDonald Woods Forest Preserve in Lindenhurst.

Work is underway on one additional trail section:

2 miles from Rollins Road to Country Place in Lindenhurst connecting Fourth Lake Forest Preserve with Bonner Heritage Farm and McDonald Woods Forest Preserve. Work on a trail underpass at Grand Avenue will begin in spring of 2012. During trail and underpass construction, Fourth Lake will be closed to public access. Weather permitting, the preserve and trail will open when all work is completed sometime in late 2012/early 2013. See map for project details.

Check out our new mobile app

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Stay up-to-the-minute with what's happening in your forest preserves on your smartphone with the new Lake County Forest Preserve mobile app.

Find out about upcoming events, trail closings and special alerts, view recent photos from around the preserves, find and map nearby preserves, view trail maps, identify local flora and fauna, and more!

Connect with other friends of the preserves by checking in and sharing content via Facebook or Twitter.

Available free in the Android Market or Apple App Store - search for "Lake County Forest Preserves".

Smooth Green Snakes Reintroduced to Wild in Lake County

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Six tiny, brightly-colored juvenile smooth green snakes were released into the wild on Thursday, June 30 at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville.

Half were sent directly into the wild (so-called “hard release”), while half were released into pre-release enclosures within the preserve (so-called “soft release”) where they will spend some time getting accustomed to being wild while still being contained in a controlled, managed environment designed to limit predators of the snake. Over the course of the summer about a dozen more snakes will be released – some of which will have very tiny radio transmitters affixed to them so the biologists are better able to track their movements and keep tabs on their survival success rates.

An exceptionally small insectivore, these snakes are difficult to spot in their grassland prairie habitat. They are also difficult to find because they have become so rare in Illinois. A collaborative conservation effort between Lincoln Park Zoo and Lake County Forest Preserves aims to boost their population numbers through scientific study, breeding, monitoring and reintroduction efforts.

Lake County Forest Preserves Wildlife Biologist Gary Glowacki explained that for more than a decade the District has purchased and/or restored a significant amount of lands containing suitable smooth green snake habitat. “Despite this, the snake is still found only in a handful of isolated areas in Lake County that contain remnant grassland habitat,” he said. “The remaining populations may not be viable in the long-term due to small numbers and because habitat fragmentation, primarily due to roads and other physical barriers, makes re-colonization of restored sites improbable.”

According to the Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Action Plan and Strategy, the smooth green snake is identified as a Species in Greatest Need of Conservation. Populations of this species are declining due to habitat loss, conversion of grasslands into agriculture, urbanization, and the widespread use of pesticides. “Currently, Illinois only has less than one percent of its pre-settlement prairie acreage remaining, so species that depend on grasslands are in need of conservation,” said Lincoln Park Zoo Reintroduction Biologist, Allison Sacerdote, Ph.D.

With little chance of natural recovery, the Lake County Forest Preserves and the zoo established a partnership in 2010 to aid the recovery process through population supplementation, translocation, and reintroduction into suitable habitat.

The partnership’s first challenge was to locate the snakes last summer – not an easy proposition with such a small population of tiny snakes that blend in so well with the grasses. But hard work paid off when a few adult snakes were located and brought to the zoo for breeding, and a large communal nest of more than 80 smooth green snake eggs was discovered in an undesirable location that is slated for development. The eggs were taken to the zoo for incubation and 83 neonates hatched in mid-summer 2010.

The biologists and animal care staff at the zoo are breaking new ground with the care and study of this species. Very little is known about it as there are no published accounts of any other accredited zoo ever caring for this species, and very few scientific studies related to the species. As such, the team is employing a number of different rearing and reintroduction techniques for the neonates to determine which methods garner the highest success rate.

“We hope that this recovery program will not only restore a more robust population of this species in Illinois, but our work may also be a model for other organizations and regions seeking to help this species recover,” said Sacerdote.

ABOUT CHICAGO’S LINCOLN PARK ZOO

Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, a historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience. A leader in conservation science both globally and locally, the zoo exemplifies the highest quality animal care and educational outreach. The not-for-profit zoo, managed by The Lincoln Park Zoological Society, is a member-supported organization and one of the nation’s only free, privately managed zoos. For more information, call (312)742-2000 or visit them online.

Board approves Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget

Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:01 GMT

To keep over 29,200 acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County safe, clean and open for people to enjoy, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners adopted a Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget of $82,873,000 at their May 10 meeting. This total is $73,592,890 (47%) lower than the previous year’s budget. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in the capital budget, which includes land purchases and public access improvements. Only 3% of property taxes collected in Lake County go to support the Lake County Forest Preserve District.

The District’s budget is balanced even though the County’s Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) has had an unprecedented drop of 7.8% over the past two years which translates to a significant drop in property tax revenue. In addition to the capital projects, a 5.5% expense reduction has been made in the operating budget which includes staffing, commodities and contractuals.

"This has been a challenging year for many governmental agencies and the Lake County Forest Preserves is no exception. We understand the important role forest preserves play in the lives of Lake County residents. So, even with lower revenues, the District has found a way to live within its means and still provide a place for education, recreation and rejuvenation," said Ann Maine, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “Monitoring the budget is a year-round job, which we will continue as we maintain our ability to weather the uncertain national economy.”

Budget Overview

The Forest Preserve budget includes a Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan that outlines 37 projects, such as trails, other public access improvements and habitat restoration, to be completed in forest preserves throughout Lake County. Forest Preserve Commissioners have reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan over the last several months to reset project priorities and budgets.

As a result of the 2008 referendum, the District has a very successful ongoing land acquisition program that has taken advantage of reduced land prices, thereby stretching referendum dollars further. In Fiscal Year 2010-2011, the District expanded by nearly 1,400 acres. Most of these new acquisitions will be “land-banked” for the next few years, keeping the land in agricultural use or as conserved areas decreases costs until additional funds are available. Land acquisitions also may slow during the upcoming fiscal year.

Public access improvements and renovations are underway at several forest preserves throughout the county, including completion and opening of the expanded Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. Additions to regional multipurpose trails are planned for the Millennium Trail in central, western and northern Lake County.

“Reductions in the county-wide EAV will continue to be a concern as the District moves forward. The District’s best course of action is to continue to control costs and carefully consider any changes to programs or staff. The ultimate goal is to maintain the fiscal and environmental health of the District,” said Maine.

About Us

As Lake County’s principal guardian of open space and natural areas since 1958, the Lake County Forest Preserves now manage more than 29,200 acres of land and offer innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages. Visitors of all ages can enjoy over 154 miles of trail for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, ponds and lakes for fishing, public golf courses, historical and cultural venues, public access to the Fox River, and award-winning nature and history education programs and events.

Facilities of special interest include Independence Grove in Libertyville, Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods, Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda, Greenbelt Cultural Center in Waukegan, and ThunderHawk Golf Club in Beach Park.

View Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget in Brief

Gilmer Road trail parking lot closing

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:01 GMT

The Fort Hill Trail at Lakewood Forest Preserve will be extended under Gilmer Road to connect with 2.5 miles of new trails under construction at the adjacent Ray Lake Forest Preserve. The new trail underpass will provide a safe connection in the future between Lakewood and Ray Lake preserves.

During construction of the trail tunnel, the Gilmer Road trail parking lot will be closed, beginning May 23. It will reopen later in 2011 once safe public access is possible. Traffic on Gilmer Road will be maintained during the construction project.

During construction, visitors may access the Fort Hill Trail by parking at the Lakewood Winter Sports Area on the east side of Fairfield Road and south of Route 176. Hikers and bicyclists can take the Millennium Trail from the parking lot to the intersection of Fairfield Road and Route 176, where they can connect with the Fort Hill Trail.

Check the Fort Hill Trail web page for project updates.

North Shore Gas partners with Preservation Foundation

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:01 GMT

This year, North Shore Gas is delivering more than natural gas to the northern suburbs of Chicago. Through a generous donation, North Shore Gas has partnered with the Preservation Foundation and the Lake County Forest Preserve District to bring an active Living Wall to the District’s Greenbelt Cultural Center (GCC) in North Chicago, the first such installation east of the Mississippi.

The GCC has experienced enormous success and growth in its first decade of operation. The public has been very supportive and positive about their experiences at the GCC, but increasingly are encountering constraints related to space and configuration.

The Forest Preserves are expanding and improving the GCC through an 11,400-square-foot addition. The expansion will help improve educational programming, better accommodate multiple groups simultaneously, and enhance the use of energy efficient green technologies. The expansion has been carefully studied to be the most cost-effective and environmentally sensitive answer to the complex design issues that the Greenbelt site presents – offering flexibility while also providing for increased usability. It also offers an opportunity to use green technologies, the most prominent and visible of which will be the active Living Wall.

About the Living Wall

To be named in recognition of North Shore Gas’ gift, the active Living Wall is the signature element of the Greenbelt Cultural Center’s expansion project. An active living wall does more than provide oxygen to the air - it is integrated into a building’s HVAC system to reduce the amount of outside air required in the building, the tempering of which is one of the largest energy burdens. Air is drawn through a carefully structured plant system, which exposes the air to the roots of the plants. Microbes on the plant roots trap and ingest air pollutants, essentially creating a "vertical wetland" that cleans, rather than just filters, the air.

"We deeply appreciate North Shore Gas’ leadership in providing the Living Wall’s cutting-edge technology to the Greenbelt Cultural Center,” said Ann Maine, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. "Their commitment to this project is another example of North Shore Gas’ longtime partnership in providing environmental education opportunities to economically challenged communities in Lake County. We are grateful for their continued support.”

“We are committed to educating residents on energy efficiency and new technologies,” said Will Evans, President of North Shore Gas. “North Shore Gas is delighted to partner with the Preservation Foundation and the Forest Preserves to bring this cutting-edge technology to the Greenbelt Cultural Center.”

About North Shore Gas
North Shore Gas is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves approximately 158,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 54 communities in Northeastern Illinois. The company is a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: TEG).

About the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves
This non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization raises private donations to preserve and protect the natural and cultural treasures of Lake County. The Preservation Foundation works with private individuals, corporations and foundations to provide critical support for our region’s land conservation, preservation, recreation and education, and other projects that are central to the mission of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

About the Lake County Forest Preserves
As Lake County’s principal guardian of open space and natural areas since 1958, the Lake County Forest Preserve District now manages 29,200 acres of land and offers innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages. Visitors of all ages can enjoy over 154 miles of trail for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, ponds and lakes for fishing, public golf courses, historical and cultural venues, public access to the Fox River, and award-winning nature and history education programs and events.

Discovery Museum receives highest national recognition

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Discovery Museum has again achieved accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public.

The Lake County Discovery Museum was initially accredited in 1995. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.

AAM Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for 35 years, AAM’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability.

Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, 775 are currently accredited. The Lake County Discovery Museum is one of only 25 museums accredited in Illinois.

Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation. While the time to complete the process varies by museum, it generally takes as much as three years.

As part of the reaccreditation process the Lake County Discovery Museum has revised its mission and vision statements. These documents will guide the museum as it makes the move to its new home in Libertyville in the coming years.

The museum is celebrating their reaccreditation with Museum Community Day, a day of free admission and kids’ activities, on April 1. As part of the celebration the Friends of the Lake County Discovery Museum commissioned a congratulatory animated video.

The Lake County Discovery Museum is located on Route 176, just west of Fairfield Road and east of Wauconda in Lakewood Forest Preserve. Gallery hours are Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for seniors ages 55 and older and students ages 18 to 25, and $2.50 for youth ages four to 17. Children three years and under are free. On Discount Tuesdays, admission is $3 for adults, and youth 17 years and under are free. Admission is always free for museum members. For more information, call 847-968-3400.

About the Lake County Discovery Museum

The Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda provides visitors with hands-on exhibits and educational programs. The nationally accredited museum also is home to the nation’s largest collection of picture postcards. The museum is part of the Lake County Forest Preserve District, which manages more than 29,200 acres of land and offers innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages.

About the American Association of Museums

The American Association of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. With more than 15,000 individual, 3,000 institutional, and 300 corporate members, AAM is dedicated to ensuring that museums remain a vital part of the American landscape, connecting people with the greatest achievements of the human experience, past, present and future. For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.

New natural resource management brochures available

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County is blessed with a rich mix of habitats offering refuge to a host of rare species. Our goal is to protect and restore this native diversity. Acquiring land is just the first step. In many preserves fragmented habitats, degraded ecosystems, and the invasion of non-native species have decreased diversity, disrupting natural processes. No harm was meant, but 150 years of settlement has greatly changed local habitats. The surface may look okay, but many habitats need a helping hand.

Before we begin to restore a preserve’s health, our ecologists inventory its condition. Wildlife, plants, soils, water flow and more are analyzed, and historical records are reviewed. With that information we create a plan for restoring and managing the ecosystem. Then the hands-on work begins. Only safe and field-proven techniques are used by well-trained crews.

To learn more about our restoration methods, view our new brochures or pick one up at a Forest Preserve facility.

New year brings new lands

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:01 GMT

At their Thursday, January 6 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserves Finance and Administrative Committee celebrated the new year by approving the purchase of 48 acres of new forest preserve lands. The properties were brought forward following approval earlier this week by the Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee.

Approved land buys include a 43.9-acre addition to Prairie Stream Forest Preserve in Antioch for $1.9 million, and a 4.3-acre addition to Nippersink Forest Preserve near Round Lake for $1.5 million. Funds from the 2008 voter approved referendum make the purchases possible.

The Prairie Stream addition is located on Route 45 just north of Route 173. It's bordered on the west by Red Wing Slough, a high-quality state-owned and managed natural area. The property is scenic and holds a large stand of century-old trees that provide excellent protection and habitat for birds, as well as open areas and a pond for recreational uses. Acquisition of this property increases Prairie Stream's total acres to nearly 330.

The Nippersink addition is located adjacent to the preserve's entrance on Route 120 just east of Fairfield Road. The preserve's total acreage will increase to nearly 315 acres. The property is currently being leased to The Gerber Group, an auto body repair facility, until 2013. The lease terms include a 5-year renewal option and a provision that requires the lessee to pay property taxes while the lease is in place. The lease would generate revenues for the Forest Preserve District until its expiration.

Acquisition, protection and management of these properties meets the District's adopted land acquisition goals of adding to existing preserves, protecting wildlife habitat, preventing flooding, preserving native wetlands and prairies, and expanding trail corridors.

Next Steps

The land transactions are contingent on approval by the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their Tuesday, January 11 meeting and on a final closing in approximately 60-90 days. If both actions are successful, the new lands will join an extensive network of open spaces totaling more than 29,200 acres that create the Lake County Forest Preserves.

For a program calendar or additional information about your Lake County Forest Preserves, call 847-367-6640 and request a free copy of the Horizons quarterly magazine or sign up for one of our free monthly e-newsletters.

Phenology calendars for Lake County now available

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:01 GMT

What’s Phenology?

Phe·nol·o·gy (feh-nahl-oh-jee) is the scientific study of periodic biological phenomena, such as flowering, breeding and migration, in relation to climatic conditions. Though winter has many of us hunkering inside over a mug of hot cocoa, there are natural wonders to be discovered out in your preserves.

Now available online are exploration guides to natural events that can be observed as you visit preserves throughout the seasons. These suggestions are simply a starting place for explorations of your own. Once you start experiencing the world through the eyes of a phenologist, you’ll be amazed at the wonder of each season that you may have overlooked before!