Lake County Forest Preserves

Discovery Museum participates in Blue Star program

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:01 GMT

Again this summer, the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda will participate in Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and more than 1,300 museums across America, to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families. These include children's museums, fine art museums, history and science museums, and nature centers. View a map and list of other participating museums.

The free admission program begins Memorial Day, May 27 and runs through Labor Day, September 2.

It is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention Common Access Card (CAC), a DD Form 1173, or a DD Form 1173-1, which includes active duty military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), National Guard and Reserve members, and up to five immediate family members. Present your ID card at the Discovery Museum front desk to receive free admission.

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 to Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. The Museum is currently featuring the special exhibition Modern Masters through August 25.

About the Lake County Discovery Museum

This nationally-accredited museum provides visitors with hands-on exhibits and educational programs, and is also home to the nation’s largest collection of picture postcards.

About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a national nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services including guard and reserve, with a mission to support, connect and empower military families. In addition to morale and empowerment programs, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life with civilian community and leaders.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

The NEA is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts—both new and established—bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the largest annual national funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.

Board adopts reduced Fiscal Year 2013-14 Budget

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:01 GMT

To keep more than 30,000 acres of forest preserves in Lake County safe, clean and open for people to enjoy, the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners adopted a reduced Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Budget of $101,559,660 at their May 14 meeting.

View the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14

For the fifth consecutive year, total Forest Preserve property tax revenues collected are projected to decrease substantially due to declines in Lake County’s Equalized Assessed Value (EAV), and because of the District's conservative budgeting practices and wise use of available fiscal resources.

The overall budget decreased $12.4 million (11 percent) from the previous year, primarily due to an $11.4 million (21.5 percent) decrease in the capital budget.

Of property taxes collected in Lake County, 2.5 percent of the typical tax bill goes to support your forest preserves. The budget is balanced even though the County’s Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) has had an unprecedented drop of 19.7 percent over the past four years which has translated into a significant drop in property tax revenue. The District has reduced staff and made many other cost-cutting measures to maintain a balanced budget. The District’s operating budget has been cut by $3,803,060 over the past five fiscal years, or approximately 11 percent, despite substantial increases in District lands, trails and facilities during that time.

"This has been another challenging year for many governmental agencies and the Lake County Forest Preserves is no exception. We are proud that our board and staff have continued to work together to look for new ways to do more with less," said President Ann B. Maine, Lake County Forest Preserves. “We are committed to protecting our resources and providing quality outdoor recreation and education opportunities in an environmentally and fiscally responsible way.”

"Our conservative budgeting approach has helped to maintain our AAA bond rating, an achievement that only six forest preserves or park districts in the nation can point toward," said Maine.

Budget Overview

Expenditures for operating and maintaining the Lake County Forest Preserves decreased by 1.6% to $30,613,560. Over two-thirds of the budget funds land purchases and capital projects ($41,782,460) or retirement of voter-approved bonds ($29,163,640) for those lands and projects.

The budget includes a Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan that outlines 27 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 to reduce long-term operating costs.

Public access improvements and renovations are underway at several forest preserves throughout the county, including Hastings Lake in Lake Villa. Additions to regional multipurpose trails are planned for the Millennium Trail in central, western and northern Lake County.

"Reductions in the countywide 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.

Preserve safety tips

Fri, 10 May 2013 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.

Prevent bites from ticks that share our outdoor spaces

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:01 GMT

Warmer weather will be here to stay soon, and with it comes the draw toward outdoor activities. While enjoying these activities, don’t forget to take action to prevent bites from ticks that share our outdoor spaces. Ticks can infect humans and wildlife with bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause serious illness.

There are two species of ticks in Lake County, Illinois: deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) and wood tick (Dermacentor variabilis). Of these two species, only deer ticks can pass on Lyme disease. However, wood ticks, also referred to as American dog ticks, do have the ability to pass on other bacterial infections such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

Before you go outdoors, choose light-colored clothing, tuck long pants into socks and apply an insect repellent containing DEET to your clothes. Products containing permethrin can kill ticks. These products can be purchased at many outdoor recreational retailers and are used to treat boots, clothing and gear for extended protection against ticks, mites and nuisance insects.

During outdoor activities, know where to expect ticks. They are most commonly found near wooded areas and tall grasses. Stay on trails when hiking and keep lawns and grass around play equipment trimmed short. Ticks wait on tall vegetation and grasp onto any large object that passes. It is a myth that ticks drop from above onto your head. They start low and crawl upwards in search of a protected site to latch onto the host’s skin.

Before you enter your car and after you come indoors, check your clothing thoroughly for ticks. Remove any ticks found on your clothing and dispose of them. Placing clothing in a dryer on high heat for one hour kills ticks and can prevent ticks from dropping off in your home to search for a host. Once clothing has been checked, check your body for ticks and shower soon after being outdoors. Showering can flush off unattached ticks and provides the best view for a full body tick check. Be sure to look in potential hiding spots as well as open skin. Check under your arms, in and around your ears, in your belly button, behind your knees and so on.

If you find an attached tick remove it immediately by grasping near its head with small tweezers, as close to your skin as possible, and pulling it straight out slowly. Following removal, watch for signs of illness such as rash near the attachment site or fever. Visit a health care provider if any symptoms develop.

The steps for tick bite prevention listed above, as well as species descriptions, can be found at trailside kiosks throughout our Forest Preserves or by viewing the poster online. For further details regarding tick prevention, visit the Lake County Health Department’s Environmental Services online. The Health Department offers visual identification tips, a fact sheet on tick prevention and a brief video on how to avoid ticks and what to do if you find a tick on yourself or your pet.

ALERT: Preserve and trail closures

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:01 GMT

Due to severe flooding conditions, the following preserves and trails are closed until further notice:

Preserves

Fox River Forest Preserve Boat Launch (IDNR has closed the Fox River to all water traffic.)

Board names new executive director

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:01 GMT

At their Tuesday, April 9 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners named a new executive director to lead one of the nation's top conservation agencies and the second largest Forest Preserve District in the state of Illinois.

Following an extensive recruitment and selection process, the Board approved a contract with Alex Ty Kovach, of Akeley, Minnesota, to serve as the District's next executive director, effective June 12. Kovach succeeds Tom Hahn who retired March 29 after 14 years of service, nine in the top position. Deputy Executive Director Andy Kimmel will serve as interim executive director until Kovach officially begins work.

"We are excited about this new chapter as we welcome Ty to the Forest Preserve team. Ty's career spans both the public and private sectors, and his proven leadership success will serve our agency well as he takes on his new role as executive director," said President Ann Maine, Lake County Forest Preserves. "We look forward to working together with Ty to advance our goals to open new forest preserves to the public, extend our trail system, and preserve and restore natural areas and wildlife habitat across the county in a financially-responsible way."

As leader of the agency, Kovach will oversee management of more than 30,000 acres of land, 168 miles of trails, three public golf courses, public access to the Fox River, award-winning education programs and events, and facilities of special interest including Independence Grove, Ryerson Conservation Area, the Lake County Discovery Museum and Greenbelt Cultural Center.

Upon accepting the position, Kovach noted, "The success of the Lake County Forest Preserves and the pride that the county residents have is so evident that from the moment I arrived there I knew I wanted to be part of it and do my best to continue to move the organization forward. I take a long-range view of landscapes and see the Lake County Forest Preserves as the custodian of a very important resource. We need to be thinking of future generations as decisions are made and resources are managed."

About Alex Ty Kovach

Kovach received a bachelor's degree in industrial technology from Bemidji State University in Minnesota, and brings a diverse background of national and international leadership experience in both the public and private sectors.

Since early 2012, Kovach has been working internationally as chief executive officer for Cabo Delgado Investments Limited, which owns and manages a group of private islands and coastal forest land in the Republic of Mozambique in southeast Africa. Home to some of the most significant habitats and marine wildlife in the Indian Ocean, the island and coastal concessions total over 110,000 acres. The cluster of islands and their associated reefs are protected in partnership with the World Wildlife Federation, and managed for ecotourism, wildlife conservation and community development. As head of the organization, Kovach developed and implemented strategies to finance the project, and established public and private partnerships to protect the land.

Kovach also currently serves on the board of directors for the Mukoque Construcoes Limitada, an organization that provides design, engineering and commercial construction services across Mozambique.

Prior to his work at Cabo Delgado Investments, Kovach worked five years as chief operations officer for the Mustique Company Limited on the 1,400-acre private island of Mustique, part of the island country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the West Indies. Managing a staff of 800, Kovach led operation of the company and its subsidiaries, as well as a variety of conservation initiatives such as reforestation of the Grenadine Islands, reef protection and shoreline and beach restoration.

In the public realm, Kovach served 15 years, seven as operations manager, for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources managing strategic planning, policy and budget development and regional programs.

Progress update

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:01 GMT

Your Lake County Forest Preserves achieved much in 2012.

Thanks to your support, we were able to protect some of Lake County’s most important natural areas, maintain over 168 miles of trails, present award-winning educational and cultural programs, events and exhibits, and restore many acres of habitat for Lake County’s native plants and animals.

For this year's update, we used a new online tool called Infogr.am to present our achievements in the form of an infographic.

Check it out here.

National touring exhibition visits Museum

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:01 GMT

Rare, original prints by some of the biggest names in modern art will be on display at Modern Masters, opening April 6 at the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda. The works of Joan Miró, André Masson, Salvador Dali, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall and many more are featured in a one-of-a-kind compilation of styles and movements from the early 20th century.

The major art movements featured in this exhibition span several decades and include Cubism, Dadaism, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism. Also included are works of artists who were not aligned to a particular style, but contributed to experimentation and symbolism widely associated with modern art post World War I. These artists sought to break with accepted artistic traditions, test the boundaries of content and expression and show the world something entirely new. This era of new and distinct art was often driven by social and political agendas, and the work constructed using bright colors, geometric shapes and new techniques that left Impressionist theories and practices behind.

Modern Masters is a national touring exhibition organized by the Pauly Friedman Gallery at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania. It is dedicated to artists, art educators and creative individuals everywhere who have taken the leap of imagination and turned it into tangible works of art for all to contemplate, study and interpret.

This exhibition is generously supported by the Friends of the Lake County Discovery Museum, the Peter and Thalia Anest Family Foundation and Media Sponsor The Daily Herald.

Exhibit Details

For more information about the exhibit, call 847-968-3400 or follow the Museum on Facebook and Twitter @LakeCoMuseum. Visit the exhibit website at LCFPD.org/ModernMasters for discount admission coupons and dates and times of special Modern Masters programs and events.

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 through Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. 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, free for youth 17 years and under. Admission is always free for Museum members. The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

Increased coyote activity

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:01 GMT

Increased coyote sightings are reported during spring and early summer due to increased daytime activity.

Female coyotes and their pups have dens in most forest preserves during April, May, and June. Therefore, sections of trails near den sites may have high coyote activity during that time. Trailside signs with information about coyote behavior and tips on responding to an encounter are installed when den areas are located near trails.

Coyote family groups will investigate and chase off any perceived threats to the pups. Coyotes pose no threat to people or pets as long as we work together to reinforce their natural fear of humans.

One simple way to help prevent unwanted encounters is to keep dogs on a short leash (less than 10 feet) at all times. Coyotes are territorial and are not afraid of dogs. They may view a dog as a threat, chasing the dog away from the den area if it gets too close.

Trail users may see coyote family members warily watching; this is simply out of curiosity and not out of aggression. If a coyote approaches, attempt to scare it away by waving your arms in the air, shouting, and throwing rocks or sticks in the direction of the coyote. This response reinforces the animal's natural fear of humans.

To report encounters or concerns regarding coyotes call our General Offices at 847-367-6640 weekdays from 8 am–4:30 pm. On evenings or weekends, call 847-549-5200 and ask to speak to a Forest Preserve Ranger.

Please respect these wild animals. Do not attempt to approach, feed or pet them, or find their dens. Like any mother or family member, coyotes want to protect their pups and keep them safe. The coyote pups are able to leave the den by the end of June, when we will see less coyote activity overall.

Get additional information about coyotes: Lake County Guide to Coyotes, and Coyote Frequently Asked Questions.

Controlled burn season begins

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:01 GMT

Controlled burn season is starting in your Lake County Forest Preserves. The burns improve habitat for native plants and wildlife. Specially trained and equipped Forest Preserve staff and volunteers carefully conduct the controlled burns, selecting sites based on wind and other weather conditions.

Every spring and fall for the past 25 years, the Lake County Forest Preserves has safely conducted controlled burns to restore and improve natural plant and animal communities. Native woodlands, savannas, prairies and wetlands are fire-dependent communities that require regular controlled burns to maintain their ecological value.

Controlled burns replace historical fires that naturally occurred in Lake County for thousands of years. They decrease invasive woody plants, remove dead leaves, and expose the soil and seeds to the sun's rays. This encourages native plants to grow more vigorously and to produce more flowers and seed, increasing their populations. Wildlife populations are adapted to survive the burns. Most animals are safe underground or high up in trees; others move out of the way to avoid fires. Controlled burns are scheduled to avoid the breeding season of native wildlife.

Controlled burns are the most cost efficient management tool available to land managers. Forest Preserve staff and volunteers complete intensive training before conducting controlled burns to ensure that proper safety measures are taken to protect people, facilities, plants and animals in the preserves and on surrounding properties.

Over the next few months, you may see Forest Preserve crews of trained professionals burning high-quality habitats or restoration areas in forest preserves throughout Lake County. Wind and other weather conditions are monitored daily to help determine which preserves are selected for controlled burns.

Click here to find which preserve is scheduled to receive a controlled burn, and to learn more about the entire land management program.

Local fire and police departments are notified before and after each controlled burn. Forest Preserve staff closely monitor each burn with appropriate safety equipment and, if necessary, stay overnight on site.

Forest Preserve staff continues to provide specialized wildfire training to area fire departments to improve their skills when responding to fires that may happen in natural areas under their jurisdiction.

Mucha: Expanding Art Nouveau

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:01 GMT

View beautiful and rare Art Nouveau objects by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha at the Lake County Discovery Museum, starting January 26. The exhibition features an exclusive peek at objects from the Curt Teich Postcard Archive’s John High Collection, one of the world’s leading collections of Mucha postcards.

Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939) is considered a key figure in the Art Nouveau movement, an art style characterized by delicate colors and organic, sinuous designs, which first gained popularity in the 1880s. The exhibition showcases the range and influence of Mucha’s work through everyday and commercial objects. Magazine covers, decorative tins, folio plates, jewelry, currency, book illustrations and other objects will be on display, along with a replica façade of the Paris shop Mucha designed for jeweler George Fouquet.

Exhibition details

The exhibition runs through August 25 and is supported by Media Sponsor, the Daily Herald. Call the museum at 847-968-3400, or visit online for more information.

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 through Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. 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, free for youth 17 years and under. Admission is always free for Museum members. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

Follow the museum on Facebook and Twitter for dates and times of special programs and events.

Freshwater shrimp found in Des Plaines River

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:01 GMT

During stream monitoring this past summer, Nick Huber and other ecologists of the Lake County Forest Preserves discovered several dozen Mississippi grass shrimp, Palaimonetes kadikensis, in a forest preserve along the Des Plaines River in southern Lake County. Due to the fact that you can see right through them, this species is also commonly referred to as glass shrimp.

At first sight, the ecologists did not recognize the inch-long crustaceans. It was clear that this find was something rare and exciting. After further collection parameters were determined, Huber and his team confirmed it was safe to remove two specimens for identification in their laboratory. Aquatic insect identification requires equipment with high-powered magnification to count tiny body parts nearly invisible to the naked eye. It wasn't until last week that the shrimp were officially identified and documented. This is the first documentation of the species in Lake County, Illinois.

This is a rare find for northeastern Illinois. The only other known locations are in the Kankakee River and Otter Creek in Kane County. According to Lawrence M. Page of the Illinois Natural History Survey, Palaemonetes kadiakensis almost always is associated with, and is most abundant in, living aquatic vegetation. Its reduction in distribution and abundance in Illinois is probably attributable to increased turbidity and sedimentation and the resultant loss of vegetation. Therefore, this find is also very encouraging, as Mississippi grass shrimp are indicative of cleaner water systems. Their presence holds promise for the improvement of aquatic habitats within and surrounding the Des Plaines River.

For more details on this exciting find or information about current habitat restoration projects, follow us on Facebook.

$1.9 million grant received for Millennium Trail

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves received a $1.9 million grant from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) for the Millennium Trail Rollins Road Bike Path Underpass project.

The grant program is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and provides funding to local governments for projects that support alternative modes of transportation and improve quality of life.

Under ITEP, IDOT works with local agencies, like the Forest Preserve District, to create new transportation options like bike paths and walking trails, improve transportation safety and encourage connections between communities.

Rollins Road Underpass

The grant will help fund construction of an underpass at Rollins Road just west of Route 45 in Grayslake. The trail tunnel will safely connect Rollins Savanna and Fourth Lake Forest Preserves and provide a much-needed extension of the Millennium Trail in north-central Lake County.

When the underpass is complete, Millennium Trail users will be able to travel between four connected preserves (Rollins Savanna, Fourth Lake, Bonner Farm and McDonald Woods), and to several neighboring communities and local destinations, including the Lindenhurst Park District, Grayslake North High School, College of Lake County, Metra Stations, and various residential and business districts.

Construction of the underpass is scheduled to begin later this spring, with completion anticipated sometime in 2014.

Millennium Trail and Greenway

The 35-mile Millennium Trail will connect central, western and northern Lake County communities and forest preserves. It will eventually link to the northern section of the Des Plaines River Trail in Wadsworth.

Today, more than 20 miles are complete and open to hikers, bikers and cross-country skiers. A 9.25-mile section from Lakewood north to Singing Hills Forest Preserve is open to equestrians. The Millennium Trail is part of the proposed Grand Illinois Trail which one day will link multiple trails between Chicago and Galena.

Community Support

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning has identified the Millennium Trail as a Priority Greenway. The trail is also part of the Lake County Division of Transportation’s Year 2020 Transportation Priority Plan.

President names key appointments

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:01 GMT

At the Tuesday, December 11 special meeting of the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners, President Ann Maine named her committee appointments. All will serve two-year terms that end December 2014.

Pat Carey was appointed as chair of the Finance and Administrative Committee, with S. Michael Rummel as vice chair. Committee members are Sandra Hart, Aaron Lawlor, Audrey Nixon, Diana O’Kelly and Linda Pedersen.

Carol Calabresa was appointed as chair of the Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee, with Linda Pedersen as vice chair. Committee members are Bonnie Thomson Carter, Steven W. Mandel, Diana O'Kelly, Tom Weber and Terry Wilke.

Bonnie Thomson Carter was appointed as chair of the Planning and Restoration Committee, with Nick Sauer as vice chair. Committee members are Carol Calabresa, Steve Carlson, Bill Durkin, Sandra Hart and Craig Taylor.

Craig Taylor was appointed as chair of the Education, Cultural Resources and Public Affairs Committee, with Mary Ross Cunningham as vice chair. Committee members are Steve Carlson, Diane Hewitt, Audrey Nixon, S. Michael Rummel and Nick Sauer.

Ann Maine will chair the Legislative Committee, with Steven W. Mandel as vice chair. Committee members are Mary Ross Cunningham, Brent Paxton, Nick Sauer, David Stolman and Tom Weber.

Linda Pedersen was appointed as chair of the Rules Committee, with Mary Ross Cunningham as vice chair. Committee members are Carol Calabresa, Steve Carlson, Bonnie Thomson Carter, Bill Durkin, Sandra Hart, S. Michael Rummel and Craig Taylor.

Audrey Nixon was appointed chair of the Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee. Members include Mary Ross Cunningham, Linda Pedersen, Brent Paxton and Terry Wilke.

Linda Pedersen was appointed as chair of the Ethics Committee, with Nick Sauer as vice chair. Committee members include Steve Carlson, Bill Durkin and Audrey Nixon.

Key officer appointments include S. Michael Rummel as Treasurer and Audrey Nixon as Assistant Treasurer.

Ann Maine and S. Michael Rummel will serve on the Board of Directors for the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves. Voting members of the Foundation include Ann Maine, Carol Calabresa, Pat Carey, Bonnie Thomson Carter, Craig Taylor, and David F. Nelson, ex-officio.

The liaisons to the Friends of Ryerson Woods are Ann Maine and Aaron Lawlor. Other liaisons include Steve Carlson to the Friends of the Lake County Discovery Museum, Tom Weber to the Youth Conservation Corps, and Craig Taylor to the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

Steven W. Mandel was appointed to serve as the board representative to the Lake Michigan Watershed Ecosystem Partnership.

On December 3, Forest Preserve Commissioners chose to retain Ann Maine of Lincolnshire as President and Linda Pedersen of Antioch as Vice President. Both will serve two-year terms that end December 2014.

Board President Maine, Vice President Pedersen retain posts

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:01 GMT

At a special meeting on Monday, December 3, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners elected their new leaders, choosing to retain Ann Maine of Lincolnshire as President and Linda Pedersen of Antioch as Vice President. Both will serve two-year terms that end December 2014.

As newly re-elected Forest Preserve President, Maine will focus on continuing her efforts to complete and extend popular multi-use trail systems like the Millennium Trail and Greenway, restore wetlands, prairies and forests, and open new preserves throughout the county.

"It is a great honor to be chosen by my fellow Commissioners to serve a second term as President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. I'm very thankful for their trust in me and humbled by the support," said Maine. "I look forward to working alongside new and returning Board members to provide residents of Lake County even more opportunities to enjoy their preserves and to learn about our area's natural and cultural history."

"Our new Board has inherited a 54-year history of strong community support for the forest preserves that stems from the hard work of our predecessors. It's our challenge to make sure that legacy endures," added Maine. "In the coming two years, the Board and I will continue to raise awareness of the many benefits and amenities of our preserves and facilities and encourage all residents to visit and use them. We will work together in a thoughtful process to broaden access to newly acquired preserves, extend miles of trails, and preserve and restore land, while continuing to exercise fiscal responsibility and leverage funds so we can do more for the families of Lake County."

Since being elected in 2002, Maine has held the following leadership positions on the Forest Preserve Board:

President since 2010
Chair, Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee
Vice Chair, Legislative Committee
Member, Ethics Committee, Finance and Administrative Committee, Facilities Committee
Voting Member, Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves
Liaison, Friends of Ryerson Woods Board

Maine has been a member of the biology department at Lake Forest College since 1994 where she is a Senior Lecturer. She holds an undergraduate degree in biology from Williams College, MA, and received a master’s degree and a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Rochester, NY. Before joining the Forest Preserve Board she also served as a village trustee in Lincolnshire. She is an active member of the Lincolnshire Garden Club. She resides in Lincolnshire with her husband and four sons.

Vice President Pedersen has served as a Forest Preserve Commissioner since 2008 and has held the following positions:

Vice President since 2010
Chair, Finance and Administrative Committee
Member, Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee
Member, Rules Committee
Voting Member, Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves

As the newly elected Forest Preserve leadership team, they will oversee more than 30,000 acres of Forest Preserve land, 168 miles of trails, 194 full-time, and 379 part-time and temporary employees, and a fiscal year 2013-2014 budget of $114 million.

The Lake County Forest Preserves was created by referendum in 1958 and serves as Lake County’s principal guardian of open space and natural areas. Its boundaries are the same as those of Lake County. The Forest Preserve District is managed by an elected Board, made up of 21 Commissioners who also serve as members of the Lake County Board.

2013 annual permit sales begin December 3

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Annual permits for 2013 will be available beginning Monday, December 3, including Dog Exercise Area permits, Horse Trail Use permits, Model Aircraft Flying Field permits, Dog Sled Area access and Horse-drawn Vehicle Use permits.

Annual permits are good from the time purchased through the end of the calendar year (December 31, 2013). Permit revenue for special use areas such as the Dog Exercise Area is used to fund their maintenance.

Permits can be purchased online or by phone at 847-367-6640, in person at our General Offices in Libertyville and our Operations and Public Safety Facility in Lindenhurst, or by mail or fax.

Dog Exercise Areas

The required annual or daily permit allows you and your canine companions access to four uniquely different Dog Exercise Areas located in preserves throughout Lake County: Independence Grove (entrance off Milwaukee Avenue) in Libertyville, Lakewood in Wauconda, Prairie Wolf in Lake Forest, and Duck Farm in Lindenhurst. Due to road improvements on Milwaukee Avenue, the Independence Grove Dog Exercise Area will be required to close for a yet-to-be-determined period of time during the 2013 season.

Each of these areas are fenced locations where dogs can socialize and run off-leash. Originally developed to provide a site for specialized canine activity training, the Dog Exercise Areas have become enormously popular for recreational use. They are open daily from 6:30 am until 7 pm or sunset, whichever is later.

A daily permit allows one day's access to all four Dog Exercise Areas. Daily permits can be purchased at self-pay stations conveniently located in the parking lot at each Dog Exercise Area for spur-of-the-moment visits. They can also be purchased in advance online.

Forest Preserve Rangers regularly patrol the Dog Exercise 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.

Dogs must be at least four months old to visit the Dog Exercise Areas and have a current rabies vaccination. Your dog's rabies tag number and the license plate number for each car you wish to register are required at the time of purchase.

The annual permit fee for one dog is $44 for Lake County residents ($120 for nonresidents). Each additional dog is $18 for Lake County residents ($56 for nonresidents).

The daily permit fee for one dog is $5 for Lake County residents ($10 for nonresidents).

Board adds 315 acres to Pine Dunes Forest Preserve

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:00:01 GMT

On November 20, the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved a single land purchase that offers multiple benefits to outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife alike.

The $10,237,500 land buy adds 315 acres to Pine Dunes Forest Preserve bringing that preserve’s total acreage to 751. Pine Dunes is one of five preserves and one state natural area that comprise a 5,300-acre regional trail and greenway in northern Lake County near the Wisconsin border. The newly approved property purchase is located in Newport Township along Edwards Road between Hunt Club Road and Old U.S. Highway 41, and south of State Line Road.

"Acquisition of this property is part of a long-range effort to preserve and connect a network of natural lands and trail systems in northern Lake County. Its large size and location in the region offer us a significant opportunity to create multiple trails within the preserve for hiking, biking and horseback riding, and provide a major link for the countywide Millennium Trail," said Ann Maine, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. "We'll also be able to conduct extensive restoration projects to improve wetland and grassland bird habitat, and protect and expand oak savanna communities here."

The seller has agreed to grant a trail easement across adjoining property they retained so that future preserve trails can extend to Old U.S. Highway 41 and link to a planned Illinois Department of Transportation trail that will run along Russell Road to just east of Interstate 94.

Ideally situated, the new land would eventually bridge the gap between neighboring preserves Prairie Stream, Dutch Gap, Raven Glen, Ethel's Woods and the Millennium Trail to the west of U.S. Highway 41, and Van Patten Woods, Oak-Hickory, Wadsworth Savanna and the 31-mile Des Plaines River Trail (DPRT) to the east of the highway. Such a complex network of connected open spaces would provide vital and diverse habitat for a variety of plants and animals, and a rare opportunity to create a regional trail system that links to the DPRT and offers miles of continuous trail travel through the county.

About the Land

Described by Forest Preserve natural resource experts as “some of the finest rolling topography found in Lake County,” the new property features a pristine mix of prairie, savanna and oak-hickory woodlands, as well as scenic streams, marshes, sedge meadows, vernal ponds and other wetland communities.

Approximately 70 percent of the land is upland habitat, while the remaining 30 percent is wetland communities. The Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Chicago Wilderness, and the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation have identified these habitats as critical nesting and foraging areas for a variety of birds and other wildlife species.

Next Steps

The land transaction is contingent on a final closing in approximately 60 days. If successful, the addition will join more than 29,600 acres that create your Lake County Forest Preserves.

This land purchase meets continuing land acquisition goals to preserve more open space, provide habitat for endangered and threatened species, protect and restore wildlife habitat, create new trails, and improve public access to new and existing preserves. Funds from the voter-approved November 2008 referendum make the purchase possible.

Register today for our Summer Camps

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Sneak some learning into your child's summer adventures. Our Summer Camps meet the summer wishes of kids and parents alike.

Registration for the 2013 camp season is open with early bird discounts available through February 15, 2013. Programs fill quickly so enroll early.

Choose a topic and age group that suits your child. Camps are offered for ages four through 15. Choose from nature exploration, fun on the farm, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, history, theatre, or arts and crafts.

Four new camp topics have been added to the camp calendar, including animal tracking, dinosaurs, restoration and a special camp for families.

Browse all available camps and register online, or call 847-968-3321 for details and to request a free camp brochure.

Camps are led by professional Forest Preserve educators experienced in supervision, safety techniques, and activity development.

Partial scholarships are available in the case of financial hardship. A financial assistance application is available online and in each camp brochure. Call 847-968-3321 for details. Completed applications can be mailed or delivered to the Lake County Forest Preserves General Offices, 1899 West Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048. Map it.

To view other available Forest Preserve programs and events, browse our online calendar, or subscribe to our free Horizons newsletter.

Take an evening hike along solar lighted trails

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:01 GMT

With small solar lights to guide their way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can get some brisk evening exercise along the 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, and along a 1.65-mile hilly section of the Millennium Trail adjacent to the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda.

Though regular preserve hours are 6:30 am to sunset, starting Sunday, November 4, the illuminated trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open after sunset until 9 pm, daily, through Saturday, March 9, 2013. Bicycle and equestrian traffic is not permitted on the lighted trails after sunset. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.

To access the lighted trails, park at Lakewood's Winter Sports Area located on the east side of Fairfield Road just south of Route 176, or at Old School's main entrance lot located on the east side of St. Mary's Road just south of Route 176. Lake County Forest Preserve Rangers regularly patrol the areas.

Science First in Lake County graduates its 200th participant

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Sarah VanNevel has always loved science, even though she knows many of her classmates at Gavin South Junior High School in Ingleside don’t consider it “cool.”

For three summers in a row, she has participated in Science First in Lake County, an intensive environmental science program. Here she is surrounded by dozens of other kids who are just as enthusiastic about science and nature.

“The best thing about the program is meeting other kids who love science and getting to have access to all of this cool stuff to learn about,” said VanNevel. “At school, we can’t do all of this because we don’t have all of this equipment and places to go.”

Sarah is one of 32 students from around Lake County who spent four weeks of their summer studying science, doing field work, and exploring educational and career opportunities in science. The program, which is free to participants, is based at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago and uses Lake County’s forest preserves as living laboratories.

At the annual graduation ceremony on Friday, July 13, Science First in Lake County will graduate its 200th participant. Free and open to the public from 1 to 3 pm at the Greenbelt Cultural Center, the event is also a chance for students to showcase the science projects they worked on during the program.

Across the U.S., women and minorities are historically under-represented in the sciences in both business and academia. Research on eliminating this gap shows middle school is a key turning point for many students and a time where their natural interest in science can decline due to social pressures.

Continued exposure to hands-on science and science careers is key, which is why the Science First in Lake County program aims to inspire middle school students like Sarah to return each year. The program is open to rising students entering grades 7 to 9 from schools in minority or underserved communities throughout Lake County.

While engaging girls and minorities is a goal, the primary prerequisite is a strong interest in science. Prospective participants go through an application and interview process and must be sponsored by a teacher.

Students in this, the program’s seventh year, are from the following schools:

Beach Park Middle School, Beach Park
Daniel Webster Middle School, Waukegan
Gavin South Junior High School, Ingleside
John T. Magee Middle School, Round Lake
Miguel Juarez Middle School, Waukegan
Neal Math and Science Academy, North Chicago
Robert Abbott Middle School, Waukegan
Round Lake Middle School, Round Lake
Stanton Middle School, Fox Lake
Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Waukegan

Science First in Lake County is a partnership between the Lake County Forest Preserves and the Chicago Botanic Garden. Lead Sponsor Abbott Fund and Platinum Sponsor ComEd provide majority support.

The Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2007 to provide meaningful ways for the community to partner in the mission of the Lake County Forest Preserves and preserve and protect Lake County’s natural and cultural treasures.