Lake County Forest Preserves

Congressman Dold gets a birds-eye tour

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves hosted a bird’s eye tour on May 14 at Spring Bluff Forest Preserve and Illinois Beach State Park for Congressman Robert Dold and other officials to show how a large Sustain Our Great Lakes grant is restoring important wildlife habitat areas along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

“This is a great example of all levels of government and public and private conservation organizations cooperating to protect unique natural resources of Lake Michigan,” said Tom Hahn, Executive Director of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “These grants support vital work that are helping restore health to the Great Lakes basin. The Forest Preserve District is committed to protecting and restoring habitat for the many endangered and threatened species that live in Lake County and the surrounding areas.

The tour was held at Spring Bluff Forest Preserve, part of an area known as the Chiwaukee Illinois Beach Coastal Area (Lake Plain). The Lake Plain connects 14 community types and provides habitat for over 500 plant and 300 animal species, including 63 state- and four federally-listed species. Grant funds are being used for removal of invasive species, to re-establish native plant communities, to minimize flow of storm water into high quality wetlands, and to increase populations of threatened and endangered species through enhancement of the surrounding habitats.

During the tour, Congressman Dold and other officials viewed examples of restoration efforts in Spring Bluff and Illinois Beach State Park from a height of 40 feet within a Forest Preserve elevated bucket truck. This elevation provided a valuable bird’s eye comparison of restored habitat with other areas that currently being restored using Sustain Our Great Lakes grant funds. This view provided a “before and after” visual, illustrating the amazing ecological developments made in just five years of restoration at Spring Bluff. The drastic improvement is a perfect model for the broad scope of this grant program and the ecological potential of the Lake Plain as restoration continues in future years.

See before and after visual of the project area

The Congressman also came face-to-face with a 50-year-old Blanding’s turtle and several younger Blanding’s turtles. The Forest Preserve District is helping to conduct a captive breeding and release program for this turtle species, which is listed as endangered in Illinois. Blanding’s turtles live in the type of coastal habitat being restored.

The tour also included public and private partners, including Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, and Waukegan Harbor Citizens Advisory Group. Also in attendance were funding partners from the Sustain Our Great Lakes Program, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

In the spring of 2010, the Sustain Our Great Lakes program announced more than $7.6 million in grant funding which was matched with another $5.9 million in grantee contributions, for a total on-the-ground conservation investment of $13.5 million. This funding was provided to 25 projects to restore and enhance important habitats throughout the Great Lakes basin. The grant program provided the Lake County Forest Preserves and local partners with nearly $1 million to achieve common goals of restoring coastal habitat across the entire 4,000-acre landscape in Illinois and Wisconsin which makes up the Lake Plain. The grant is helping enhance wildlife habitat by improving hydrology and restoring coastal lake plain at Spring Bluff, Chiwaukee Prairie and Illinois Beach State Park.

The Great Lakes are considered some of the most important natural resources in the world, containing about 21 percent of the world’s surface freshwater supply. They provide drinking water for tens of millions of people and support a huge diversity of plants and wildlife, including hundreds of globally rare species. This immense network of unique habitat types provides vital ecological services, such as flood control, carbon storage and water filtration.

Despite their size and importance, the Great Lakes have been significantly degraded by human activity. The Sustain Our Great Lakes Stewardship Grants program is a public–private partnership established to address ecological threats and improve the health of the Great Lakes basin. Program partners include ArcelorMittal, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In addition to the environmental benefits, the grant has funded three temporary positions and provided work for many more jobs with local landscape and ecological restoration contractors.

Board approves Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:01 GMT

To keep more than 29,300 acres of forest preserves in Lake County safe, clean and open for people to enjoy, our Board of Commissioners has adopted a Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Budget of $114,047,000 at their May 8 meeting. For the fourth consecutive year, total property tax revenues collected are projected to decrease. Only 2.5 percent of property taxes collected in Lake County go to support your forest preserves.

Our budget increased $31.2 million from last year due to a $30.2 million increase for completion of land acquisition and capital improvement projects funded by a voter-approved 2008 bond referendum.

The budget is balanced even though the County’s Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) has had an unprecedented drop of 12.7 percent over the past three years which has translated into a significant drop in property tax revenue. The District has implemented staff reductions and many other cost cutting measures to maintain a balanced budget even with the drop in property tax revenues. "This has been another challenging year for many governmental agencies and the Lake County Forest Preserves is no exception. We are proud that excellent fiscal management has put the District on firm financial footing, with all reserves meeting required levels," said Ann Maine, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

"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 were increased only slightly. Over two-thirds of the budget funds land purchases, capital projects or retirement of voter-approved bonds for those lands and projects.

The budget includes a Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan that outlines 40 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 bond referendum overwhelmingly approved by voters in November 2008, 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 2011-2012 alone, the District expanded by nearly 200 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 to limit operating costs until additional funds become available. Land acquisitions are projected to increase during the upcoming fiscal year.

Public access improvements and renovations are underway at several forest preserves throughout the county, including Hastings Lake in Lindenhurst. 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.

View 2012-13 Annual Budget

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 29,300 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.

Fort Sheridan Public Planning Open House

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserve District is seeking public input regarding future trails and other potential outdoor recreation and open space improvements at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. A public Planning Open House on Tuesday evening, June 12, will be held at the Midwest Young Artists Center, 878 Lyster Rd., Highwood, in the historic Fort Sheridan property.

At the Planning Open House, the public is invited to drop in anytime between 4 and 8 p.m., to review maps and other information about the natural resources and existing public trails and facilities at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, and to provide input regarding options for additional future outdoor recreation and habitat restoration improvements. In an informal setting, Forest Preserve staff members will be available to answer questions. Weather permitting, Forest Preserve historians and naturalists will conduct optional tours of the historic sites and natural areas within the preserve.

Since obtaining the northern 250 acres of the former military base, the Forest Preserve District has restored the wooded ravines and bluffs along the Lake Michigan shoreline, constructed a paved bike and hike trail, installed educational outdoor exhibits, and completed military base cemetery improvements.

In March, the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners decided not to pursue construction of a golf course at the site, citing substantial declines in demand for golf and financial feasibility concerns. Instead, Forest Preserve Commissioners wanted to concentrate on completing additional trails and other more typical Forest Preserve outdoor recreation and habitat restoration improvements for the general public to use and enjoy at Fort Sheridan.
Comments from the open house will be reviewed by the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners and taken into consideration for the site’s planning. Those unable to attend the Open House may submit ideas via email at FORT@LCFPD.org.

Directions to the event: Enter the Fort Sheridan gates on the east side of Sheridan Road at its intersection with Old Elm Road. Follow Simonds Way east to Leonard Wood, and turn right. Follow the road to the right as it becomes Lyster Road. The Midwest Young Artists Center is the seventh yellow brick building on the right. There is parking and a back entrance covered with a burgundy awning.

For more information about the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve planning, visit www.LCFPD.org.

Chief of Ranger Police awarded professional certification

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County Forest Preserves Chief of Ranger Police John Tannahill has been designated a Certified Police Chief by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP). The ILACP’s distinguished certification program is designed to recognize those law enforcement professionals who excel in all facets of the police chief function.

Chief Tannahill is among only a select few Police Chiefs who have been able to meet the stringent requirements of the program since its inception in 1998. The designation signifies that Chief Tannahill has met the highest standards of competency and conduct for his profession. To maintain certification status, police chiefs must meet on-going requirements and apply for re-certification every 5 years.

To be eligible for consideration, those interested in pursuing certification must first meet the ILACP’s criteria for experience, education, professional membership, and community involvement. Candidates must demonstrate extensive law enforcement experience, including command and executive posts, a solid educational background that encompasses continuing education and training, and an active participation in relevant professional and community organizations. After meeting these requirements, they proceed with the certification examination, which tests their knowledge of managerial concepts, modern policing concepts, law and leading cases, and budgeting principles.

Candidates who demonstrate their mastery in these areas must then face a panel of their peers, consisting of two active Illinois Police Chiefs and a professor in a university law enforcement program. During the structured interview, the panel questions and evaluates the candidate in the areas of leadership, management, public relations, verbal communication and ethics. Only those who have successfully completed all phases of the assessment process are granted the distinction of a Certified Police Chief in Illinois.

Illinois is the only state that currently offers a Police Chief Certification Program based on an extensive, legally validated examination process. The ILACP, in conjunction with Stanard & Associates, Inc., a Chicago-based public safety consulting firm, oversaw a rigorous development and review process that involved police chiefs from across the state.

Increased coyote activity

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 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. Therefore, sections of trails near den sites may have high coyote activity. For example, increased coyote encounters have recently been reported at Rollins Savanna. Trailside signs have been installed in the den area with tips on responding to an encounter, as well as contact information to report concerns.

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 leash 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, simply scare it away by waving your arms in the air and shouting. This response reinforces the animal's natural fear of humans.

Please respect these wild animals. Do not attempt to approach, feed them, pet them, or find their den. Like any mother or family member, they 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.

Leonard A. Lauder donates postcards to Teich Archives

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. has donated more than 35,500 Raphael Tuck & Sons Oilette postcards to the Lake County Discovery Museum’s Curt Teich Postcard Archives. The donation, valued at about $260,000, includes funding for the storage, preservation, cataloging, and digitization of the postcards.

The Teich Archives is a world renowned collection of postcards and materials relating to their production dating from the 1890s to the present. The Teich Archives is used daily by researchers for a variety of projects including restoration of historical buildings and landscaping, scholarly papers, genealogy, elementary and high school history fairs, and as illustrations in textbooks, advertisements, magazines, and newspapers.

“Mr. Lauder’s generous gift significantly enhances the holdings of the Curt Teich Postcard Archives. His desire to also support cataloging and digitizing the Tuck postcards will allow full public access to this rare collection,” said Ann Maine, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “It will be exciting to put the collection on exhibition when the museum moves to its new home in Libertyville.”

About the Collection
Raphael Tuck & Sons began operating in England in 1866, and the company started printing picture postcards in 1894. The Oilette series of postcards, introduced in 1903, were the work of many different artists employed by the company and encompassed a great variety of subject matter. In their catalogs, Tuck described Oilettes as “veritable miniature oil paintings.”

Leonard A. Lauder, a well-known philanthropist and businessman, began collecting postcards at the age of eight. His first purchase was a postcard of the Empire State Building, which he followed by amassing a collection of Art Deco postcards acquired from hotel lobbies in Miami Beach, Florida. As trustee and Chairman Emeritus of the Whitney Museum of American Art, Lauder is aware of the need for preserving works of art in any format.

The Tuck Oilette postcard collection is part of a larger collection amassed by Lauder over nearly 50 years of collecting. The donation of Oilettes to the Teich Archives enhances its holdings by providing access to another genre of postcard history.

About the Lake County Discovery Museum
The Lake County Discovery Museum, an accredited museum, is a department of the Lake County Forest Preserves. The Museum is currently 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.

In a few years, the Museum will make the move from its current location to the Lake County Forest Preserves General Offices building on Winchester Road in Libertyville. Private donations are being sought to fund the move. With twice the exhibit space of its current building and a more controlled environment to store collections, the new location will allow the Museum to display more of its artifacts and special exhibits and to better protect its historic collections.

The central-county location near public transit and major roadways is expected to increase accessibility and public attendance, as well. Lakewood Forest Preserve will continue to host popular annual outdoor events such as Civil War Days in July and the Farm Heritage Festival in September.

Check out our mobile app

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 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 with the special "ID It!" Nature Identification feature, 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".

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 Chicago 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.