Lake County Forest Preserves

2010 annual permit sales begin December 7

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Annual permits for 2010 will be available beginning Monday, December 7, 2009, including Dog Exercise Area permits, Horse Trail Use permits, Model Aircraft Flying Field permits, Dog Sled Area access and Horse-drawn Vehicle use permits. Permits can be purchased online or by telephone, mail, fax or in person.

More than 5,000 local dog owners purchased an annual Dog Exercise Area permit in 2009. There are four Dog Exercise Areas located at forest preserves throughout Lake County: Independence Grove (entrance off Milwaukee Avenue) near Libertyville, Lakewood near Wauconda, Prairie Wolf near Lake Forest, and Duck Farm near Lindenhurst. Each of these areas are fenced locations where dogs can socialize and run off-leash. Originally developed to provide a site for specialized activity training, the Dog Exercise Areas have become enormously popular for recreational use.

All Dog Exercise Area users are required to have a permit and pay a user fee. Those without annual passes require a daily permit for access. Self-pay stations for daily permits are conveniently located in each Dog Exercise Area’s parking lot or permits can be purchased on the District Web site. Permit revenue for special use areas such as the Dog Exercise Area is used to fund their maintenance.

The annual permit fee for one dog is $44 for Lake County residents ($120 for non-residents). Each additional dog is $18 for Lake County residents ($56 for non-residents). Permits are good from the time you buy it through the end of the calendar year (December 31, 2010).

New lands preserved

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Additions to several forest preserves, a land exchange and a community bike path connection were among items approved by the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their November 10 meeting.

New Preserve Additions

The Board approved purchasing the following properties:

A 16.5-acre addition (Lageschulte property) to Grassy Lake Forest Preserve at a cost of $1,188,000. Purchase expands the preserve’s acreage to approximately 689. The property is located in Cuba Township on the south side of Kelsey Road and is bordered on the east by the preserve. Acquisition of this property has been a high priority for more than 10 years. Preserving this land allows for the protection of high quality oak woodlands and provides a valuable buffer for the Flint Creek wetlands.
A 10.5-acre addition (Worozaken property) to Grant Woods Forest Preserve at a cost of $535.000. It expands the preserve’s total acreage to approximately 1,119. The property presents a park-like setting and is bordered on the north and west by Grant Woods. The acquisition allows for future trail access and parking off of Rollins Road.
A 9.5-acre addition (Braun property) to the Fox River Preserve and Marina at a cost of $28,500. It expands the preserve’s total acreage to approximately 599. The property is located in Wauconda Township just north of Robert’s Road. Acquisition enhances the preserve’s holdings and allows for expansion of wetland restoration opportunities.

The land buys meet continuing land acquisition goals to preserve more open space, protect and restore wildlife habitat, create new trails and improve public access to new and existing preserves.

Each purchase is contingent on a final closing in approximately 60-90 days. If successful, the additions will join an extensive network of open spaces totaling more than 27,400 acres that create the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Land Exchange with Fremont School District 79

The Board also approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of approximately 21.6 acres of land to Fremont School District 79 in exchange for approximately 43.6 acres of property owned by the School District. The School District has already approved the intergovernmental agreement for the land swap.

In September 2009, the Forest Preserve Board purchased a 77-acre addition (Tekampe property) to Ray Lake Forest Preserve in Fremont Township. Following the acquisition, the Forest Board began negotiations with Fremont School District 79 to exchange 21.6 acres of the Tekampe parcel for 43.6 acres of school property located adjacent to the preserve. The original 77-acre purchase, together with the land exchange with Fremont School District 79, will net 97.6 acres at Ray Lake Forest Preserve, placing that preserve’s total acreage at approximately 516 acres.

The land exchange allows the Forest Preserve to enhance its open space and wetlands preservation program through the control of large wetland and drainage areas located behind the school. The exchange also provides outdoor classroom connections for the neighboring schools, and offers the School District a way to provide for future school expansion.

County of Lake Bike Path Connection

An intergovernmental agreement with the County of Lake for a new community bike path that will connect to the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Des Plaines River Trail (DPRT) in Deerfield was also approved.

The agreement grants a right-of-way to the County of Lake for the construction of a segment of the Deerfield Road Bike Path and for future road expansion. The County of Lake will build the $1.6 million trail and bicycle/pedestrian bridge along the south side of Deerfield Road from Thornmeadow Road westward and across the river where it will connect to the existing DPRT. The County will own and maintain the newly constructed bike path. The Forest Preserve will maintain the section of trail that connects the new path to the DPRT. The County of Lake will fund the project.

View maps for each project

Lageschulte Land Addition
Worzaken Land Addition
Braun Land Addition
Fremont School Land Exchange
County of Lake Bike Path Connection

Learn about Food in the Atomic Age

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Discover how the mass marketing and automobile culture of the 1950s changed the way America cooked and ate in “Food in the Atomic Age.” This special exhibition is on display from November 14, 2009 to February 21, 2010 at the Lake County Discovery Museum, in Wauconda.

“Food in the Atomic Age” features Curt Teich advertising postcards from the museum’s archives, as well as period textiles and kitchen objects from the museum’s collections. The exhibit traces how Atomic Age conveniences created the streamlined, efficient American home of the 1950s. Visitors can explore a re-created 1950s kitchen, where they’ll learn about the rise of pre-packaged foods and state-of-the art kitchen appliances. Then visit a 1950s diner to learn about the increasing popularity of fast food and see period fast food restaurant advertising. Also learn how food makes it from the farm to the table, and how this process has changed since the Atomic Age.

Controlled burn season under way

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Controlled burn season is starting in the 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 21 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.

Natural areas being managed by controlled burns are showing improvement. In woodlands, which are generally targeted in the fall for controlled burns, invasive brush is reduced and native plants are rebounding.

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.

Visit www.LCFPD.org/burninfo, for daily controlled burn announcements. Here you can find which preserve is scheduled to receive a controlled burn, and you can learn more about the entire land management program.

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.

NOTE: Reporters and photographers are invited to join Forest Preserve burn crews in the field. Please contact Leslie Berns at 847-968-3293 or lberns@LCFPD.org to make arrangements.

Extended hours, new programs at the Museum

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Enjoy special extended hours and fun education programs in conjunction with the Animal Architects exhibit at the Lake County Discovery Museum, in Wauconda.

Extended Museum Hours
In conjunction with the Animal Architects exhibition, the museum is offering special extended hours. Throughout the run of the exhibit, the museum will open an hour earlier, at 10 a.m., Monday through Saturday. The museum hours are now Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Museum admission is $6 for adults and $2.50 for youth 4-17. Kids three and under are free.

Animal Architects features Lake County animals and the structures they build, including beaver lodges, bird nests and spiderwebs. The exhibit lets kids build a nest, make a spiderweb, crawl through a burrow and explore a kid-sized beaver lodge. The Animal Architects exhibit closes on February 21, 2010.

Animal Architects Programs
Join us Saturday, November 7 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the museum for Exploring Animal Homes. Participants will take a hands-on look at different animal homes and learn how animals use homes to provide shelter, safety and a good place to raise a family. The program concludes with outdoor exploration to search for burrows, nests, holes and other animal homes.

Exploring Animal Homes is for kids ages 4 to 8, with an adult. The cost is $5 per child for Lake County residents and $7 per child for nonresidents. Price includes museum admission.

Learn about insect homes at Building for Bugs on Sunday, November 15 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. In this program kids ages 6 to 10 will learn how insects build their homes, then try to build like insects with a wasp nest building relay race and spiderweb building activity.

Building for Bugs is $5 for per child for Lake County residents and $7 per child for nonresidents. Price includes museum admission. Registration is required for Animal Homes and Building for Bugs.

2010 picnic shelter reservations

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Saturday, October 17, is the first day to purchase a picnic shelter permit for event dates in 2010 for any of 30 Lake County Forest Preserve picnic shelters. On this day, plan-ahead picnickers can apply for permits in person only from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Forest Preserve General Offices, 2000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.

Access to the parking area will open at 6:30 a.m. Patrons may begin queuing outside the door once the parking area and access to the grounds are open. The General Offices building will open at 8 a.m. Patrons will be served in the order they are in line. Please be prepared to wait in line outside if you arrive before 8 a.m. Picnic shelter permits will be available via the Web site beginning at noon on Saturday, and will be available by phone beginning Monday, October 19, at 8 a.m.

Permit fees for Forest Preserve picnic shelters are based on group size and event date, and begin at $50 for Lake County residents and from $100 for non-residents. Accommodations for groups of 700 or more are arranged on an individual, contractual basis.

Any group wishing to reserve a picnic shelter is required to purchase a permit, as are any groups of 25 or more, regardless of whether a shelter is used. Picnic shelters are available at 10 different Lake County Forest Preserve locations: Fox River Preserve and Marina in Lake Barrington, Grant Woods in Fox Lake, Greenbelt near Waukegan and North Chicago, Half Day in Vernon Hills, Heron Creek in Long Grove, Lakewood in Wauconda, Nippersink in Round Lake, Old School in Libertyville, Van Patten Woods in Wadsworth and Independence Grove in Libertyville.

Lake County Forest Preserve picnic shelters are popular locations for baptisms, family reunions, wedding receptions, company picnics and other special events. Most Lake County Forest Preserve picnic shelters offer electricity, water, toilets and at least one permanent grill. Many have playgrounds, sports fields and trails nearby.

Board buys more land

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

At their October 13 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved the creation of a new forest preserve, the expansion of the newly formed Oak-Hickory preserve, and an addition to the western section of Millennium Trail.

New Preserve in Lake Villa
The Board approved the acquisition of two adjacent properties (Wayne Hummer Trust Co. and Heffernan) to create a new 100-acre preserve in northwest Lake County at a combined cost of $4,381,000. They also approved naming the preserve Bluebird Meadow Forest Preserve.

It is located on Townline Road and Route 59 near Lake Villa. The two parcels consist mainly of undeveloped farm land with rolling topography. Opportunity to restore the lands to oak savanna wetland communities will provide valuable habitat for wildlife species, especially those that migrate from the nearby Chain ‘O Lakes to Sun Lake Forest Preserve just to the west. These species include shorebirds, sandhill cranes, sedge wrens, and bluebirds.

Addition to Oak-Hickory Forest Preserve
The Board approved an 81-acre addition (Van Zelst property) to the recently acquired Oak-Hickory preserve in Wadsworth at a cost of $3,159,000.

The Oak-Hickory additon expands the preserve to approximately 209 acres. The land is currently being farmed, and is located in Newport Township just north of Route 173 and west of Kilbourne Road. Acquiring this property offers an excellent opportunity for extensive wetland restoration.

Addition to the Millennium Trail
The Board also approved a 42-acre addition (Light property) to the Millennium Trail near Volo at a cost of $2,562,000.

The land buy provides opportunity for prairie and savanna restoration and allows for future extension of the western section of the Millennium Trail to Nippersink Forest Preserve in Volo.

Next Steps
The land buys meet continuing land acquisition goals to preserve more open space, protect and restore wildlife habitat, create new trails and improve public access to new and existing preserves.

Each purchase is contingent on a final closing in approximately 60-90 days. If successful, the additions will join an extensive network of open spaces totaling more than 27,300 acres that create the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Site maps:

Bluebird Meadow
Addition to Millennium Trail
Addition to Oak-Hickory

Fall trout season opens at Lakewood

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda will open for rainbow trout fishing on Saturday, October 17, following release of roughly 600 pounds of trout in Banana Lake. Most of the trout range in size from three-quarters to one pound. The trout stocking is a biannual fall and spring event at the 3.2-acre Banana Lake. Daily creel limit is five. The deepest point in Banana Lake is 25 feet.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) closes trout season each year for the first three weeks of October. Anglers are reminded that no trout may be taken from this stocked site from October 1 until the fall trout season opens on October 17 at 6:30 a.m. Fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves is FREE. Anglers ages 16 and over must have an Illinois fishing license. Trout fishermen must also have an Illinois inland trout stamp. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps help fund the stocking program.

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

Free fishing guide
There are many other great spots to fish in your Lake County Forest Preserves. A free guide to fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves is available. An updated guide that will include new lakes will be available later this year. Anglers are invited to call 847-367-6640 for copies, designed to fit into tackle boxes and glove compartments.

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

Important rules are detailed in the guide, such as minimum lengths required by the Lake County Forest Preserves and catch limits set by the IDNR. These rules help maintain healthy fish populations in Forest Preserve lakes and ponds that are managed with assistance from the IDNR.

Postcard Art Competition & Exhibition 2009 debuts at Museum

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The Postcard Art Competition and Exhibition 2009 (PACE 2009) opens at the Lake County Discovery Museum on Saturday, October 3. This international exhibition showcases 36 original designs selected as finalists from 443 entries submitted from the United States, Canada, Japan and China. A variety of media such as watercolor, collage, digital art and photography are represented in the exhibit, which will be on display at the Museum through January 3, 2010.

PACE 2009 celebrates the postcard as art form and visual document by challenging fine artists to produce original works in postcard size. The resulting show consists of an eclectic mix of tiny artworks in a wide variety of media. Judging is based on creativity, content, technical expertise and reproducibility as a postcard. This year’s judges were Keith Sadler and Michael Williams. Sadler is a long-time collector of postcards, photographs and folk art. Williams is the author or co-author of six books including “Who We Were: A Snapshot History of America” and “Chicago: Photographs of a Lost City.”

Local artists in the exhibition include: Paul C. Balan (Round Lake, IL), Nancy Goodman (Highland Park, IL), Denis Hagen (Wheaton, IL), Kristen Janes (Naperville, IL), Randee Ladden (Glenview, IL), Mike Pavelich (Kenosha, WI) and Ron Testa (Wilmette, IL).

Other artists include: Jessica Beagan Archer (Pawtucket, RI), Russel Box, Sr. (Alamosa, CO), Archie Brennan (New York, NY), Allegra Burke (Santa Rosa, CA), Lana Carter (Vallejo, CA), Elizabeth Concannon (St. Louis, MO), Yael Dageny (New York, NY), Cheryl Dawdy (Ann Arbor, MI), Phoebe Ann Erb (Chestnut Hill, MA), Dora Aldworth Grinnell (San Jose, CA), Marianne Fanelli Irvin (American Canyon, CA), Carol P. Kunstadt (New York, NY), Jean-Louis Lassez (Magdalena, NM), Regina Marzlin (Antigonish, Nova Scotia) , Sarah Musser (Seattle, WA), Brian Novak (St. Louis, MO), M. Parfitt (Sacramento, CA), Leslie Peterson (Tualatin, OR), Doug Travis (Indianapolis, IN), Dasha Wagner (State Center, IA), Carrie Wild (Indianapolis, IN) and Junko Yamada (Jackson Heights, NJ).

These artists are eligible for one of the top three Awards of Excellence, to be announced at the exhibition’s awards presentation and reception, held October 18 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the reception.

In addition to the 36 top entries, the show will also feature a selection of tapestry works by Archie Brennan, a three-time PACE winner.

The Daily Herald is the media sponsor for the PACE exhibition. For more information about PACE 2009 or the Curt Teich Postcard Archives, visit online at www.TeichArchives.org or call 847-968-3381.

Forest Preserve founder leaves lasting legacy

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserve District mourns the passing of its founder, Ethel Untermyer.

“Lake County has lost a true visionary, who more than 50 years ago recognized the importance of protecting our natural areas for future generations,” said Lake County Forest Preserve District President Bonnie Thomson Carter. “Her legacy lives on through the natural beauty and open spaces of the Forest Preserve District she helped create.”

Untermyer is credited with organizing the 1958 countywide referendum that created the Lake County Forest Preserves. She also served as Chairman of the District’s first citizens’ advisory board.

Today, the Lake County Forest Preserve District protects more than 27,200 acres of open space and wildlife habitat, including the 486-acre Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve named in her honor.

Untermyer was also an advocate for social reform, editor of several periodicals, and a published poet, among other achievements. She is survived by her five children, 11 grandchildren, and countless family and friends.

Ethel Ina Untermyer - Obituary - Chicago Tribune, September 15, 2009

Animal Architects exhibit debuts at Museum

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:01 GMT

See and interact with the amazing structures built by local animals, including bird nests, spiderwebs and beaver lodges, at the Lake County Discovery Museum's newest original exhibition Animal Architects.

The exhibit, on display from September 26, 2009 to February 21, 2010 in Wauconda, Illinois, focuses on Lake County animals and the structures they build. Animal Architects is sponsored by the Daily Herald.

In the exhibition, learn why animals build, what structures they create and how they construct them. Explore the architecture of different types of animals, including mammals, birds, and invertebrates such as insects, spiders and crayfish.

Discover the world of mammal builders. Put on a beaver costume and crawl through a kid-sized beaver lodge to see how these impressive architects construct their homes. Also learn about muskrats, squirrels and woodchucks. Check out an animal burrow and learn about mammals that reuse structures built by other animals.

Then explore the world of birds. See nests from a variety of local birds, such as the robin, Baltimore oriole and vireo. Discover the many different materials that birds use to build their homes. Take a peek into a woodpecker hole, then dress up as a red-winged blackbird and try your hand at building a nest.

Finally, learn about the intricate structures constructed by invertebrates, including spiderwebs and wasp nests. Learn how some insects work together to build their complex homes. See live spiders, butterflies and ants at work. Then build your own spider web.

Museum educators will be providing a variety of public programs and in-gallery activities throughout the run of the exhibit that will allow visitors to learn more about Animal Architects. Call the museum at 847-968-3400 for additional information.

The entrance to 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 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $2.50 for youth ages four to 17. Children three years and under are free. Seniors are $2.50 after 2 p.m. On Discount Tuesdays, admission is $3 for adults, and youth 17 years and under are free. Discount admission coupons are available. Admission is always free for museum members.

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.

New toilets under construction

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Visitors to Grant Woods Forest Preserve near Lake Villa, Lake Carina Forest Preserve in Gurnee, Raven Glen Forest Preserve in Antioch and the Des Plaines River Trail near Gurnee will appreciate new toilets coming this fall to those locations.

Construction is underway on new toilet facilities at Lake Carina and along the Des Plaines River Trail at Route 120, at Grant Woods (adjacent to the Cedar Lake Road parking area) and at Raven Glen West (adjacent to the Route 173 parking area). The new toilets should be complete by late fall.

Careful choices of building materials and adjustments to the standard design will improve the quality and efficiency of these newest facilities. Solar/wind-powered ventilation fans will provide improved airflow using “green” technology. Alternative roofing and septic tank materials with longer life spans and lower installation and maintenance costs will save additional resources.

Solar-powered gate saves resources

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Each day at 6:30 a.m., the entrance gate at the Prairie Wolf Dog Exercise Area near Lake Forest opens by itself, thanks to a new solar-powered gate system and timer installed this week.

Observant visitors will find the solar panel just south of the entrance gate. The collector captures and stores enough energy to operate the gate for six months without recharging the deep cycle battery, an important feature during cloudy or snowy weather.

The environmentally friendly system saves resources while helping to ensure the popular facility is open for public access promptly at 6:30 a.m. each day. Currently, more than 40 gates at forest preserve locations across Lake County must be unlocked and opened manually each morning. Automating this daily chore reduces fuel use and cost, and frees up Lake County Forest Preserve staff time for other tasks. Gates will continue to be closed manually at sunset to ensure no patrons are inadvertently locked in. Because the system uses “off the grid” solar power, it can be installed at even the most remote forest preserve locations without needing to draw new power lines.

The Prairie Wolf Dog Exercise Area is the second Lake County Forest Preserve location to receive a solar-powered gate system and timer. A pilot project was launched at the Lakewood Dog Exercise Area in Wauconda earlier this summer. Plans call for the successful project to be replicated at more forest preserve locations, starting with the other Lake County Forest Preserve Dog Exercise Areas in Libertyville and Lake Villa.

New land buys proposed

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The creation of one new forest preserve and the expansion of two others are being proposed by the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee and the Finance, Administrative and Revenue Facilities Committee at their September 3 meetings.

New Preserve in Wadsworth
The committees approved the acquisition of two adjacent properties (Khayat and Corris) to create a new 128-acre preserve in northeast Lake County at a combined cost of $4,457,000.

The proposed new preserve is located just north of Route 173 and west of Kilbourne and is nearby Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve near Wadsworth. The land contains upland woodlands teeming with oaks and hickories and several small vernal ponds. Purchase would also provide for additional flood protection along the Des Plaines River.

Proposed Additions
The Forest Preserve Committees also approved two contracts for preserve additions: a 77-acre addition (Tekampe property) to Ray Lake Forest Preserve in Wauconda at a cost of $3,996,000; and a 0.38-acre addition (Lewis property) to Greenbelt Forest Preserve in Waukegan at a cost of $130,000.

The Ray Lake addition would expand the preserve to approximately 489 acres. The proposed purchase is located on Fremont Center Road in Mundelein and is bordered on the north and west by Ray Lake Forest Preserve. Acquiring this property would allow for expansion of adjoining trails, as well as a trail loop through Ray Lake. It would also enhance management and restoration efforts at the preserve.

The Greenbelt addition would expand the preserve to approximately 631.75 acres. The proposed purchase is bordered on the north and east by Greenbelt Forest Preserve.

Next Steps
The proposed land buys meet continuing land acquisition goals to preserve more open space, protect and restore wildlife habitat, create new trails and improve public access to new and existing preserves.

Each purchase is contingent on approval by the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their September 8 meeting and on a final closing in approximately 60-90 days. If all actions are successful, the additions will join an extensive network of open spaces totaling more than 27,200 acres that create the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Watch Board Meeting video here.
http://lakecnty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=83

New Web site for educators

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves has launched a new easy-to-use School & Scout Programs Web site, www.education.lcfpd.org.

The site allows educators to browse school and scout program offerings or use the search feature to find a program to meet their exact needs.

The new School and Scout Programs Web site contains information on field trips, in-school programs and scout programs.

In addition, it features educator resources, including Lake County Species, an online image resource for teachers, and Explore the Fort, a curriculum built around the history and ecology of Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve.

Educators can also access information on classroom tools, teacher programs and grant information and sign up for e-mail updates about new program offerings.

Get fit, earn rewards with Hike Lake County

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Improve your well-being in the great outdoors by joining the Lake County Forest Preserves for the annual Hike Lake County challenge. Lake Forest Hospital has again generously sponsored Hike Lake County and is offering a hiking evaluation open to all participants. New this year, REI is also offering a special incentive to participants that complete the special Burnham Centennial 100-Mile challenge.

Walking is one of the easiest ways to add activity to your daily routine. Just 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise can improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, help control weight and reduce risk of major illnesses.

Now in its eleventh year, the Hike Lake County program challenges walkers to hike seven of 12 designated Lake County Forest Preserve trails between August 15 and November 30 and record them in an official Hike Lake County Travel Log. This popular program encourages participants to get outside and hike trails they may not have visited before. Those who reach the goal earn a commemorative shield for their hiking stick. Each year features new trails and a colorful new shield.

This year, participants may also attempt the Burnham Centennial 100-Mile Challenge. In honor of visionary architect David Burnham, the District is offering a special anniversary version of the annual Hike Lake County program. Take the challenge and hike, bike or ride (on horseback) 100 miles on a combination of any Lake County trails before November 30.

Incentive rewards will be earned upon completion of the program. For hiking seven of the 12 marked trails, participants will receive a free commemorative shield. If a canine companion completes the program with the hiker, they can earn a commemorative dog tag (up to three dogs). You can also buy an optional Hike Lake County dog collar to hang it on. Dog collars are $5 each. We are also pleased to partner with REI, who is offering a special 15 percent off coupon toward a purchase at any REI store for those who complete the 100-mile challenge. Those who complete both challenges will receive both the shield and the REI coupon.

In addition, participants can attend Lake Forest Hospital’s Free Personal Walk Evaluation on Tuesday, October 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. A physical therapist from Lake Forest Hospital will examine your strength, flexibility, foot structure and gait pattern and provide a personalized exercise plan to streamline your stride. The screening takes 15 minutes and includes a lecture with walking tips. All ages are invited. A reservation is required and can be made by calling Lake Forest Hospital at 847-535-8063.

For more information, please visit www.LCFPD.org/hlc

Wildlife viewing deck at Prairie Wolf

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County teenagers enrolled in this summer's Lake County Forest Preserves' Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) are building a handicap accessible observation platform overlooking the wetland at Prairie Wolf Forest Preserve near Lake Forest and Deerfield.

The new platform, which is expected to be complete by August 7, 2009, will provide great viewing opportunities of the surrounding preserve and wildlife. Installation of bird viewing scopes, like those recently placed at Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve, is planned for later this summer or early fall.

YCC is a non-profit organization that provides life and work skills development, environmental education, GED training and employment for youth and young adults through community service projects in forest preserves and public lands within Lake County, Illinois.

Young people from around the county, representing a variety of backgrounds, are selected by lottery to participate in the program. This educational employment opportunity develops teambuilding, leadership and conservation techniques while improving the county's natural habitats.

Young adults ages 16-18 spend eight weeks in the summer working in teams on such projects as constructing boardwalks, removing invasive species, and completing trail maintenance and other beautification projects.

Fort Hill Trail opens

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The first section of a planned regional trail collectively known as the Fort Hill Trail opened to the public on June 19. This new two-mile stretch of gravel trail connects Gilmer Road to the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Millennium Trail/Lakewood Forest Preserve trail systems. A future trail tunnel under Gilmer Road will extend the trail east to Ray Lake Forest Preserve. The Fort Hill Trail parking area is located on the west side of Gilmer Road, north of Route 176.

When all segments are completed, the Fort Hill Trail, which comprises Lake County Forest Preserve and Lake County Department of Transportation trails, will connect Lakewood and Ray Lake, the Millennium Trail, Fremont School, Mundelein High School, the new Lake County Fairgrounds, Saddlebrook Farms and Prairie Crossing developments, and the Metra Station at Prairie Crossing.

Fort Hill, for which this trail is named, is a high knoll and historic landmark overlooking Peterson Road in Mundelein. Many know the name from the village’s Fort Hill Historical Society.

Fort Hill Trail map (PDF)

New playground at Heron Creek

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Just in time for “Leave No Child Inside” month being celebrated this June in the State of Illinois, a new playground has opened at Heron Creek Forest Preserve near Long Grove.

The large play area provides a colorful series of tunnels, slides, ladders, bridges, decks and swings for children to climb and explore. The playground has two separate areas, one for children ages 2 to 5, and one for children ages 5 to 12. Much of the playground is ramped for handicapped accessibility. There is also a sand pit for children to dig in and create sculptures, and lookout stations with views into the woods.

The playground joins the new trails, picnic shelters and other public access improvements that were opened last fall at Heron Creek. Entrance to the preserve is on Old McHenry Road, south of Route 22.

The playground was created thanks in part to funding from an Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant, which provided $400,000 to the Lake County Forest Preserves for improvements at the 245-acre preserve.

HSBC - North America shows green support

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Mettawa, Illinois-based financial services company HSBC - North America (“HSBC”) presented a check today for $10,000 to the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves. The funds will help pay for habitat restoration at Old School Forest Preserve near Libertyville and are part of a larger effort by local HSBC employees to support protecting the environment and improving the quality of life in the community.

This is the second year the company has donated funds for Old School Forest Preserve. In addition to its monetary gifts, in 2008, nearly 100 HSBC employees volunteered more than 425 hours to actively participate in restoration work at the site. This year, over a series of four work days, HSBC employees will once again turn away from their office computers for the day to clear out invasive weeds and brush that threaten the preserve's high quality natural areas.

In addition to its kick-off workday that was held on April 15, HSBC employees will be working at the preserve on June 17, Oct. 14, and Nov. 18. The environmental initiative with the Lake County Forest Preserves is part of the HSBC Climate Partnership, a global, five-year long partnership the company entered into with conservation organizations to respond to the threat of climate change and to protect the environment in local communities.

"The grant to the Preservation Foundation from an international corporation with its North American headquarters in Lake County speaks volumes for the value businesses place on having protected open spaces nearby for recreation," said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Preservation Foundation and the Lake County Forest Preserves. "With the generous gift of both time and money to care for our forest preserves, HSBC proves its leadership as a corporate citizen."

Lake County is home to more endangered and threatened plant and animal species than any other county in Illinois. Most are located in the forest preserves, and many are threatened by invasive weeds, changing hydrology and a host of other problems that restoration experts and volunteers are trying to address.

Old School was the first forest preserve in Illinois to use native prairie restoration to enhance recreational facilities and beautify the park, beginning in the 1980s. This innovative landscaping expanded the amount of habitat for native plants and animals, and led to national awards for the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Trail sign test underway

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Visitors to Wright Woods and Half Day forest preserves should have an easier time finding their way around this summer and fall. Lake County Forest Preserve planners are testing a new “wayfinding" system there through November.

New color-coded trail markers and map signs help distinguish trail routes and orient trail users within the preserves. The system is designed to improve safety and convenience. It will also aid in reporting preserve and trail maintenance needs. If the test run is deemed successful, the system will be expanded to other forest preserves.

Wright Woods and Half Day forest preserves were chosen to pilot the project because of their popularity and because they share many interconnecting trails, such as the Des Plaines River Trail, that can be confusing to navigate.

Preserve visitors are invited to provide feedback via a survey card available at the sites’ information kiosks or through a brief online survey. Additional comments can also be sent to ksittler@LCFPD.org.

Hastings Lake Forest Preserve grows

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Hastings Lake Forest Preserve grew by more than five acres today with the closing of a $350,000 purchase approved by the Forest Preserve Board in April.

The 5.031-acre parcel is located on the south side of Gelden Road approximately 0.2 miles west of Grass Lake Road and abuts Forest Preserve District property on its south and west sides.

The partially-wooded parcel contains both uploads and high-quality Advanced Identification (ADID) wetlands which connect to Hastings Lake. The property provides habitat for a variety of bird species and provides buffer for the Hastings Lake ADID wetlands complex.

This acquisition expands Hastings Lake Forest Preserve to 268.7 acres. The Lake County Forest Preserve District protects more than 27,100 acres of open space and wildlife habitat in Lake County.

Land purchase provides Millennium Trail route

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Fourth Lake Forest Preserve near Lindenhurst grew by 92.5 acres yesterday with the closing of a $1,585,000 purchase approved by the Forest Preserve Board in February.

The property is located on the north side of Rollins Road, approximately 0.25 miles west of U.S. Route 45, in unincorporated Lake Villa Township. It is bordered on the north, east and west by Fourth Lake Forest Preserve and to the south, across Rollins Road, by Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve.

This purchase provides the corridor necessary for a future extension of the Millennium Trail from the north through Fourth Lake Forest Preserve to Rollins Road, eventually connecting with the trail system at Rollins Savanna. The addition also enhances wetland, stream and savanna restoration opportunities at Fourth Lake Forest Preserve.

Fourth Lake Forest Preserve comprises 692 acres, including this addition. The Lake County Forest Preserve District protects more than 27,000 acres of open space and wildlife habitat in Lake County.

Restoration grant received

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves received a $75,000 Wildlife Restoration grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for Spring Bluff Forest Preserve in Winthrop Harbor. A 239-acre Illinois Nature Preserve, Spring Bluff is afforded this extra protective designation from the State of Illinois for its significant marshes, wet sand prairies, sedge meadows and fens.

The grant will help fund continued efforts to restore and improve wildlife habitat at the preserve. Plan call for reducing invasive wetland species, promoting conservative native wetland plants, and continuing analysis of water flows impacting the quality of the plant and animal communities at the site. The project's goal is to work towards restoring altered hydrology of coastal wetlands.

$400,000 grant received

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves received a $400,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant today from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for Hastings Lake Forest Preserve in Lindenhurst.

The grant will help fund recreation improvements and natural resource enhancements at the 263-acre preserve, including approximately 4 miles of asphalt and crushed-stone trails; 4 picnic shelters; restrooms; playground; parking; car-top boat access with parking; and 1 fishing pier. Shelters and natural areas at the preserve will provide a setting for District environmental education programs.

The 80-acre lake has 12,000 feet of shoreline that offers great potential for outdoor recreation opportunities. In addition to the lake, the site includes large, open, grassy fields; oak-hickory woodlands; and a variety of wetland areas.

Get more information about Hastings Lake Forest Preserve

Additions to Hastings Lake, Fox River preserves approved

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Two forest preserves expanded following action taken by the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners at their April 14 meeting.

Addition to Fox River Preserve and Marina

The Board approved adding 108 acres to the Fox River Forest Preserve in Port Barrington, at a cost of $2,200,000. The addition expands the preserve to approximately 590 acres. The new land is located in Wauconda Township, west of Anderson Road and north of Roberts Road.

Acquisition of this property facilitates management of a wetlands complex that extends into the Fox River, and provides flood protection for the Slocum Drainage Ditch. The property also contains upland woodlands and several knolls that overlook the surrounding wetlands.

Addition to Hastings Lake

The Forest Preserve Board also approved a contract to purchase a 5-acre addition to Hastings Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa at a cost of $350,000. The addition expands the preserve to approximately 268 acres. The new land is located in Lake Villa Township, south of Gelden Road and west of Grass Lake Road.

The partially-wooded parcel contains both uplands and Advanced Identification (ADID) wetlands that connect to Hastings Lake. The property provides habitat for a variety of bird species and valuable buffer for the Hastings Lake ADID wetlands complex.

The two land buys meet continuing land acquisition goals to preserve more open space, protect and restore wildlife habitat, create new trails and improve public access to new and existing preserves.

The two purchases are contingent on a final closing in approximately 60-90 days. If successful, the additions will join an extensive network of open spaces totaling more than 27,000 acres that create the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Rainbow trout stocked at Lakewood Forest Preserve

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda will open for rainbow trout fishing on Saturday, April 4, following release of roughly 600 trout in Banana Lake. Fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves is FREE. Anglers ages 16 and over must have an Illinois fishing license. Trout fishermen must also have an Illinois inland trout stamp. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps help fund the stocking program.

Rainbow Trout

Most of the trout range in size from three-quarters to one pound. The trout stocking is an annual spring event at the 3-acre Banana Lake. The lake is stocked again each fall by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, a program partner. Daily catch limit is five trout. The deepest point in Banana Lake is 25 feet.

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

Free Fishing Guide

There are many other great spots to fish in your Lake County Forest Preserves. A free guide to fishing in the Lake County Forest Preserves is available. Anglers are invited to call 847-367-6640 for copies or download Fishing Guide here. We have re-designed Fishing Guide with larger maps and a section for common fishing knots.

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

Important rules are detailed in the guide, such as minimum lengths required by the Lake County Forest Preserves and catch limits set by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These rules help maintain healthy fish populations in Forest Preserve lakes and ponds that are managed with assistance from the IDNR.

Herons accept man-made nesting structure

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Balancing on ice while holding 40-foot metal poles, Lake County Forest Preserve staff helped install a nesting platform in late February at Almond Marsh Forest Preserve near Grayslake. Within two weeks, a pair of adult great blue herons was seen perched atop the platform adding nesting materials.

"We are very pleased that the man-made heron structure installed at Almond Marsh is working as designed after being installed less than a month ago,” stated Tom Hahn, Executive Director of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “I applaud the efforts of the Lake County Audubon Society for their strong support of this concept and look forward to future partnerships with them."

This collaborative effort involved the Lake County Forest Preserves, Lake County Audubon Society and Integrated Lakes Management, Inc. Chris Geiselhart, President of the Lake County Audubon Society, attained a Collaborative Funding Grant through the Audubon Society for material costs. Integrated Lake Management provided an ice auger and assisted with the installation. ”Sometimes nature needs a little help,” stated Geiselhart.

The type of platform was chosen based on a successful project at the Weathersfield Heron Rookery in Vermont. Successful nesting and the low cost of this structure were determining factors in modeling this pilot project after the one led by the Audubon Society in Vermont. Depending on the outcome at Almond Marsh, the Lake County Audubon Society plans to post directions on their Web site on how to construct and install this type of nesting structure. For updates on this project visit them online at http://lakecountyaudubon.org/.

This platform is part of a Forest Preserve pilot program. Results of this trial will help the Forest Preserve determine if similar nesting structures could be successful at other sites in the future. Almond Marsh was chosen because it currently supports an active heron rookery and evaluation of the structure would be possible.

Forest Board approves expansion of two preserves

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Two forest preserves will expand following action taken by the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners at their February 10 meeting.

Addition to Middlefork Savanna

The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Lake Forest and Lake Forest Open Lands Association that adds 19 acres to Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve in Lake Forest at a cost of $1,050,000. Located in Libertyville Township, the property is bound by Bradley Road, Interstate 94, and Middlefork Savanna.

The addition adds valuable buffer to Middlefork Savanna and protects oak woodlands and important amphibian wetland habitat directly connected to wetlands within the preserve. Future restoration of a large pond and wetlands on the property will enhance and improve the quality of water flowing into Middlefork Savanna. Lake Forest Open Lands, working in concert with the City of Lake Forest, spearheaded this conservation effort and contributed $150,000 towards the project implementation.

Under the terms of the agreement the City of Lake Forest will make significant improvements to the pond and wetlands in compliance with Forest Preserve approved restoration plans and will install and maintain a short public loop trail system on the property. The loop trail will not connect to Middlefork Savanna’s trail system. These improvements will be funded by the City of Lake Forest.

“This cooperative agreement builds on our long-standing community partnership with the City of Lake Forest and Lake Forest Open Lands and also allows the Forest Preserve District to protect some very high quality habitat along the western edge of Middlefork Savanna,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter.

Much of Middlefork Savanna is dedicated and protected as an Illinois Nature Preserve and is considered one of the rarest tallgrass savanna remnants in North America.

Addition to Fourth Lake

The Forest Preserve Board also approved a contract to purchase 93 acres at Fourth Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa at a cost of $1,585,000. The land is located on Rollins Road, just west of Route 45.

Acquiring this property provides opportunities for extensive wetland, stream and savanna restoration efforts, and a location for a future trail tunnel under Rollins Road to extend the Millennium Trail route from Rollins Savanna to the south through Fourth Lake Forest Preserve to the north.

The land buys meet continuing land acquisition goals to preserve more open space, protect and restore wildlife habitat, create new trails and improve public access to new and existing preserves. The two purchases are contingent on a final closing in approximately 60-90 days.

The new land joins an extensive network of open spaces totaling more than 26,900 acres that create the Lake County Forest Preserves, and expands Middlefork to approximately 688 acres and Fourth Lake to approximately 687 acres.

President names key committee appointments

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

At the Tuesday, December 9 special meeting of the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners, newly re-elected President Bonnie Thomson Carter named her committee appointments. All will serve two-year terms that end December 2010.

Stevenson Mountsier was appointed chair of the Finance, Administrative and Revenue Facilities Committee, with David Stolman as vice chair. Committee members are Anne Flanigan Bassi, Steve Carlson, Angelo Kyle, Ann Maine and Audrey Nixon.

Ann B. Maine was appointed chair of the Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee, with Diana O’Kelly as vice chair. Committee members are Melinda Bush, Stevenson Mountsier, Suzi Schmidt, Michael Talbett and Terry Wilke.

Carol Calabresa was appointed chair of the Planning and Restoration Committee, with Linda Pedersen as vice chair. Committee members are Pat Carey, Steve Carlson, Mary Ross Cunningham, Michelle Feldman and Susan Loving Gravenhorst.

Susan Loving Gravenhorst was appointed chair of the Education, Cultural Resources and Public Affairs Committee, with Michael Talbett as vice chair. Committee members are Mary Ross Cunningham, Diane Hewitt, Pamela O. Newton, Audrey Nixon and Bob Sabonjian.

Pamela O. Newton was appointed as chair of the Legislative Committee, with Michelle Feldman as vice chair. Committee members include Carol Calabresa, Brent Paxton and Linda Pedersen.

Steve Carlson was appointed as chair of the Rules Committee, with Mary Ross Cunningham as vice chair. Committee members include Susan Loving Gravenhorst, Angelo Kyle, Stevenson Mountsier, David Stolman and Terry Wilke.

Members of the Diversity and Cultural Awareness Committee include Mary Ross Cunningham, Angelo Kyle, and Audrey Nixon.

Other key appointments include Anne Flanigan Bassi as Treasurer and Steve Carlson as Assistant Treasurer. The liaisons to the Friends of Ryerson Woods are Ann B. Maine and Susan Loving Gravenhorst. Other liaisons include Michael Talbett to the Friends of the Lake County Discovery Museum and Anne Flanigan Bassi to the Youth Conservation Corps.

Re-appointments include Bonnie Thomson Carter as the board representative to the Illinois Association of Conservation and Forest Preserve Districts, and Pamela O. Newton as the board representative to the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

On December 1, Forest Preserve Commissioners re-elected Bonnie Thomson Carter of Ingleside to a fourth consecutive term as president, and elected Carol Calabresa of Libertyville to serve as vice president.

Lake County Forest Preserve President re-elected

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

At a special meeting on Monday, December 1, the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners elected their new President and Vice President. Bonnie Thomson Carter of Ingleside was re-elected President, and Carol Calabresa of Libertyville was elected Vice President. Both will serve two-year terms that end December 2010.

Originally elected Forest Preserve President in 2002, Carter now enters her fourth consecutive term as President. “I am sincerely grateful to again accept this great honor. I thank my fellow commissioners for their consideration, kindness and continued support,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter. “For the next two years, we will work together to acquire more land, provide clean and safe preserves and trails, preserve and protect our natural history, and create partnerships with community businesses and with other levels of government.”

“Each of my fellow Forest Preserve Commissioners take their jobs seriously. It’s through their hard work that we have accomplished so much during the past two years, including a recent successful referendum for new lands. I look forward to continuing our team spirit in working with our dedicated professional staff for the greater good of our Lake County constituents,” said Carter.

“As Lake County continues to face challenging times ahead, I have great confidence that our Board will work together in a thoughtful process for the benefit of our residents. I value this opportunity to serve once again as your representative, and look forward with enthusiasm to providing residents with even more opportunities to enjoy their preserves over the next two years,” said Carter.

President Carter has served as a County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner since 1996. During her 12 years as a Forest Preserve Commissioner, she also served as Chair of the Legislative and President’s Advisory Committee, as Vice Chair of the Finance and Administrative Committee, and as a member of the Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee, the Planning and Restoration Committee, and the Enterprise Committee.

Vice President Carol Calabresa has served as a County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner since 1990. During her 18 years as a Forest Preserve Commissioner, she has previously served as President from 1998 to 2000, as Vice President from 2000 to 2004, and as Treasurer from 1994 to 1998. She has also served as Chair of the Development, Restoration and Planning Committee since 2004, as Chair of the Education Committee, and as a member of the Legislative and President’s Advisory Committee, the Finance and Administrative Committee and the Rules Committee.

Together, President Carter and Vice President Calabresa represent 30 years of public service to the residents of Lake County as members of the Forest Preserve Board. As the newly elected Forest Preserve leadership team, they will oversee 26,800 acres of Forest Preserve land, 195 full-time and 53 part-time and 340 temporary employees, and a fiscal year 2008-2009 budget of $134,257,470.

Celebrating 50 years, the Lake County Forest Preserve District 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 23 Commissioners who also serve as members of the Lake County Board.

New Children's Learning Gallery opens at Museum

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Experience the new Children’s Learning Gallery, an interactive exhibit area and play space, now open at the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda.

This new learning space, designed for children 10 and under and their caregivers, features a variety of hands on activities for kids that are designed to encourage exploration and help children develop motor skills, express their creativity and learn about nature. A mural, ambient sounds and themed exhibits immerse gallery visitors in Illinois’ native tallgrass prairie. Kids are invited to crawl inside the puppet log to put on a show, build their own tallgrass prairie with the prairie play set, chase falling leaves from the leaf blowing log, and build a wigwam.

The Children’s Learning Gallery is occasionally closed for education programs. Call 847-968-3400 for daily hours. General hours and admissions are same as Lake County Discovery Museum .

Land buys expand three forest preserves

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners took action on the expansion of three forest preserves at their November 18 meeting.

The Board approved three land contracts that will add a total of 103 acres to the District’s holdings:

Grassy Lake Forest Preserve, Barrington
Home to the protected Wagner Fen Nature Preserve, Grassy Lake will grow by 94 acres at a cost of $6,510,000. The property is located on Kelsey Road just west of Old Barrington Road. It is bordered on the northwest by Grassy Lake Forest Preserve and on the west by the Fox River.

Acquisition of this property will improve land management efforts at Grassy Lake and make possible the restoration of multiple fen communities, streamside marsh areas, savanna tracts, and potentially mussel habitat in the Fox River. Wagner Fen, which contains 10 threatened or endangered species, is located approximately 0.5 miles upstream of the purchase.

Hastings Lake Forest Preserve, Lake Villa
The Board also approved a contract to purchase an 8-acre addition to Hastings Lake Forest Preserve at a cost of $378,000. The property is located on the south side of Geldon Road just west of Grass Lake Road.

The partially wooded property contains both uplands and Advanced Identificaion (ADID) wetlands that connect to Hastings Lake and provides added buffer for the site’s existing wetland complex. It also provides good habitat for a variety of bird species.

Fourth Lake Forest Preserve, Lake Villa
Acquisition of 0.7 acres at Fourth Lake, though small in size, yields big returns for the planned route of the Millennium Trail. At a cost of $350,000, the land buy provides for a trail tunnel under Grand Avenue allowing extension of the Millennium Trail route from Rollins Savanna to the south through Fourth Lake, Bonner Farm and McDonald Woods to the north. The property is located south of East Sand Lake Road and north Route 45. It is borderd on the south by Fourth Lake Forest Preserve, which spans both sides of Grand Avenue.

The three land buys meet continuing land acquisition goals to preserve more open space, protect and restore wildlife habitat, create new trails and improve public access to new and existing Preserves.

The three purchases are contingent on a final closing in approximately 60-90 days. If the closings are successful, the additions will join an extensive network of open spaces totaling more than 26,800 acres that create the Lake County Forest Preserves and expand Grassy Lake to approximately 674 acres, Hastings Lake to approximately 263 acres, and Fourth Lake to approximately 516 acres.

Native landscaping award for Ryerson

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

In recognition of an exceptional commitment to biodiversity, the bioswales and rain gardens at the Welcome Center at Ryerson Woods near Deerfield have received a 2008 Conservation and Native Landscaping Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Wilderness.

The awards program recognizes conservation agencies, park districts, municipalities and corporations that have made extensive and creative use of native landscaping to support native species of plants and animals that comprise this region's outstanding biodiversity.

Native landscaping is vital to the biodiversity of Lake County. After European settlement, gardens were planted with species brought from the settler’s home country. At the time, these were small garden plots set in a vast wilderness. Today the reverse is true. Plants introduced from all over the world dominate the landscape, while native plants are managed in small, scattered patches of land.

In recent years, using native plants in landscaping has become more common. Native plants provide a hardy, drought resistant, beautiful landscape that requires little maintenance and benefits the environment. Once established, native plants save time and money by eliminating or significantly reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water and equipment.

Planned as a model of green architecture, the Ryerson Woods Welcome Center takes advantage of the latest advances in environmentally-friendly construction and design. Green architecture emphasizes the design and construction of high-performance, sustainable buildings that minimize negative environmental impact. The Welcome Center employs a number of sustainable strategies, from materials chosen to the use of recycled rainwater.

Underneath the office area is a cistern, a cement reservoir that holds rainwater collected from the rooftop. When the cisterns are full, excess water is channeled into a retention pond west of the building. Two rain gardens, located in the center of the circular driveway and on the south side of the building, were designed by Forest Preserve staff. These gardens capture storm runoff and allow the rainwater to be absorbed into the soil, replenishing groundwater instead of rushing over land to the nearby Des Plaines River, causing erosion.

The Center’s experimental porous asphalt parking lot is the first of its kind in Lake County. Its design allows rainwater to soak through the pavement into a deep layer of gravel, permitting the rain to filter into the groundwater. Rain runs off of regular asphalt and concrete paving into the surrounding landscape, washing traces of oil, gas, grease, road salt and other pollutants into the nearest streams. Our parking lot’s design reduces stream pollution.

The landscaping at Ryerson Woods will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Chicago Wilderness Congress on Thursday, November 13, 2008. The Congress is a full day of programming on topics such as green infrastructure, climate change, and the importance of children engaging in outdoor activities and having contact with nature.

Forest Preserve referendum passes

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County voters overwhelmingly approved a Lake County Forest Preserve referendum on the November 4 ballot to make significant land purchases and preserve improvements without a tax increase.

Sixty-six percent of voters supported the $185 million bond issue, giving the Lake County Forest Preserves $148 million to acquire new open spaces and $37 million to complete additional trails, restore more habitats for endangered wildlife and plants, improve educational, historical and cultural facilities, and renovate existing preserve and facilities.

“On behalf of the Forest Preserve Commissioners, staff and volunteers, I would like to thank Lake County voters for allowing us to continue to preserve open space and protect Lake County’s quality of life,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “With their show of support, we can continue to preserve and protect the balance and beauty of Lake County. I also want to thank our strong group of conservation partners and the many volunteers who worked very hard on behalf of this important cause,” she said.

“This timing of this victory is perfect,” Carter said. “Passage of the referendum means we will be able to take advantage of the current land bargains and favorable interest rates to stretch bond dollars even further,” Carter said.

The Forest Preserve District will use referendum funds to acquire 2,500 to 3,000 additional acres of land. The District has preserved more than 26,800 acres over its 50-year history, and has identified about 10,000 acres suitable for future forest preserves. A portion of the funding will be used to open several new Preserves, add trails, and restore natural areas throughout the county.

“The timing is also significant because it comes when issuing new bonds will not increase the property tax rate,” Carter said. “The new bonds will replace older Forest Preserve bonds retiring at the end of the year, which will keep the tax rate the same. We are committed to providing the close-to-home trails and other education and outdoor recreation facilities that Lake County residents want,” Carter said.

Without referendum approval purchase of new Forest Preserve land would have stopped. It also would have taken years longer to open new sites, renovate existing preserves or add new amenities such as trails or restored areas.

Fall is controlled burn season

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Every spring and fall for the past 20 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.

Daily controlled burn announcements are posted at www.LCFPD.org/burninfo. Here you can find which preserve is scheduled to receive a controlled burn, and you can 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, stays 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.

For more information, call the Lake County Forest Preserve General Offices at 847 367 6640.

NOTE: Reporters and photographers are invited to join Forest Preserve burn crews in the field. Please contact Ken Klick at 847-968-3284 to make arrangements.

November is peak time for collisions with deer

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserve District is asking drivers to be alert. November is the peak month for automobile-deer collisions, and an earlier sunset means a higher chance to encounter deer during evening commutes.

For white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, rut begins in the fall, normally in late October or early November. During the rut, deer are more active and tend to cover more territory. It is common to see them on roads near natural areas. Amorous bucks are not paying attention to traffic, so it is important that we watch for them while driving. As development of the land continues, urban areas and deer habitat will intersect in more locations. Drive with caution in areas where deer are common, especially in November.

The breeding season is triggered mainly by a decline in photoperiod. Male deer, also known as bucks, compete for the opportunity of breeding with females. Sparring among males determines a hierarchy of dominance. Markings are another visible sign of the rut season. One type of mark is called rubbing, where a buck will use its antlers to strip bark off small trees. Rubbings mark a male’s territory and polish its antlers. Bucks also create scrapes to help mark territory. Scrapes are areas where a buck has used its front hooves to expose bare soil. Scent from glands is usually rubbed on markings to attract females and mark territory.

New forest preserve to open in southern Lake County

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Heron Creek Forest Preserve near Long Grove opens to the public on Friday, October 10. With more than 116 bird species—including a resident population of herons, the site’s namesake—the new 245-acre preserve promises to be a bird watcher’s paradise.

“We’re excited to open another new Forest Preserve where people of Lake County can relax and explore nature, and recreate with family and friends,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserve President, who will tour the site Friday morning along with other Forest Preserve commissioners and community leaders.

“Wonderful improvements have been made at the site that will bring people and nature together,” Carter said. “In addition to over two miles of gravel trail for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and nature observation, Heron Creek offers two picnic shelters, each with a drinking fountain, comfort station and parking lot. A playground opening next year will provide a natural place for children to play outdoors instead of watching television and playing video games.”

The Preserve features include scenic woodlands, wetlands and wide-open fields, all creating exceptional wildlife habitat. Six state endangered bird species, black tern, black-crowned night heron, yellow-crowned night heron, osprey, and Forster’s tern, have been observed in the area. Also observed were three state threatened bird species: brown creeper, pied-billed grebe and red-shouldered hawk.

Heron Creek, with its gently rolling contours and hilltops, contains the south branch of Indian Creek. The creek traverses the property west to east, exiting in the southeast corner where the site adjoins the Reed Turner Nature Preserve owned and managed by the Long Grove Park District. The Reed Turner Nature Preserve, dedicated in 1980, is a remnant of a pre-settlement prairie grove, which once occurred along Indian Creek. The Indian Creek basin, which flows through Heron Creek, is an Advanced Identification Wetland (ADID), the highest wetland classification in Lake County.

Where their borders meet, Heron Creek and Reed Turner Nature Preserve share some of the same natural elements including similar plant species, great horned owls nesting in the oaks at the top of a ridge and a habitat for many different bird species. This area of the site also contains mature oak/hickory forest species.

Heron Creek is located on the southwest corner of Route 22 and Old McHenry Road in Ela Township. The entrance to the preserveis on Old McHenry Road. Heron Creek will be open from 6:30 a.m. to sunset, daily.

For the remainder of 2008, the picnic shelters at Heron Creek will be available on a first come, first served basis. Picnic shelter reservations for the 2009 season will open on October 18.

Heron Creek joins an extensive network of open spaces totaling more than 26,700 acres that create the Lake County Forest Preserves. Recently, the Lake County Forest Preserves were recognized as Lake County’s third most popular tourist attraction by the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Land buy could expand Fourth Lake Forest Preserve

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Fourth Lake Forest Preserve could be expanded and more of Fourth Lake’s shoreline could be protected following action taken by the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee at their October 9 meeting.

The Committee approved a contract to purchase a 5-acre addition to Fourth Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa Township at a cost of $275,000. The property is located on the east side of Forest Avenue, just north of Lakeview Avenue. It is borderd on the north, south and east by Fourth Lake Forest Preserve and is directly located on Fourth Lake. The property offers high quality wetlands, woodlands and gives added buffer to Fourth Lake’s shoreline. Acquisition of this property also would improve land management efforts at the Preserve.

The purchase is contingent on approval by the Forest Preserve Finance, Administrative and Education Committee at their October 9 meeting, and by the Board of Commissioners at their October 14 meeting, as well as on a final closing in approximately 60-90 days. If all actions are successful, the addition will increase Fourth Lake’s acreage to approximately 515 acres.

This land buy would also meet continuing land acquisition goals to preserve more open space, protect and restore wildlife habitat, create new trails and improve public access to new and existing Preserves.

Bird observation area opened at Rollins Savanna

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:01 GMT

This fall, as migrating birds pass through Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve in Grayslake on their way south, preserve visitors can enjoy the annual display through viewing scopes at a recently installed observation platform.
“The new Rollins Savanna bird observation area provides a safe, accessible way for all of our visitors to view and enjoy birds,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “Past habitat restoration efforts at Rollins Savanna have been very successful in attracting rare native birds. It is great to have an area set aside for bird watchers of all skill levels to use.”

The bird observation area consists of a 100-foot stone path that provides access from the existing preserve trail system to a raised platform. This observation deck is a gathering space that offers a clear view of the adjacent grassland and wetland. The deck features magnified viewing scopes. Interpretive signs will be installed this fall to inform visitors about habitat and species they might see from that vantage point. Next spring, seating areas will added and approximately 50 native oak trees will be planted around the observation area. Enhancing the habitat with oak trees will provide shade for visitors using the observation area and also help them blend into the landscape to create less of a disturbance to wildlife using that habitat.

In recent years, Rollins Savanna has become known as a premier birding destination. The site was named an Important Birding Area (IBA) in 2005 by the National Audubon Society, because its high-quality habitat supports the endangered yellow-headed blackbird.

Rollins Savanna, Lake County’s second-largest forest preserve, spans 1,225 acres, uninterrupted by roads and development. Rich black soils found at this preserve once dominated Midwestern landscape in the 1800s. The preserve protects the south fork of Mill Creek, frontage on Third Lake and large interior wetland complexes that provide needed food sources and rest stops for ruddy ducks, blue-winged teal, great blue herons, egrets and a variety of other waterfowl species. Grassland birds, waterfowl and other wildlife are drawn to the site’s oak savannas and expansive prairies and wetlands.

Over the last seven years, Lake County Forest Preserve natural resource crews and project partners have worked to restore Rollins Savanna and enhance its valuable ecosystems. More than 950 acres of former farmland have been restored to-date as part of a massive habitat restoration and preservation project at the preserve, representing the largest restoration effort ever undertaken by the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The main entrance to Rollins Savanna is located on Washington Street across from Atkinson Road near Grayslake. A second, smaller parking area is located on Drury Lane south of Rollins Road near Round Lake Beach. The observation platform is located near the Drury Lane parking area.

Land purchase at Lakewood proposed

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Lakewood Forest Preserve could be expanded following action taken by the Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee at their September 4 meeting.

The Committee approved a contract to purchase a 5-acre addition to Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda at a cost of $300,000. The property is located on Wauconda Road, just south of Bonner Road and west of Fairfield Road.

The purchase is contingent on approval by the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their September 9 meeting and on a final closing in approximately 60-90 days. If both actions are successful, the addition will increase Lakewood’s acreage to approximately 2,690 acres.

“This key addition to Lakewood will provide valuable buffer to Broberg Marsh and possible future community trail connections to Lakewood Forest Preserve,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “This land buy also meets our continuing goal to preserve more open space, protect and restore wildlife habitat, create new trails and improve public access to new and existing preserves.”

Nippersink Forest Preserve Opens

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:01 GMT

The 309-acre Nippersink Forest Preserve near Round Lake is now open to the public. Visitors to the Lake County Forest Preserve District’s newly opened Preserve can enjoy hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, picnicking, and bird watching.

“We’re excited to open another new Forest Preserve for people to enjoy,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserve President. “Nippersink shows how we use voter-approved funds and grants to protect open space, restore wildlife habitat, create trails and provide outdoor recreation and education throughout Lake County.”

Nippersink amenities include picnic shelters with drinking water, two handicapped-accessible fishing piers, a boardwalk, an overlook, comfort stations and parking areas. Almost two miles of trails are available for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing.

For the remainder of 2008, the Nippersink picnic shelters will be available on a first come/first serve basis. Picnic shelter reservations at Nippersink for the 2009 season will open on October 18.

Grounds Open at Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Visitors can now experience the historic landscape, similar to how it appeared when Adlai E. Stevenson II lived here, while enjoying self-guided tours of the grounds. Five exhibit panels have been placed around the site and provide historical details about Stevenson (1900-1965) and his connection to the property, which the Illinois politician and his wife purchased in 1935.

The large panels include many photographs related to the site, such as a layout of the property and a picture of a previous house that burned down shortly after it was built. The panels provide architectural information about the replacement house built in 1938, a white structure that stands there today. The home is now a designated Illinois Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visitors also can learn about noted events that took place while Stevenson inhabited this residence he dearly loved. One exhibit panel displays the July 1965 Life Magazine cover picturing Stevenson sitting on a fence at the estate. There is also background on the service building, built in 1937, which also remains on the site.

This fall, one-hour guided public tours are being offered of the inside of the newly restored Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home. Visitors will learn more about the influential American statesman known as "the man from Libertyville" as they take in the setting where he wrote speeches, reflected on world events and found solace in the landscape.

The public tours are available at 11 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. on September 7, September 21 and October 26.Tours are open to all ages. Cost is $3 for Lake County residents; $5 for non-residents. Reservations are required. Click on Calendar of Events or call 847-968-3321.

High school and community groups are invited to take guided group tours of the home. Contact Nicole Stocker at 847-968-3422, for details and fees.

The house is open to the public only by reservation. No restroom is available when the house is closed.

The Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home is located on St. Mary’s Road south of Illinois Route 60 (Townline Road). Grounds will be open daily, 6:30 a.m. to sunset.

Thunderhawk Golf Course Ranked Fifth in Illinois

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Golf Magazine named the Lake County Forest Preserves’ ThunderHawk Golf Club the number five best public course in Illinois. ThunderHawk, located in Beach Park, Illinois, received recognition in the “Best Courses You Can Play” state-by-state rankings in the September issue of Golf Magazine.

This is the first year that Golf Magazine has ranked the “Best Courses You Can Play” in every state. The rankings highlight the best public golf courses in the country based on course rhythm, variety, natural setting, conditioning, and skill rating.

Opened in 1999, ThunderHawk was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and is an 18-hole championship public course. Since opening, the course has received many accolades from the golf industry. The acclaimed course was named one of the “Best Courses You Can Play” by Golfweek, one of the “Best Places to Play” and “Best in State” by Golf Digest, and “5 Stars” by Chicagoland Golf. ThunderHawk was also recently named the best municipal course in the Midwest and ninth municipal course in the nation by Golfweek.

ThunderHawk also received designation by Audubon International as the first public course in Illinois to be certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary. It is the third public golf course in the world to earn this certification for excellence in environmental stewardship.

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve Settlement Reached

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners today approved a litigation settlement with developers of the Town of Fort Sheridan.

The settlement avoids a trial from a lawsuit filed by the Forest Preserve District against the developers of residential areas adjacent to Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. The District will use funding from the settlement to help pay for processing approximately 235,000 cubic yards of fill material left on the 259-acre Forest Preserve property by Town of Fort Sheridan developers.

Beginning in August 2008, the dirt stockpiles will be processed to separate any debris that requires disposal, and the remaining clean fill will be used to sculpt the upland landscape of the Forest Preserve, concentrating in an area north of Hutchinson Ravine that was once an airfield for the former military base. Restoration work will not affect the Parade Ground area south of Hutchinson Ravine.

In addition, the Forest Preserve District will restore the Janes Ravine and a large upland area along Lake Michigan to repair past erosion damage and improve habitat for several endangered and threatened species. To prevent further erosion of Janes Ravine, storm water will be rerouted through new wetlands and ponds constructed to clean and retain the water.

In the near future, Forest Preserve Commissioners will assess options for moving forward with planning for the golf course and additional public access improvements at Fort Sheridan in a fiscally responsible way. Bids received in 2004 to implement a master plan for Fort Sheridan exceeded available funds, so work at the Preserve has taken place in phases.

In 2006, scenic trails were opened at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, providing the first official public access to this section of Lake Michigan shoreline since the former Fort's military operations began in 1887. The wooded Hutchinson Ravine also was restored as part of the first phase of work at the Forest Preserve.

The existing trails and parking area at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve will remain open to the public during the restoration.

The Preserve’s 1.3-mile asphalt Lake Michigan Trail is designed for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. The trail runs from Sheridan Road through the Preserve to the lake, where visitors can enjoy 0.75 miles of sandy shoreline for hiking, bird watching, picnicking, fishing from shore, and relaxing. Swimming, wading, and boating are not allowed. The trail also connects visitors to educational exhibits along the Fort's historic parade ground, and to other walk-through exhibits and viewing stations along the route. A shorter 0.3-mile woodchip trail is open for hiking and cross-country skiing. A trail bridge offers scenic views of the Preserve's ravines.

After nearly a decade of work to secure transfer of Fort Sheridan from the Department of the Army to the people of Lake County, the Army began in 1998 transferring much of the former base to the Lake County Forest Preserve District for open space, recreation and preservation. The third and final parcel was transferred in 2001. The Army officially closed its Fort Sheridan military base on May 28, 1993.

Extensive online information about the military and natural history of Fort Sheridan is available at www.ExploreTheFort.org.

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve is located along Lake Michigan in southeastern Lake County, near Highwood, Highland Park and Lake Forest. The Preserve entrance is located off Sheridan Road at Old Elm Road and Simonds Way. Enter on Simonds Way, turn left on Leonard Wood Drive North, and turn left on Gilgare Road to the parking area.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For a map showing the area of Fort Sheridan to be restored, please contact Linda Carlstone, Lake County Forest Preserves Marketing Specialist, by calling 847-968-3151 or by email at lcarlstone@co.lake.il.us.

28 Students Honored as 'Science First' Graduates

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Inspired by a month spent exploring nature, conducting scientific experiments and learning teamwork, 28 grade school students from Lake County were honored Friday during the graduation ceremony of the Lake County Forest Preserves’ 2008 Science First summer program at the Greenbelt Cultural Center.

To help the students develop the hypotheses for those projects, Abbott, the global health care company with headquarters in Lake County, sent 15 volunteers from its laboratories to spend a day providing hands-on instruction with the children. This year, Abbott Fund – the philanthropic foundation of Abbott – made a $30,000 donation to be the Lead Sponsor of this year’s Science First program as part of its efforts to inspire children’s interest in science and advance science education opportunities.

ComEd also returned as the program’s Platinum Sponsor with a commitment of $20,000. In 2007, it provided lead funding that helped expand Science First throughout all of Lake County and raise enrollment from 20 to 27. This year, a ComEd volunteer spoke to students about alternative energy.

Free to its participants, who were selected through a rigorous application process, Science First features a variety of fun, hands-on activities that focus on teaching ecology, environmental science and various research techniques. The program’s curriculum is intended to help foster students’ abilities in science and encourage them to pursue more challenging course work in science at school.

During Friday’s commencement, the graduates received diplomas and other awards. Top award recipients included:

Adrian Diaz, 14, of Jefferson Middle School in Waukegan, who was honored for completion of the Science First program for a third consecutive year.
Roberto Lopez, 13, of Miguel Juarez Middle School in Waukegan, honored for completion of Science First for a second consecutive year.
Damien Lawless, 13, of Gavin South Junior High School in Lake Villa, honored for completion of Science First for a second consecutive year.• Robin Robinson, 13, of Central High School in Zion, honored for completion of Science First for a second straight year.
Jaison Banks, 12, of Robert E. Abbott Middle School in Waukegan, who earned the Future Entomologist Award. Jaison was also chosen to deliver a formal thank-you on behalf of the students to the program’s sponsors and instructors and volunteers during Friday’s commencement.
Oscar Arias, 12, of Robert E. Abbott Middle School in Waukegan, who earned the program’s Future Ecologist Award.

“Everything went really well and the program was a hit again this year,” said Monica Caldwell, manager of Science First, an intensive four-week program that offers a unique educational opportunity for students from Lake County’s underserved communities who are entering grades seven through nine.

“Over half the kids had perfect attendance this summer, and everyone had a great time,” Caldwell said about the program, which included a canoe trip at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve as well as outings to the Field Museum, Volo Bog and Ryerson Woods. “Outside of school, it was neat to see the kids really open up with each other, both scientifically and socially. Everyone really learned a lot.”

“This year was a little bit different, we went on different field trips,” said Adrian Diaz, 14, a recent graduate of Jefferson Middle School in Waukegan and a 3-year veteran of the Science First program. “I learned some new things and coming out every day was fun. It was a lot better than staying at home.”

Having now completed its third successful year, the Forest Preserves’ Science First program, in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden, staged its commencement Friday afternoon with an open house ceremony during which student teams made poster presentations of their research projects.

$30,000 Abbott Donation to 'Science First' Program

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Summer Camp Gives Underserved Kids a Chance to Learn and Love Science.

As part of its efforts to inspire children’s interest in science and advance science education opportunities, Abbott Fund – the philanthropic foundation of Abbott, the global health care company with headquarters in Lake County – has made a $30,000 donation to become the Lead Sponsor of the Lake County Forest Preserves’ 2008 Science First summer program.

Now it its third successful year, the Forest Preserves’ Science First program, in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden, is an intensive four-week program that began June 23 and runs through July 18, offering a unique educational opportunity for students from Lake County’s underserved communities who are entering grades seven through nine.

The program is hosted at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago, where Abbott scientists will be volunteering their time and sharing their expertise to create hands-on science experiences for students participating in Science First.

In addition to Abbott Fund’s lead sponsorship, ComEd returns as the program’s Platinum Sponsor with a generous commitment of $20,000. ComEd also will have a volunteer from its staff attend Science First to discuss science and offer advice to the children enrolled in the program.

“We are grateful for Abbott Fund’s donation, the participation of Abbott scientists in this year’s Science First program, and for their continued leadership in the community and the Greenbelt Cultural Center,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “Through their partnerships in Science First, both Abbott and ComEd offer talented students in Lake County’s underprivileged communities a chance to learn about science. Their generous donations will help open doors for so many young people and introduce them to the wonders of science education.”

"Abbott Fund is excited to support programs like Science First that spark an interest in science among young people," said Cindy Schwab, vice president, Abbott Fund. "Advancing science education is a key focus for Abbott and Abbott Fund. We support new approaches to learning that will inspire the next generation of scientists to discover tomorrow's health care solutions."

Abbott Fund has had a long-time interest in the success of the Greenbelt Cultural Center. In 2000, the Center opened thanks in large part to a lead $500,000 gift given by Abbott Fund. Last fall, Abbott also donated a “Cool Globe” from the City of Chicago’s outdoor exhibit for permanent display at the Center. The "Cool Globe" Abbott acquired and donated, "Nature Nurture: Raise Future Environmentalists," was created by Chicago artist Nancy Pochis Bank. The artist's piece presents how the earth's future stewardship depends on children connecting with nature.

“ComEd is proud to increase our commitment to Science First this year in order to better help provide at-risk students in Lake County with quality science education,” said Frank M. Clark, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ComEd. “We believe that all youth should get the opportunity to learn about their environment and how to foster its conservation and preservation for future generations.”

For the 2007 program, ComEd provided important lead funding that helped expand the Science First program into all parts of Lake County and increase the number of students served from 20 to 27.

This summer, 32 students have been selected through a rigorous application process to take part in Science First, which is free to participants. Science First features a variety of fun, hands-on activities that focus on teaching ecology, environmental science and various research techniques. The program’s curriculum is intended to help foster students’ abilities in science and encourage them to pursue more challenging course work in science at school.

On July 18, Science First commenced with each student team making a poster presentation of their research project results during an open house graduation ceremony at the Greenbelt Cultural Center.

Prairie Wolf Dog Exercise Area - 'Best Dog Park'

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Chicago Reader Magazine named the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Prairie Wolf Dog Exercise Area the “Best Dog Park of Chicago 2008” in its annual “Best of Chicago 2008” issue dated June 26, 2008.

The 44-acre off-leash area in Lake Forest was the Readers’ Choice for finding a piece of “dog heaven,” according to the accompanying article. It was praised for its well-kept amenities, including mowed paths, an expansive meadow, and a clean-up station.

Prairie Wolf is one of five designated dog areas in Lake County managed by the Lake County Forest Preserves. The Dog Exercise Areas are fenced locations where dogs are welcome to play, swim, socialize and run off-leash. Originally developed to provide a site for specialized activity training, the Dog Exercise Areas have become enormously popular for recreational use as well.

About 5,000 permits to the Forest Preserve dog areas have been purchased to date in 2008. The four Dog Exercise Areas are located at Duck Farm Forest Preserve (Lindenhurst), Independence Grove (Libertyville), Lakewood Forest Preserve (Wauconda), and Prairie Wolf.

Permits are required for use and are good for access at any of the four Forest Preserve Dog Exercise Areas. A special area for dog sledding and skijoring is available at Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve (Waukegan). A separate annual permit is required.

Daily permits are $5 for Lake County residents ($10 for non-residents) and are available at a self-pay station located in the parking lot of each Dog Exercise Area. Annual permits are $44 for the first dog for Lake County residents ($120 for non-residents) and $18 ($56 for non-residents) for each additional dog in
the same household.

Permits are available by mail, fax, in person, or online. Permits are sold at the Lake County Forest Preserve General Offices at 2000 North Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or the Operations Office in Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda, Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check, Visa, MasterCard, or cash are welcome. You will need to know your dog’s rabies tag number and your vehicle license plate number(s).

Land Buys Expand Three Forest Preserves

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners today approved the acquisition of roughly 38 acres to expand three existing preserves.

The Board approved the purchase of a 21.6-acre parcel known as the McClanahan Property, at a cost of $700,700, as an addition to Pine Dunes Forest Preserve near Antioch. This piece is significant because it completes the Forest Preserve’s control over a large grove of mature oak trees. The property is located north of Edwards Road and west of Hunt Club Road. It is also west of, and adjacent to, the Steinberg property acquired in 2005, which contains the other half of the oak grove. A second site, 9.7 acres, known as the Kordt Property, for $380,000, was also added to Pine Dunes. The property is on the east side of the Steinberg property, north of Edwards Road and west of Hunt Club Road. The two purchases increase Pine Dunes total acreage to 255.

“We are very fortunate to acquire these two key additions to Pine Dunes,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “Preserving the entire oak grove is an important part of the acquisitions. These majestic trees provide secure habitat for wildlife and will create the perfect backdrop for future trails that will wind through the Preserve.”

Also approved by the board is purchase of a 6.5-acre property known as the Gwaltney Property, for $315,000, as an addition to Fourth Lake Forest Preserve near Lake Villa. This is the second addition this year to Fourth Lake, which grew by seven acres in June. The property is located on the north side of Rollins Road about one mile west of the intersection of Rollins Road and Route 45.

The property contains high-quality Advanced Identification (ADID) wetlands, buffer and wooded uplands. Acquisition of this property gives the District increased control and management opportunities over the wetlands that connect Rollins Savanna and Fourth Lake forest preserves.

Finally, the board approved the purchase of a 0.056-acre property, known as the Hoffman Property, for $9,000, as an addition to Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda.

The purchases meet several of the Lake County Forest Preserves adopted land acquisition goals, including protecting wildlife habitat and adding to existing preserves.

New Product Makes Black Pavement 'Green'

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:01 GMT

'The Lake County Forest Preserve District will be the first customer in Illinois to use an innovative soybean-based polymer enhanced asphalt rejuvenator and sealant. The product will be applied to 3.2 miles of asphalt hiking/biking trails at Independence Grove Forest Preserve on Monday, July 14.

Although the pavement color will remain the same, the soy-based product is environmentally “green” because it is made from a renewable resource, conserving on the oil used in traditional petroleum-based seal coating products. Called RePlay, the product is made by Bio Technologies, Inc. of St. Louis and is being applied by Asphalt Systems, Inc. of Sidney, Ohio.

“The Forest Preserve is always looking for creative ways to be leaders in the green movement,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “We are very excited to try this domestically-derived agriculturally-based product.”

The District researched customer satisfaction from RePlay users in other states and they reported being very happy with the results. “They found it offers longer-lasting protection, which will improve trail preservation and save maintenance costs down the road,” said John Nelson, Project Engineer.

Another RePlay advantage is that it dries in about 30 minutes, much faster than the 24-hour drying time of other seal-coating products. “For the public's safety, portions of the asphalt trails will be closed while the work occurs and until the asphalt surface is dry and ready for use. RePlay will allow us to reopen the trails quickly,” said Nelson.

Note to editor: The best time to photograph the application in progress is between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday.

Land Buy Expands Fourth Lake Forest Preserve

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Fourth Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa was expanded through a land purchase approved by the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners at their Tuesday, June 10 meeting.

The Board approved a contract to purchase 7-acres as an addition to Fourth Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa and Avon Townships, known as the Wignot property, at a cost of $360,000. The property is located on the north side of Rollins Road just west of Route 45.

The purchase is contingent on a final closing in approximately 60-90 days. If the closing is successful, Fourth Lake’s acreage will increase to approximately 517 acres.

The purchase meets several of the Lake County Forest Preserves adopted land acquisition goals, including protecting wildlife habitat and adding to existing preserves. The property contains high quality ADID wetlands, buffer, and a good-quality wooded upland. Acquisition also gives the District increased control and management opportunities that connect Rollins Savanna and Fourth Lake Forest Preserves.

Ranger Rescues Young Boy from River

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Quick action by Ranger Police Officer Esteban Gomez resulted in the rescue of a young boy trapped by a log jam in the Des Plaines River (DPR).

On Sunday, May 18, the boy and his family were participating in the annual DPR Canoe Marathon, the largest canoe race in Illinois, when their canoe capsized. The family had tried to navigate around a fallen tree, but the current was strong and overturned their canoe. Once in the water, the boy was separated from his family after his leg became lodged in a log jam and he was unable to escape.

Officer Gomez was on duty as a race sweeper. His job was to make sure that all canoers made it through Lake County's portion of the river race safely. Just south of Deerfield Road, Officer Gomez heard someone screaming and found the boy struggling in the water. He rode alongside him, and reaching over his closed kayak tried to pull the boy out of the log jam but in doing so he also capsized. Once in the water, Officer Gomez was able to free the boy from the log jam and carry him safely to shore. On shore the young boy stated, "I didn't know policemen could swim."

Officer Gomez returned to the river and with the aid of Ranger Police Officer Ron Michaels, and a group of boy scouts who were also participating in the race, pulled the other family members and their canoe to shore. The boy scouts provided the family with dry shirts. Officer Gomez put the family back into their canoe and escorted them down the river to a safe exit point at the Lake Cook Road underpass, and then transported them by truck to their vehicle at the Oak Spring Road Canoe Launch in Libertyville.

Officer Gomez has been with the Lake County Forest Preserve District serving as a full-time Ranger Police Officer since 2006. He also serves as a part-time Police Officer for Round Lake Park.

The Lake County Forest Preserve District's professional Ranger Police and Community Service Officers receive the same rigorous law enforcement training as other police officers throughout Illinois. In addition, they receive extensive training in the areas of conservation law, wildfire management, water rescue, kayak, boat, snowmobile and ATV safety. Forest Preserve Rangers work to ensure the safety of all Preserve visitors and neighbors by patrolling and offering assistance 365 days a year.

Share Forest Preserve Photos on flickr.com

Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Share your images of the Lake County Forest Preserves with others through a new Lake County Forest Preserves photo pool on flickr.com, an online photo sharing Web site. Photos from the pool also may be featured on the Lake County Forest Preserves' Web site or in a Forest Preserve print publication.

To contribute, create a free account and upload personal photos to www.flickr.com, a digital online photo sharing service from Yahoo. Join the Lake County Forest Preserves photo group at www.flickr.com/groups/LCFPD by clicking "Join Group?" on the top right. Once a member, you may contribute photos to the pool anytime by selecting "Send to Group > LCFPD" beneath any of your photos.

Post your photos of lovely landscapes, wildlife watching, special events at Independence Grove or other Forest Preserve facilities -- any picture taken at a Forest Preserve or special facility is eligible for inclusion. Photos of friends and family visiting Forest Preserve facilities and locations are welcome, too.

Browse the Lake County Forest Preserves photo pool for idyllic scenes of landscapes and wildlife, for ideas of things to do and places to go, or to connect with other Forest Preserve enthusiasts.

Information About Coyotes Available

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Warm temperatures this spring are bringing people outside in Lake County. During outdoor activities like hiking and picnicking, Preserve visitors may notice a higher amount of coyote activity. By following a few simple guidelines, you can avoid any unwelcome encounters and still enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Mother coyotes and their pups have dens within many of your Preserves. Sections of trails near a den may have higher coyote activity. Coyote family members will chase off threats in order to protect the pups. These animals are no danger to you or your dog as long as we work together to reinforce their natural fear of people. The coyote pups should be able to leave the den by June 30, when we will see less coyote activity again.

Here's how you can help:

Keep your dogs on leash at all times. Coyotes are not afraid of dogs, and they view your dog as a threat. They will chase your dog away from the den area if it gets too close.
You may see coyote family members warily watching you - this is simply out of curiosity and not out of aggression. If a coyote approaches you, simply scare it away by waving your arms in the air and shouting. This reinforces the animal's natural fear of people.
Please respect these wild animals. Do not attempt to approach them, feed them, pet them, or find their den. Like any mother or family member, they want to protect their pups and keep them safe.

Additional Resources

Lake County Guide to Coyotes brochure (PDF)
Coyotes - Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Living with Wildlife: Coyotes Powerpoint presentation with script

Free Speaker's Bureau Available

"Living with Wildlife: Coyotes" is the title of an informative and interesting presentation about the history and characteristics of this fascinating, and often misunderstood, species. The presentation is being offered by the Lake County Forest Preserves as part of their Speakers Bureau program.

The presentation teaches how to differentiate between coyotes and other wild dogs of the region. Viewers will also learn about the history of coyotes in this country and what role they play in Lake County’s natural and urban areas. The presentation lasts about 15 minutes and includes ample time for questions. Copies of our free quarterly newsletter, Horizons, brochures about coyotes and other helpful Forest Preserve materials are also distributed at the presentation. Presented by professional Forest Preserve environmental education staff and wildlife biologists, the coyote presentation is free for school or community groups in Lake County, Illinois. To reserve a speaker for the coyote presentation, or for other Forest Preserve topics, contact Marie Shields at 847-968-3206 or mshields@co.lake.il.us.

Whooping Cranes at Middlefork Savanna

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Three whooping cranes stopped at Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve this past weekend. The whooping cranes are part of a joint effort by the International Crane Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore the population of whooping cranes in North America. Forest Preserve habitat restoration efforts have made Middlefork Savanna a suitable stop over for whooping cranes and other important migratory bird species. Middlefork Savanna and other Forest Preserves are critical resting and feeding areas for birds during migration.

Home to a rare tallgrass savanna, Middlefork Savanna features a mix of oak savanna and woodlands, wet and mesic prairies, sedge meadows and marshes. More than 25 of the Preserve's 576 acres are considered the highest quality tallgrass savanna of its kind in the nation and a globally threatened ecosystem. Much of Middlefork Savanna is dedicated and protected as an Illinois Nature Preserve.

The whooping cranes came in on Friday and left either Sunday night or early Monday morning. They were first identified by birdwatchers at the Preserve. The cranes were banded, and one wore a radio tracking system from the International Crane Foundation, who confirmed the sighting. The International Crane Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requested that the District close the Preserve to provide protection while the cranes were on the ground. The Lake County Forest Preserve District closed the Preserve on Sunday and reopened it on Monday after it was confirmed that the birds had continued north on migration.

Photos of the cranes at Middlefork Savanna were taken by a local birder, Jerry Goldner and can be found online at http://www.profilesofnature.com/whoopingcranes.html.*

Whooping cranes are the tallest flying bird in North America. They are five feet tall with a seven to eight foot wingspan. With the exception of black wing tips and a black mark above their bill, their plumage is snow white. Except for a small non-migratory population, breeding birds had disappeared from the United States portion of the historic breeding range by the 1890s. The only remaining natural flock of whooping cranes breeds in Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories, Canada and winters in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. For more information on this species, please visit the International Crane Foundation's website at http://www.savingcranes.org.

Land Buy Expands Greenbelt Forest Preserve

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Greenbelt Forest Preserve in Waukegan was expanded through a land purchase approved on Tuesday, April 8, by the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners.

The Board approved purchasing a 0.75-acre addition to Greenbelt Forest Preserve at the corner of 8th Parkway and Willow Avenue at a cost of $225,000. In addition, the land purchase will allow the District to request vacating another 0.74 acres of a dead-end area of 8th Parkway bringing the total acres added to Greenbelt Forest Preserve to 1.49 acres. With the addition, Greenbelt will preserve 561 acres.

“It’s not often that we have an opportunity to preserve more open space in a developed area like Waukegan,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “It’s wonderful to be able to expand Greenbelt, which is one of our most visited Forest Preserves.”

The purchase meets several of the Lake County Forest Preserves adopted land acquisition goals, including protecting wildlife habitat and adding to existing preserves.

Web Site Improved

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County residents can find more information about their Forest Preserves through a newly-improved Web site that launched this week.

New features include direct access from the Lake County Forest Preserves home page to the most-popular site content, simplified menus, addition of site-wide search and a slideshow of scenes from Forest Preserves throughout Lake County. Visitors can also now keep up-to-date on Forest Preserve happenings by subscribing to the site’s new news feed. The Web site is located at http://www.LCFPD.org.

Annual traffic to the Lake County Forest Preserves Web site has more than doubled in the past 30 months. Forest Preserve officials predict more than 1,000,000 visits to http://www.LCFPD.org this year. Usage statistics show the most popular content on the site to be information about the District’s golf courses, Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda and employment opportunities. Online purchasing of dog, horse and other permits, picnic shelter reservations and program registration is also popular.

Land Buys Expand Heron Creek Forest Preserve

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Heron Creek Forest Preserve near Long Grove was expanded in land buys approved on Tuesday, March 11, by the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners.

The Board approved purchasing two parcels of land as additions to Heron Creek: 94.8 acres adjoining the southern boundary of Heron Creek from CF Industries for $5,732,556; and 1.06 acres at the northern boundary of the Preserve along Route 22 from Kemper for $60,000. The added land increases Heron Creek’s acreage from 144 to 240. The combined per acre cost is $60,339.

“I am very excited to see the preservation of natural lands in this part of Lake County where prior to 2003 no Forest Preserves existed. Residents, as well as area wildlife, will benefit from the protection of these green spaces for years to come,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Forest Preserve President.

Heron Creek Addition

Located at the southwest corner of Route 22 and Old McHenry Road, Heron Creek protects valuable natural resources and preserves sensitive wetlands in a country-like setting near Long Grove. The Indian Creek basin, which flows through the site, is an Advanced Identification Wetland (ADID), the highest wetland classification in Lake County. It offers exceptional wildlife habitat and plant communities including a sedge meadow.

The site also features woodlands and adjoins the Reed Turner Nature Preserve owned by the Long Grove Park District. Six state endangered bird species (black tern, black-crowned night heron, yellow-crowned night heron, osprey, Forster’s tern), and three state threatened bird species (brown creeper, pied-billed grebe and red-shouldered hawk) were found in the area. In addition, over 215 native plants were identified at the adjacent fen, including two state threatened species.

The smaller 1.06-acre addition to Heron Creek is located in the northwest corner of the Preserve and features woodlands. An adjacent pond offers habitat for a variety of bird species, especially herons, egrets and ducks.

The larger 94.8-acre addition is located along the Preserve’s southern boundary, north of Cuba Road and features a large lake, ponds, woodlands and open prairies. The purchase of this parcel does not include the former headquarters building of CF Industries.

The purchases meet many of the Lake County Forest Preserves adopted land acquisition goals, including protecting wildlife habitat, preserving native wetlands, adding to existing preserves, protecting against flooding and improving water quality. These additions offer potential future trail extensions and connections to adjacent preserves, park land and neighboring communities.

Note: Maps and photos of the lands are available: contact Sue Hawkins at 847-968-3207 or shawkins@co.lake.il.us

Forest Board Approves Operations and Public Safety Facility

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:01 GMT

A new Operations and Public Safety Facility to care for over 26,000 acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County was approved at a meeting of the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners on February 15.

“Lake County residents have high expectations of their Forest Preserves to be clean and safe for them to visit and enjoy,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Forest Preserve President. “We pride ourselves in meeting their expectations at over 50 Forest Preserves and along over 125 miles of trails countywide.”

“We need to build a functional and energy efficient facility, and we can do so using available financial resources, by tightening our belts and without increasing taxes,” said Carter. “With over 26,000 acres to care for today, our workers continue to use old pole and dairy barns that we originally began using in 1970 when we only had 2,600 acres to maintain. We’ve lasted as long as we can, but we can’t continue to properly care for our Forest Preserves any longer without adequate maintenance and public safety facilities. The Lake County Forest Preserves have over $1 billion worth of land and facilities to protect for future generations,” she said.

Forest Preserve Commissioners approved locating the new Operations and Public Safety Facility at Fourth Lake Forest Preserve near Lindenhurst, along the north side of Grand Avenue (Route 132), ½ mile west of Route 45.

Operations and Public Safety Facility plans include constructing an office, shop, service and storage building, approximately 104,000 square feet in size, at a building construction cost of $110 per square foot. The estimated total project cost including site work, utility connections, necessary equipment, design and engineering costs, and contingencies is $22,993,000.

The Lake County Forest Preserves have grown to become the second largest Forest Preserve District in Illinois. Funding for the new facility will come from a variety of available financial resources and will not require an increase in the Forest Preserve tax rate. Only three percent of property taxes countywide go to support the Forest Preserves in Lake County.

The Fourth Lake Forest Preserve site was selected after a study of 16 prospective locations. It is well-screened and buffered from surrounding areas, has proper soils, water and sewer service available, and good road access.

Currently, 92,000-square-feet of Forest Preserve maintenance facilities at Lakewood Forest Preserve are housed in old barns and other buildings left from the 1950s and 1960s when the property was a dairy farm prior to purchase by the Forest Preserve District. The same buildings are being used today to care for over 26,000 acres that were originally used in 1970 to maintain only 2,600 acres. Engineering and architectural studies have found severe structural problems, overcrowding and safety issues at the existing buildings.

The new Operations and Public Safety Facility will house specialized workshops, offices, training and meeting spaces, storage, equipment, tools and vehicles. Functions to be based at the new facility are:

trades such as electricians, heating and cooling technicians, plumbers, carpenters, painters, sign fabricators;
heavy equipment and specialized crews such as landscape installation, habitat restoration, forestry, excavating and heavy-duty snowplowing;
District-wide support such as vehicle and equipment repair, and central supply and storage;
maintenance management and engineering, as well supervisors for the Youth Conservation Corps; and
public safety, including Ranger Police.

The new facility will allow work crews to complete their tasks more safely, efficiently and effectively, and to keep pace with future growth of Forest Preserve lands and facilities. The project architect and Forest Preserve staff planning the facility worked with a nationally known public works consultant who has helped to design over 200 similar facilities.

Approval of the Operations and Public Safety Facility on February 15 will allow the Forest Preserve District to prepare final plans and bid documents this spring and summer and for work to begin later this year. The anticipated completion date would be in 2010.

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Forest Preserve Golf Courses Rated Highly

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County Forest Preserve golf courses are performing remarkably well despite continuing stagnation within the golf industry, according to a national golf course consultant.

Golf Resources Associates, Inc., (GRA), reported results from an operational audit of Brae Loch, Countryside and ThunderHawk golf courses to the Finance, Administrative and Education Committee of the Lake County Forest Preserves at a meeting of the committee on February 7.

“This operational audit clearly indicates that Forest Preserve management has taken the appropriate steps to control expenses during these challenging economic times for golf courses, while still providing an excellent experience for Lake County golfers,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The positive report for Forest Preserve golf courses was attributed to management’s efforts to vigorously control expenses while maintaining quality facilities at the four Forest Preserve courses: Brae Loch Golf Course near Grayslake, Countryside Traditional and Prairie Courses near Mundelein, and ThunderHawk Golf Course near Beach Park.

The Lake County Forest Preserves hired GRA, a nationally known golf consulting firm, to project future market trends and to recommend how the Forest Preserve courses can continue to provide a variety of quality golf opportunities in Lake County. The evaluation comes at a time when golf play has declined over the past several years regionally and nationally.

The GRA report gives high marks to golf operations management, playing conditions, and economic operating philosophy of the courses. The District was also recognized for delivering a high level of financial sustainability and continuously improving the quality of the golf experience for patrons, despite a declining golf market regionally and nationally.

The evaluation also offers suggested improvements that include increasing fees modestly, reevaluating costs and benefits of non-resident pricing, and enhancing marketing efforts. Other recommendations include upgrading clubhouse facilities at Countryside Golf Club to accommodate the volume of customers that utilize the site, installing a continuous cart path system at Countryside, and installing a drainage system at Brae Loch to allow the course to more rapidly recover from excessive rain.

Record Land Buy Creates Three New Forest Preserves

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Three new Forest Preserves were created and an existing Preserve was expanded in record land buys approved by the Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday, January 15.

To view a PowerPoint presentation that includes detailed information, maps and photos of the purchases click here.

The Board approved purchasing and creating a new 261-acre Forest Preserve in Antioch Township for $14,600,000 ($55,938 per acre); a new 119-acre Forest Preserve in Ela Township for $5,400,000 ($45,378 per acre); and a new 243-acre Forest Preserve in Wauconda Township along with a 75-acre addition to Singing Hills Forest Preserve for $21,893,700 ($68,848 per acre).

When combined, the purchases total 698 acres and approximately $41,893,700. When completed, the new Preserves will bring the District’s total land holdings to more than 26,000 acres.

“To be able to preserve nearly 700 acres in one day and to create three new Forest Preserves in three different areas of the county is an incredible opportunity. Present and future residents, as well as our wildlife, will benefit from the protection of these green spaces in three of the county’s fastest growing communities,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President, Lake County Forest Preserves. “Saving large refuges is our mission. These purchases offer us a chance to protect and restore sensitive natural communities and to provide additional open space for outdoor recreation and nature education.”

Antioch Purchase
This new Forest Preserve is located on the west side of Route 45, just north of Route 173 in Antioch Township. One of the most significant features of this 261-acre parcel is its connection to the 925-acre state-protected Redwing Slough Natural Area, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Redwing Slough provides significant habitat for wetland and grassland birds. It consists mostly of lowlands with very little surrounding upland habitat. This purchase will provide for needed upland habitat and offer a natural buffer along the slough’s eastern border.

Consisting primarily of rolling agricultural lands, the property also has farm buildings and a home, a small woodland area and several small farmed wetlands. It is located in the Mill Creek watershed that drains to the Des Plaines River. Some wetlands along the property’s western border are associated with the Advanced Identification (ADID) wetland that covers all of Redwing Slough and is best noted for its biological values and its water quality. The property also offers opportunity for future expansions and connections to other area Forest Preserves and neighboring trails.

The site provides exceptional foraging, nesting and breeding habitat for wetland and grassland birds. In addition, several prairie streams that drain toward Redwing Slough are scattered throughout the property and could benefit from restoration efforts. These narrow bands of wet soils form depressions in the landscape that channel surface water and are dominated by sedge meadow and wet prairie natural communities. They are considered high-priority wetlands by regional groups like Chicago Wilderness and the Wetland Conservation Strategy.

Kildeer Purchase
Located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Route 22 and Kruger Road in Ela Township in the Village of Kildeer, this new 119-acre Preserve sits just to the west of the 144-acre Heron Creek Forest Preserve. The site offers a large marsh, protects valuable natural resources and preserves sensitive wetlands.

As part of the acquisition, the Lake County Forest Preserves would receive a temporary easement to use an additional 9.5 acres of land owned by the seller, Residential Land Fund, for up to four years. It will expire when the easement area is dedicated to the Illinois Department of Transportation or the Lake County Division of Transportation for roadway expansion. The easement adjoins the new Preserve and Heron Creek.

Wauconda Township Purchase
In Wauconda Township, two adjacent parcels combine to create a substantial new 243-acre Forest Preserve situated between Route 120 and Route 60 and bordered on the east by Wilson Road. The two parcels consist of a 105-acre site and a 138-acre site. In addition to the new Preserve, a 75-acre parcel located south of Route 60 near Fish Lake Road will be added to Singing Hills Forest Preserve expanding this Preserve to 685 acres.

The property contains notable natural and human history. Though not included as part of the acquisition, a historic cemetery dating back to 1847 is located within the Preserve. Early land owners included George Vasey and Robert Paddock. Vasey immigrated from England in 1854 and farmed the land. His cousin was Dr. George Vasey, a botanist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (1872-1893). Paddock emigrated from Vermont to Lake County in the 1850s and raised Merino sheep on the land. Most recently it was used as a hunt club, and has benefited from extensive conservation plantings done by the current owner. More than 52,000 tree seedlings were planted throughout the property.

The most significant natural feature includes several glacial kettle wetlands surrounded by gently rising uplands that provide some scenic vistas. The wetlands support marsh, wet prairie and sedge meadow communities and they offer good potential for wetland restoration and improved breeding grounds for waterfowl.

One of the site’s wetlands is rated as an ADID wetland, the highest wetland classification in Lake County. Adjacent to the ADID wetland on the western edge of the property is an oak and hickory savanna.

The purchases meet many of the Lake County Forest Preserves adopted land acquisition goals, including protecting wildlife habitat, preserving native wetlands, adding to existing preserves, protecting against flooding and improving water quality. They also provide for future trail connections to neighboring communities, regional trail systems like the Millennium Trail and to other area Forest Preserves.

Land Purchase Expands Independence Grove, Preserves Trail Corridor And Watershed

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:01 GMT

Independence Grove near Libertyville, Lake County’s third largest and most popular Forest Preserve, will expand following a cooperative three-way land deal approved by the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners at their November 13 meeting.

A 15-acre addition to Independence Grove for $1.3 million will increase Independence Grove’s total acreage to 1,146 and preserve scenic vistas and frontage along Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21). A future underpass at Route 21 near Independence Grove will allow for eventual connection of the Des Plaines River Trail to neighboring trail systems stretching from Libertyville to Grayslake.

The 15-acre purchase is part of a cooperative land acquisition agreement with Libertyville Township and Liberty Prairie Conservancy to acquire 34 acres of land for conservation and open space purposes. The land is located south of Casey Road on the west side of Route 21 across from the Dog Exercise Area and Independence Grove. Liberty Prairie Conservancy held 14 of the 34 acres, and Libertyville Township purchased the remaining five acres.

“It has been such a great pleasure to partner with Libertyville Township and Liberty Prairie Conservancy in the joint preservation of this unique property. Though small in scale, its benefits are far-reaching. It not only preserves a valuable trail corridor that will provide future recreational opportunities for many residents, but it also gives added protection to Bulls Brook, a high-quality stream that crosses through the property,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “Bulls Brook provides exceptional habitat for aquatic species and other wildlife, and now through this purchase all but 460 feet of this nearly three-mile-long stream will be on protected property.”

This land purchase meets many of the Lake County Forest Preserves adopted land acquisition goals, including protecting wildlife habitat, preserving native wetlands, adding to existing preserves, protecting against flooding and improving water quality.

Donation Supports Habitat Restoration At Lakewood Forest Preserve

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:01 GMT

Rare birds and other wildlife would benefit from a major habitat restoration project at Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda thanks to a generous contribution by a Lake Zurich resident.
The Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners, at their meeting on November 13, approved acceptance of a donation to underwrite a substantial part of the cost of restoring 600 acres of wildlife habitat in the northeastern section of Lakewood.

“We are so grateful for this donation. It allows us an opportunity to restore one of the most spectacular parcels of land within Lakewood, ultimately creating one of the largest unbroken habitats in our Forest Preserve system. Rolling prairies, wetlands and savannas in need of restoration are scattered throughout the landscape. Once restored, this grassland bird habitat area will become a paradise for birds and a destination for bird watchers,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The 600-acre habitat area at Lakewood is located north of the existing Dog Exercise Area, and is bounded by Fairfield Road on the west and Gilmer Road on the east. Currently, much of the area is being farmed, but it does include important wetland areas.

The District plans to restore the area as mosaic of wetland, prairie and savanna habitats. It will provide additional room for rare grassland and savanna birds to thrive and would supplement wetland bird habitat found at Lakewood’s Broberg Marsh to the west and at the adjacent Ray Lake Forest Preserve to the east. Planned hiking and bicycling trails along the edge of the habitat area will offer people views of wildlife from observation areas, but will not divide and fragment the habitat. This will make the resulting habitat more beneficial to rare species of birds and other wildlife.

Detailed surveys of the soils were recently completed, and drain tiles were located that had been previously installed for farming. The restoration plan includes removing some of these drain tiles to restore natural hydrology to the wetlands, planting native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers, and controlling invasive species. This large area of unfragmented habitat will better support all phases of the birds’ lives, from nesting to rearing. It also will improve conditions for migrating birds.

The Lake County Forest Preserve District has previously completed similar successful projects to create large unbroken areas of wildlife habitat at Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve near Grayslake and at Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve near Lake Forest. In recognition of its ongoing nature preservation efforts, the Lake County Forest Preserve District earned the prestigious National Leadership in Conservation Award earlier this year from the Trust for Public Lands and the National Association of Counties.

This generous donation from Gordon McLean of Lake Zurich would provide funding for the habitat restoration project at Lakewood. Mr. McLean’s late wife, Lieselotte, was very passionate about birds, especially migrating birds like those that will benefit from the restored habitat area. The McLean’s also used to enjoy bringing their dogs to the Forest Preserve District’s Dog Exercise Area at Lakewood.

Fort Sheridan Bids Rejected; Plans to Be Revised

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:01 GMT

Bids for renovation and restoration of Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve were rejected on November 12 by Lake County Forest Preserve Commissioners because the bids and other project costs and estimates substantially exceeded the approved budget.

“We’re disappointed that the bids came in higher than budgeted and that the Fort Sheridan project can’t proceed as soon as we had hoped,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

“It’s a beautiful location overlooking Lake Michigan and we want to open the site for the public to enjoy,” said Carter. “We also need to fulfill our commitments to surrounding communities and the federal government. Now that we have hard costs to work with, we’ll revise our plans to make sure that we stay within our budget.”

In 2003, Forest Preserve Commissioners approved a budget of $14,469,063 for Fort Sheridan. The master plan included restoration of the preserve’s natural resources, including wooded ravines, bluffs and lakeshore, creation of multipurpose trails and other public access improvements, and reconstruction of an existing 18-hole golf course.

Bids were recently received for three major parts of the plan: a clubhouse and visitors center; a maintenance center building; and a large contract covering golf course and site construction and natural resource restoration. The bids, together with other items yet to be bid or contracted and expenses to date, totaled $19,592,300, or $5,123,237 over the approved budget.

Reasons for the higher costs, as provided by the golf course architect, included: prevailing wage rates that were higher than anticipated; production rates that were lower than expected as compared to typical union public works projects; prices that were higher than anticipated for lump sum bids of some items; and overhead and risk charges by the General Contractor that were underestimated for such a large and complex project.

Three Committees of the Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners (Finance and Administrative Committee, Revenue Facilities Committee, and Development, Restoration and Planning Committee) met jointly on Friday, November 12 to review and discuss the bids. They voted to reject the bids, and directed staff to bring back revised plans within budget in early 2005.

The golf course is required by the deed transferring the property from the U.S. Department of the Army. However, the course will be redesigned to reduce construction and operating costs and to make it more affordable to play.

The propose timeline for revising plans projects that Forest Preserve Commissioners will review a new funding plan and budget for the project in January 2005. Revised concept plans for natural resource restoration, stormwater management, public access and trails, and golf course construction should be ready by April. Re-bidding of the natural resource and public access parts of the project is planned for Summer 2005, with golf course construction bids to follow in Fall 2005.

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve is located in the communities of Highland Park, Highwood and Lake Forest. The northern 259 acres of the former military base were transferred from the Army to the Lake County Forest Preserve District in several phases during the past decade.

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Abbott Donates 'Cool Globe' for Permanent Display at Greenbelt Cultural Center

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:01 GMT

To help raise environmental awareness in Lake County, Abbott has donated a "Cool Globes" sculpture from a recent outdoor public art exhibit in Chicago to the Lake County Forest Preserves (LCFP) as a permanent display at the organization's Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago.

The "Cool Globes" program, which Abbott sponsored, featured sculpted globes, each five feet in diameter, on which artists from around the world applied their designs to present messages and images on environmental issues like climate change solutions. After the exhibit ended, the artworks were sold in a public auction to raise money for environmental education.

The "Cool Globe" Abbott acquired and donated to LCFP, "Nature Nurture: Raise Future Environmentalists," was created by Chicago artist Nancy Pochis Bank. The artist's piece presents how the earth's future stewardship depends on children connecting with nature. The artist used whitewashed, "blank slate" children covered in patterns of nature icons with silhouetted moms and dads positioned over their shoulders to illustrate them overseeing their children's interactions with the natural world.

"I want to give parents ideas for how they can get their kids outdoors more. We have to help our children bond with nature, to love the earth, before we ask them to save it," said Bank.

"Like Abbott and the others involved in the 'Cool Globes' project, we share the goal of promoting environmentally sound practices, reducing negative impact on the earth through stewardship and education, and preserving our delicate natural world for children and families of today and tomorrow," said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President, Lake County Forest Preserves. "We are very grateful to Abbott for their generous donation of this innovative sculpture that is proudly displayed at our Greenbelt Cultural Center. The globe's message of inspiring children and their families to care for and enjoy the outdoors together connects very strongly to our agency’s mission."

"Abbott's support of the Lake County Forest Preserves and the 'Cool Globes' art exhibit is part of our commitment to environmental sustainability," said John C. Landgraf, senior vice president, global pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply, Abbott. "Families across the north suburbs enjoy the Lake County Forest Preserves, and we believe the family-focused message conveyed in the 'Cool Globe' we're donating will inspire visitors to be part of the solution of protecting the environment for future generations."

Land Purchase Expands Sun Lake Forest Preserve Near Antioch

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:00:01 GMT

New land added to Sun Lake Forest Preserve near Antioch will preserve scenic views along Grass Lake Road and a portion of West Loon Lake. At their October 9 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners approved a 59-acre addition to Sun Lake for $1.5 million, increasing the Preserve's total acreage to 632.

The property is located on the north side of Grass Lake Road between Route 83 and Deep Lake Road and offers a variety of landscapes including 32 acres of wetlands, woodlands, and open fields. It also features a small section of lake frontage on West Loon Lake and 27 acres of lake bottom. The property adjoins a previously acquired 60-acre Sun Lake addition directly to the east, protecting nearly 120 acres as Forest Preserve land to the north side of Grass Lake Road.

“Buying this property will preserve the rural character of this stretch of Grass Lake Road. It will also improve habitat for grassland and wetland birds, and for small mammals, amphibians and reptiles,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserve President. “We’ll consider a variety of future uses for this land, including extending trails and providing other outdoor recreation activities that would complement what is currently available at Sun Lake.”

The purchase meets many of the Lake County Forest Preserves adopted land acquisition goals, including protecting wildlife habitat, preserving native wetlands, adding to existing preserves, protecting against flooding and improving water quality.

Veterans Honored with Plantings at Fort Sheridan Cemetery

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:00:01 GMT

A dedication ceremony commemorating the installation of native plants, trees and shrubs planted in honor of deceased veterans was recently held at the historic Fort Sheridan Cemetery near Highland Park. Lake County Forest Preserve President Bonnie Thomson Carter, Forest Preserve Commissioners, partner agencies and special guests including the Ravinia Garden Club of Lake Forest and the VFW #4741 Highwood Post were on-hand to celebrate the project’s completion.

The project was a community effort from concept to completion. Designs for the three garden beds, including one at the site’s Vattman Memorial where funeral services are held, were created by the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Planning, Conservation and Development Department. Installation of the plantings was completed by the Forest Preserves’ Nature Resource Division and members of Lake County’s Youth Conservation Corps. More than 10 cubic yards of top soil, eight tons of sand and 13 tons of compost was used to prepare the garden areas. Oak trees, shrub roses, evergreens and 260 perennials were also planted.

Funding for this and future projects at the site were provided by the Ravinia Garden Club and VFW #4741, who helped raise more than $6,000.

Along with honor and beauty, the plantings project helped fulfill two important National Garden Club (www.gardenclub.org) programs, the Blue Star Memorial Marker, which provides roadside memorials to the Armed Forces, and Let’s Go Native, a program that encourages projects utilizing native plants. With the help of Ravinia Garden Club, Fort Sheridan received its own Blue Star Memorial Marker in 2002, displayed in one of the new planting beds at the cemetery’s entrance along Sheridan Road.

About the Fort Sheridan Cemetery

The active military cemetery, nestled between the shores of Lake Michigan and Sheridan Road, dates back to 1890 and plays a vital role in the community. It serves as a resting place for service members and a rich historical resource for those who visit. The Lake County Forest Preserves is responsible for general above ground maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery as part of an agreement with the United States Department of the Army. The U.S. Army’s Fort McCoy near Sparta, Wisconsin, continues to own and operate the Fort Sheridan Cemetery. Retired service members from the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and Reserves and their spouses are eligible for burials at Fort Sheridan.

About Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve

The adjacent Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve opened to the public in June 2006. It offers scenic multi-surface trails that wind through the Preserve to Lake Michigan, for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. Preserve visitors can also hike, fish, bird watch, picnic or relax along a sandy stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline. Swimming, wading and boating are not allowed at the Preserve. Self-guided educational exhibits can also be found along the trails, woodlands and ravines, and the shoreline. Planning efforts for future renovation of the Preserve’s 18-hole golf course are underway.

To learn more about the Lake County Forest Preserves, programs or activities, call 847-367-6640, or visit www.LCFPD.org. For information about burials at Fort Sheridan Cemetery, call Joe Rafferty, Cemetery Supervisor at 847-615-0232.

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For more information on our Partner Agencies:

For Ravinia Garden Club:
Marilyn Alaimo, Co-Chairman, 847-234-0426

For VFW Highwood Post 4741:
Thomas Schmit, Post Commander, 847-681-0606

Hastings Lake Opens

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:00:01 GMT

The 255-acre Hastings Lake Forest Preserve near Lake Villa will open to the public on Saturday, June 16.

Visitors can enjoy over one mile of mowed grass trail and connecting asphalt trail for hiking and nature observation, and for cross-country skiing this winter. The temporary trail encircles open areas and woodlands. A gravel parking area with trail access is located on Gelden Road, just off of Grass Lake Road.

A rise on the west side of the property offers panoramic views of the Preserve’s oval-shaped 80-acre lake with 12,000 feet of shoreline. The lake is surrounded by fields, woodlands and wetlands. Hike-in access and shore fishing on Hastings Lake is also permitted. Bluegill, largemouth bass, carp, and other species can be found in the lake.

As part of Hasting Lake’s Master Plan process currently underway, future public access improvements and amenities include potential recreational opportunities focused around the lake, and restoration efforts for the site’s wetlands and woodlands. Lake County Forest Preserve Committee-approved Public Open Houses will also be held over the next year to help gather community input on these future plans.

In 1923, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago purchased Hastings Lake as a camp and recreational facility. They continue to retain an indoor pool and surrounding 11 acres.

In 2003, the Lake County Forest Preserves purchased the remaining 255 acres, which is now known as Hastings Lake Forest Preserve. A $750,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois helped offset acquisition costs.

Coyote Presentation Available for Community Groups

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:01 GMT

"Coyote (Canis latrans)" is the title of an informative and interesting presentation about the history and characteristics of this fascinating, and often misunderstood, species. The presentation is being offered by the Lake County Forest Preserves as part of their Speakers Bureau program.

Presented by professional Forest Preserve environmental education staff and wildlife biologists, the Coyote presentation is free for school or community groups. To reserve a speaker for the new Coyote presentation, or for other Forest Preserve topics, contact Marie Shields at 847-968-3206 or mshields@co.lake.il.us. The presentation is also available for download from the Lake County Forest Preserve website at www.LCFPD.org. Go to Info and Media then Publications.

The new presentation teaches how to differentiate between coyotes and other wild dogs of the region. Viewers will also learn about the history of coyotes in this country and what role they play in Lake County's natural and urban areas. The presentation lasts about 15 minutes and includes ample time for questions. Copies of the Forest Preserve's free quarterly newsletter, Horizons, brochures about Coyotes and other helpful Forest Preserve materials are also distributed at the presentation.

For more programs, a calendar of events, and additional information about the Lake County Forest Preserves, call 847-367-6640 and request a free copy of Horizons.

Download Coyote Presentation

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Largest Forest Preserve Grows with Land Purchase

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 00:00:01 GMT

Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda will grow and improve following action taken by the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners at their January 16 meeting. The Board approved a resolution to purchase approximately 146.6 acres known as the Four Winds Golf Club for $14,500,000. The property is adjacent to Lakewood on Route 176, east of Fairfield Road in Fremont Township.

Already Lake County’s largest Forest Preserve at 2,602 acres, the purchase will increase Lakewood to 2,748 acres and provide a potential route for the proposed Millennium Trail extension from Bonner Road to Gilmer Road.

“To have a chance to expand Lakewood Forest Preserve and provide more public open space and regional trail connections in western Lake County is an opportunity the District could not pass up,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserve President. “By discontinuing the site’s current golf course operation and using the property for Forest Preserve recreational uses, we will be able to offer a greater public benefit. The site currently offers good road access and an existing network of well-maintained paths for hiking and biking. Its beautiful open spaces are ideal for future picnicking, fishing and other recreational uses.”

The site’s oak groves and wetlands could be restored to provide additional visual buffers and wildlife habitat between potential picnic areas and trails. There are many large trees and over one-eighth of the property is wetland or open water. High spots in the northeast part of the property provide attractive views.

The purchase meets many of the Lake County Forest Preserves adopted land acquisition goals, including protecting wildlife habitat, preserving native wetlands, providing trails and outdoor recreational opportunities, adding to existing preserves, protecting against flooding and improving water quality.

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NOTE TO EDITOR: Photos of the Four Winds property are available. To request, contact Susan Hawkins by calling 847-968-3207 or by sending email to shawkins@co.lake.il.us.

Forest Preserve President Re-Elected

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 00:00:01 GMT

At a special meeting on Monday, December 4, the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners elected their new President and Vice President. Bonnie Thomson Carter of Ingleside was re-elected President, and Angelo Kyle of Waukegan was elected Vice President. Both will serve a two-year term.

"I am deeply and sincerely grateful to again accept this great honor, and thank you for your consideration, kindness and support,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter. For the next two years, we will continue to acquire more land, provide clean and safe preserves and trails, preserve and protect our natural history, and create partnerships with other levels of government.”

“I know that my fellow Forest Preserve Commissioners each take their jobs seriously. Because of their hard work, we accomplished much during the past two years. By continuing our team spirit in working with our professional and loyal staff, we will meet the wishes of our constituents no matter where in Lake County they live,” said Carter.

“We will again see challenges ahead of us, but I have confidence that we will work together in a thoughtful process. I cherish this opportunity to serve as your representative, and look forward with excitement to providing residents with more opportunities to enjoy their preserves over the next two years,” said Carter.

President Carter has served as a County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner since 1996. She was originally elected Forest Preserve President in 2002 and re-elected in 2004. During her 10 years as a Forest Preserve Commissioner, she also served as Vice Chair of the Finance and Administrative Committee, and member of the Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee, the Development, Restoration and Planning Committee, and the Revenue Facilities Committee.

Vice President Angelo Kyle has served as a County Board member and Forest Preserve Commissioner since 1990. During his 16 years as a Forest Preserve Commissioner, he has previously served as Vice President from 1992 to 1994, as Vice Chair of the Development, Restoration and Planning Committee for several years, and as member of many other committees.

Together, President Carter and Vice President Kyle represent 26 years of public service to the residents of Lake County as members of the Forest Preserve Board. As the newly elected Forest Preserve leadership team, they will oversee 25,300 acres of Forest Preserve land, 188 full-time and 386 part-time and seasonal employees, and a fiscal year 2006-2007 budget of $96,332,010.

The Lake County Forest Preserve District was created by referendum in 1958. Its boundaries are the same as those of Lake County. The Forest Preserve District is managed by an elected Board, made up of 23 Commissioners who also serve as members of the Lake County Board.

Online Database Offers Free Images of Lake County Plants and Animals

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:00:01 GMT

A new free online database offers high quality photos of native Lake County wildlife and plants for educational and informational use, courtesy of the Lake County Forest Preserves. Funding for the database was provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Internet users can access the database at www.LakeCountySpecies.org or by way of a link from the Lake County Forest Preserve District's website at www.LCFPD.org.

The database includes photos and information covering over 400 native species. Website visitors can search, filter and sort information by scientific or common name, habitat type, Lake County abundance and other attributes. Several images are provided for most species, many of which are public domain or free for educational and informational use. The new database should prove to be a valuable resource for local teachers and students, libraries, conservation organizations, the media and members of the general public.

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 newsletter or visit on-line at www.LCFPD.org.

Land Purchase Protects State Natural Area; Creates New Black Crown Forest Preserve in Western Lake County

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:01 GMT

Creating a new 134-acre Forest Preserve in western Lake County, protecting a state-owned natural area and providing a link for a regional trail system were among important measures approved by the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their meeting on July 21.

The Forest Preserve Board approved the purchase of 134 acres in Wauconda Township for $6,312,778 and approved naming the site Black Crown Forest Preserve. The land buy creates a new Forest Preserve in western Lake County, protects natural resources for wildlife, provides outdoor recreation opportunities and secures a route for the statewide Grand Illinois Trail.

The purchase adjoins Black Crown Marsh, an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) holding in McHenry County. The new Forest Preserve helps protect the Black Crown Marsh wetland complex and provide future opportunities for trail connections and access for Lake County residents to public recreation lands in McHenry County, including the 2,200-acre Moraine Hills State Park.

The 134-acre parcel is part of a larger 245-acre property, currently known as the Oakmount Game Club, located on the boundary of Lake and McHenry Counties. Though the property is split nearly evenly between the two counties, the property owner required that the entire 245-acre parcel be sold as one transaction.

Through a cooperative purchase agreement guided by the nonprofit Corporation for Open Lands (CorLands), the land buying affiliate of Openlands of Chicago, the 245-acre property is being purchased by CorLands on behalf of the Lake County Forest Preserves and the IDNR. CorLands will then immediately resell the 134-acre portion that is in Lake County to the Forest Preserve District. CorLands will hold and resell the remaining 111-acres in McHenry County to the IDNR.

The 245-acre parcel adjoins the 628-acre Black Crown Marsh wetland complex, effectively expanding that site to 873 acres and creating an opportunity to establish and maintain prime habitat for wetland species. Located adjacent to the Black Crown Marsh is the 2,200-acre Moraine Hills State Park, another IDNR holding. These open areas combine to create a 3,073-acre stretch of open space in Lake and McHenry Counties for outdoor recreation and wildlife habitat.

“It has always been our hope to preserve this land to give further protection to Black Crown Marsh. Doing so allows the Forest Preserve District to play an important role in regional preservation of our natural resources and to expand public open space in western Lake County,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserve President. “This purchase demonstrates great cooperation and strong partnerships between agencies that are focused on the same mission of preserving land while it is still available. I am excited to support something that has such long-lasting benefits for wildlife and people.”

“The need to permanently protect Black Crown Marsh provides a perfect opportunity for CorLands to utilize its expertise in land acquisition to assist the Lake County Forest Preserve District in acquiring a significant natural resource that is under intense development pressure,” said Jerry Adelmann, CorLands Executive Director. “Adding this property to the existing publicly owned marshlands will provide increased access for the public, preserve a better-quality habitat for endangered bird species, and begin to provide the scale needed for ecological restoration work.”

This acquisition is the first using bond funds approved by the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners in fall of 2005. Over 25,200 acres in Lake County are currently owned or managed as Forest Preserves.

About the Proposed Black Crown Forest Preserve

The land buy is an important acquisition in western Lake County, an area of rapid development and population growth. The property is located in Wauconda Township, south of Illinois Route 120, west of Darrell Road and north of Dowell Road. The Lake and McHenry County line borders the western side of the property.

The land consists mostly of rolling topography, upland buffer areas and agricultural fields. A large clubhouse building is also on the property. The land is located on the eastern edge of the Black Crown Marsh wetland complex, which houses 238 acres of wetland and 390 acres of upland buffer. The wetland is of such high quality that it is classified as an Advanced Identification (ADID) wetland. Roughly nine threatened and endangered bird species inhabit the marsh, including the Black-crowned Night-Heron, Osprey, Black Tern, Common Moorhen, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Pied-billed Grebe, Sandhill Crane and Yellow-headed Blackbird. The large extent of the marsh’s wetland complex is significan, and maintaining its character and quality is dependent on preserving the upland buffer areas, including those on the Oakmount Game Club property.

Purchasing this land also provides a Lake County route for the statewide Grand Illinois Trail. Today, this trail is nearly complete and travels almost 500 miles through large cities, small rural towns and natural areas. It will enter Lake County at the McHenry County line near the land purchase and will travel east where it will connect with the Forest Preserve District’s Millennium Trail at Singing Hills Forest Preserve near Volo.

Other Transaction Details

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) has future plans to realign Dowell Road through the southeast portion of the 134-acre property. They will need to acquire approximately three-to-four acres from the Forest Preserve for road right-of-way. Road construction is anticipated to take place near the end of this decade.

In July 2005, the Lake County Forest Preserves received a $20,000 bequest from the estate of Harry M. Vawter for the acquisition of new lands. As part of the recommendation, the Board approved applying funds from this bequest toward the purchase of this new property.

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NOTE: Photos and an aerial map of the 134-acre purchase are available. To request, contact Catherine Savage by calling 847-968-3208 or by sending email to csavage@co.lake.il.us

Lake County Forest Preserves Education Manager Receives Prestigious Award

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County Forest Preserves Environmental Education Manager, Nan Buckardt, was awarded the prestigious Malcolm D. Swan Award for Outstanding Service from the Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI). EEAI is a statewide network of conservationists and educators that promotes quality environmental education throughout the state.

The Malcolm D. Swan Award is given annually and recognizes an individual’s outstanding contribution to the field of environmental education in Illinois. Buckardt was chosen for her dedication to environmental education, as demonstrated through more than 20 years of service and leadership at the Lake County Forest Preserves.

“Educating young people about nature is core to the mission of the Lake County Forest Preserves,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Forest Preserve President. “Talented leaders like Nan are crucial to the advancement of that mission.”

Buckardt joined the Lake County Forest Preserves in 1984 as a Naturalist. She was later promoted to her current position of Environmental Education Manager where she has been instrumental in producing award-winning programs for school-age children. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Teacher Education from Northern Illinois University. Buckardt and her husband, Al, reside in Deerfield with their three children.

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Forest Preserve Land Purchases and Donation

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners added 81.43 acres to existing Forest Preserves by approving two land purchases and accepting a land donation at their June meeting.

Des Plaines River Greenway Additions

The Forest Board approved the purchase of 16.47 acres in the Villages of Mettawa and Libertyville for $10,000 per acre totaling approximately $164,700. Known as the MacArthur Property, this addition to the Des Plaines River Greenway includes several types of high quality natural woodlands located along the Des Plaines River between MacArthur Woods and Old School Forest Preserves.

Acceptance of a 22.5-acre land donation that will make another addition to the Des Plaines River Greenway also was approved by Forest Preserve Commissioners. Indian Creek Investors, Inc., will donate the property located in the Village of Lincolnshire near the intersection of Half Day Road (Route 22) and Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21), as required in conjunction with regulatory approval of a commercial development on adjoining property. The property donor also will pay for restoration and mitigation of wetlands and uplands on the site. The land is located along the existing route of the Des Plaines River Trail and adjacent to the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort.

Heron Creek Addition

In Ela Township near the Village of Long Grove, a 42.46-acre addition to Heron Creek Forest Preserve was approved at a cost not to exceed $3,624,570. The purchase will enlarge Heron Creek to 143 acres from its current 101 acres. The additional space will enhance the design of new trails, picnic shelters and other public facilities being planned for the preserve. Heron Creek is located south of Route 22 and west of Old McHenry Road. The Heron Creek purchase fulfills Forest Preserve land acquisition goals of protecting wildlife habitat; preserving native wetlands, woodlands and prairies; providing recreational sites; protecting water quality; providing flood control protection; and providing trail opportunities.

“This is one of the last remaining opportunities in south-central Lake County to add to an existing Forest Preserve. We had to act quickly to preserve this land while it was still available,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “It’s a great addition because it will allow us to offer better trails and facilities for people to enjoy in the future.”

The two land purchases and one land donation approved in June increase the number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 45.

About the Lake County Forest Preserves

We currently manage over 25,000 acres of land and offer innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages. Visitors enjoy nearly 124 miles of trails for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, fishing, boating and other public access to many rivers and lakes, award-winning nature and history education programs and events, and three public golf courses.

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 newsletter or visit us on-line.

Catalog of Postcard Gifts Now Available

Wed, 31 May 2006 00:00:01 GMT

A unique catalog of gifts for postcard aficionados is now available from the Curt Teich Postcard Archives in Wauconda, home of the world’s largest public collection of postcards. Download a catalog from the Teich Archives’ website at www.TeichArchives.org, or request a copy by mail by calling 847-968-3381. The Curt Teich Postcard Archives is part of the Lake County Discovery Museum.

The catalog offers a variety of reproduction postcards and postcard-related items. Vintage postcard reproductions cover subject matter ranging from the whimsical (“Alligator Chorus in Downtown Louisiana”) to the historic (1906 Chicago White Sox team photo).

Six different sets of original fine-art postcard reproductions are also available. Each set is comprised of the 12 winning entries from a past year of the Postcard Art Competition and Exhibition (PACE), sponsored by the Teich Archives. The bi-annual event honors the postcard as an art form and challenges artists from around the country to create original works of art in 4"x 6" postcard size.

Five colorful books of tear-out postcards feature nostalgic images of diners, old movie theaters, Art Deco skyscrapers, amusement parks and the seashore on ready-to-mail, tear-out postcards. Each book is arranged by theme. Commemorative posters and postcard-related gift items are also offered. Prices start at under $1. Friends of the Lake County Discovery Museum members enjoy a discount on their purchases.

The Curt Teich Postcard Archives is the largest public collection of postcards and related materials in the world. The core collection in the Teich Archives, acquired by the Lake County Discovery Museum in 1982, is the industrial archives of the Curt Teich Company of Chicago, which operated from 1898 to 1978 as the world's largest printer of view and advertising postcards. The company was founded by Curt Otto Teich (1877 - 1974), who immigrated to the United States from Lobenstein, Germany in 1896. The company saved examples of every image printed, as well as company records and the original production materials for each postcard.

The Teich Archives consists of millions of images relating to 10,000 towns and cities primarily in the United States and Canada, but including more than 87 other foreign countries. More than 365,000 images are cataloged in the Archives, and 20,000 of these are available online at www.digitalpast.org.

To download a copy of the catalog or for more information about images in the Curt Teich Postcard Archives, visit www.TeichArchives.org. Items in the catalog are also available for purchase at the gift shop of the Lake County Discovery Museum. The Curt Teich Postcard Archives and Lake County Discovery Museum are located in Lakewood Forest Preserve, just west of Fairfield Road in Wauconda, IL.

Forest Preserves in Northern Lake County Grow and Improve

Fri, 21 Apr 2006 00:00:01 GMT

Two Forest Preserves in northern Lake County will grow and improve following approvals by the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their April meeting. The Board added land to Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve and approved construction of trails and other facilities at Raven Glen Forest Preserve. Both Preserves are located in north-central Lake County between the villages of Antioch and Old Mill Creek.

Ethel’s Woods Addition

The Forest Board purchased a 7-acre addition to Ethel’s Woods for $499,000, expanding the Preserve to 477 acres. The new land is located on Miller Road, east of Route 45 and south of Route 173, and may serve as a future Preserve entrance and a trailhead.

The purchase increases the number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 42. It also meets many of the land acquisition goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to protect valuable natural resources, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, protect against flooding, and preserve new large sites. Over 25,000 acres in Lake County are currently owned or managed as Forest Preserves.

Raven Glen Improvements

Public access improvements will soon be underway at Raven Glen. The Board awarded a contract for construction of trails and other public access improvements to Landscape Concepts Construction of Richmond, Illinois. Project costs of $1,089,626 are underwritten in part by a $400,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois.

Beginning May 1, the temporary parking area and mowed trail at Raven Glen will close to public access as improvement work begins. The Preserve is expected to reopen in spring 2007.

Site improvements include a 40-car asphalt parking area and a gravel parking area for equestrian trailers; a 1.9-mile multi-use trail corridor consisting of a 12-foot-wide gravel trail for hiking and biking and a parallel 12-foot-wide mowed path for horses; and two fishing piers on Pollack Lake. A comfort station is already in place, and a hand-pump and well will be constructed through a separate contract.

Located on the west side of Route 45 just south of Route 173 and adjacent to Ethel’s Woods, this 544-acre Preserve features gently rolling hills with oak and hickory woodlands, the scenic 33-acre Pollack Lake, and two smaller ponds connected by a stream and wetlands. With a sandy base, Pollack Lake supports two state-listed fish: the Iowa Darter and the Black Chin Shiner. The southern portion of the Preserve was a dairy farm consisting mostly of rolling cropland, a farmstead and a stream. Fields here continue to be farmed.

About the Lake County Forest Preserves

We currently manage over 25,000 acres of land and offer innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages. Visitors enjoy nearly 124 miles of trail for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, fishing ponds and lakes, public access to the Fox River, award-winning nature and history education programs and events, and three public golf courses.

Additional Information

For Raven Glen project updates, visit the Lake County Forest Preserves website at www.LCFPD.org, or call the Forest Preserve Planning Office at 847-680-6301. 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 newsletter or visit us on-line.

Raven Glen Improvements

Tanager Kames: New Forest Preserve on Chain O' Lakes

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 00:00:01 GMT

Preserving one of Lake County’s best remaining natural areas and creating a new Forest Preserve in northwestern Lake County were among the top actions taken by the Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners at their March 17 meeting.

The Board approved purchase of 130 acres near Fox Lake for $5,095,000 and approved naming the site Tanager Kames Forest Preserve. This land buy increases the number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 41. Over 25,000 acres in Lake County are currently owned or managed as Forest Preserves.

Tanager Kames is an important acquisition in northwestern Lake County, an area of rapid development and population growth. The property is located in Grant Township west of Highway 12 and Route 59 and north of Big Hollow Road. It lies between Redhead Lake and Myers Bay of Pistakee Lake in the Chain O’ Lakes waterway, and is one half mile north of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Volo Bog Nature Preserve.

“I am very excited about this land purchase and the opportunity to preserve a site that ranks among the most important natural resource sites in the County,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “It’s hard to believe a site like this still exists in Lake County. It is a quiet and peaceful refuge for people and wildlife, and the views are spectacular. Its location on the Chain O’ Lakes waterway makes it an ideal setting for passive outdoor recreation, nature observation and wildlife habitat restoration.”

The new Preserve is considered one of the best remaining natural communities in Lake County because of its distinctive geology, it’s high-quality natural features, and the presence of several unique species occurring in large numbers indicating low levels of site disturbance.

The property is surrounded on three sides by lakes and marshes, called kettles, formed as glaciers retreated. Wooded knolls that form three hills on the site are called kames, ridges of sand and gravel also left by melting glaciers. These conditions and the fact that the site has been relatively protected, make it a vital acquisition for the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The center kame consists of a gravel hill that would provide excellent nesting habitat for snakes and turtles and a beautiful high vista of Redhead and Pistakee Lakes. It also presents a rare opportunity to restore a 17-acre dry gravel hill prairie, a critically important natural plant community for the Chicago region.

Combined, the three knolls make up about 45 acres. The two smaller wooded knolls consist mostly of oaks, hickories and basswoods with an understory of sedges, grasses, ferns and forbs. The presence of species like Wild Geranium, Wood Rush and Bellwort indicate excellent quality and potential for restoration. The open woodlands provide habitat for many woodland bird species including the Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, Eastern Bluebird, Crested Flycatcher, Brown Creeper and others.

The wetlands make up about 85 acres of the site and consist of a mix of plant communities including sedge meadow, seeps, marsh, and aquatic beds. Several unique species occur in large numbers here, which indicates quality that is extremely rare in the Chicago region and especially for the Chain O’ Lakes. The aquatic beds on Redhead Lake are of significant quality for this area and include white and yellow water lilies.

The large expanses of wetlands provide important buffer habitat to shorelines and food and shelter for fish, waterfowl and wetland-dependent bird species such as the Sandhill Crane, Least Bittern, Pie-billed Grebes, Common Moorhens, Black Rails, Virginia Rails and Marsh Wrens.

The interface of wetlands and woodlands provides important habitat for several amphibian and reptile species. Reptile species could include the Smooth Green Snake, Redbelly Snake, Graham’s Crayfish Snake, Spiny Softshell Turtle, Eastern Box Turtle and the Blanding’s Turtle. Amphibians species like Eastern Newts, Tiger Salamanders, Bull Frogs and Gray Treefrogs could also likely be found here.

The land purchase is one of very few parcels on the Chain O’ Lakes that is available for protection. It meets many of the land acquisition goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to protect valuable natural resources, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, protect against flooding, and preserve new large sites.

The Lake County Forest Preserves currently manage over 25,000 acres of land and offer innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages. Visitors enjoy nearly 124 miles of trail for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, fishing ponds and lakes, public access to the Fox River, award-winning nature and history education programs and events, and three public golf courses. Facilities of special interest include Independence Grove near Libertyville, Ryerson Conservation Area near Deerfield, Lake County Discovery Museum near Wauconda, Greenbelt Cultural Center near Waukegan, and three golf courses (Brae Loch near Grayslake, Countryside near Mundelein and ThunderHawk near Beach Park).

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 newsletter.

Foundation to Support Independence Grove Play Area

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves and The Lexi Kazian Foundation announced cooperation on a new play area at Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville at a meeting of the Forest Preserve Finance and Administrative Committee on Friday, February 10.

The Forest Preserve Finance and Administrative Committee approved a proposal to accept the donation toward the play equipment and forwarded it for final action at the meeting of the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners on February 17.

The new Children’s Grove play area at Independence Grove Forest Preserve, currently under construction, features a unique layout where children with or without disabilities can learn and play together side by side, including play equipment especially designed for handicap accessibility and adaptability. An architect's rendering of the play area is available for download.

“We’re excited to work with the Lexi Kazian Foundation on the Children’s Grove play area to create something that all Lake County families can enjoy together,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The Board of Commissioners of the Lake County Forest Preserves approved the design in November 2005 at an estimated cost of $500,000. Subsequently, the Lexi Kazian Foundation contacted the District to express interest in raising and donating private funds in support of handicap accessible and adaptable playground facilities. The Lexi Kazian Foundation has proposed to donate $75,000 or more toward such playground facilities at Independence Grove.

About the Lexi Kazian Foundation

The Lexi Kazian Foundation’s mission is to help benefit children with special needs in Lake County and surrounding areas by raising funds to accomplish the three following initiatives:

An equipment lending network: therapy and mobility equipment that is no longer being used by children and therapists will be collected and given to families and children who are waiting for their equipment to arrive or who can not afford to purchase new equipment.
Special-needs playground equipment: donations will help fund the construction of specialized playground equipment at parks in Northern Illinois.
Family-fun community events: community events will be organized to allow families who have children with special-needs to get to know each other as friends, resources and support systems.

To donate toward the Lexi Kazian Foundation’s support of the Children’s Grove play area at Independence Grove or for additional information about the Foundation, please call Kris Kazian at 847-778-0411, send e-mail to kris@helpingfromheaven.org, or visit the Foundation’s website at www.helpingfromheaven.org.

Proposed Dedication Agreement Provides Missing Link in Millennium Trail Route

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 00:00:01 GMT

Approving an agreement to secure an important connection for the Millennium Trail and adding 10 acres to Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve in southwest Lake County were among actions approved by the Lake County Forest Preserves Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee at their October 6 meeting.

Millennium Trail Link Provided by Agreement with Village of Wauconda

An agreement with the Village of Wauconda to dedicate a 45-acre parcel will provide a large tract of land needed for the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Millennium Trail at a minimal cost to the District.

“I am so excited about this agreement and what it means for the people in western Lake County. This dedication will allow us to connect Singing Hills Forest Preserve to the existing 8.4-mile segment of the Millennium Trail in place from Gossell Road in Wauconda to Hawley Road in Mundelein,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “The public really benefits from this agreement. It shows what can be accomplished when agencies join forces as community partners.”

The cost to the District to obtain the parcel will be limited to legal fees and the cost of a survey and an environmental assessment that will be completed prior to closing. The agreement to dedicate the property was negotiated between the Forest Preserve District and the Village of Wauconda, and has already been approved and signed by the Village.

The parcel is located between Gilmer and Gossell Roads entirely within the Village of Wauconda in Wauconda Township. This 45-acre parcel will make it possible for the Forest Preserves to construct the 1.5-mile link needed to close a gap in the Millennium Trail’s route. Trail construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2006. When complete, an uninterrupted 11 mile section of the Millennium Trail will be available for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.

Currently, a 1.1-mile trail section is open from Gilmer Road through Singing Hills Forest Preserve. A second 8.4-mile segment is open from Gossell Road south through Lakewood Forest Preserve and east to Hawley Road in Mundelein. Trailhead access is available at Lakewood’s Shelter A on Ivanhoe Road and the Winter Sports area parking on Fairfield Road, both just south of Route 176. An additional trailhead is located at Singing Hills, on Fish Lake Road, just north of Gilmer Road. Elsewhere in Lake County, other sections of the Millennium Trail are open. A section of the trail at Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve connects with bike paths in Grayslake and Round Lake. Another separate, one-mile section of the Millennium Trail is in place connecting the Forest Preserves’ Bonner Heritage Farm to McDonald Woods Forest Preserve near Lindenhurst.

Addition to Cuba Marsh, Barrington

The Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee also approved the purchase of a 10-acre addition to Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve near Barrington at a cost of $104,700. The proposed addition is located east of Lake Zurich Road, south of Cuba Road and west of Ela Road. It would expand Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve to 792 acres.

The parcel is located along the eastern portion of the land that once served as headquarters for what is now Jewel-Osco. The Jewel Tea property was acquired in 2002 by the Barrington Park District and is being developed as Citizens Park. After acquisition, the Forest Preserve District and the Barrington Park District will share a 1,600-foot border. Together with Citizens Park, there will be an 837-acre expanse of public land providing a range of active and passive recreational opportunities.

A contract to purchase the property has been negotiated between the Forest Preserve District and the Barrington Park District and that agreement has been approved and signed by the Barrington Park District.

The proposed Millennium Trail link and Cuba Marsh addition both meet the adopted land acquisition goals of protecting wildlife habitat; preserving native wetlands, woodlands and prairies; providing recreational sites; protecting threatened and endangered species; protecting water quality; providing flood control protection; providing trail opportunities; and saving new large refuges.

Next Steps in Approval Process

The proposed land transactions will now be sent to the Forest Preserve Finance and Administrative Committee on Friday, October 7, and to the Board of Commissioners for consideration at their October 14 meeting. If approved, the new land buys would increase the number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 42 and would bring the total acres owned or managed as Forest Preserves in Lake County to approximately 25,471.

Agreement with Lake Forest Could Add Up to 25 Acres to Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve

Fri, 19 Aug 2005 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County Forest Preserve District Commissioners are negotiating a cooperative agreement with the City of Lake Forest and several other partners that could add up to 25 acres to Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve in Lake Forest. Lake Forest Open Lands Association, working in concert with the City of Lake Forest, spearheaded this conservation effort.

“Both the Land Preservation Committee and the Finance and Administrative Committee have reached consensus that they would like to work with the City of Lake Forest, Lake Forest Open Lands Association, and other potential partners on this issue,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “It should allow everyone to get something of great value for the public at a reasonable cost, and will allow the Forest Preserve District to protect some high quality natural areas.”

Negotiations with the City of Lake Forest and other partners are underway, with an agreement expected to come before the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners for approval this fall. The property covered by the agreement was previously under consideration for a COSTCO development. The current concept would result in the Lake County Forest Preserves purchasing up to 25 acres of high quality habitat along the western edge of the 576-acre Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve at a cost of $50,000 per acre.

Much of Middlefork Savanna is dedicated and protected as an Illinois Nature Preserve and is considered as one of the highest quality tallgrass savanna habitats remaining in North America.

If an agreement is approved this fall by the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners, the Middlefork Savanna addition would increase the number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 41 and bring the total acres owned or managed as Forest Preserves in Lake County up to approximately 25,333.

Land Purchase Adds to Singing Hills Forest Preserve

Fri, 19 Aug 2005 00:00:01 GMT

At their August 19 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a 40-acre addition to Singing Hills Forest Preserve near Volo at a cost of $2,800,000.

The 40-acre purchase, known as the Kurylko property, is an important expansion of the adjoining 550-acre Singing Hills Forest Preserve. The addition meets Forest Preserve land acquisition goals of protecting wildlife habitat, preserving native wetlands, woodlands and prairies, protecting water quality, providing flood control and enlarging existing preserves. The property is located in Wauconda Township in west-central Lake County, east of Fish Lake Road and south of Route 60.

The new addition to Singing Hills includes a wooded knoll, with large bur and red oaks that could be restored as an oak savanna with abundant wildflowers. It also features a three-acre pond and important buffer areas for an ADID wetland that extends into the main part of Singing Hills. The property was one of the Forest Preserve District’s highest priorities for acquisition because of the high quality natural resources found on the site and its role as buffer for adjacent natural areas at Singing Hills.

The contract has a Life Estate allowing the current homeowner to retain use of their home, an adjacent outbuilding and surrounding three acres.

“I am very excited about this purchase to expand Singing Hills Forest Preserve, located in one of the fastest growing areas of our county,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “The natural resources on this new site are wonderful and it will help protect the forests and wetlands already found at Singing Hills.”

The new land buy increases the number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 40 and brings the total acres owned or managed as Forest Preserves in Lake County to approximately 25,308.

Meadowview Stables Evaluation Report Positive

Fri, 12 Aug 2005 00:00:01 GMT

Meadowview Stables at Grainger Woods Conservation Preserve in Mettawa was highly rated by an equestrian operations consultant in an evaluation report released by the Lake County Forest Preserve District on August 12. The report also included recommendations for future improvements at the facility.

The Forest Preserve District had hired Debbie Kelly of Hanover, Illinois, to evaluate conditions and business practices at Meadowview Stables, which is operated by a private concessionaire under a license agreement with the District. Meadowview Stables is located on St. Mary’s Road at the intersection of Route 60 and is part of Grainger Woods Conservation Preserve, a Lake County Forest Preserve. Between 60 and 70 horses are boarded at the stables.

“Forest Preserve Commissioners seriously considered concerns presented to them earlier this year by local residents about Meadowview Stables. We hired an independent consultant with expertise in stable operations to review the issues,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

“We recognize that no situation is perfect for everyone, but we now have an objective summary of what’s working right and what can be improved. Most importantly, we received independent confirmation that our licensed concessionaire is operating a facility that is safe and comfortable for the horses and people who use it. We’ll follow up with the concessionaire at Meadowview on the report’s recommendations to make sure that the stables continue to be a quality facility and improve to provide even better service to the public in the future,” said Carter.

The equestrian consultant’s report found:

Meadowview meets the standards of a first quality operation as required by the license agreement with the Lake County Forest Preserve District;
Safety standards are met to ensure the well-being of the horses, boarders and staff; and
Business practices are within normal operating procedures for commercial equestrian operations and comply with terms of the license agreement with the Forest Preserve District.

The District had contracted for the evaluation of Meadowview Stables in response to comments made by some previous boarders and area residents earlier this year. The consultant determined that Meadowview is being properly run and noted that it is common to have similar types of comments and complaints among some boarders at all horse stables. The consultant did make a series of recommendations regarding potential enhancements at the stable, but did state that Meadowview was properly run as currently operated and maintained.

Meadowview Stables is owned by Sonia Levitsky and since March 1997 has been operated under a license agreement with the Lake County Forest Preserve District. The District owns the stable buildings and surrounding grounds as part of Grainger Woods Conservation Preserve.

Register Online For Forest Preserve Shelters, Dog Areas & Programs

Fri, 29 Jul 2005 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves’ website, www.LCFPD.org, now offers online registration for Forest Preserve picnic shelters, dog exercise areas and educational programs.

“Allowing people to reserve a shelter or buy a dog exercise area permit online anytime of the day or week will be a great convenience,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President. “We expect that it also will increase attendance for our award-winning Forest Preserve hikes and programs about nature and history.”

The new online reservation and registration system is the latest addition to the Lake County Forest Preserves’ comprehensive website at www.LCFPD.org. The website hosted nearly 60,000 visitors during June and another 70,000 visitors during July. Reservations and permits will continue to also be available in-person and by telephone, fax and mail.

Website visitors can search for any of 24 Forest Preserve picnic shelters by date and location, and can reserve and pay for a shelter with a credit card. They also can purchase annual or daily permits for use of the four dog exercise areas operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves. Permits are also available online for riding privately owned horses on Forest Preserve trails throughout Lake County and for use of the model airplane field at Van Patten Woods.

A complete calendar of upcoming educational programs, exhibits and special events for all ages and interests is searchable by date, age, topic and location. Website visitors can register themselves and their family members for lively and entertaining guided hikes and programs about nature, history and culture.

For picnic shelter reservations, dog exercise area registration and other permit sales, please visit online at www.LCFPD.org or call the General Offices of the Lake County Forest Preserves at 847-367-6640. Program calendars and registration information are available online or by calling the Program Registration Office at 847-968-3321.

Libertyville Dog Exercise Area Named 'Best Dog Park' by North Shore Magazine

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:01 GMT

North Shore Magazine named the Independence Grove Dog Exercise Area “Best Dog Park” in their annual “Best of the North Shore” issue dated July 2005. The 30-acre off-leash area near Libertyville is one of five designated dog areas in Lake County managed by the Lake County Forest Preserves. While dogs are not allowed on the trails at Independence Grove Forest Preserve, they are welcome to run, play and swim at the Dog Exercise Area located just outside of the Preserve on Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21), just north of Buckley Road (Route 137).

The Lake County Forest Preserve Dog Exercise Areas are fenced locations where dogs can socialize and run off-leash. Originally developed to provide a site for specialized activity training, the Dog Exercise Areas have become enormously popular for recreational use as well. Over 5,000 local dog owners have purchased an annual permit to date in 2005. The four Dog Exercise Areas are located at Duck Farm Forest Preserve (Lindenhurst), Lakewood Forest Preserve (Wauconda), Prairie Wolf Forest Preserve (Lake Forest) and Independence Grove (Libertyville). A special area for dog sledding and skijoring is available at Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve (Waukegan). A separate annual permit is required.

The 30-acre Dog Exercise Area at Independence Grove features mowed trails, fields, wooded areas and a large pond for swimming and retrieving games. It is fenced on three sides (the Des Plaines River closes off the fourth side) and has access to the Des Plaines River Trail (DPRT). When entering the DPRT from the Dog Exercise Area, dogs must be leashed and remain on the trail at all times.

Permits are required and are good for access at any of the four Lake County Forest Preserves Dog Exercise Areas. Daily permits are $5 for Lake County residents and available at a self-pay station located in the parking lot of each Dog Exercise Area. Annual permits are $44 for the first dog (Lake County residents) and $18 for each additional dog in the same household. Permits are available by mail, fax or in person. Download an application from this website. Permits are sold at the Lake County Forest Preserve General Offices at 2000 North Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or the Operations Office in Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda, Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check, Visa, MasterCard, or cash are welcome. You will need to know your dog’s rabies tag number and your vehicle license plate number(s).

About the Lake County Forest Preserves

The Lake County Forest Preserves manage more than 25,000 acres of land and provide innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages. The Forest Preserves offer visitors nearly 112 miles of trail for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, fishing ponds and lakes, public access to the Fox River, award-winning nature and history education programs and events, and five public golf courses. Facilities of special interest include Independence Grove near Libertyville, Ryerson Conservation Area near Deerfield, Lake County Discovery Museum near Wauconda, Greenbelt Cultural Center near Waukegan, and ThunderHawk Golf Club near Beach Park.

Refunding of Forest Preserve Bonds Will Save $2.25 Million

Fri, 17 Jun 2005 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners announced today that Lake County taxpayers will save more than $2,250,000 in interest payments through the sale of $35 million in Series 2005 general obligation “refunding bonds.” The Forest Preserve Board approved an ordinance in May authorizing the refunding of some of the Series 1999 general obligation bonds, and on June 13, the refunding bonds were sold.

There is a high market demand for the Forest Preserves’ AAA rated bonds. Speer Financial, Inc., the District’s financial advisor, conducted the sale and received nine bids. It is the first time since the 1980s that the District conducted a national competitive bid process for the sale of bonds. This obtained the lowest possible interest rate available at the time of the sale and the bonds were sold at an interest rate of 3.86 percent.

"We will minimize interest paid by taking advantage of refunding bonds that were issued in 1999 at a lower interest rate,” stated Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserves President. “It’s a win-win situation. Now is a good time to sell bonds and it is in our financial best interest to do what ever we can to maximize the savings for taxpayers.

Current interest rates on tax-exempt bonds are under five percent for 20-year bonds. The process is very similar to bond refunding conducted by the Forest Preserves in 1992, 1997, 2001 and 2003. The last bond refunding in 2003 saved taxpayers over $1.6 million.

Bond Ratings at Highest Possible Level

Standard and Poor’s rating of AAA and Moody’s rating of Aaa for the Lake County Forest Preserves is a mark of the District’s strong fiscal health, which is a result of the District’s solid tax base growth and strong financial operations. The rating also credits the Forest Preserve District’s diversified and expanding economic base and revenue sources, sound financial management, high level of reserves and moderate debt burden. Both Moody’s (Aaa rating) and Standard and Poor’s (AAA rating) have assigned their highest rating to the District Bonds.

Board Approves Land Purchase, Creates and Names New Preserve

Fri, 20 May 2005 00:00:01 GMT

More land was preserved and a large new Forest Preserve in north central Lake County near Antioch was created and named Pine Dunes by the Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners at their May 20 meeting.

The Board approved purchase of 40 acres near Antioch for $1,320,000. They also approved combining this land buy with two recently acquired and adjoining properties to create one new 223-acre Forest Preserve to be named Pine Dunes.

The 40-acre purchase, known as the Hayden property, is an important expansion of the adjoining 153-acre DuTemple property purchased in October 2004 and another 30-acre southern addition purchased in February 2005. Now combined, these three properties create Pine Dunes Forest Preserve, which is located in an area of northern Lake County that is experiencing rapid population growth.

The Hayden property is in Newport Township on the west side of Hunt Club Road north of Edwards Road. Illinois Route 173 is south of the property and Interstate 94 is to the east. The Hayden property’s location provides the added benefit of public road access to the new Preserve.

“I am very excited about this land buy and the creation of Pine Dunes. This new and large Preserve is located in the heart of one of the fastest growing areas of our county,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “The variety of natural resources offers a true north woods experience and a great opportunity for seeing wildlife and enjoying the outdoors. In a Preserve of this size with good road access and scenic views, we will be able to create a spectacular trail system.”

The Hayden parcel features gently rolling topography and was home to a former Christmas tree farm. The property has two small ponds, scattered wetlands and upland woodlands. The wetlands are an extension of Advanced Identification (ADID) wetlands found on the DuTemple and southern addition properties. Acquiring this property now will help to maintain the integrity of this valuable wetland complex that totals 40 acres. The uplands consist of conifer and deciduous trees that surround open meadows and former Christmas tree areas.

This property is an ecologic and functional extension of the DuTemple property, which was listed as a “Priority One Site” by the Lake County Forest Preserves. This priority ranking recognizes the site’s good ecological value. Proper restoration will enhance wildlife habitat throughout the Preserve, and revitalize the savanna, wetland and upland plant communities that are rare in Lake County and in the entire Chicago region.

Purchase of the Hayden property increases the number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 39 and brings the total acres of land owned or managed as Forest Preserves in Lake County to approximately 25,268.

It also meets many of the land acquisition goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to protect valuable natural resources, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, protect against flooding, and preserve new large sites.

With this purchase, fewer than $7.5 million of dedicated land acquisition funds remain. The remaining funds are earmarked for four distinct acquisition projects that are critical to the Forest Preserves land preservation program.

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Forest Preserve Deputy Executive Director Named

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserve District named Andrew Kimmel as Deputy Executive Director, as part of management changes approved by the District’s Finance and Administrative Committee on April 8.

“I’m delighted that we can strengthen management of our Forest Preserves without increasing overall administrative costs,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “As the second largest Forest Preserve District in Illinois, we need to continue to look for creative solutions like this to increase our efficiency and effectiveness in serving the people of Lake County.”

“Andy has demonstrated that he understands and is committed to all facets of the District’s mission of preservation, restoration, education and recreation. I am confident this will continue. And these changes also will allow our Executive Director, Tom Hahn, to continue using his expertise in leading our land acquisition efforts,” said Carter.

Kimmel, age 46, joined the Lake County Forest Preserves in 1990 as Director of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. In that role, he oversaw creation of a comprehensive public information and marketing program and expansion of nature programming at Forest Preserves countywide. He played a lead role in several successful Forest Preserve referenda that were approved by voters to provide funds for purchasing new lands, restoring habitats, and making Forest Preserves safe and accessible for Lake County resident to enjoy. From September 2003 to March 2005, he also served as Acting Director of Cultural Resources for the Forest Preserves.

Kimmel has 24 years of professional experience with conservation, parks and outdoor recreation agencies, having previously worked as Assistant to the Director of the MetroParks serving Summit County in Akron, Ohio, and as Communications Coordinator for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. He has a Masters of Public Administration degree from Roosevelt University and a Bachelors of Science degree in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. He is an elected member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and a Certified Park and Recreation Professional. He and his family live in Libertyville.

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Lake County Forest Preserve Vice President Honored

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 00:00:01 GMT

Vice President of the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners, Pamela O. Newton, was recently recognized for her efforts to promote and improve forest preserves, conservation areas and public parks in Lake County, and throughout Illinois and the United States.

A proclamation honoring Newton was presented by Forest Preserve President Bonnie Thomson Carter at the March 18 meeting of the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners. Newton was newly elected in January 2005 to the prestigious position of Chairman of the Board for the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) to provide leadership to that important statewide organization during the coming year, and as the first Forest Preserve District or Conservation District Board Member to ever hold the post of IAPD Board Chairman.

“Pam has made many lasting personal and policy contributions at the local, county, regional and state levels in support of parks, recreation, conservation and the environment,” said Forest Preserve President Carter. “She has diligently represented the Forest Preserve District and its mission.”

Newton is also ending four years of service as the elected President of the Illinois Association of Conservation and Forest Preserve Districts (IACFPD), during which time she successfully led legislative and other cooperative efforts to defend and benefit the efforts of conservation and forest preserve districts.

The proclamation also recognized her leadership roles regarding conservation and environmental issues within the National Association of Counties and the National Recreation and Park Association.

Forest Board Expands Preserve, Secures Vital Trail Connection

Thu, 17 Feb 2005 00:00:01 GMT

Adding 29 acres to a new Forest Preserve in north central Lake County and securing an important connection for the Millennium Trail near Volo were among actions approved by the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their February 18 meeting.

Addition to DuTemple Property, Antioch

The 29-acre addition to the DuTemple property cost $900,000 and expands this new and yet-to-be-named Preserve to 182 acres. The original 153-acre parcel was approved for purchase in October 2004. It also provides an important public road access. The DuTemple property is located in Newport Township near Antioch just south of Stateline Road, east of Crawford Road, west of Hunt Club Road, and north of Edwards Road. Illinois Route 173 is south of the property and Interstate 94 is to the east. The new addition joins the southern section of the DuTemple property along a 1,075-foot boundary and runs south to Edwards Road.

Despite its small size, the new addition presents outstanding ecological diversity. Thick groves of conifers, mature oaks, open meadows, a small pond and valuable wetlands offer excellent wildlife habitat and a true north woods experience.

Adding to the DuTemple property at this time helps meet a demand for open space and passive outdoor recreation opportunities in north central Lake County, an area of rapid development and population growth. The property is located within the North Central Planning Area of Lake County, where population is expected to expand nearly 26 percent by the year 2020.

Intergovernmental Agreement for Trail Connection

The Board also approved an innovative intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Volo and the Lakes Region Sanitary District that provides a vital trial connection between Marl Flat and Singing Hills Forest Preserves, both near Volo. The cooperative agreement exchanges a 2.35-acre sanitary sewer and water main easement over a portion of Marl Flat located along Fish Lake Road for a nearly 12.9-acre trail easement. The 1.4-mile trail easement will become part of the planned 35-mile Millennium Trail. Currently 9.5 miles of the trail are open.

“I am so excited about this cooperative agreement and what it means for the people in western Lake County. There is no other way for us to connect the Millennium Trail from Singing Hills to Marl Flat. And, it opens a route in the future to continue east from Marl Flat to the Round Lake bike path,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “The public really benefits from this agreement. It shows what can be accomplished when agencies join forces as community partners.”

The addition to the DuTemple property increases the total number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 38. The 29-acre DuTemple addition and the 12.9-acre trail easement bring the total acres owned or managed as Forest Preserves in Lake County to 25,230.

Both transactions meet many of the land acquisition goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to protect valuable natural resources, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, protect against flooding, and preserve new large sites.

Private Donation

In other action, the Board accepted a $20,000 gift from the private estate of a Hainesville resident. “To be remembered in such a way is a great honor for the Forest Preserves,” said Carter. The gift was made with the stipulation that it be used toward a future land acquisition to help preserve the natural areas of Lake County.

Tom Hahn Named Executive Director

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners approved Tom Hahn as the District’s new Executive Director at their meeting on Friday, January 21.

Tom Hahn, Forest Preserve Director of Land Preservation and Special Projects, had served as Interim Executive Director since August 2004 for the second largest Forest Preserve District in Illinois.

Hahn joined the Lake County Forest Preserve District in 1999 and was instrumental in negotiating acquisition of nearly 4,500 acres of new Forest Preserve lands using bond referendum funds approved by voters in 1999 and 2000. He also secured $13.5 million of grants to acquire hundreds of acres of land.

Prior to joining the Forest Preserve District, Hahn served as Executive Director of CorLands, a nonprofit land conservation organization for 17 years. He also was Associate Director of the OpenLands Project, CorLands parent corporation, during that same period. He has an extensive background in open space planning, land acquisition, preservation and administration.

“Tom has proven during the past five months that he has the knowledge and skills needed for this position. He has earned the trust and support of the Board of Commissioners and staff during this transition,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Forest Preserve Board President. “He understands and is committed to the District’s mission and will help us continue to meet the needs of Lake County residents for open space, nature, outdoor recreation and education in the future.”

The Lake County Forest Preserves manage more than 25,000 acres of land and provide innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages. The Forest Preserves offer visitors nearly 112 miles of trail for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, fishing ponds and lakes, public access to the Fox River, award-winning nature and history education programs and events, and five public golf courses. Facilities of special interest include: Independence Grove near Libertyville; Brae Loch, Countryside and ThunderHawk Golf Courses near Grayslake, Mundelein and Beach Park; Ryerson Conservation Area near Deerfield; Lake County Discovery Museum near Wauconda; and Greenbelt Cultural Center near Waukegan.

For more information about the Lake County Forest Preserves call 847-367-6640 or visit online at www.LCFPD.org.

Forest Preserve Educator Wins National Award

Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves’ Environmental Education Manager, Nan Buckardt, was awarded the prestigious President’s Award from the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). NAAEE is a worldwide network of professionals, students and volunteers that promotes a healthy, sustainable environment through education.

The President’s Award is given annually and recognizes outstanding achievement in environmental education. Buckardt was chosen for her work in advancing environmental education with a unique hands-on workshop that helps environmental educators with no formal education background or training to connect with classroom teachers. The workshop was so successful in Illinois that it was expanded and implemented nationwide.

“Teaching people about nature is core to the mission of the Lake County Forest Preserves,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Forest Preserve President. “Talented leaders like Nan are why our award-winning educational programs are so popular and successful.”

Buckardt joined the Lake County Forest Preserves in 1984 as a Naturalist. She was later promoted to her current position of Environmental Education Manager where she has been instrumental in producing award-winning programs for school-age children, including Crane Chronicles. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Teacher Education from Northern Illinois University. She is also a member of the Environmental Education Association of Illinois. Buckardt and her husband, Al, reside in Deerfield with their three children.

New Forest Preserve Purchased in North Central Lake County

Fri, 15 Oct 2004 00:00:01 GMT

Creation of a new Forest Preserve in north central Lake County near Antioch was approved at the October 15 meeting of the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners. The 153-acre purchase cost $3,719,900 million and put the Forest Preserve’s overall land holdings at 25,190 acres.

The property is located in Newport Township near Antioch just south of Stateline Road, east of Crawford Road, west of Hunt Club Road, and north of Edwards Road. Illinois Route 173 is south of the property and Interstate 94 is to the east.

Acquiring this property at this time helps meet a demand for open space and passive outdoor recreation opportunities in north central Lake County, an area of rapid development and population growth. The property is located within the North Central Planning Area of Lake County, where population growth is expected to expand nearly 26 percent by the year 2020.

“The property is spectacular. Rolling prairies, wetlands and savannas dot the landscape and provide a great opportunity for seeing wildlife and enjoying the outdoors,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “We can create a wonderful trail system to loop through the many pines and other trees and around wetlands and prairies.”

The 153-acre property is noted for its ecological diversity. A variety of soils formed under hardwood forests, prairie, and various types of wetlands are typical of a diverse savanna community. Some of the site’s hardwood and conifer nursery stock will be transplanted and used in restoration projects at other Forest Preserves throughout the county.

In addition to several isolated wetlands, there is one large Advanced Identification (ADID) wetland. These wetlands are important because they provide significant wildlife habitat. State-listed threatened and endangered species have been identified in the ADID wetland. Acquiring this property will maintain the integrity of this valuable wetland complex in an area facing rapid development.

The new land buy increases the total number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 37, and the total acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County to 25,190 acres.

The purchase meets many of the land acquisition goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to protect valuable natural resources, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, protect against flooding, and preserve new large sites.

About the Lake County Forest Preserves

The Lake County Forest Preserves manage more than 25,000 acres of land and provide innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages. The Forest Preserves offer visitors nearly 112 miles of trail for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, fishing ponds and lakes, public access to the Fox River, award-winning nature and history education programs and events, and five public golf courses. Facilities of special interest include Independence Grove near Libertyville, Ryerson Conservation Area near Deerfield, the Lake County Discovery Museum near Wauconda, Greenbelt Cultural Center near Waukegan, and ThunderHawk Golf Club near Beach Park.

Land Buys Expand Preserves to More Than 25,000 Acres

Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:00:01 GMT

At their Friday, April 16 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners approved two purchases that expand existing Forest Preserves and put the District's overall land holdings above the 25,000-acre mark. The Board purchased a 75.89-acre addition to Nippersink Forest Preserve near Volo for $4 million; and added 0.36 acres to Greenbelt Forest Preserve near Waukegan for $19,000.

Addition to Nippersink Forest Preserve
Currently known as Country Lakes Resort, this property is located on the north side of Route 120 between Cedar Lake and Fairfield Roads and is adjacent to the southwestern portion of Nippersink Forest Preserve. The addition to Nippersink expands that Preserve to 310 acres.

"The site is an excellent complement to Nippersink Forest Preserve. The new land not only protects Nippersink's high-quality wetlands and natural resources, but also offers access to the Preserve from Route 120 and provides extensive outdoor recreational opportunities," said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserve President.

The property contains campgrounds, trails and three large picnic shelters that are located in open oak savannas that rise above a 13-acre lake and provide scenic views in a serene setting. The picnic shelters will be preserved and restored for future use.

Advanced Identification (ADID) wetlands are located along parts of the northern lake and connect to an extensive wetland complex within Nippersink. These wetlands house threatened and endangered plants such as the Beaked Sedge, and birds such as Pied-Billed Grebe, Common Moorhen, Black Tern and Yellow-headed Blackbird. The wetland area, known as the Round Lake Marsh/Cedar Lake complex, is not only important for harboring rare species, but also for storing and cleansing storm waters. Acquiring this property maintains the integrity of this valuable wetland complex in an area facing rapid development.

Addition to Greenbelt Forest Preserve
The 0.36-acre purchase is a small but important addition to Greenbelt Forest Preserve near Waukegan. The land is located on South Willow Avenue in the northwest portion of Greenbelt, between Route 120 and 10th street and is bordered on the north and west by Forest Preserve property. Acquisition of this parcel ensures preservation of the land for Forest Preserve uses and simplifies property boundaries providing for more effective management of the natural resources within Greenbelt Forest Preserve.

District Holdings
The two land buys increase the total number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 36, and the total acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County to 25,038 acres. The purchases meet many of the land acquisition goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to protect valuable natural resources, provide recreational opportunities, protect against flooding, and expand existing preserves.

About the Lake County Forest Preserves
The Lake County Forest Preserve District currently manages 25,038 acres of land and offer innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages. Visitors enjoy nearly 112 miles of trail for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, fishing ponds and lakes, public access to the Fox River, award-winning nature and history education programs and events, and four public golf courses. Facilities of special interest include Independence Grove near Libertyville, Ryerson Conservation Area near Deerfield, Lake County Discovery Museum near Wauconda, Greenbelt Cultural Center near Waukegan, and ThunderHawk Golf Club near Beach Park.

Green Building Practices Help Conserve Natural Resources and Tax Dollars

Wed, 17 Mar 2004 00:00:01 GMT

Green building practices employed by the Lake County Forest Preserves not only enhance and protect ecosystems, improve air and water quality and conserve natural resources, they also reduce operating costs, save tax dollars and contribute to the overall quality of life for Lake County residents.

At the Forest Preserves’ Brae Loch Golf Club near Grayslake, being green just got easier, thanks to a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. It funded a newly completed lighting project designed to reduce the energy load in the Club’s key public areas by over 50 percent, from 4.5 kilowatts to 2.22 kilowatts, improve efficiency and the quality of lighting, and lower monthly bills.

Compact fluorescent fixtures with electronically controlled dimmers replaced over 79 incandescent fixtures controlled by analog dimmers. The fluorescent fixtures last longer and reduce operating costs. New zone control patterns were also created to allow for better lighting management throughout the facility, especially in areas used for public meetings and events.

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation provides lighting efficiency grants to Forest Preserve and Park Districts, as well as schools and other non-profit groups that serve the public. The funding for these grants come from the investment income earned on its endowment. Commonwealth Edison provided the original endowment of $225 million.

The Brae Loch lighting project is part of the Lake County Forest Preserves overall energy efficiency improvement plan designed to promote a healthy and "green" environment. Others include:

Replacing older lighting, heating and cooling systems with more efficient models at Forest Preserve facilities throughout Lake County.
Going green with alternative fuels. The Lake County Forest Preserves were one of the first public organizations to use biodiesel (B20), a cleaner burning alternative to diesel, in the vehicle fleet for rangers, maintenance staff and other Forest Preserve employees who need to perform work across the county.
Testing hybrid vehicles, gasoline-electric powered alternative fuel vehicles that boast impressive fuel economy and cleaner emissions, and taking steps to acquire more flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). FFVs allow drivers to fill their tank with any combination of 85 percent Ethanol (E85) and conventional gasoline. The Forest Preserves are now 40 percent ahead of clean emissions compliance and striving to achieve a 100 percent alternative fuel fleet by 2015.
Reducing peak and overall energy use in Forest Preserve buildings during the summer months by designating Fridays as “Lights Off Fridays!”
Reducing, reusing and recycling materials in the field and in buildings, and also purchasing recycled products and using soy inks, when available, for printed products.

Beginning this year, the Lake County Forest Preserves will take part in their first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project for construction of a new Visitors Center at the Ryerson Conservation Area near Deerfield. LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is a leading-edge system for designing, constructing and certifying the world’s greenest and best buildings. Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation’s foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. The incremental costs of designing this new green building were also funded by an Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation grant.

About the Lake County Forest Preserves

We currently manage 24,955 acres of land and offer innovative educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages. Visitors enjoy nearly 112 miles of trail for a variety of outdoor recreation uses, fishing ponds and lakes, public access to the Fox River, award-winning nature and history education programs and events, and four public golf courses. Facilities of special interest include Independence Grove near Libertyville, Ryerson Conservation Area near Deerfield, Lake County Discovery Museum near Wauconda, Greenbelt Cultural Center near Waukegan, and ThunderHawk Golf Club near Beach Park.

For additional information about the Lake County Forest Preserves, or for a program calendar, call 847-367-6640 and request a free copy of the Horizons quarterly newsletter or visit on-line at www.LCFPD.org.

Land Buys Would Create New Forest Preserve, Expand Existing Preserves and Create Trail Link

Fri, 20 Feb 2004 00:00:01 GMT

Preserving new land as Forest Preserves and expanding the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway were among top actions taken by the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their Friday, February 20 meeting.

The Board approved purchasing a new 102-acre Forest Preserve near Long Grove and Kildeer for $6,740,000 and naming it Heron Creek Forest Preserve; and adding 167 acres to Wright Woods Forest Preserve near Mettawa for $2,821,000; 4.1 acres to Hastings Lake Forest Preserve near Lake Villa for $75,000; and 0.96 acres to the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway near Lincolnshire for $10,000 for trail links.

The site also features woodlands and adjoins the Reed Turner Nature Preserve owned by the Long Grove Park District. Six state endangered bird species, Black Tern, Black-Crowned Night Heron, Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, Osprey, Forster’s Tern, and three state threatened bird species, Brown Creeper, Pied-Billed Grebe and Red-Shouldered Hawk were found in the area. In addition, over 215 native plants were identified at the adjacent Fen including two state threatened species.

Addition to Wright Woods Forest Preserve

A 167-acre addition to Wright Woods near Mettawa expands that Preserve to 402 acres. As part of the contract, 21 of those acres are included in a life estate that contains two homes and several outbuildings. When the life estate ends, the property will be named Lloyds Woods Nature Preserve as a feature of Wright Woods. The main 6,600-square-foot home built in 1936 was one of the first designs by Nat Owings of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) of Chicago, the prominent architectural firm that crafted the Sears Tower, John Hancock Building and many other well-known structures throughout the world.

The property is located on the northeast corner of St. Mary’s and Everett Road. The landscape consists of high quality woodlands, wetlands and upland meadows. The site’s wet to mesic upland forest contains northern flatwoods and floodplain forest. It also features an Advance Identification Wetland (ADID). Due to its high quality, the majority of the site has been designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve. The land adjoins Wright Woods to the south and provides a link to the Forest Preserve’s historic Adlai Stevenson house to the north.

Addition to Hastings Lake Forest Preserve

The 4.1-acre addition to Hastings Lake Forest Preserve near Lake Villa (acquired April 2003) increases the acreage for that Preserve to 258 acres. The land is a mixture of uplands, a pine grove forest and wetlands. Hastings Lake Forest Preserve features an oval-shaped 80-acre lake with 12,000 feet of shoreline, surrounded by open fields, woodlands and wetlands. The addition provides a scenic path for a planned trail that will encircle the lake. Purchased in 1923 by the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, Hastings Lake Forest Preserve is located on Gelden and Grass Lake Roads. The addition is located just south of Gelden Road.

Des Plaines River Trail Additions

Two small but important purchases along the Des Plaines River Trail (DPRT) and Greenway of 0.96 acres will provide necessary links for the extension of this multi-purpose trail in southern Lake County. Both parcels are approximately 185 feet wide and run along the western bank of the river. The nonprofit Corporation for Open Lands (CorLands), the land buying affiliate of Openlands Project, played a key role in facilitating this two-part transaction. The 7,727-acre DPRT and Greenway, a band of Forest Preserves that stretches from the Illinois-Wisconsin state line to Cook County, includes a 31-mile trail and protects 88 percent of the rivers’ banks.

Four Tax Sale Parcels

The Board also approved entering into an agreement with CorLands to purchase land through the annual Lake County Tax Sale for $21,114. CorLands attended the sale on behalf of the Forest Preserves and bid on six parcels. Four of the six bids were successful.

Holding the certificates of sale may allow the Forest Preserve to eventually obtain title to the four parcels if the current owners do not redeem the taxes by December 2005. If redeemed, the owners are required to pay the Forest Preserve its investment, plus interest. If not, the Forest Preserve can petition for tax deeds, which would then transfer the ownership.

The purchases meet many of the land acquisition goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to protect valuable natural resources, provide recreational opportunities, protect against flooding, and expand existing preserves.

$1.6 Million Saved through Sale of Forest Preserve Bonds

Fri, 21 Nov 2003 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County taxpayers will save more than $1.6 million in interest payments through the successful sale of over $17 million in Series 2003 general obligation refunding bonds by the Lake County Forest Preserves. There was an even higher than expected market demand for the Forest Preserves' AAA rated bonds, which had a net interest cost of only 3.15 percent. Senior managing underwriter, Mesirow Financial handled the bond sale.

"As a result of low interest rates and quick action taken by the Forest Preserve Board and staff, we were able to maximize savings for taxpayers," stated Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserve President. "It was a very good time to sell bonds."

Bond Ratings Improved To Highest Possible Level
Moody's recently assigned its highest rating of AAA to the Lake County Forest Preserves as a mark of the District's strong fiscal health. This new rating upgrade from Aa1 is a result of the District's solid tax base growth and strong financial operations. The new rating also credits the Forest Preserve District's diversified and expanding economic base and revenue sources, sound financial management, high level of reserves and moderate debt burden. Now both Moody's (Aaa rating) and Standard and Poor's (AAA rating) have assigned their highest rating to the District Bonds.

Land Purchase Expands Grassy Lake Forest Preserve

Fri, 17 Oct 2003 00:00:01 GMT

A small but important land purchase was approved by the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their October 17 meeting. A 7-acre addition to Grassy Lake Forest Preserve near Barrington expands the ecologically valuable Preserve to 558 acres and protects woodlands and wetlands.

The site is located on the south side of Miller Road in Cuba Township. In 1990, homeowner Norman Metzel sold the Lake County Forest Preserves 115 acres, which formed a major portion of Grassy Lake. Metzel retained the seven acres on Miller Road for his residence, but agreed to offer it to the Forest Preserves first if the land became available.

The $415,000 land buy increases the total number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 29, and the total acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County to 24,773 acres.

The heavily wooded site boasts large scattered oaks and a portion of an Advanced Identification (ADID) wetland complex that contains a high-quality sedge meadow. Reports show that the state threatened Sandhill Crane has been spotted nesting on or near the site.
The purchase meets many of the land acquisition goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to protect valuable natural resources, provide recreational opportunities, protect against flooding, and expand existing preserves.

Grassy Lake features 3.5 miles of trail for hikers, joggers and cross-country skiers, and gently rolling hills, oak woodlands, marshes and moraines. Parking and trail access is available at the Lake Barrington Village Hall on Old Barrington Road, at the intersection of Kelsey Road in Lake Barrington.

Two rare and valuable natural features of the Preserve include the Wagner Fen and Flint Creek. Wagner Fen is co-owned by the Barrington-based Citizens for Conservation and the Village of Tower Lakes. In 2001, the Lake County Forest Preserve's 55-acre Wagner Fen portion of Grassy Lake Forest Preserve was dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve, in conjunction with the 45 acres previously dedicated by the Citizens for Conservation. Combined, the Wagner Fen nature preserve complex totals 100 acres.

The Fen is an ecologically valuable wetland home to four endangered (E) and four threatened (T) species, including the bog violet (E) and the beaked spike rush (T). Citizens for Conservation and Forest Preserve natural resource crews have worked together to successfully preserve and restore Wagner Fen. A biological control project, designed to eliminate the non-native purple loosestrife from Wagner Fen, has resulted in almost complete eradication of the invasive plant species from the site.

Flint Creek is one of the healthier streams in Lake County and in the state of Illinois. Its quality rating of a Grade B is considered rare for Illinois. Lake County Forest Preserve staff has restored stream banks along the Flint Creek corridor, with help from a $46,800 grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Section 319 Program.

Adlai Stevenson Home Added to National Register of Historic Places

Fri, 03 Oct 2003 00:00:01 GMT

The elegant 1930s-era home in Mettawa where former Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson II once entertained dignitaries such as John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt was added to the National Register of Historic Places effective September 14, 2003. The Lake County Forest Preserves received notice this week of the listing. Administered by the National Park Service, the register is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation.

The home, located on St. Mary's Road south of Route 60, was donated to the Lake County Forest Preserves in 1974. The 46-acre property includes a 16-room home built in 1938, a carriage house and stable. The site served as a haven for Stevenson, his wife and three sons, and a gathering place referred to as "the Farm" for meetings with politicians and other dignitaries. It was designated an Illinois Historic Site in 1984.

Stevenson was a political figure of international standing. He served one term as Governor of Illinois, two Democratic nominations for President, and service as Ambassador to the United Nations. Stevenson died in 1965.

Negotiations are underway with Barat College of DePaul University for operating an educational institute at the Stevenson home that could a serve as a refuge for scholars-in-residence, and host workshops and other academic programs.

As part of a $2 million renovation project funded through a grant from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the Forest Preserve District will begin restoring the home and adjacent buildings this fall. Once work is complete in one to two years, the public will be able to take self-guided tours of the stable, enjoy a contemplative trail that provides the experience of walking in the footsteps of Stevenson and participate in ongoing public programs and events.

For more information about the Adlai Stevenson home project, call the Lake County Forest Preserves Cultural Resources Department at 847-968-3400.

Forest Board Approves 60-acre Land Buy near Antioch, Lake Villa

Fri, 19 Sep 2003 00:00:01 GMT

The purchase of 60 acres in Antioch and Lake Villa Townships for $1.8 million as an addition to Sun Lake Forest Preserve was approved by the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their September 19 meeting.

The 60-acre addition expands Sun Lake Forest Preserve to 581 acres. Sun Lake is located on Grass Lake Road just east of Route 83. The addition is located directly north of Sun Lake on the north side of Grass Lake Road. This land buy increases the total number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 28, and the total acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County to 24,770 acres.

The new addition to Sun Lake features a portion of the East Loon Lake Advanced Identification (ADID) wetland complex. This high-quality wetland is a refuge for several state threatened and endangered species and is a designated Illinois Natural Area Inventory site. Threatened (T) and endangered (E) species include the Black Tern (E), the Pugnose Shiner (E), the Blackchin Shiner (T), the Blacknose Shiner (E), the Banded Killifish (E), the Iowa Darter (E), American Sloughgrass (E), the Grass-leaved Pondweed (T), the White-stem Pondweed (E) and the Fern Pondweed (E).

The addition features a nice mix of woodlands, wetlands, open fields and rolling topography. The property also has roughly 550 feet of frontage on East Loon Lake. The site provides for the preservation and restoration of the immediate watershed to East Loon Lake and Sequiot Creek by providing a greenway corridor along the creek that connects Sun Lake Forest Preserve to East Loon Lake.

The purchase meets many of the land acquisition goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to protect valuable natural resources, provide recreational opportunities, protect against flooding, and expand existing preserves.

New Forest Preserve Opens to Public Near Antioch

Mon, 07 Jul 2003 00:00:01 GMT

A portion of Raven Glen Forest Preserve near Antioch will open for public access beginning Friday, July 11, 2003.

“We’re delighted that people will be able to begin enjoying this new Forest Preserve,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “Thanks to voters who approved our Forest Preserve referendum last November, we can open more new preserves like Raven Glen.”

Temporary facilities at Raven Glen Forest Preserve will include a 20-car gravel parking lot, a 1/2-mile mowed-grass hiking trail, two small picnic areas with picnic tables, and fishing access to 45-acre Pollack Lake. Drinking water and restrooms are not currently available. The entrance to Raven Glen is located on the west side of Route 45 just south of Route 173 near Antioch.

As Forest Preserve crews make more areas of Raven Glen safe for public use, they will open for public access. Work is currently underway on a joint master plan for Raven Glen, located west of Route 45 and Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve, located east of Route 45. Together, the two preserves create a 1,018-acre gently rolling landscape of open fields, wetlands, lakes and woodlands. Forest Preserve planners will solicit public input about draft master plans after options are reviewed by the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners.

Raven Glen will be open daily during regular Forest Preserve hours, 6:30 a.m. to sunset. The temporary parking and trails will close in the future when master plans are approved and construction of permanent public access facilities begins.

Raven Glen was purchased in two phases in 2001 and 2003 and now covers over 542 acres. The Lake County Forest Preserves currently protect 24,710 acres countywide.

Marl Flat Forest Preserve Addition Approved

Fri, 20 Jun 2003 00:00:01 GMT

At their June 20 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of 10.5 acres in Round Lake for $540,000 as an addition to Marl Flat Forest Preserve. The Board also approved the official naming of the Preserve as Marl Flat.

The property, combined with Marl Flat (purchased in March 2002), will create a 212.5-acre Forest Preserve. The 10.5-acre addition also provides for a key trail link for the planned 35-mile Millennium Trail. The new addition to Marl Flat features woodlands dominated by bur oaks and wetlands. Proper restoration could revitalize the woodlands and enhance wildlife habitat throughout the Preserve. This 10.5-acre land buy increases the total number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 27, and the total acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County to 24,710 acres.

Board Approves Purchase of New 254-acre Hastings Lake Forest Preserve

Fri, 18 Apr 2003 00:00:01 GMT

At their April 18 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of 254 acres near Lake Villa for $10,000,000. Named Hastings Lake, the new Forest Preserve was formerly the site of Camp Hastings Lake YMCA.

The Board also authorized drafting an intergovernmental agreement with the Lake Villa Fire Protection District to transfer 2.5 of the 254 acres for use as a new fire station.

In separate action, the Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) for a land transfer of 8.34 acres for $44,023 adjacent to the Forest Preserves' Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway.

Purchased in 1923 by the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, the new Hastings Lake Forest Preserve is located on Geldon and Grass Lake Roads. In 2002, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago decided to close the camp facilities, retain the indoor pool and surrounding 11 acres and sell the remaining 254 acres of the property.

"We are very excited for the opportunity to preserve such a spectacular site. This new Forest Preserve benefits everyone and offers wonderful opportunities for outdoor recreation activities and natural resource protection," said Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserves President. "In addition, the eventual land transfer agreement with the Lake Villa Fire Protection District presents a much-needed location for a fire station and demonstrates outstanding intergovernmental cooperation."

Unique to the property is an oval-shaped 80-acre lake with 12,000 feet of shoreline, surrounded by open fields, woodlands and wetlands. A rise on the west side of the property offers panoramic views of the lake. Though somewhat degraded, the wetlands have high water quality and hydrology values. Proper restoration could revitalize the wetlands, enhance wildlife habitat and improve overall water functions.

The new 254-acre Hastings Lake Forest Preserve and the 8.34-acre SMC land transfer increase the total number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 26, and the total acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County to 24,698 acres.

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Key Link in Regional Trail near Grayslake Approved by Forest Preserve Board

Fri, 21 Mar 2003 00:00:01 GMT

A key link in the new Millennium Trail was approved by the Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners at their March 21 meeting. An intergovernmental agreement with the Grayslake Community High School District 127 for the purchase of 18 acres for $500,000 was approved as part of the Lake County Forest Preserves' 35-mile Millennium Trail through central, western and northern Lake County.

The property is located south of the intersection of Hook Drive and Rollins Road and is adjacent to the ComEd right of way, which will link this new purchase with the 1,225-acre Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve near Grayslake. A signalized road crossing at the intersection of Hook Drive and Rollins Road is planned and would offer trail users safe passage onto the new purchase and eventually into Rollins Savanna.

The first length of the new Millennium Trail opened last fall from Countryside Golf Course near Mundelein to Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda. Planning is underway for the second section from Lakewood north to near Singing Hills Forest Preserve near Volo.

"Our Board's approval of this cooperative agreement is an excellent example of how the Lake County Forest Preserve District is striving to build innovative partnerships that provide additional trails, programs and services to the community," stated Bonnie Thomson Carter, Lake County Forest Preserve President.

"Through this trail link, the School District will now be able to access Rollins Savanna, Lake County's second largest Forest Preserve, and use the land as an outdoor classroom," added Sandy Cole, Forest Preserve Commissioner for Grayslake and member of the Land Preservation and Acquisition Committee.

The new 18-acre land buy contains a unique oak forest of mainly bur oaks. Their large size and dense concentration within such a small area is uncommon. A small wetland extends east to west on the site and contains mainly black willow and cottonwood trees. Invasive species such as cattails, reed canary grass and purple loosestrife have degraded the wetland. With proper land management, the oak forest and the wetland could be revitalized.

The new land buy increases the total number of acquisitions made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 24, and the total acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County to 24,444 acres.

The purchase also meets many of the land acquisition goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to protect valuable natural resources, provide recreational opportunities, flood control protection, and expand existing preserves.

Over $4.7 Million in Grants Received for Land Acquisition and Nature Restoration

Tue, 04 Feb 2003 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserve recently received more than $4.7 million in grant support for three land acquisitions and one nature restoration project from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

Three IDNR Open Lands Trust grants totaling $4,653,900 were approved in December 2002 for recent land buys near Volo ($955,000), Grant Woods Forest Preserve addition near Lake Villa ($1,698,900), and Raven Glen Forest Preserve addition near Antioch ($2,000,000).

The three Preserves are examples of projects that meet the goals and concepts of the Open Lands Trust grant program of natural resource protection, enhancement and restoration. The grant funds will help offset land acquisition costs associated with the purchase of these three sites.

In December 2002, IDNR awarded more than $17 million in Open Land Trust grants to local governments statewide. The Forest Preserves $4.6 million grant represents 27% of the total statewide. Since the Open Lands Trust grant program was founded in 1998, the Lake County Forest Preserves has received nearly $11.5 million in grants to help fund land acquisition efforts.

The Forest Preserve also recently received an $87,134 Upper Des Plaines River, Conservation 2000 Ecosystems Program grant from the IDNR for habitat restoration efforts at Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve near Grayslake.

The grant will help fund restoration of 55 acres of former native marsh, sedge meadow and wet prairie communities within the 1,225-acre Preserve. In addition, 5 acres of historic oak savanna will be enhanced through the replanting of native trees. Members of the Youth Conservation Corps and Youth with a Promise Corps will work alongside Forest Preserve staff and volunteers to plant native wetland plants and trees.

These efforts are part of an overall habitat restoration plan for Rollins Savanna that includes restoring more than 150 acres of former agricultural lands, wetlands, prairies and high-quality oak savannas.

Bond Sale Saves Taxpayers $1.8 Million

Fri, 15 Nov 2002 00:00:01 GMT

Lake County taxpayers will save more than $1.8 million in interest payments through the successful sale of nearly $29.5 million in Series 2001 general obligation refunding bonds by Lake County Forest Preserve officials.

"As a result of record low interest rates, we were able to maximize savings for taxpayers," stated Al Westerman, Lake County Forest Preserve President. The new Series 2001 bonds will be funded at an average interest rate of 2.99 percent. Senior managing underwriters, Mesirow Financial and William Blair and Company, both of Chicago, handled the bond sale.

In other financial news, Standard and Poor’s recently assigned its highest rating of AAA to the Lake County Forest Preserves as a mark of the District’s strong fiscal health. This new rating upgrade from AA+ is a result of the District’s solid tax base growth and strong financial operations. The new rating also credits the Forest Preserve District’s diversified and expanding economic base, high wealth and income levels, sound financial management, high level of reserves and moderate debt burden.

Fort Sheridan Receives Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker

Fri, 01 Nov 2002 00:00:01 GMT

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve near Highland Park will receive the distinguished Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker, a memorial plaque honoring men and women for service in the Armed Forces.

The plaque will be presented to Lake County Forest Preserve officials at a brief dedication and reception event hosted by the Ravinia Garden Club of Lake Forest on Friday, November 8, at 1 p.m., at the Fort Sheridan Golf Club. The By-Way Marker project at Fort Sheridan was a cooperative effort by the City of Lake Forest, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Ravinia Garden Club and the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Officiating the ceremony will be members of the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners, Dolores Wilt, President of the Garden Clubs of Illinois, and Deputy District Director for Congressman Mark Kirk, Ed Kelly.

The Blue Star Memorial Highway program began in 1945 by the National State Council of Garden Clubs (now the National Garden Clubs), and under the sponsorship of Garden Clubs of Illinois and in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Transportation. The program, a tribute to the United States Armed Forces, is displayed on a specific network of highway memorial markers nationwide.

The By-Way Marker program, approved in 1994, pays tribute through state-approved markers placed in parks, historic sites, civic areas and other major highways within the state. Each memorial marker bears the words, “A Tribute to the Armed Forces of America”. The Ravinia Garden Club received official permission from the United States Government to place the memorial plaque on the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve property line along Sheridan Road before the site was decommissioned.

Formed in 1927, the Ravinia Garden Club is a member-based organization that encourages and promotes gardening, protection of native trees, wildflowers and birds. The club’s many civic activities include its annual Garden Fair, whose proceeds benefit area nursing homes and hospitals with seasonal flowers. The club also works with local park districts and the City of Highland Park providing flowering trees, bulbs, wildflowers and benches. Membership opportunities are available. For more information or to become a member, contact Marilyn Alaimo, Ravinia Garden Club President, at 847-234-0426.

In 1998, the Lake County Forest Preserves secured a decade long transfer of 259 acres of Fort Sheridan from the United States Department of the Army. A unique Lake Michigan natural resource, Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve is of statewide significance.

Its bluff areas contain the largest and best remaining examples of natural open prairie-like vegetation that once occurred along the lake bluffs in Illinois. Jane’s Ravine, one of six rare ravines in the Preserve, is also one of the few remaining examples of mesic and dry-mesic upland forests. The ravines and lakeshore provide a protected home for several endangered and threatened species.

The 18-hole Fort Sheridan Golf Club provides recreational enjoyment and beautiful views overlooking the bluffs of Lake Michigan. Over the next few years, the site will be renovated to preserve its valuable ecosystems and provide a new opportunity for public access to Lake Michigan.

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve is located on Sheridan Road and Elm Road, just north of Half Day Road (Route 22) near Highland Park.

Stewardship Program Receives Grant for Land Management Efforts

Fri, 04 Oct 2002 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserves’ Volunteer Stewardship program has received a $1,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund.

The grant funds will be used to purchase new field tools for use by Volunteer Stewards, community volunteers who work alongside Lake County Forest Preserve land managers and ecologists to help restore vital wildlife habitat. Stewards host restoration workdays and lead other volunteers in clearing brush and restoring valuable natural lands in Forest Preserves throughout Lake County.

Contributing over 11,000 volunteer hours toward land management efforts, the Volunteer Stewardship program is a vital component of the Lake County Forest Preserves mission of preserving and restoring natural lands and improving wildlife habitat.

To learn more about Volunteer Stewardship opportunities, please contact Tom Smith, Lake County Forest Preserve Stewardship Coordinator, at 847-968-3329. For a complete list of upcoming restoration workdays, look under "Program Type: Restoration Workdays" in our online calendar .

Land Buy Would Protect Natural Resources and Link Neighboring Preserves in Antioch Township

Sat, 20 Jul 2002 00:00:01 GMT

At their Friday, July 19 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved purchase of approximately 180 acres in Antioch Township, known as the Neumann Homes/Anest property, for an estimated $5,148,000.

The acquisition is contingent on the approval of a settlement agreement between the Forest Preserve, the County of Lake, the Village of Antioch, Deercrest LLC, Neumann Homes and several private property owners in the Deercrest litigation. The Forest Preserve will acquire the property only if all parties approve a global agreement. If the Forest Preserve does not conditionally approve the acquisition by July 23, 2002, it is likely that the trial will proceed over the next couple of weeks.

The purchase of this property would not only provide protection to valuable natural resources and preserve sensitive wetlands, but it also would provide a link to the Raven Glen Forest Preserve, and to Red Wing Slough, owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The developer, Neumann Homes, has also agreed to construct a trail from the south side of Route 173 east to Pollack Lake, which is part of Raven Glen Forest Preserve.

If an agreement is reached and final approval is received, this new purchase will mark the 20th acquisition made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum, and increase the total acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County to 24,209 acres.

The site extends in an east-west fashion and contains a variety of landscapes including oak savanna; Advanced Identification (ADID) wetlands, open water ponds, rolling topography and frontage on Lake Pollack. The ADID wetlands on the west side of the site have a hydrological connection to the extensive Red Wing Slough located on the north side of Route 173.

The purchase of the Neumann Homes/Anest property would protect wetlands, provide for flood protection and allow for the restoration of prairie and savanna areas associated with the upland areas. The site also meets the Forest Preserve District's adopted land acquisition goals of preserving natural resources, providing trail linkages, flood control protection and adding to existing preserves.

Additions Create One of Lake County's Largest Forest Preserves

Fri, 19 Apr 2002 00:00:01 GMT

Two additions to Grant Woods Forest Preserve near Lake Villa and Fox Lake will create one of the largest Forest Preserves in Lake County and protect important wetlands and woodlands.

Purchase of adjoining 24.2-acre and 120-acre properties at a combined cost of $3,795,000, was approved by the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners at their meeting on Friday, April 19. It marks the 17^th acquisition made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum. The acquisition increases the total acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County to 24,014 acres.

Forest Preserve Commissioners also approved an agreement with Lake Villa Township for a conservation deed restriction on 8.8 acres that the township will buy adjacent to the new Forest Preserve lands, located east of Fairfield Road and south of Grand Avenue (Route 132).

The township also will provide a trail easement through their existing township property on the east side of Fairfield Road that will permit the Forest Preserve District to eventually connect the new addition to the main part of Grant Woods Forest Preserve. The township plans to use their new property for sports fields.

“By coordinating our land purchases with Lake Villa Township, we were able to preserve the wetlands and other natural features while allowing local officials to meet their needs for recreational facilities,” said Al Westerman, President of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

Combining the 24.2-acre and 120-acre purchases with Grant Woods existing 974 acres will create a contiguous 1,118-acre preserve, the third largest Forest Preserve in Lake County. The largest preserve is Lakewood near Wauconda, 2,578 acres, and the second largest is Rollins Savanna near Grayslake, 1,225 acres.

The new additions to Grant Woods will preserve an Advance Identification (ADID) Wetland, five other wetland areas and 30 acres of woodlands. Much of the remainder of the site is currently farmed. Restoration of the wetlands will create excellent habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Future trails through the addition could connect with the existing Grant Woods Forest Preserve trail system and provide routes for hikers and bicyclists.

The new land purchase meets many of the voter-approved Forest Preserve land acquisition criteria, such as protecting natural areas for wildlife habitat, preserving wetlands, prairies and forests, providing trails, greenways, river and lake access, protecting against flooding, and expanding existing preserves.

New 130-acre Preserve on Fish Lake

Fri, 15 Mar 2002 00:00:01 GMT

Purchase of a new 130-acre Forest Preserve along the eastern shore of Fish Lake near Volo was approved by the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners at their Friday, March 15 meeting.

Known as the YMCA – Camp Duncan East Property, the 130 acres was purchased for approximately $1,900,000. It marks the 16^th acquisition made using funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum. The acquisition increases the total acres of Forest Preserves in Lake County to 23,870 acres.

“This new preserve not only protects sensitive wetlands, but also provides an important link in our new Millennium Trail,” said Al Westerman, Lake County Forest Preserve President. “Hikers, bicyclists and birdwatchers all will enjoy the scenic views and wildlife along Fish Lake.”

Fish Lake has been identified as being part of an Advance Identification (ADID) wetland complex because of its high quality wildlife habitat and native plant communities in wetlands around the lake. Several areas of sedge meadow are associated with the shoreline and surrounding wetlands, and also include Prairie cordgrass and Indian grass. As part of the purchase agreement, the Lake County Forest Preserves and the YMCA agreed that the extensive high quality wetlands along the shores of Fish Lake will be used only for natural resource preservation and restoration.

The new preserve also features an interior pond and rolling hills that offer beautiful views. Based upon observations, the lake and wetlands are used by a wide variety of waterfowl including black terns and yellow-headed blackbirds. The site has extensive frontage on Fish Lake Road and will help maintain the scenic quality of this country-like road.

The site also provides a route for the Lake County Forest Preserves’ 35-mile Millennium Trail through central, western and northern Lake County. The first length of this new trail will open this year from Countryside Golf Course near Mundelein to Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda. Planning is underway for the second section from Lakewood north to near Singing Hills Forest Preserve near Volo.

The new preserve also protects an unusual habitat for little bluestem, located on a marl flat that occurs near Fish Lake. Little bluestem grass usually grows in dry prairies, but here it grows in a wetland. Marl is calcium carbonate, a squishy, sticky, off-white clay-like substance that is often found in wet areas. It formed thousands of years ago when an aquatic plant, chara, extracted calcium carbonate from the lake waters of melting glaciers and stored the chemical in its branches. Dead chara sank to the lake bottom, accumulating and decaying over centuries to form a chalky soil. Marl flats usually occur on slopes where groundwater seeps to the surface.

Intergovernmental Agreement Permanently Preserves 133.7 Acres In Highland Park

Fri, 15 Feb 2002 00:00:01 GMT

The Lake County Forest Preserve District will work with the City of Highland Park and the Park District of Highland Park to permanently preserve 133.7 acres of land and provide future greenway connections between several Forest Preserves and parks in that community, under terms of a unique intergovernmental agreement.

“We’re excited to be able to assist in preserving new lands in such a densely populated area of Lake County,” said Al Westerman, Lake County Forest Preserve President. “This new property and the planned trail greenways will help connect several other wonderful Forest Preserves we already have in and around Highland Park. The voters of southeastern Lake County were great supporters of our successful 1999 and 2000 Forest Preserve referenda to buy new lands. It’s great to be able to help them preserve some of the last unprotected open space left in their landlocked communities.”

The 133.7-acre property, located at the southeast corner of Half Day Road (Route 22) and U.S. Route 41, contains a mix of woodlands, wetlands and an operating golf course. The Lake County Forest Preserves will receive three conservation easements from the City of Highland Park and will pay up to $1.0 million toward the cost of preserving the land. The Park District of Highland Park will restore and manage the preserved land.

A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization, such as a forest preserve district, which permanently limits a property's uses in order to protect its conservation values. The conservation easements being granted to the Forest Preserve District are outlined in an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Highland Park, the Park District of Highland Park and the Lake County Forest Preserve District. The agreement also provides for future greenway connections between the newly preserved property and several other Forest Preserves in or near Highland Park, including Fort Sheridan, Prairie Wolf and Berkeley Prairie Forest Preserves.

The 133.7 acres permanently preserved through the agreement include three separate parcels: the 24.7-acre Lushing property, the 105-acre Highland Park Country Club and the 4-acre Highland Park Woods. The agreement also requires that the City of Highland Park reach agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation regarding use restrictions on an adjacent 15.4 acres, which could be added to the 133.7 acres managed by the park district.

The Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved the intergovernmental agreement on February 15. The City of Highland Park Board of Trustees and the Park District of Highland Park Board of Commissioners previously approved the agreement and the three conservation easements.

Preserving the 133.7 acres in Highland Park meets many of the Forest Preserves land acquisition criteria, such as protecting natural areas for wildlife habitat, preserving wetlands, prairies and forests, providing trails, greenways, river and lake access, protecting against flooding, and creating new sites.