Cuba Marsh, Deer Park

Bowers property
Acreage: 9.4
Approval: November 2024 | Closing: January 2025

• Location: Cuba Road east of Ela Road.
• Purchase price: $725,000.
• Context: Surrounded by Forest Preserves land on two sides.
• Stewardship: Former owner cleared buildings and planted native species.
• Restrictions: No buildings, trails, parking lots, ball fields, golf facilities or dog areas allowed.
• Next step: District required to submit for Illinois Nature Preserve designation.

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, Lake Forest

U.S Navy parcel
Acreage: 18.6
Approval: July 2024 | Closing: Pending

• Location: East side of Patten Road, Highwood.
• Purchase price: $6 million.
• Borders: Openlands Lakeshore Preserve at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve on three sides.
• Benefit: Protects bluff and ravine habitat, scenic views.

Greenbelt Forest Preserve, North Chicago

Klairmont Family LLC property
Acreage: 13.2
Approval: October 2024 | Closing: January 2025

• Location: Route 120, east of Willow Avenue and west of the Belvidere Discount Mall.
• Purchase price: $3.25 million.
• Benefit: Expands Greenbelt in a densely populated area.
• Future use: May allow trail and crosswalk connection.

Half Day Forest Preserve, Vernon Hills

Tunca Management property
Acreage: 9
Approval: June 2025 | Closing: Pending

• Location: Jamestown Lane, a quarter mile east of Milwaukee Avenue.
• Purchase price: $37,300.
• Trail: Secures Des Plaines River Trail easement.
• Benefit: Enhances trail access and wetland protection.
• History: Targeted for acquisition for more than 35 years.

Lakewood Forest Preserve, Wauconda

Air Estates property
Acreage: 74.1
Approval: April 2024 | Closing: August 2024

• Location: Gilmer Road near Fairfield Road.
• Purchase price: $1.95 million.
• Note: Lakewood borders property on three sides.
• Land type: Primarily wetlands and farmland.
• History: Once envisioned as an aviation community.

Breuer property
Acreage: 1.6
Approval: April 2024 | Closing: July 2024

• Location: West side of Fairfield Road between Bonner Road and Route 176.
• Purchase price: $295,000.
• Ecology: Protects high-quality habitat.
• Scenic value: Preserves views, prairies and wetlands.
• Benefit: Strengthens continuous habitat corridors.

Steffenhagen property
Acreage: 54.5
Approval: March 2025 | Closing: May 2025

• Location: Gilmer Road, less than a mile north of Route 176.
• Purchase price: $1.4 million.
• Restoration: Supports long-term restoration.
• Features: Woodlands, prairies and wetlands.

Lotus Country Conservation Preserve, Antioch

Fogel property
Acreage: 41
Approval: August 2024 | Closing: October 2024

• Location: East of Grass Lake Road, next to Vern Thelen Park.
• Purchase price: $358,500.
• Wildlife: Home to Lake County’s largest heron and egret rookery.
• Land type: Contains wetlands and wooded areas.

Elliott W. Frank LLC property
Acreage: 34.2
Approval: March 2025 | Closing: May 2025

• Location: Rena Avenue, a quarter mile south of Grass Lake Road.
• Purchase price: $960,000.
• Ecology: Wetlands and woodlands expand rookery protection.

Raven Glen Forest Preserve, Antioch

Yatowt property
Acreage: 27.9
Approval: January 2025 | Closing: May 2025

• Location: Deep Lake Road, about a half mile south of Route 173.
• Purchase price: $954,000.
• Ecology: Protects more than 14 acres of valuable wetlands and buffer.
• Benefit: Helps reduce flooding and manage stormwater.

Ray Lake Forest Preserve, Wauconda

Sidhu property
Acreage: 38.7
Approval: June 2025 | Closing: Pending (2026)

• Location: Fremont Center Road, about a quarter mile north of Gilmer Road.
• Purchase price: $1.16 million.
• Land type: Includes oak woodlands, farmland and floodplain.
• Benefit: Supports a key regional wetland complex.
• Connectivity: Unites this site with Lakewood for both wildlife and visitors.