© Thomas G. Wilson

Protecting more land brings a lasting responsibility to care for it. A new roadmap will help the Lake County Forest Preserves meet that challenge while advancing habitat restoration, public access, financial sustainability and community engagement through 2030.

The objectives translate the Forest Preserves’ 25-year strategic directions into specific actions for the next four years. Priorities include completing referendum-funded projects, planning for the long-term care of newly acquired land, strengthening the organization’s financial capacity and expanding access to programs and information.

“This plan gives us a clear path forward at an important moment for the Forest Preserves,” Executive Director Ty Kovach said. “Residents have entrusted us with protecting more land, restoring wildlife habitat and improving public access. These objectives will help us fulfill that commitment while building an organization capable of caring for these investments well into the future.”

The Board of Commissioners approved the strategic objectives Wednesday, August 12.

“These priorities are ambitious because the responsibility before us is substantial,” said Forest Preserves President Jessica Vealitzek. “We are protecting land not just for today, but forever. This plan positions us to serve the public, support our employees and care for Lake County’s natural resources for generations.”

Conservation

The Forest Preserves will prioritize operational sustainability and ecosystem-based planning as its 10-year Capital Improvement Plan moves forward. Among the goals is developing an organization-wide dashboard to track conservation and business performance.

The objectives also call for working with partners and funders to support the long-term sustainability of The Lake Plain Coastal Preserves, Lake County’s first 10,000-acre ecological complex.

Other environmental goals include reducing carbon dioxide emissions tied to energy use by 15% by 2030, eliminating single-use plastics where alternatives exist by the end of 2027 and increasing the use of natural and mechanical alternatives to chemical herbicides.

The Forest Preserves also plans to develop a strategy to relocate its headquarters and the Dunn Museum to a destination location designed to achieve net-zero operations.

Public Access and Connections

The strategic objectives prioritize the completion of projects funded through the voter-approved 2024 referendum. The Forest Preserves will place public safety at the center of planning, design, construction and operations.

The organization will also offer more programs and printed materials in Spanish and seek sustainable funding for volunteer engagement in under-resourced communities.

Communication, Education and Outreach

The Forest Preserves will explore opportunities to engage young adults in its work.

Communication efforts will highlight progress on land acquisition, habitat restoration and public access improvements. They will also explain why the Forest Preserves may hold newly acquired land until funding and staff are available to restore it, add public amenities and maintain the property.

Organizational Sustainability

The Forest Preserves will work with the Board of Commissioners and Lake County’s state legislative delegation to pursue increased operating revenue. It will also seek state and federal funding for high-priority projects and grants for initiatives included in the Capital Improvement Plan or annual operating budget.

The objectives support the Preservation Foundation’s effort to complete its $20 million endowment campaign by December 31, 2027. The endowment will provide a permanent source of funding for the long-term care of Lake County’s forest preserves.

Leadership

Internally, the Forest Preserves will evaluate staffing needs, strengthen communication and collaboration across departments and increase investment in employee safety. A recurring employee survey will help assess workplace culture, communication and engagement.

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