Lake County Forest Preserve District

🥳 We're ecstatic that our Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of 18.2 acres from the U.S. Department of the Navy to 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁! "We found a real diamond here and we're polishing it the best we can," a commissioner said of the lakefront property. Learn more: LCFPD.org/preserve-expands 📷 Openlands Lake Shore Preserve at Fort Sheridan

The July e-newsletter (mailchi.mp/lcfpd/july24) just dropped, and it's hitting all the right notes! 🎶 📺 Watch journalist Bill Kurtis tell a meaningful story about change and a better future. ☀️ Learn about the science of habitat restoration in the summer issue of 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘰𝘯𝘴 (LCFPD.org/Horizons). ♫ Experience the sounds and sights of Gospelfest and Afrofest at Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. 🍺 Get a limited-edition Brewed XIII (13) T-shirt before they're gone! 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗲-𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: LCFPD.org/enews-signup

🌱Habitat Restoration Highlight: Pine Dunes in Antioch 🌱 In Lake County, where sprawling agricultural fields shape the landscape, a fascinating tale of innovation and unintended consequences unfolds beneath the soil. Once a vast mosaic of wetlands, these lands posed a challenge to early European settlers wanting to farm the land. A solution emerged in the form of clay drain tiles to transform wetlands into fertile farmland. In the 1830s, farmers began installing clay drain tiles to solve this. Drain tiles are pipes buried underground that lower the water table. Clay and concrete tiles are installed with loose joints, or spaces between each section of tile, for water to seep through. Drain tiles don't vanish after farmland is retired. They continue to reduce water quality and the size of wetlands. A common restoration step involves removing drain tiles to restore a habitat's natural hydrology. One of the largest projects occurred at Pine Dunes. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟱,𝟵𝟴𝟬 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀. Once tiles are removed or broken, water in the vicinity primarily permeates into the soil, rejuvenating groundwater supplies and nurturing wetlands. Learn more: LCFPD.org/Horizons

Over the next several days, Lake County will experience extreme heat. ☀️ Here are a few reminders about staying safe in your preserves: 🧊 Bring plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. 🏃🏽♂️➡️ ➡️ Try to avoid high-energy activities during the midday heat. 👚 Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothes. 🗣️ When alone, inform someone which preserve you are visiting. 🦮 Don't forget water for your dog and limit strenuous exercise. 🚨 Call 911 in the case of a medical emergency. 📷: R. Scott McNeill at Ethel's Woods in Antioch

"Where did some of the trees in the forest preserves go?" The answer is 𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, a sequence of land management activities that improve the health, ecological function and diversity of species at a particular site. During restoration efforts, you may see dramatic visual differences than what you are used to. Removal of invasive species, such as European buckthorn (𝘙𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢), helps sunlight reach the ground. This encourages oak reproduction and promotes the growth of native plant species. Since 2014, we have 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝟲,𝟭𝟯𝟯 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝟯𝟬 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀. Learn more: LCFPD.org/Horizons 📸: Before and after habitat restoration at McDonald Woods in Lindenhurst.

Did you know the Dunn Museum in Libertyville is the proud guardian of nearly 20,000 incredible artifacts? Each one is like a puzzle piece that our superstar staff meticulously researches and fits into the epic story of Lake County. Next time you're at the Museum, thank a staff member for their work to preserve history for future generations! Discover more: LCFPD.org/Museum

🎉 While celebrating 30 years working here, Restoration Ecologist Ken Klick expressed his joy in 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. "Your enthusiasm shines through. You have a true love of nature," Forest Preserves commissioners told Ken while he was formally recognized at a board meeting this morning. 💚 Ken has been a driving force in restoring natural resources and increasing native plant diversity. His leadership in developing our in-house database and leading habitat restoration projects has been invaluable. 🌳 📷 Natural Resources Director Dr. Pati Vitt, Angelo Kyle, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves, Ken Klick (right).

The Concerts in the Plaza series starts this Tuesday! 🎶 🗓️ June 11 from 𝟳–𝟴:𝟯𝟬 𝗽𝗺 🎤 Peach Jam • Allman Brothers Band Tribute 📍Independence Grove in Libertyville Tag someone you're excited to go with! View full lineup and details: LCFPD.org/concerts

Our executive director, Ty Kovach, announced the official launch of the Lake County Forest Preserves endowment campaign, managed by the Preservation Foundation. This initiative marks a significant milestone, with the potential to transform the landscape of Lake County. Please take a moment to watch this video, which outlines our mission and vision for the future: https://lnkd.in/gcmcWi_3 Our goal is to raise $20 million by the end of 2025. When we reach our goal, we estimate the endowment will generate $800,000 annually. This perpetual, dependable funding source will help ensure Lake County’s natural ecosystems remain healthy and resilient for generations to come.

Buzz-worthy brew debuts! 🍻 We're thrilled to partner with Harbor Brewing Company in Lake Villa to celebrate the periodical cicadas' 2024 arrival with a new craft beer. 🪰 It launches tomorrow at Brews & Views fest running 4–8 pm at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove in Libertyville: LCFPD.org/brews. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗫𝗜𝗜𝗜 (𝟭𝟯) is named after the brood of cicadas emerging this summer after 17 years underground. ❤️ The hibiscus shandy is deep red, inspired by the insects' eyes. The beer, that 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘺𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘴, will be available at the Beer Garden and Harbor Brewing throughout the season. 🍺 Plan your visit: LCFPD.org/beer 🌺 Read more about Brewed XIII: LCFPD.org/BrewedXIII 🪰 Learn about cicadas: LCFPD.org/cicadas