2
4 more than
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8 29,300
LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES
acres are protected
by the lake county forest preserves .
A MESSAGE from
BOARD of COMMISSIONERS
ANN B. MAINE PRESIDENT LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES
PRESIDENT
Ann B. Maine, Lincolnshire VICE PRESIDENT
Linda Pedersen, Antioch TREASURER
Though temperatures may still be low, make no mistake: spring is here! As the snow melts and the sun warms the earth, Lake County is awakening to the sights and sounds of the season. Spring brings new life and with it, the opportunity to learn something new and fascinating about our surroundings. For me, springtime is about discovery. About five years ago, during one of my walks through Ryerson Woods, I spotted groups of Dutchman’s breeches that I hadn’t noticed before. After researching this wildflower I found that they only thrive in two places at Ryerson—one of them being along that trail. I now make sure to hike that path in early spring each year to see these white and yellow flowers in bloom. Dutchman’s breeches, blue flag iris, and prairie blazingstar are beautiful examples of species that populate our county through woodland, marsh, and meadow, respectively. You can learn more about Lake County’s native wildflowers, their habitats and their important contributions to biodiversity in this issue of Horizons. One of the greatest provisions of your forest preserves is the catalog of activities and scenery to enjoy during this exciting time of year. A hike or bike along the trails reveals a colorful procession of blooms along with the melodies of returning songbirds and chirping frogs. Find something for everyone in our calendar of events (pages 7–13). Special spring activities are planned to celebrate Earth Day and the “Year of the Bat,” a global species awareness initiative (yearofthebat.org), along with our annual Maple Syrup Hikes. After a long winter, treat the kids to a trip to one of the playgrounds featured on page 14. These playgrounds provide a dynamic learning and exploring environment for children to grow and play, in a beautiful natural setting. Finally, follow LCFPD on facebook or twitter for new impromptu program announcements, and join us for free, drop-in programs when conditions are just right. It is my hope that the charm of the season encourages you to discover new and interesting things about the natural world around you. Happy spring!
Anne Flanigan Bassi, Highland Park ASSISTANT TREASURER
Carol Calabresa, Libertyville Melinda Bush, Grayslake Pat Carey, Grayslake Steve Carlson, Gurnee Bonnie Thomson Carter, Ingleside Mary Ross Cunningham, Waukegan Bill Durkin, Waukegan Michelle Feldman, Deerfield Susan Loving Gravenhorst, Lake Bluff Diane Hewitt, Waukegan Angelo D. Kyle, Waukegan Aaron Lawlor, Vernon Hills Stevenson Mountsier, Lake Barrington Jim Newton, Lindenhurst Audrey H. Nixon, North Chicago Diana O’Kelly, Mundelein Brent Paxton, Zion David B. Stolman, Buffalo Grove Craig Taylor, Lake Zurich Terry Wilke, Round Lake Beach EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tom Hahn
HORIZONS VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2
Spring 2012
EDITOR
Kara Martin kmartin@LCFPD.org PHOTOGRAPHY
Christian Fischer, Carol Freeman, Barbara J. Hoeldt, Kim Karpeles, Ric McArthur, Jim & Joan Sayre, Justin Wambold, Chip Williams, H. Zell SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES HOTLINE: 847–968–3335
Photo and videos are periodically taken of people participating in Forest Preserve District programs and activities. All persons registering for Forest Preserve District programs/activities or using Forest Preserve property thereby agree that any photo or video taken by the Forest Preserve District may be used by the District for promotional purposes including its website, promotional videos, brochures, fliers and other publications without additional, prior notice or permission and without compensation to the participant.