On the cover: A southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) glides gracefully across the nighttime sky. Weighing only 1–3 ounces, this small, nocturnal mammal uses loose skin like a wing-suit to stay aloft. The species is native to North America—including Lake County—and Central America.
A MESSAGE from JESSICA VEALITZEK
PRESIDENT
LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES
JVEALITZEK@LAKECOUNTYIL.GOV
MORE THAN 31,400 ACRES ARE PROTECTED BY THE LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES.
I recently returned from a family vacation to Sequoia National Park. Walking among giant sequoias, which can be more than 3,000 years old and as tall as the Statue of Liberty, was almost indescribable. Magical. Awe-inspiring. Humbling.
Nature in northern California is simply overwhelming, from ancient redwoods and sequoias to its rugged coastline; from the Sierra Nevadas to temperate rainforest. By contrast, nature in the Midwest is small. Not less significant but, like many Midwesterners ourselves, it makes less of a fuss.
Sometimes we have to lean close to appreciate its subtle beauty, kneeling to observe a rare, delicate orchid and the way it interacts with a native bumble bee. Peering through binoculars to appreciate the tiny iridescent blur of a ruby-throated hummingbird’s wings as she migrates through our region.
Author Willa Cather observed, “Anybody can love the mountains, but it takes soul to love the prairie.”
Even though we live in the Prairie State, Illinois has precious little of this habitat left. Here in Lake County, we are fortunate to have thousands of acres of prairie, wetlands, savanna and woodlands— all protected, restored and managed for you by the Forest Preserves.
B OARD of COMMISSIONERS
PRESIDENT
Jessica Vealitzek, Hawthorn Woods
VICE PRESIDENT
Gina Roberts, Beach Park
TREASURER
Jennifer Clark, Libertyville
We know from a recent resident survey that you deeply love, appreciate and value all that we do. The forest preserves are used by 79% of residents, and 90% of users report satisfaction or high satisfaction with their experience. Visitors hold the Forest Preserves in good, great or highest regard at a rate of 70%—higher than any other unit of government. When it comes to accessibility and inclusion, 92% say we meet these important standards.
Thank you, Lake County residents. We value the natural spaces of the Midwest as much as you do. We are grateful for these high marks, and we do not take them for granted.
ASSISTANT TREASURER
Michael Danforth, Fox River Grove
Marah Altenberg, Buffalo Grove
Esiah Campos, Round Lake Beach
Carissa Casbon, Lake Villa
Mary Ross Cunningham, Waukegan
Paul Frank, Highland Park
Sandy Hart, Lake Bluff
Diane Hewitt, Zion
J. Kevin Hunter, Ingleside
Sara Knizhnik, Vernon Hills
Angelo D. Kyle, Waukegan
Ann B. Maine, Lincolnshire
Paras Parekh, Highland Park
Linda Pedersen, Antioch
Adam Schlick, Wauconda
John Wasik, Grayslake
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ty Kovach
HORIZONS
VOLUME 34, ISSUE 3 Fall 2025
EDITOR AND DESIGNER
Jeanna Martinucci Cristino Horizons@LCFPD.org
CONTENT AND DESIGN CONTRIBUTORS
Kim Mikus, Brett Peto, Eddie Fieg, Kristen Seefurth, Rebekah Snyder, Erika Stergos
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ILLUSTRATION
Joe McDonald / McDonald Wildlife Photography (cover), Justine Neslund, Jennifer Rasmussen, R. Scott McNeill, Tim Elliott, Merlin Tuttle, Alex Roukis, Kyle Hauder, Thomas G. Wilson, Jim Zipp, Brett Peto, John D. Kavc, Paul Klonowski, Jeanna Martinucci, Alex Ross, Richard Scarry, Kim Taylor, John Weinstein, Anna Larsen
SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, UPDATE ADDRESS: 847–968–3335 | H orizons@LCFPD.org
Horizons is the quarterly publication of the Lake County Forest Preserve District. Subscriptions are free. Subscribers may also receive mailings from the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves. Photos 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 District 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 or agency social media, promotional videos, brochures, fliers and other publications without additional, prior notice or permission and without compensation to the participant.
MCDONALD WOODS (LINDENHURST)
When you settle into bed for the evening, another world awakens. Flying squirrels launch between trees, bats emerge from roosts and owls begin their silent hunts.
Your forest preserves provide the food, water, shelter and darkness these animals need during their night shifts. Despite their abundance and proximity, our nocturnal neighbors can seem mysterious. The dark obscures their unique activities.
Let’s peek behind the curtain.
big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) / blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) / coyote (Canis latrans) / eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea) / eastern red bat (Lasiurus
) / eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) / evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) / hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) / little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) / northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) / raccoon (Procyon
Pink, purple and green swirl together in a breathtaking Northern Lights display at Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve (Antioch).
Nighttime Advantages
Darkness offers different advantages to different animals. It allows species with similar diets to avoid direct competition.
“Owls hunting at night generally target small mammals or birds. Hawks hunt the same prey during the day,” said Wildlife Ecologist Jim Grego. “They don’t directly compete.”
Amphibians such as frogs and salamanders emerge at night to dodge daytime heat and dehydration.
Blue-spotted and eastern tiger salamanders breathe through their skin and must remain damp.
They venture from burrows to hunt snails, earthworms and mosquitoes using their sense of smell.
Developed areas contain more accessible food and water sources at night. White-tailed deer, raccoons and striped skunks have better survival rates in suburbia than wilderness.
“Humans have removed large predators such as bears and wolves. If you ignore our houses, we’ve created a savanna with big trees, hedgerows and maintained yards. It’s nice habitat,” Grego said.
Fear of humans also drives nocturnal behavior. Animals become significantly more nocturnal in urban
areas than rural regions, according to a 2018 study. Coyotes exemplify this shift. They’re diurnal—active during the day—in remote locations but mostly nocturnal around people. These nighttime specialists have evolved remarkable adaptations, such as enhanced vision.
An owl’s eyes can make up 5% of its bodyweight, compared to 0.02% in humans. Owls also independently control their pupils and possess five times more light-sensitive rod cells in their eyes than people.
Rods are specialized for seeing in low-light conditions.
Many nocturnal animals also have a reflective eye tissue called the tapetum lucidum. It bounces light back through the retina, creating a greenish eye-glow in the dark. Humans don’t have tapeta lucida.
Keen hearing is equally crucial.
“Raccoons and opossums have cup-shaped ears to capture sounds from prey or predators,” Grego said. Owls’ asymmetrically positioned ears help them pinpoint where sounds originate, making them deadly accurate hunters in dim places.
Blue-spotted salamanders hunt for small invertebrates during cool nighttime temperatures.
Night Gliders
One nocturnal species consistently stumps Grego’s student interns. They’ll send him infrared images of a creature climbing trees and eating. Too big for a mouse, too small for a squirrel, the interns say.
The reveal—it’s a southern flying squirrel. These chipmunk-sized mammals live in social groups among Lake County’s treetops, nesting in grass-lined tree cavities.
“They set up lots of secondary nests as extra hiding spots,” Grego said.
Flying squirrels don’t truly fly. They glide around their 1-acre home ranges using a fold of skin called the patagium that connects their wrists and ankles.
Emerging from its nest, a squirrel tilts its head, assessing the distance to a destination. It launches, catching the air with its patagium.
The squirrel flicks its tail and bends its skin, steering between branches. Just before the targeted tree, it puffs the patagium into a parachute and lands upright on the trunk. Glides of 90 feet are possible, but 20–30 feet are more common.
Despite their cuteness, “flying squirrels are North America’s most carnivorous squirrels.” They favor nuts, acorns, berries, fungi, sap— and occasionally insects, bird eggs, baby birds and carrion.
Southern flying squirrels glide from tree to tree, rarely touching the ground.
Night Flyers
About 70% of mammals worldwide are nocturnal. One group exhibits powered flight: bats.
Look at your hand. Picture your fingers lengthening and the skin between them stretching, until it’s a continuous flap of muscles, blood vessels and skin.
Over millions of years, bats evolved like this to make flight possible. Chiroptera, the scientific order containing bats, means “hand-wing.”
“A lot of people think of a bat as a mouse with wings, but it’s not,” Grego said.
Of Illinois’ 13 native bat species, big brown bats, hoary bats and silverhaired bats are common in Lake County. Eastern red bats and evening bats are less common.
Most roost in tree cavities or buildings—not caves—and emerge nightly after sunset to feast on mosquitoes, beetles and gnats.
Bats’ pest control value is enormous. A colony of 150 big brown bats removes enough cucumber beetles to prevent millions of crop-damaging larvae from hatching each summer.
“I think folks who make their living off agriculture and all of us who eat food can appreciate that.”
Install a bat house to attract bats to your yard using guidelines at batcon.org
Big brown bats swoop down to snag insects just above the water’s surface.
Eastern red bats (above) and hoary bats (right) fly through Lake County’s nighttime skies.
White outdoor lights often attract swarms of flying insects, making them easier prey.
Bats hunt using echolocation: producing high-pitched calls and listening to the echoes to perceive the shape, size, distance and speed of objects. Some people, especially children, can hear these calls unassisted.
Most adults can’t. It’s relevant for Grego, who conducts bat monitoring in the preserves during spring and summer.
Lights Out
Artificial light allows modern society to keep darkness at bay. But it disrupts nocturnal wildlife’s natural behaviors, including navigation, mating, foraging and pollination.
Migrating birds and bats that navigate by moonlight or starlight can get lost near bright cities.
Human-made light creates artificial feeding grounds where insects gather, attracting bats, birds and other predators.
When sphinx moths—which pollinate federally threatened eastern prairie fringed orchids—get drawn to lights instead of flowers, the plants they should visit won’t reproduce as well.
“Plants with strong scents, especially at night, and light-colored flowers draw nocturnal visitors,” said Restoration Ecologist Dan Sandacz, who’s planning to study these relationships in the preserves.
“Nocturnal pollinators can pollinate as much as diurnal ones.”
You can help restore the night by flipping a switch.
Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights, switch to amber lightbulbs and point them at the ground. Install motion detectors with short intervals.
“If a coyote walks onto your porch, the light turns on and scares it away,” said Grego. “After five or 10 minutes, the light goes off and things return to normal.”
Want to see wildlife after dark?
While the preserves close at sunset, our educators often lead after-hours hikes and paddling programs. Check LCFPD.org/calendar
See more tips to reduce light pollution at darksky.org
Starting about 30 minutes after sundown, he walks or slowly drives through a preserve, recording vocalizations with a portable microphone and smartphone. Software identifies the species.
After visiting 14 preserves in 2024, Grego calculated their bat populations as 45.9% big brown bat, 24.8% hoary bat, 21.8% silver-haired bat, 5% eastern red bat and 2.6% evening bat.
The composition has changed due to white-nose syndrome, a contagious disease that interrupts hibernation and leads to starvation.
Caused by a fungus native to Europe and unintentionally introduced to the U.S., it was first observed in New York in 2006. The disease reached Illinois by 2012 and today is found in 40 states. Northern long-eared bats are now federally endangered. Tricolored bats are trending that way. And little brown bats are sharply declining in northeastern North America.
Grego recently gained new tools to expand monitoring efforts.
Thanks to a grant from the Preservation Foundation, the charitable partner of the Forest Preserves, we purchased four stationary monitoring devices ahead of the 2025 monitoring season. They can be left in place for two weeks, recording data continuously.
Each preserve’s bat population will be assessed every eight years. By 2032, we’ll have a fuller picture of how Lake County’s flying mammals are faring.
PRESERVE NEWS NEWS
DUCK FARM DOG AREA UPGRADED
Construction is complete on upgrades at Duck Farm Off-Leash Dog Area (Lake Villa). We identified the need for improvements as part of our ADA Transition Plan to enhance accessibility.
The updated, ADA-compliant Off-Leash Dog Area still welcomes all dogs but now includes a separate enclosure for small dogs under 25 pounds. Specialty fencing and gates provide safe access to both sections and a shared toilet. Each area also features new shade shelters, drinking fountains and seating. Plan your visit: LCFPD.org/dog
Water Quality Enhancement Project Complete
A multi-agency partnership completed a water quality enhancement project at Third Lake this summer, addressing flooding and sedimentation issues. It also created an outdoor wetland plant nursery, which will supply native plants for habitat restoration.
Third Lake lies east of Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve (Grayslake). Mill Creek passes through the preserve and flows into the lake on its southwestern shore. But the creek carries more than water. It transports large amounts of sediment from lands farther upstream. And it frequently floods Linden Avenue to the west.
These cross-boundary problems prompted collaboration among the Forest Preserves, the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, Avon Township and the Village of Third Lake.
“Crews stabilized the stream and created deeper water channels to reduce sedimentation,” said Matt Ueltzen, manager of restoration ecology. “They also decreased the slope of eroded streambanks and installed native plants there, creating more diverse wildlife habitat.”
More info: LCFPD.org/water-quality
Cathedral on Display in Chicago
A hand-carved cathedral from the Dunn Museum’s (Libertyville) collections is now featured at the newly renovated Intuit Art Museum in Chicago. Crafted by Mundelein’s Charles Warner (1884–1964) in memory of his childhood in Poland, Intuit staff learned of the piece through a virtual exhibition of Warner’s cathedrals.
Now part of Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-taught Art in Chicago, the cathedral helps spotlight underrecognized immigrant artists. The loan expands awareness of Warner’s work—and the Dunn Museum—to new audiences. Intuit’s exhibition runs through January 11, 2026. Learn more: LCFPD.org/cathedral
Solar-lit trails are available Sunday, November 2, 2025 through Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Old School Forest Preserve (Mettawa) and the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve (Wauconda). Regular preserve hours are 6:30 am–sunset. Illuminated trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open until 9 pm daily. Learn more: LCFPD.org/solar-lit
PROJECTS CELEBRATED WITH TOP HONORS
We earned high praise this year, bringing home awards from state and national contests.
• Our Celebrating Cicadas marketing campaign earned a Bronze Anvil Award—the top national honor in media relations from the Public Relations Society of America
• Horizons magazine took first place in the Illinois Park and Recreation Association Agency Showcase. Other awards included second place for the video It’s Not About Us and fourth place for our Expand Your Experience map and guide.
• At the AVA Digital Awards, It’s Not About Us earned a Platinum Award, while the companion video It All Depends on the Acorn and a series of commercials won Gold.
• The Ryerson Education Center (Riverwoods) earned an award in the Recreation Facility category from the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials. Our 17-year Periodical Cicada Education outreach also earned top recognition for Park and Recreation Program.
• We received two honors from the Awards for Publication Excellence. Our Referendum Education Campaign earned the Grand Award in the Current Events & Trending Topics category, and Horizons magazine received an Award of Excellence in the Newsletters—Print category.
A Gift Rooted in Memory
A simple water sample can reveal whether a lake is thriving or struggling. Gerard “Gerry” Urbanozo has tested nearly all 176 lakes in Lake County. This summer, Urbanozo, a senior water quality specialist, and intern Nick Psimaras—both from the Lake County Health Department’s Ecological Services division—monitored water quality at several lakes in the preserves. Their work included Fish Lake at Marl Flat Forest Preserve (Round Lake).
From a fishing boat, the team collected several bottles of water at shallow and deep depths. They lowered a probe to the bottom, recording the water temperature, pH levels (acidity) and conductivity (dissolved minerals) at intervals. And they measured water clarity using a tool called a Secchi disk. The deeper the black-andwhite disk is still visible, the clearer the water.
This data is compiled into comprehensive reports published online. Results guide our aquatic restoration projects addressing nitrogen and phosphorus levels, shoreline erosion and invasive species such as Eurasian watermilfoil and common carp, which stir up sediments.
Ongoing monitoring helps ensure the county’s lakes provide healthy habitats for native plants and wildlife. Read reports: lakecountyil.gov/2400
Lake County resident Linda Raymond donated 2.5 acres of land—and a nearly 300-yearold bur oak—to the Forest Preserves. The tree, now a part of Dutch Gap Forest Preserve (Antioch), once was the heart of family gatherings, swings and even a wedding. The generous gift is meant to ensure the tree remains healthy and continues to tower over future generations. “We wanted to make sure it is protected,” Raymond said. Read more: LCFPD.org/bur-oak
Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra)
A NIGHT WITH ALEX ROSS BRINGS OUT HEROES
On June 28, more than 200 guests joined us at the Dunn Museum (Libertyville) for A Night with Alex Ross, a special event celebrating the launch of Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains as the inaugural special exhibition in a new gallery.
Comic book artist Alex Ross is known for painting superheroes and supervillains with striking realism. Guests mingled with Ross and were the first to experience two new paintings—Harley Quinn and The Joker— created specifically for the exhibition. The event raised nearly $50,000 for the Every Acre Strong endowment campaign.
Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains is open through February 16, 2026. All proceeds of this ticketed special exhibition support the campaign. Learn more and plan your visit: LCFPD.org/planyourvisit
Now and 100 Years from Now
Fall is the perfect time to create a lasting legacy and ensure the Forest Preserves remain resilient forever. Donors can sow the seeds of possibility through “taxsmart” options—gifts of stock, donoradvised fund grants or qualified charitable distributions from IRAs. Others are planning ahead by including the Foundation as a beneficiary in their will.
Start a conversation about creating a natural legacy by contacting Major Gifts Manager Meg Bonham at 847-968-3447 or donate@LCFPD.org. Or explore giving opportunities at LCFPD.org/gift-planning.
IMPROVING WATER QUALITY IN LAKE COUNTY
A key tactic in our strategic plan, the Road Map to 2025, is to enhance water quality in Lake County. We do this by removing invasive species, installing native plants and restoring the natural water flow through native habitats. Two grant-funded projects are underway to help meet this goal.
A $200,000 project award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Sustain Our Great Lakes program is supporting invasive species removal from areas with threatened and endangered native species in Lyons Woods Forest Preserve (Waukegan).
A $12,000 award from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission’s Watershed Management Board Grant program is funding engineering and analysis for hydrologic restoration at Old School (Mettawa), Wadsworth Savanna (Wadsworth) and Grassy Lake (Lake Barrington) forest preserves. While we care for forest preserve lands, you can help protect water quality at home. Residents can save money and improve water quality by fertilizing lawns and gardens wisely. Learn more: LCFPD.org/best-practices
Since 2007, the Preservation Foundation has inspired individuals, corporations and foundations to support Forest Preserves projects, programs and places they are passionate about. Gifts of all sizes make a meaningful impact and help ensure Lake County is filled with beautiful, natural spaces everyone can enjoy.
ANNUAL FUND SPOTLIGHT: Increasing Data-Driven Monitoring
The Preservation Foundation Board of Directors awarded a $7,000 grant to extend wildlife ecologists’ efforts to monitor local bat populations. Traditionally, staff walk established routes in the preserves after sunset to record bat calls. However, this technique alone leaves a gap that favors early-emerging species, as mobile monitoring starts 30 minutes after sunset and doesn’t span the whole night.
The grant was used to purchase four stationary recording devices ahead of the 2025 monitoring season. They can be left in place for two weeks, recording data continuously. The new equipment is helping staff better understand which bat species are present at each preserve and how they use the surrounding habitat.
Make a gift: LCFPD.org/donate
Gifts to the Annual Fund provide immediate, flexible support for the Forest Preserves. Annual Fund grants are used to pilot new initiatives, leverage outside grants and expand existing projects.
Creating a Lasting Connection
Your donations help extend and accelerate the work of the Forest Preserves!
The Preservation Foundation’s 2024 Annual Report highlighted Community Engagement Specialist Norma Zamudio. In the profile, Zamudio shares her first experience in the forest preserves was as a teenager at Fiestas Patrias—an annual event once held at Greenbelt Forest Preserve (North Chicago) that celebrated the independence of Mexico and Central American countries.
“It reminded me of my Latina roots, but they also had education programs that allowed me to learn about nature,” said Zamudio, noting her family’s awareness of nature-based careers was limited.
She is determined to invite more of Lake County’s Latino residents to engage with the outdoors. Her role is made possible through the Foundation’s Accelerator Funds, which provide flexible funding to test a new approach or speed up projects.
“Donors are helping create a lasting connection between the community and the Forest Preserves,” Zamudio said. You can help extend and accelerate the work of the Forest Preserves.
Visit LCFPD.org/accelerate
Leave a legacy of generosity with an estate gift that helps meet your financial and philanthropic goals.
Scan the QR code to read Norma’s full story and explore the Annual Report.
FEATURED EVENTS
For a complete list of all events, descriptions, pricing and tickets: Visit LCFPD.org/calendar, call 847-968-3321 or scan the QR code shown on the left. In-person and virtual nature and history programs, school field trips and digital resources are available.
DROP-IN EXPERIENCES
EDUCATOR PICKS
Our educators shared their top picks for the fall season. View details, browse the full lineup and register: LCFPD.org/calendar
September 25, October 23 Native Gardener’s Club: Ready, Set, Grow
October 4 Family Drop-In: Bats of Lake County
October 16 Celebration of Life: Honoring Ojibwe Traditions Through Birchbark Quillwork
October 18 Teacher Workshop: Local Native American History and Your Classroom
November 22 Coyotes and Other Canines
Show up and explore! Embrace your spontaneous side and learn about the natural world. Find all programs and details: LCFPD.org/showup
September 19, October 3 Community Campfire Friday Night
September 20 Family Drop-In: All About Autumn
October 2, November 6 Connecting Kids with Nature
October 4, November 1 Caminata en Español
November 15 Family Drop-In: Wild Turkeys
Uncover the stories of Lake County’s past at the Dunn Museum (Libertyville)—where history comes alive through captivating exhibits. View all Museum programs and register: LCFPD.org/dunn
September 24 Senior Series: Dinosaurs and Paleoart
October 29 Civics Connections for Homeschoolers: The Voice of Adlai Stevenson
November 12 Museum Explorers: Childhood Classics
November 13 Civic Series: Drop-In Button Making
November 18 Bind a Book for Homeschoolers: Childhood Classics
Take a guided walk through a scenic forest preserve and discover facts about native plants and animals along the way. See a complete list of upcoming walks and register: LCFPD.org/walk
October 7 Fall Bird Walk
October 11 Walk with a Naturalist: Pine Dunes
October 24, 25 Halloween Hikes
October 27 Senior Series: Walk at Waukegan Savanna
November 16 Guided Hike Lake County: McDonald Woods
DUNN MUSEUM PROGRAMS
NATURE WALKS
FESTIVAL DE CULTURA, COMIDA Y VIDA
September 28 • 2–6 pm
Nippersink Forest Preserve (Round Lake)
Experience a vibrant celebration of culture, food and life! Enjoy performances featuring a mariachi band, live music and other dynamic cultural showcases. Savor delicious offerings for purchase from local food vendors or bring your own picnic. Engage in bilingual education programs designed for adults and children. Connect with organizations dedicated to supporting the Latino community in Lake County.
All ages. FREE. Leer en Español: LCFPD.org/festival
January 8 and 15, 2026 • 6:30–8:30 pm Online
Love history? The Dunn Museum is virtually hosting the 11th annual Lake County History Symposium, uniting all who share an interest in Lake County’s past. This year’s theme—Historical Surprises: When Research Reveals the Unexpected—commemorates the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Students, professionals, enthusiastic historians, museums and historical societies are invited to submit presentation proposals by November 7. Learn more and submit: LCFPD.org/symposium
On exhibit through February 16, 2026 • Dunn Museum Exhibition entry requires separate fee. Details: LCFPD.org/planyourvisit
CELEBRATION: NATIVE TREE AND SHRUB SALE
October 5 • 9 am–1 pm
North Bay Pavilion
Independence Grove Forest Preserve (Libertyville)
Fall is the perfect time to plant native trees and shrubs. Purchase your favorites from our list of over 40 species including oak, hickory, hawthorn, dogwood, hazelnut and more.
Details: LCFPD.org/OAKtober
Creek
HERON CREEK FOREST PRESERVE 242 ACRES | LAKE ZURICH
ROUTE 22
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PICNIC SHELTERS
PLAYGROUND
PRESERVE AREA
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WATER
WOODED AREA
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ACTIVITIES & AMENITIES
BIKING
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
DRINKING WATER
PICNIC SHELTER RENTAL
PICNIC TABLES
PLAYGROUND
PUBLIC PARKING
TOILETS
TRAILS
WALKING
GETTING HERE
The entrance and parking lots are located off Old McHenry Road, just south of Route 22.
A Chorus of Birds,
From birdsong in the trees to children laughing on the playground, Heron Creek Forest Preserve (Lake Zurich) resonates with the sounds of nature—a welcoming place where wildlife, adventure and peaceful moments come together.
Spread across 242 acres, the preserve blends rolling woodlands, bustling wetlands and breezy open fields. Winding trails and wooden bridges provide 2.5 miles of distance for walkers and cyclists to slow down and take in the sights, sounds and scents. Opened in 2008, the preserve benefits from volunteers who continue to boost its habitat health.
A haven for birdwatchers, Heron Creek has produced sightings of more than 115 bird species, including waterfowl and the preserve’s
namesake herons.
State-endangered birds spotted here include the black tern, blackcrowned night heron, yellow-crowned night heron and Forster’s tern. Four state-threatened species have also been observed: brown creeper, osprey, pied-billed grebe and red-shouldered hawk. Just steps from the bird-rich wetlands, an innovative playground invites children to climb, crawl and explore colorful tunnels, slides, bridges and swings. Two separate areas, one for ages 2 to 5 and another for 5 to 12, offer age-appropriate fun. Ramped sections improve accessibility, while lookout stations and a sand pit connect playtime with the surrounding woods.
a Trail of Discovery
CUBA RD
Salem Lake
Gently rolling hills cradle the south branch of Indian Creek, which winds west to east across the preserve. The creek basin here holds the highest-quality wetland classification in Lake County. Along its channel, the creek supports robust plant communities, including a sedge meadow that provides valuable wildlife habitat. At the site’s southeast edge, it eventually flows into the adjoining 46-acre ReedTurner Woodland, owned by the Long Grove Park District.
Where Heron Creek meets its neighboring preserve, the landscape blends seamlessly. The two sites share native plant communities and provide habitat for a wide variety of birds, including great horned owls that nest in oaks along the ridge. This area also features stands of mature oak and hickory forest.
A. Cedar waxwings visit fruit-producing shrubs and trees such as hawthorn, dogwood and serviceberry.
B. Osprey populations in Illinois are still low due to the use of the pesticide DDT from the 1950s to the 1970s.
History of the Preserve
In the 1840s, German immigrants began settling among the rolling oak and hickory groves that now make up Heron Creek Forest Preserve. Fleeing famine, failed crops and the 1848–1849 revolutions, they named the area “Muttersholtz” or “Mother’s Woods.”
C. Black-crowned night herons nest in colonies, which sometimes last for 50 years or more.
D. During breeding season, Forster’s terns have thick black caps on their heads. These shrink to small eye patches outside of breeding season.
E. Yellow-crowned night herons can be seen migrating through Lake County. Destruction and deterioration of wetlands has contributed to their endangered status.
Among those early settlers was Michael Umbdenstock (1817–1851), who arrived from Alsace-Lorraine in 1848 with his wife, Salome, and their son. A furniture maker, he built a log cabin on what is now Heron Creek and began farming with no prior experience.
After Michael died in 1851, Salome married neighbor George Herschberger. The farm was divided among the children, with Michael Jr. taking half.
At 17, Michael Jr. joined the 96th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War. He later married Catharina Sturm, continued farming and served as a school director for many years.
Another German immigrant, Heinrich “Henry” Andermann, shaped this area’s history. He arrived from Hanover in 1841 and purchased land in what is now Heron Creek in 1844. He married Gesine Descher in 1848.
The shoemaker joined the Union Army in 1864 at age 43. He served in the 134th Illinois Infantry as one of the “One Hundred-Day Men,” a short-term volunteer force created to free veteran troops from routine duty so they could engage in front-line combat during the Civil War.
Plan your visit to Heron Creek: LCFPD.org/heron-creek
Michael Umbdenstock, Jr. (1845–1922)
On exhibit October 18, 2025–January 19, 2026 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville DunnMuseum.org • 847-968-3400 It all begins with the artwork—where the magic of storytelling comes to life. Featuring original art from more than 75 beloved children’s books, this exhibition takes you through the evolution of illustration for young readers over the last 100 years.
Immerse yourself in Dr. Seuss’ whimsical worlds, Sarah Noble Ives’ 1915 pen-and-ink Mother Goose artwork and Maurice Sendak’s iconic Wild Things. Marvel at Garth Williams’ timeless portrayal of Stuart Little and the often-overlooked brilliance of the 1950s Little Golden Books. See how the medium continues to change with the vibrant digital creations of Mo Willems. Explore the unforgettable characters and stories that have shaped the imaginations of generations.
Like to Hike?
Our annual fall walking program is a great way to enjoy time outdoors and reconnect with nature while exploring trails in preserves across the county.
HOW IT WORKS:
1 Visit LCFPD.org/HLC to download a Travel Log to record each hike. One log can be used for up to five participants. For larger groups, please submit additional logs. Up to two Travel Logs can be submitted per address. Trail maps, directions and upcoming guided hikes are also available online—plus materials in Spanish.
2 Walk at least seven of the 12 designated trails by November 30. Look for the Hike Lake County logo at the trailhead of each participating preserve to get started on the correct route. Bicycling and horseback riding do not count toward this program.
3 Submit your Travel Log by January 31, 2026 to earn a free commemorative medallion. Allow 7–14 business days for processing. Include a valid email on your Travel Log so we can reach you if needed.
• Submit online: LCFPD.org/HLC or scan the QR code at the bottom right of this page.
• Submit in person: General Offices (Libertyville) or Ryerson Welcome Center (Riverwoods).
• Mail to: Lake County Forest Preserves, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048.
Dogs can join the fun! The icon indicates dog-friendly trails. Record your dog ’s name on the Travel Log when they complete a hike with you to receive a commemorative dog tag for their collar. Up to three dogs per participant. Hiking Shield
Zipper Pull/ Dog Tag
GENERAL OFFICES
1899 W. Winchester Road Libertyville, IL 60048
847-367-6640 tel 847-367-6649 fax
ForestPreserves@LCFPD.org
For hours, visit our website.
BESS BOWER DUNN MUSEUM
1899 W. Winchester Road Libertyville, IL 60048
847-968-3400
Dunn@LCFPD.org DunnMuseum.org
Gallery and Gift Shop
10 am–4:30 pm, Wednesday 2–8 pm, Thursday FREE general admission 5–8 pm, sponsored by USG.
10 am–4:30 pm, Friday–Sunday
For upcoming special hours, visit our website.
General Admission
Seniors 62+: $3 resident/$6 nonresident FREE for the month of October.
Adults 18+: $6 resident/$10 nonresident Youth 4–17: $3 resident/$6 nonresident Children 3 and under: FREE Teachers, Students 18–25: FREE Must present valid school ID. For ticketed special exhibition pricing, visit our website.
Prairie and Traditional Courses 20800 W. Hawley St. Mundelein, IL 60060
847-968-3466 Tee Times, Golf Outings CountrysideGolfClub.org
GIFT CARDS
Purchase gift cards for golf courses or Independence Grove: LCFPD.org/giftcards
More than 31,400 acres make up your Lake County Forest Preserves.
Most preserves are open 6:30 am–sunset, daily. If a preserve gate is open before 6:30 am, the preserve is considered open for use.
MAP CURRENT AS OF August 21, 2025
FOREST PRESERVE
STATE LAND
ENTRANCE/ PARKING
METRA STATION
CASEY TRAIL
CHAIN O’LAKES BIKE PATH
Planned Section
DES PLAINES RIVER TRAIL (DPRT)
DPRT TO LYONS WOODS
Planned Section
FORT HILL TRAIL
Planned Section
MIDDLEFORK GREENWAY
Planned Section
MILLENNIUM TRAIL
Planned Section
OTHER REGIONAL TRAILS
Planned Section
GENERAL OFFICES & DUNN MUSEUM
OPERATIONS & PUBLIC SAFETY
BEER
GARDEN
CANOE LAUNCH
COMMUNITY GARDEN
EDUCATION CENTER
OFF-LEASH DOG AREA
TRAIL MAP
Use our interactive trail map to navigate your next adventure. To view the map, open the camera app on your phone and scan the QR code below.
847–968–3335 Horizons @LCFPD.org
General admission to the Dunn Museum (Libertyville) is FREE for seniors throughout October. Add the Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains ticketed exhibition for $5. Hours: LCFPD.org/planyourvisit
INSTAGRAM PICK
SHELTER RENTALS & PERMITS
Shelter reservations for 2026 open Monday, October 20. Annual permits for off-leash dog areas, horse trails and more go on sale Monday, December 1.
Make reservations or purchase permits online starting at 12:01 am on the dates above, or by phone or in person starting at 8 am. Details: LCFPD.org/permits
SeptOberfest at the Beer Garden
Celebrate fall at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove (Libertyville) with live music and events on Wednesdays and Thursdays in September and October (weather permitting): LCFPD.org/septoberfest
Hours through November 2 Wednesday & Thursday: 5–9 pm Friday–Sunday: 1–9 pm
