Horizons quarterly // spring 2018

HORI Z ON S LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES

PRESERVATION, RESTOR ATION , EDUCATION AN D RECRE ATION

QUARTERLY

spring 2018

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 2

3

6

15

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On the cover: Using GPS points and a 100-meter tape, our ecologists can revisit the same location year after year to research long-term trends.

At this woodland data point, they are identifying and recording plant species. nearly

31,000 acres are

protected

by the lake county forest preserves .

LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES BOARD of COMMISSIONERS PRESIDENT

A MESSAGE from

Ann B. Maine, Lincolnshire VICE PRESIDENT

ANN B. MAINE PRESIDENT LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES AMAINE@LAKECOUNTYIL.GOV

Linda Pedersen, Antioch TREASURER

S. Michael Rummel, Lake Forest ASSISTANT TREASURER

If you’re a gardener like me, you know how exciting it can be when those gardening catalogues arrive in the mail each spring. I flip through the pages looking for new ideas and plants to help expand and improve my garden landscape. It’s a rite of passage.

Part of the joy and fun of gardening is that you are really never done! It’s a work in progress. Gardens have a wonderful way of changing the landscapes of our yards, and lives, over time. Humans have changed our county’s landscape in ways we can’t even imagine. A few hundred years ago, the landscape in what is now Lake County was roughly 40 percent prairie. Today, only remnants of those early prairies exist. Much of the county’s landscape is a built environment.

In suburban Lake County, major changes, such as the construction of a building on land that was once a cornfield, are easy to see. But it can take time, an experienced eye, and patient observation to “read” the subtler changes in the non-built environment–in our woodlands, wetlands and other wild places.

In this issue, we highlight the Vegetation Monitoring Program led by our staff ecologists. These scientific professionals spend hours in the field trying to understand which plants are growing where so they can help keep them healthy. They determine how plant species and ecosystems change over time and why, and they find ways to encourage the health and balance of our preserves. They use the tools of science, including data collection over long stretches of time, to research trends so we can better protect native species and improve Lake County’s natural landscape.

This spring as nature’s garden blooms, look for the work of our ecologists in forest preserves throughout the county. You’ll see the results of their efforts in the green and white sea of large-flowered trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), and the sweet, shy purple of the pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens) or, if you’re lucky, the delicate and rare eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea). pasque flower

Jeff Werfel, Grayslake Chuck Bartels, Mundelein Carol Calabresa, Libertyville Steve Carlson, Gurnee Mary Ross Cunningham, Waukegan Michael Danforth, Lake Barrington Bill Durkin, Waukegan Paul Frank, Highland Park Sandy Hart, Lake Bluff Diane Hewitt, Waukegan Aaron Lawlor, Vernon Hills Judy Martini, Fox Lake Sidney Mathias, Buffalo Grove Brent Paxton, Zion Craig Taylor, Lake Zurich Tom Weber, Lake Villa Terry Wilke, Round Lake Beach Vance Wyatt, North Chicago EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ty Kovach

HORIZONS

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 2 Spring 2018 EDITOR

Susan Hawkins, Horizons@LCFPD.org CONTRIBUTORS

Brett Peto, Allison Frederick PHOTOGRAPHY

Jeff Goldberg, Chip Williams, Mark Widhalm, Paul Klonowski, Jim Sayre, Barbara Hoeldt, Phil Hauck, Mark Anderson, Peter Schulz SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, UPDATE ADDRESS: 847–968–3335 | Horizons@LCFPD.org

Horizons is the quarterly publication of the Lake County Forest Preserves. Subscriptions are free.

Subscribers may also receive mailings from the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

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.

Stems + Stats OUR ECOLOGISTS MONITOR PLANTS TO PROTECT NATIVE SPECIES If you’re traveling a trail in the forest preserves and notice a pair of steel T-posts in the ground separated by some distance, you’ve probably discovered a permanent transect. They’re crucial to our Vegetation Monitoring Program, which tracks what plants are growing where so we can better protect native species.

F

“

or 23 years, we’ve maintained long-term vegetation monitoring transects in the forest

VEGETATION VOCAB

preserves,” said Restoration Ecologist Ken Klick, who leads the program. “These small sample plots of land allow us to record and

analyze the changes in plant species that happen over time with and without land management.”

Transects are 100-meter fixed paths through a natural area, capturing different ecosystems and species within them. Permanent starting and ending points are marked with GPS—and those steel posts.

To date, we’ve established more than 300 transects in high-quality prairie, woodland, and wetland communities throughout the forest preserves, including in restoration areas and new acquisitions. “When a transect location is selected, we look for fairly uniform sites, ones that don’t cross into different plant communities,” said Klick. “For example, you’re not crossing a barbed wire fence that suggests one half of a transect has been grazed.”

Every five meters along a transect, Klick and fellow Natural Resources Department staff identify all plants growing within a square meter area—a quadrat. Plant identification relies on professional knowledge, field

1. SPECIES RICHNESS The number of species in a given ecosystem.

2. FLORISTIC QUALITY INDEX A quantitative measure of a plant community’s regional rarity, based on the mean coefficient of conservatism.

3. COEFFICIENT OF CONSERVATISM A value assigned to a native species, on a scale of 1 to 10, indicating how likely you are to find that species in a landscape. A plant scored at 9 or 10 has specialized habitat requirements and tends to live in undisturbed, high-quality areas, while a plant scored at 1 or 2 can grow in many habitats.

Non-native species are scored at zero. This scoring system is unique to the Chicago region.

4. RELATIVE IMPORTANCE VALUE An indicator of how dominant a species is in a given ecosystem, based on relative frequency and coverage.

guides, encyclopedic tomes, and colleagues from other nature-based institutions in the region.

Back in the office, Klick enters his field numbers into a database containing tens of thousands of records.

Upon identification, staff records the occurrence and

These data are used to calculate metrics, such as species

coverage of each species. Woody plants taller than 1

richness,1 floristic quality indices, 2 coefficients of conser-

meter are counted in a 1-meter-wide belt adjacent to the

vatism, 3 and relative importance values.4 Together, these

transects.

measurements help indicate the health of the preserves.

These stats also serve as baseline metrics, allowing Klick and colleagues to draw conclusions about how land management efforts affect plant communities. “As we acquire new forest preserves, we establish transects to record the current condition before we begin land management efforts, such as controlled burns,” said Restoration Ecologist Matt Ueltzen. “New acquisitions are often degraded due to past land uses or lack of stewardship, but still hold valuable plant communities.”

During and after management, stats are collected at these sites every five to seven years to capture any changes. In 2013, we worked with a statistical consultant to determine how vegetation diversity, structure, and composition have shifted in different types of plant communities since our monitoring program began.

Their analysis produced some take-home lessons. Land management efforts, including controlled burns, invasive

Restoration Ecologist Ken Klick finds a tree’s diameter at breast height, or DBH, a standard measurement of size.

2 HORI ZONS QUARTERLY SPRI N G 2 01 8

Staff reach the end of a 100-meter measuring tape while recording

Quadrats can capture a remarkable amount of ground layer diversity

data in a wetland transect.

in just 1 square meter.

plant control, native seeding, deer population manage-

that exist, such as one at Wadsworth Savanna Forest

ment, and hydrologic restoration, increase a site’s

Preserve (Wadsworth).

biodiversity. These actions make plant communities healthier than those areas where no management has

“Wadsworth Savanna provides a rich diversity of 60

occurred. While controlled burns are a good start,

species in a transect, whereas our newly planted prairie

combinations of several land management tools tend to

restorations at other preserves may only have 25 or 30,”

have greater impact.

said Klick. “Our goal is to achieve similar plant diversity and structure of our prairie remnants, though it will take

“If we find a decrease in the woody understory of wood-

generations of land stewards to reach that.”

lands, perhaps we’re burning too often or with an intensity too high for the shrubs to survive,” Klick said.

“Land managers then reduce fire’s frequency or burn when conditions aren’t so hot.”

A special focus of our monitoring program considers endangered, threatened, and rare plants. More than 125 state and federally endangered and threatened species are currently found in Lake County. Nearly two dozen are

The monitoring program also establishes benchmarks for

so rare that some kind of intervention may be necessary

what a successfully restored plant community looks like,

to help them avoid local extinction, making them priority

such as a native prairie ecosystem. A few hundred years

plants for restoration in the region.

ago, prairies occupied more than 40 percent of Lake County’s landscape. Eventually, most were plowed under

The eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leuco-

for use as agricultural fields and residential development.

phaea) is a priority species. It’s a slender, shapely plant

Klick has placed transects in the few prairie remnants

that prefers wet environments and just occasionally

A VALID CONCERN Our 100-year vision drives us toward preventing any additional native species from disappearing in Lake County. Data collected through plant monitoring help us make sure that common species remain common and that rare, threatened, and endangered species receive continued protection and assistance.

Many partners join us in these efforts, such as Plants of Concern.

Managed by the Chicago Botanic Garden, Plants of Concern is a regional rare plant monitoring program supported by public and private conservation agencies, landowners, and volunteer groups. During monitoring season, Plants of Concern volunteers accompany our staff.

LAK E COUNTY FOR E ST PRE S E RVES

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stretches above your waist. Hawk moths are the only known pollinators of the orchid’s creamy white flowers. However, so few orchids live in any given site that the moths have trouble finding them. Poaching and habitat loss have also lowered this orchid’s populations enough to warrant federally endangered status.

muscle their way in every year. Klick is concerned about fast-growing, heat-loving johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense). “I’m concerned because it’s proven to be terribly invasive 200 miles south of us,” he said.

Fig buttercup (Ficaria verna), a small flower native to Eurasia, has infiltrated Lake County. In March, it emerges before native ephemeral

“There’s not much genetic exchange

wildflowers, knitting itself into solid

between populations, and the seed

mats of yellow and green. After it

production and viability are low

dies away at the end of May,

because of that. We’re moving

significant soil erosion often occurs

pollen from site-to-site and plant-to-

on the bare earth it leaves behind.

plant to manually pollinate now,” Ueltzen said. “Other species may be

At the start of Klick’s ecological

rare because deer are overabundant

career in the 1970s, natural areas

and damage the plant community

undisturbed by invasive species

through overbrowsing. Others still

were common. “I could visit oak

are being illegally dug up or foraged

woodlands and there was no

for their medicinal or edible

honeysuckle, no buckthorn,” Klick

qualities.”

said. “It’s changed in the last 30 years in ways that younger land

UNINVITED GUESTS

managers can’t perceive.”

The plant monitoring program

Pollen is collected from an eastern prairie

doesn’t find just native plants.

Vegetation monitoring is an early

Common invasive species, such as

detector of the uninvited and a

buckthorn and honeysuckle, are

magnifying glass on the results

also detected, and new arrivals

of our land management tools.

fringed orchid on the tip of a toothpick.

SUCCESS MEANS A SECOND LOOK Decades of data inform adaptive management of natural resources. Here, controlled burns helped increase the number of native species and the floristic quality index in five transects at Greenbelt Forest Preserve (North Chicago) over time.

Even after successful treatment, our ecologists evaluate their methods to further improve a preserve’s biodiversity.

Total Floristic Quality Index (FQI) vs. Survey Year

50

30

40

25

30 In each graph, the dotted line is a simple linear regression calculating the overall positive trend of five transects.

20 10

Total FQI

Native Species

Native Species vs. Survey Year

20 15 10

1995

Transect IDs:

2000

GRE-T1-VM

GRE-T3-VM

4 HORI ZONS QUARTERLY SPRI N G 2 01 8

2005

GRE-T4-VM

2010

GRE-T5-VM

1995

GRE-T8-VM

2000

2005

2010

SEED FROM THE CHAFF You can separate the seed from the chaff in sports, in job interviews—and in our Native Seed Nursery at Rollins Savanna (Grayslake). There, staff and volunteers harvest seed from Lake County’s rarest plants.

Each week, volunteers don gloves and separate chaff from the seeds of carefully harvested species, such as slender wheatgrass (below), wild senna, and raven’s foot sedge.

Interesting vignettes, such as this assassin bug nymph resting on a wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), are often found during data collection.

How we keep native plants healthy and abundant, and how we stop the rarest ones from vanishing, are critical questions we must continually ask. It will take generations of land stewardship and careful action by ecologists, stewards, volunteers,

Some species release seeds with a swipe of the hand. Others are sifted with screens. For time-consuming or fluffy species, Nursery Coordinator Kelly Schultz has devised machines from household items to speed the process or reduce dust. Her "milkweed machine" (below) is a red trash bin with nail-studded wood slats and PVC pipe. As the lid turns, seeds separate from the fluff and fall through mesh at the bottom, where they’re collected.

and citizen scientists to answer them. Ueltzen expressed measured optimism. “I’d like to say they’ll be maintained by our efforts and those of others,” he said. “Time will tell.

It can take from five to 100 years or longer for the effects of land management to become apparent.”

Klick thinks it can be done.

Gesturing at a map of protected lands, the gray of development punctuated with pearls of green, he said, “Our forest preserves are tiny islands of green surrounded by a sea of inhospitable habitat for our

Volunteers donate thousands of hours and produce a substantial value of

rarest plants and animals. It speaks

seed annually from 220 species. This helps us simultaneously conserve

to the importance of how we, as

plants and funds.

stewards, need to be involved.”

To learn more about our vegetation monitoring efforts, visit LCFPD.org/

conservation.

“The nursery is a tremendous asset,” Klick said. “It allows us to collect rare seed and put local genotypes into suitable habitat. Local seeds tend to do better than seeds from hundreds of miles away, because they’ve adapted to Lake County’s natural areas over thousands of years.”

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PRESERVENEWS Science IN THE PRESERVES We are serious about our goal to eradicate the non-native invasive species, buckthorn, from our forest preserves and beyond. In 2015, we convened several regional organizations to discuss ideas for controlling buckthorn. This conversation was organized to launch a pilot project to improve landscapes within the vicinity of Middlefork Savanna (Lake Forest).

Around that same time our Assistant Public Affairs Manager, Allison Frederick, forged a partnership with social scientists at the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

Eager to discuss applicable methods for behavioral change and conservation psychology, she teamed up with researchers at the USFS to determine people’s perceptions of the trees and aesthetics in the buckthorn pilot area.

Last summer, we distributed a homeowner survey to research the best ways to eradicate buckthorn and support native landscapes. All residents within the pilot project area received the same questionnaire.

The survey consisted of multiple choice and open-ended questions, following a format based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, a well-accepted way of predicting people’s intentions to act on a given issue. These important predictors have been successfully used in many studies of land management. Related questions about people’s activities and values regarding yards, landscaping, and the environment will help us better understand their willingness to take action.

Over the past six months, Frederick and colleagues have compiled and analyzed responses.

Participation and responses to this survey will be used to enhance outreach efforts, focus restoration activities, and inform similar projects throughout the region. Frederick and USFS partners will be presenting their key findings at the U.S. Regional International Association for Landscape Ecology Annual Meeting this April in Chicago. Homeowners who participated in the survey received a report of results and the first invitations to join us in this effort to build a more resilient future for Lake County. Learn more at LCFPD.org/research.

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CHECK ONLINE MAP FOR TRAIL CLOSURES Although spring brings warmer trail-going weather, it also brings increased rainfall and snowmelt, putting trails at risk for flooding. After submerged sections dry, our maintenance crews are quick to regrade and repair any water damage. Before heading out, check LCFPD.org/closures for trail status.

PRESERVE AND TRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Several trail and preserve improvement projects are planned for completion this year, weather permitting. Here are a few highlights.

Check LCFPD.org/projects for updates on all projects.

Lyons Woods to Waukegan Savanna Trail Connection: We’re partnering with others to create a 2.3-mile paved trail connecting the Robert

McClory Bike Path at Lyons Woods to the Green Bay Road right-ofway. Opening this summer.

Waukegan Savanna Dog Park: Canines will soon have a new off-leash dog area to exercise, play and socialize. The entrance is at the

northeast corner of Delany and Yorkhouse Roads. Opening late fall.

Spring Bluff Observation Deck and Trail: An existing asphalt roadway is being converted to a 0.7-mile trail, and a new wildlife education and observation deck is being built. Opening late 2018.

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

LCFPD.org/vision

Building on our organization’s five core values of Pride, Leadership, Communication, Collaboration, and Respect, we are striving to become one of the “Best Places to Work in Illinois.” This program is designed to recognize outstanding places of employment in Illinois. Results of a two-part assessment­— an employer questionnaire and an employee survey­— help determine the organizations that make the list. Information from the questionnaire and survey is combined to produce a detailed data set enabling analysts to determine the strengths and opportunities of participating organizations. Learn more at LCFPD.org/vision.

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TOGETHER, ACHIEVING MORE FOR OUR FOREST PRESERVES.

The Preservation Foundation is the charitable partner of the Lake County Forest Preserves. Gifts of all sizes are meaningful and help support projects and initiate programs that may otherwise go unfunded or take many years to complete. Learn more at LCFPD.org/donate or call 847-968-3110.

CARING FOR OUR SHARED LANDSCAPE, NATURALLY

Lending a hand (and shovel) is second nature for Bluestem Ecological Services. Upon learning of our Buckthorn Eradication Pilot Project at Middlefork Savanna (Lake Forest), Bluestem donated all plant materials and labor to install a demonstration garden­— a well-labeled native plant habitat, sized for the residential landscape—on Elawa Park property, near the preserve entrance.

Thanks to this collaboration between the Lake County Forest Preserves, Bluestem, and the City of Lake Forest, by mid-2018 native plants will be in full bloom, accompanied by interpretive signage detailing the value of planting natives to both humans and wildlife. To learn more about how and why to remove buckthorn and plant native species in your yard, visit LCFPD.org/landscaping.

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Many Thanks Throughout much of 2017, Forest Preserve education staff had a little extra help, thanks to ComEd. Nearly all of our education programs support Illinois Learning Standards in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), and a $25,000 grant allowed us to hire the ComEd Science Instructor to help deliver STEM programs in schools and through field trips in the preserves.

With ComEd’s support, we were also able to incorporate new technology into existing program curricula. Partnerships like this are critical to the education mission of the Lake County Forest Preserves. Thank you, ComEd!

LAKE COUNTY LOVES TURTLES Thank you for making season two of our Adopt-a-Turtle program a success! More than $15,000 was raised to support our Blanding’s Turtle Recovery Program.

108

donors

117

turtles adopted

$15,216 raised

SPRING CALENDAR Registration required for all programs unless otherwise indicated.

For detailed program descriptions, specific meeting locations, directions and registration, visit LCFPD.org or call 847-968-3321.

For updates outside of normal business hours, call 847-968-3113.

MARCH Join the Movement Hike with us to join the Go Lake County movement. See page 14 for more information. Icon shows related programs.

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Forest Fitness Group fitness walks feature a new preserve each week.

Saturdays, 8–9 am, for weekly locations see LCFPD.org/FF. Adults. FREE. No registration required.

3 Walk with a Naturalist Discover the diversity of plant and animal life on this naturalistguided walk. Join us each month to experience and learn about seasonal changes within the preserves.

Saturday, 9–10:30 am, Lyons Woods.

Adults.

FREE. No registration required.

7 Volunteer Open House Volunteer opportunities abound within the forest preserves.

Meet with our staff and volunteers to find an ideal fit for you that will set you on the path to giving back, meeting new people and learning new things.

Wednesday, 5–7 pm, General Offices.

Adults, youth ages 15 and up.

FREE. No registration required.

8 Connecting Kids with Nature Connect your kids with nature through outdoor exploration. Along the way, learn about the benefits of nature play.

Thursday, 10:30–11:45 am, Greenbelt Cultural Center.

Children of all ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

A Lake County Nature Network Event.

9 Skokie Valley Astronomers Join the Skokie Valley Astronomers on the second Friday of each month. Learn about outer space, the sky and the universe. Stargazing after the meeting, weather permitting.

Friday, 8–10 pm, Ryerson Woods—Welcome Center.

Adults, families with children ages 12 and up.

Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

10–11, 17–18, 24–25 Maple Syrup Hikes Learn how trees work and about the sweet sap of sugar maples. Ryerson Woods is one of the few places in Lake County where conditions are right for maple syrup production, and where trees grow to a diameter and height that allows for tapping. Everyone gets a taste. Program also available as a school or scout field trip, call 847-968-3321 for details.

Hikes start every half-hour from 12–2 pm. Ryerson Woods. All ages. $6. Children 3 and under, FREE. 13 Hikin’ Tykes: Maple Syrup Preschoolers will enjoy a nature-based story, hands-on activities, craft and outdoor exploration, weather permitting.

Tuesday, 9:30–10:45 am, Ryerson Woods—Welcome Center.

Children ages 2–4. Adult supervision required. $5 adult/$2 child residents, $7 adult/$3 child nonresidents.

20 Playdate with Nature Move your kids outdoors for seasonal play activities, proven healthful and beneficial for children of all ages.

Tuesday, 1–2:30 pm, Half Day. Children of all ages. Adult supervision required. FREE. No registration required. A Lake County Nature Network Event.

24 Bess Bower Dunn Museum Grand Opening Experience the NEW Museum during this special opening day celebration. Saturday, 10 am–5 pm.

All ages. Opening day is FREE. No registration required. Visit LCFPD.org/Museum for event details.

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Registration required for all programs unless otherwise indicated.

For detailed program descriptions, specific meeting locations, directions and registration, visit LCFPD.org or call 847-968-3321.

For updates outside of normal business hours, call 847-968-3113.

MARCH (continued) 25 Symbols of Illinois: Tiger Salamander Celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial (1818–2018) by learning about state symbols. Each program in this 10-part series teaches about the origin and natural history of the state symbols, and may also include a brief walk.

Sunday, 1:30–2:30 pm, Greenbelt Cultural Center—Education Wing.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

No registration required. $2 residents, $4 nonresidents.

26 Spring Break Syruping Spending your spring break on a staycation? Join us for this weekday Maple Syrup Hike to learn how trees work and about the sweet sap of sugar maples. Everyone gets a taste.

Monday, 11 am–12 pm, Ryerson Woods­—Welcome Center.

All ages. Adult supervision required. $6. Children under 3, FREE.

Bess Bower Dunn Museum Opening Week Celebrate the grand opening of the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County with a week of special events. All events during this week are FREE with general admission. No registration required.

27, 29 Museum Curiosity Stations Rotate through galleries at the Dunn Museum to experience hands-on activities. There are fossils to touch, crafts and games.

Tuesday, Thursday, 10 am–12 pm, Dunn Museum. Families with children ages 12 and under.

Adult supervision required.

28, 30 Lunchtime Tours: Lake County Highlights Explore the highlights of the Dunn Museum on a 30-minute lunch break tour. Participation limited to the first 20 guests.

Wednesday, Friday, 12–12:30 pm, Dunn Museum. Adults.

28, 30 Museum Family Crafts Visit the new Dunn Museum and participate in a family drop-in activity.

Wednesday, Friday, 1–2 pm, Dunn Museum. Families with children ages 12 and under.

Adult supervision required.

APRIL Free First and Third Thursdays at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum

Proudly sponsored by:

On the first and third Thursdays of every month, visitors can experience the Dunn Museum after hours. On these evenings, admission and educational programs will be FREE after 5 pm.

5 Museum Curiosity Stations Rotate through galleries at the Dunn Museum to experience hands-on activities. There are fossils to touch, crafts, and games.

Thursday, 5–7:30 pm, Dunn Museum.

Families with children ages 12 and under.

Adult supervision required. Admission and program, FREE. No registration required.

Saturdays, 8–9 am, for weekly locations see LCFPD.org/FF. Adults. FREE. No registration required.

7, 14, 21, 28 Forest Fitness Group fitness walks feature a new preserve each week.

®

®

7, 14, 21, 28 Rookery Watch Join us for viewing of nesting herons, cormorants and other waterfowl. Supported by Lake County Audubon volunteers.

Saturdays, 8 am–12 pm, Almond Marsh.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

7 Walk with a Naturalist Discover the diversity of plant and animal life on this naturalist-guided walk. Join us each month to experience and learn about seasonal changes within the preserves.

Saturday, 9–10:30 am, Hastings Lake.

Meet at playground parking lot.

Adults. FREE. No registration required.

7 Rx for Health: Walking in Nature Join a health professional and an educator on this walk to explore the preserve as we improve our health.

Saturday, 4–5:30 pm, Hastings Lake—Playground Parking Lot. All ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

HORI ZONS QUARTERLY SPRI N G 2 01 8

Trout season typically begins the first Saturday of April—check LCFPD.org for details. Find our free Fishing Guide at LCFPD.org/fishing for directions to fantastic angling spots, detailed bottom maps and illustrations of the fish to seek.

APRIL (continued) 10 Hikin’ Tykes: Frogs and Toads Preschoolers will enjoy a nature-based story, hands-on activities, craft and outdoor exploration, weather permitting.

Tuesday, 9:30–10:45 am, Hastings Lake—Shelter A. Children ages 2–4. Adult supervision required. $5 adult/$2 child residents, $7 adult/$3 child nonresidents.

11 Lunchtime Tours: Lake County Highlights Explore the highlights of the Dunn Museum on a 30-minute lunch break tour.

Wednesday, 12–12:30 pm, Dunn Museum.

Adults. Includes Museum admission. $6 adult/$3 senior.

12 Connecting Kids with Nature Connect your kids with nature through outdoor exploration.

Along the way, learn about the benefits of nature play.

Thursday, 10:30–11:45 am, Greenbelt Cultural Center.

Children of all ages. Adult supervision required. FREE. No registration required. A Lake County Nature Network Event.

12 Dunn Museum Teacher Open House Learn about exciting new programs and resources for your class, tour the exhibitions and take part in guided teacher training sessions with our Museum education staff.

Thursday, 5–8 pm, Dunn Museum.

Lake County Educators.

Admission and program, FREE.

13 History Cafe ´: Bess Bower Dunn Discuss the fascinating woman after whom the Museum is named, Bess Bower Dunn. Examine photographs, read passages from her diary and more. Find out why this woman is so important to Lake County history.

Friday, 2–3 pm, Dunn Museum.

Adults. Includes Museum admission. $6 adult/$3 senior.

13 Skokie Valley Astronomers Join the Skokie Valley Astronomers on the second Friday of each month. Learn about outer space, the sky and the universe. Stargazing after the meeting, weather permitting.

Friday, 8–10 pm, Ryerson Woods—Welcome Center.

Adults, families with children ages 12 and up.

Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

15 A Chorus of Frogs The croaking and peeping of frogs is a welcome sign of spring. Join us for an evening walk as we go in search of our amphibian neighbors.

Sunday, 6–7 pm, Old School. Meet at Trails parking lot.

Adults, families with children ages 8 and up.

Adult supervision required. $5 residents, $7 nonresidents.

EARTH WEEK A week of FREE nature programs in honor of Earth Day (April 22). No registration required, except where noted.

16 Playdate with Nature Move your kids outdoors for unstructured seasonal play activities, proven healthful and beneficial for children of all ages.

18 Woodpecker Walk Join us for a look at the different species of woodpeckers that call Lake County home, then walk the trail and see how many you can find.

Monday, 1–2:30 pm, Independence Grove. Children of all ages. Adult supervision required. A Lake County Nature Network Event.

Wednesday, 4–5 pm, Ryerson Woods—Classroom Cabins. All ages.

Adult supervision required.

17 Acoustic Bat Monitoring Learn why bats are beneficial, how you can help them, and what species live here by detecting their sonar frequency on a 1.3-mile night hike.

19 Native Plant Landscaping Join us to discover simple ways to create your own native habitat right in your backyard.

Thursday, 6–7 pm, Dunn Museum.

Adults. Includes Museum admission.

Tuesday, 7:30–9 pm, Grant Woods. All ages. Adult supervision required. ®

20 Guided Nature Paddle Explore nature from a canoe.

We’ll paddle the lake, highlighting its unique features and inhabitants.

No experience required, but it is recommended.

Friday, 6–7:30 pm, Independence Grove. Ages 4 and up. Adult supervision required. Registration required.

22 Meet and Greet Animals Visit with our live education animals, and feel furs, feathers, and scales of local wildlife on our touch table.

Sunday, 1–3 pm, Ryerson Woods Welcome Center. All ages. Adult supervision required.

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Registration required for all programs unless otherwise indicated.

For detailed program descriptions, specific meeting locations, directions and registration, visit LCFPD.org or call 847-968-3321.

For updates outside of normal business hours, call 847-968-3113.

APRIL (continued) 18 Small Discoveries: Spring on the Prairie Spend time in our wigwam to learn how the Potawatomi spent time in the spring. Read stories, play games and make a craft.

Wednesday, 10–11 am, Dunn Museum.

Children ages 2–5. Adult supervision required. Includes Museum admission. $6 adult/$3 child.

20 Lunchtime Tours: Lake County Highlights Explore the highlights of the Dunn Museum on a 30-minute lunch break tour.

Friday, 12–12:30 pm, Dunn Museum.

Adults. Includes Museum admission. $6 adult/$3 senior.

22 Guided Museum Tours: Lake County Highlights Curious about Lake County history? Come explore the highlights of the Dunn Museum on a guided tour.

Sunday, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, Dunn Museum.

Tours last one hour. Adults. Includes Museum admission. $6 adult/$3 senior.

28 Spring Bird Walk Join a skilled birder on these walks. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Saturday, 7–9 am, Old School. Meet at Trails parking lot.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

28 Rx for Health: Walking in Nature Join a health professional and an educator on this walk to explore the preserve as we improve our health.

Saturday, 4–5:30 pm, Pine Dunes.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

29 Lake County History Symposium Open to the public, this annual symposium focuses on Lake County history. Join us for a fascinating series of presentations on this year’s theme, History from Objects.

Sunday, 9–4:30 pm, Dunn Museum. Adults, youth ages 12 and up. Adult supervision required. $10 adult/$5 child. Includes Museum admission.

29 Symbols of Illinois: Violet Celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial (1818–2018) by learning about state symbols. Each program in this 10-part series teaches about the origin and natural history of the state symbols, and may also include a brief walk.

Sunday, 1:30–2:30 pm, Ryerson Woods—Welcome Center.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

No registration required. $2 residents, $4 nonresidents.

MAY 3 Turtles of Lake County Drop in and meet some of the turtles who call Lake County home. Learn how you can help local turtles through the Herp Mapper program.

Thursday, 5:30–7:30 pm, Dunn Museum.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

Admission and program, FREE. No registration required.

5, 6, 13, 16, 19, 20 Spring Bird Walk May is the month for songbird migration. Join skilled birders on these walks. Bring binoculars if you have them.

7–9 am, for days and locations see LCFPD.org/calendar.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

5 Scout Saturday: Bird Study Learn about and observe birds that live in and migrate through Lake County as you earn the bird study merit badge.

Saturday, 8 am–12 pm, Ryerson Woods—Classroom Cabins.

Boy Scouts ages 10–17. $20 residents, $28 nonresidents.

Saturdays, 8–9 am, for weekly locations see LCFPD.org/FF. Adults. FREE. No registration required.

5, 12, 19, 26 Forest Fitness Group fitness walks feature a new preserve each week.

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Turtles are on the move during May and June, as females search for a spot to lay their eggs, and later as hatchlings migrate back to aquatic habitats. Be alert when driving near ponds, lakes or wetlands.

MAY (continued) 5, 12, 19, 26 Rookery Watch Join us for viewing of nesting herons, cormorants and other waterfowl. Supported by Lake County Audubon volunteers.

Saturdays, 8 am–12 pm, Almond Marsh.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

5 Walk with a Naturalist Discover the diversity of plant and animal life on this naturalist-guided walk. Join us each month to experience and learn about seasonal changes within the preserves.

Saturday, 9–10:30 am, Ryerson Woods—Welcome Center.

Adults.

FREE. No registration required.

6 Spring Wildflower Walk Join us to learn how to identify our native species and how habitat restoration efforts ensure they return each spring.

Sunday, 1–2 pm, Ryerson Woods—Classroom Cabins.

Adults. $5 residents, $7 nonresidents.

8 Hikin’ Tykes: Bugs!

Preschoolers will enjoy a nature-based story, hands-on activities, craft and outdoor exploration, weather permitting.

Tuesday, 9:30–10:45 am, Independence Grove­—Visitors Center. Children ages 2–4. Adult supervision required. $5 adult/$2 child residents, $7 adult/$3 child nonresidents.

8 Lunchtime Tours: Historymakers Come learn about historymakers from Lake County. A historymaker is an individual or group remembered for their significant and lasting impact in their community.

Tuesday, 12–12:30 pm, Dunn Museum.

Adults. Includes Museum admission. $6 adult/$3 senior.

10 Connecting Kids with Nature Connect your kids with nature through outdoor exploration.

Along the way, learn about the benefits of nature play.

Thursday, 10:30–11:45 am, Greenbelt Cultural Center.

Children of all ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

A Lake County Nature Network Event.

11 Skokie Valley Astronomers Join the Skokie Valley Astronomers on the second Friday of each month. Learn about outer space, the sky and the universe. Stargazing after the meeting, weather permitting.

Friday, 8–10 pm, Ryerson Woods—Welcome Center.

Adults and families with children ages 12 and up.

Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

12, 13 Native Plant Sale Purchase native flowers and woody plants, a rain barrel or compost bin, and learn about ecofriendly practices to benefit your home, pocketbook and the community. Saturday only: Rain barrel and compost bins available for sale from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and Lake County Stormwater Management.

Saturday, 9 am–3 pm and Sunday 10 am–2 pm, Independence Grove—North Bay Pavillion­.

15 History Hacked: Bonner’s Tool Chest and Tools Who were some of the pioneers who settled in Lake County?

To answer the question, we will take a closer look at William Bonner’s tools and tool chest, and we will dive into the fascinating history of our county’s non-native settlement.

Tuesday, 2–2:45 pm, Dunn Museum.

Adults. Includes Museum admission. $6 adult/$3 senior.

17 Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home Public Tours Drop in to learn about this Illinois governor and ambassador to the United Nations as you tour his home, a National Historic Landmark, at your own pace.

Thursday, 12–4 pm, Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home.

Adults and families with children 8 and up.

Adult supervision required. $5 residents, $7 nonresidents.

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Registration required for all programs unless otherwise indicated.

For detailed program descriptions, specific meeting locations, directions and registration, visit LCFPD.org or call 847-968-3321.

For updates outside of normal business hours, call 847-968-3113.

MAY (continued) 17 Guided Museum Tours: Lake County Highlights Curious about Lake County history? Come explore the highlights of the Dunn Museum on a guided tour.

Thursday, 5–8 pm, Dunn Museum.

Adults. Admission and program, FREE. No registration required.

18 Community Campfire Friday Nights Bring your friends and family to roast marshmallows, share stories and enjoy nature at night.

Friday, 7–9 pm, Greenbelt Cultural Center.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

A Lake County Nature Network event.

19 Rx for Health: Walking in Nature Join a health professional and an educator on this walk to explore the preserve as we improve our health.

Saturday, 4–5:30 pm, Ryerson Woods—Welcome Center.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

20 Symbols of Illinois: Bluegill Celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial (1818–2018) by learning about state symbols. Each program in this 10-part series teaches about the origin and natural history of the state symbols, and may also include a brief walk.

Sunday, 1:30–2:30 pm, Independence Grove. Meet near marina.

All ages. Adult supervision required.

No registration required. $2 residents, $4 nonresidents.

20 Sunset Paddle Enjoy a relaxing paddle and watch the sunset from the lake. Bring your own equipment or use one of our kayaks. No experience required, but it is recommended.

Sunday, 7–8:30 pm, Hastings Lake. Adults. $20 residents, $28 nonresidents. Price does not include kayak rental ($8/person). Call 847-968-3482 to reserve the use of kayak equipment.

22 Playdate with Nature Move your kids outdoors for seasonal play activities, proven healthful and beneficial for children of all ages.

Tuesday, 1–2:30 pm, Buffalo Creek.

Children of all ages. Adult supervision required.

FREE. No registration required.

A Lake County Nature Network Event.

23 Tinkering Through Time: Volcanoes and Rocks Become a geologist. Learn about fossil formation, types of rocks and how volcanoes shaped the earth.

Wednesday, 3:30–4:30 pm, Dunn Museum.

Ages 6–9. Adult supervision required. $6 adult/$3 child. Includes Museum admission.

25 Lunchtime Tours: Historymakers Come learn about historymakers from Lake County. A historymaker is an individual or group remembered for their significant and lasting impact in their community.

Friday, 12–12:30 pm, Dunn Museum.

Adults. Includes Museum admission $6 adult/$3 senior.

Let’s Get Going Lake County Join the Lake County Forest Preserves and dozens of local park districts in the new Go Lake County movement. This countywide low-impact fitness initiative aims to empower Lake County residents to improve their overall health through the simple act of walking.

And, there’s no greater benefit to our bodies and minds than walking in nature. Our outdoor hiking programs offered in forest preserves throughout Lake County are a natural fit to get you going. Attend our weekly Forest Fitness hikes, which are now part of the Go Lake County initiative, or take friends and family along for a hike on any of our scenic preserve trails. Learn more at LCFPD.org/FF.

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SPECIAL FACILITIES Directory GENERAL OFFICES

OPERATIONS AND PUBLIC SAFETY

1899 West Winchester Road Libertyville, Illinois 60048

19808 West Grand Avenue Lake Villa, Illinois 60046

847-367-6640 tel 847-367-6649 fax 847-968-3155 TDD

847-968-3411 tel (Operations) 847-968-3404 tel (Public Safety) 847-968-3116 fax

8 am –4:30 pm, Monday–Friday

6:30 am –3 pm, Monday–Friday

911 emergency 847–549–5200 nonemergency public safety issues

OUTDOOR RECREATION

EDUCATION

GOLF

COUNTRYSIDE GOLF CLUB

INDEPENDENCE GROVE

BESS BOWER DUNN MUSEUM

16400 West Buckley Road Libertyville, Illinois 60048

OPENS MARCH 24. Call or visit our website for details.

847–968–3499 Main 847–247–1111 Banquets, Meetings

1899 West Winchester Road Libertyville, Illinois 60048

IndependenceGrove.org

847–968–3400 Main

Visitors Center Hours

DunnMuseum.org

9 AM–4:30 PM, unless otherwise posted

Gallery and Gift Shop Hours

For beach, marina and café seasonal hours and fees visit our website.

10 AM–5 PM, Tuesday–Saturday 12–5 PM, Sundays Closed, Mondays

Parking Fee Lake County residents FREE Nonresidents $5 per car Monday–Thursday $10 per car Friday–Sunday and holidays Vehicle window stickers allow entry without having to verify residency.

Fee is $5, available at the Visitors Center.

847–381–0669 FoxRiverMarina.org Boat Launch and Marina Hours For hours and fees visit our website.

847–968–3100 Tee Times 847–968–3441 Golf Gift Cards 847–489–1931 Golf Outings CountrysideGolfClub.org THUNDERHAWK GOLF CLUB A Robert Trent Jones Jr. championship golf course 39700 North Lewis Avenue Beach Park, Illinois 60099

Open until 8 PM on the first and third Thursdays of every month with free admission after 5 PM. Free admission sponsored by: RYERSON CONSERVATION AREA 21950 North Riverwoods Road Riverwoods, Illinois 60015 847–968–3320 LCFPD.org/Ryerson Welcome Center Hours 9 AM–5 PM, Tuesday–Saturday 11 AM–4 PM, Sundays Restroom only, Mondays GREENBELT CULTURAL CENTER 1215 Green Bay Road North Chicago, Illinois 60064 847–968–3477 GreenbeltCulturalCenter.org

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Prairie and Traditional Courses 20800 West Hawley Street Mundelein, Illinois 60060

$6 adults $3 seniors, youth ages 4–17 Free, children ages 3 and under Discount Tuesdays

FOX RIVER MARINA 28500 West Roberts Road Port Barrington, Illinois 60010

LCFPD.org

®

847–968–3100 847–968–3441 847–489–1931 847–968–3450

Tee Times Golf Gift Cards Golf Outings Banquets

ThunderHawkGolfClub.org BRAE LOCH GOLF CLUB 33600 North US Highway 45 Grayslake, Illinois 60030 847–968–3100 847–968–3441 847–489–1931 847–247–1119

Tee Times Golf Gift Cards Golf Outings Banquets

BraeLochGolfClub.org

LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES FOREST PRESERVE Entrance/Parking

Nearly 31,000 acres make up your Lake County Forest Preserves.

Most preserves are open 6:30 a m –sunset, daily. If a preserve gate is open before 6:30 a m , the preserve is considered open for use.

MAP CURRENT AS OF

Friday, February 2, 2018

FOREST PRESERVE EASEMENTS STATE LAND (Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources) DES PLAINES RIVER TRAIL CASEY TRAIL PRAIRIE CROSSING TRAIL (L.C. Division of Transportation)

LCFPD.ORG GENERAL OFFICES AND DUNN MUSEUM (Opens March 24)

CANOE LAUNCH

OPERATIONS AND PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY

COMMUNITY GARDEN

MILLENNIUM TRAIL Planned Section

DOG PARK

MIDDLEFORK TRAIL AND GREENWAY Planned Section

FORT HILL TRAIL Planned Section

M CCLORY TRAIL / NORTH SHORE PATH (L.C. Division of Transportation)

CHAIN O’LAKES BIKE PATH Planned Section (L.C. Division of Transportation)

GRAND ILLINOIS TRAIL Planned (Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources)

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LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES GENERAL OFFICES 1899 WEST WINCHESTER ROAD LIBERTYVILLE ILLINOIS 60048

PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY—

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TIME- SENSITIVE MATERIAL

HORI Z ON S SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES HOTLINE: 847–968–3335 email : Horizons@LCFPD.org

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THIS PUBLICATION IS PRODUCED USING 100% RECYCLED PAPER, ALLOWING US TO SAVE 57 MATURE TREES, 18,478 LBS GREENHOUSE GASES, 5,624 LBS SOLID WASTE

Native Plant Sale

HOT SPOT TO COOL OFF

Choose from a variety of native ferns, flowers, shrubs and woody plants suited to almost any backyard.

Visit LCFPD.org/plantsale for details.

Beach season passes for Lake County residents are on sale now for unlimited access to the swimming beach and Family Fun Friday activities at Independence Grove. Purchase by May 1 for 10 percent off. Visit LCFPD.org for prices, or call 847-968-3499.

Mother’s Day weekend May 12, 9 am–3 pm May 13, 10 am–2 pm

GRAND OPENING MARCH 24 Join us for the grand opening of the Bess Bower Dunn Museum.

See page 10 for opening week events. descendant of the model used during the Civil War.

FLICKR PICK

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This Gatling gun is a close

American mink (Neovison vison) at Van Patten Woods (Wadsworth). Posted by Barbara Hoeldt via Flickr.

Connect with us! For up-to-the-minute Forest Preserve news and events, find us on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Flickr, or YouTube @LCFPD. Download our mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store—search for “Lake County Forest Preserves.”