Monday, May 20, 2013
The Lake County Forest Preserve District's overall budget for 2013-14 decreased $12.4 million over the last fiscal year.
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, May 20
To keep more than 30,000 acres of forest preserves in Lake County safe, clean and open for people to enjoy, the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners adopted a reduced fiscal year 2013-2014 budget of $101.5 million at its May 14 meeting. For the fifth consecutive year, total forest preserve property tax revenues collected are projected to decrease substantially due to declines in Lake County’s equalized assessed value (EAV), and because of the district's conservative budgeting practices and wise use of available fiscal resources. The overall budget decreased $12.4 million (11 percent) from the previous year, primarily due to an $11.4 million (21.5 percent) decrease in the capital budget. Of property taxes collected in…
Monday, March 11, 2013
Information on how to deal with a coyote sighting in the forest preserves.
Increased coyote sightings are reported during spring and early summer due to increased daytime activity. Female coyotes and their pups have dens in most forest preserves during April, May, and June. Therefore, sections of trails near den sites may have high coyote activity during that time. Trailside signs with information about coyote behavior and tips on responding to an encounter are installed when den areas are located near trails. Coyote family groups will investigate and chase off any perceived threats to the pups. Coyotes pose no threat to people or pets as long as we work together to reinforce their natural fear of humans. One simple way to help prevent unwanted encounters is to keep dogs on a short leash (less than 10 feet) at …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
From golf coordinator to lifeguard, the Lake County Forest Preserve District has a variety of job openings at area locations including Independence Grove, Ryerson Conservation Area and Brae Loch Golf Club.
Learn more about the Lake County Forest Preserve District at www.lcfpd.org.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The trees will be tapped at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 at Ryerson Woods. Maple syrup hikes will be offered the first three weeks in March.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
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Wednesday, February 13
A sure sign that spring is on the way is the tapping of sugar maple trees at Ryerson Conservation Area near Riverwoods. This year, however, drought conditions that have continued since spring of 2012 are being taken into account. With the recent snow and cold weather, last summer's dry heat seems like a distant memory. Yet, it was only this past week that the National Weather Service officially changed its "moderate drought" designation to "abnormally dry" for most of Lake County. While every drop of rain and flake of snow are helping to slowly ease our way out of last summer's dryness, the damage already done by the drought will determine the sweetness of this spring. Ryerson is one of the few local areas where climate conditions are …
Friday, February 8, 2013
There's plenty of snow now to get out and enjoy some cross-country skiing at Lake County Forest Preserves around Deerfield, Highland Park and Lake Forest.
Cross-country skiing is now open along any Lake County Forest Preserve hiking trail, except at Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods, where a 4-inch snow base is required to protect sensitive habitat at that dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve site. Check out these forest preserve locations to learn more: For current winter sports conditions, call the LCFPD hotline at (847) 968-3235. Cross-Country Skiing Trails Now Open in Highland Park Got a favorite spot? Tell us in the comments.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
The Lake County Forest Preserves announced the find Thursday.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Thursday, January 31
During stream monitoring this past summer, Nick Huber and other ecologists of the Lake County Forest Preserves discovered several dozen Mississippi grass shrimp, Palaimonetes kadikensis, in a forest preserve along the Des Plaines River in southern Lake County. Due to the fact that you can see right through them, this species is also commonly referred to as glass shrimp. At first sight, the ecologists did not recognize the inch-long crustaceans. It was clear that this find was something rare and exciting. After further collection parameters were determined, Huber and his team confirmed it was safe to remove two specimens for identification in their laboratory. Aquatic insect identification requires equipment with high-powered magnification …
A bald eagle was spotted on Tuesday at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville.
Have you seen any bald eagles flying around Lake County lately? If you have, you're not alone. The Lake County Forest Preserves shared a photo on their Facebook page Tuesday of a bald eagle that was spotted in a tree at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. Commenters on that photo reported seeing bald eagles in other places, too, including at Route 173 and Kilbourne, and near Gregg's Landing in Vernon Hills. Even more sightings were reported when the photo was shared on the Grayslake Patch Facebook page. One reader said she saw a bald eagle in Lake Zurich on Jan. 27. Another said she spotted one in Lake Villa last week, while another reader said she saw a bald eagle in Gurnee on Monday. Mark Hurley, an environmental educator…
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Trees are chipped and used to make trails.
- AWARENESS
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Thursday, December 27, 2012
Don’t send your Christmas tree to the landfill, drop it off at a Lake County Forest Preserve site for recycling. Donated trees are chipped and used for trails and for landscaping at forest preserves throughout Lake County. Bring your tree to a drop-off site at one of the following forest preserves, open daily from 6:30 a.m. to sunset: Only undecorated, real Christmas trees can be accepted; no yard waste. Commercial drop-offs are prohibited.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
One student's school project turns into a community initiative.
The one thing lacking at the Lake County Fairgrounds is landscaping. That changed Saturday when 15-year-old Jenelle Brodzik of Wadsworth orchestrated some 50 volunteers to plant hundreds of trees, shrubs and perennials. “The gravel pits and the barns need color and greenery. Much of the area needs growth and life,” Brodzik said. The Warren Township High School sophomore chose the beautification initiative for her community service project mandatory for her advanced placement government and politics class. “We want our students to become informed and active on an issue with a community service component,” said Michele Bertola, Brodzik’s teacher. “We expect the AP students to become leaders, and Jenelle is definitely doing that.” Brodzik has…
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Find out what’s damaging Sugar Maples at Ryerson Woods.
It might not sound appetizing to you but area squirrels are feasting on a local conservation area. Sugar Maples at Ryerson Woods in Deerfield have become a dinner substitute for a growing squirrel population that is trying to cope with a lack of food. “There wasn’t a lot of acorns last fall, so they are a little bit stretched for food,” explained Nan Buckardt with the Lake County Forest Preserves. “So ripping off the bark and eating that layer, they get fairly good nutrition compared to any other things that they may find to eat right now.” A normal Ryerson Woods visitor might not notice the stripped trees but once you know what to look for, they’re easy to spot. Deerfield Patch headed to the Lake County Preserve to checkout the damage.
42.180353
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21850 N Riverwoods Rd, Riverwoods, IL
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Jose
5:49 pm on Monday, May 20, 2013
why do some forest preserves in upper class towns have nice modern washrooms and others in lower income towns have Outhouses that smell bad ?????????? As to cutting cost ???? No need to pay landscapers to cut the grass every week , once every 3 weeks is good enough. the trails are cemented at independence grove .... more ›