Leave it better than you found it: Lake County Forest Preserves - Ill - Brief Article

Parks & Recreation, May, 2003

By purchasing 18 acres of land near Grayslake, Illinois' Lake County Forest Preserves has created a key link in the Millennium Trail, a 35-mile route through central, western and northern Lake County. The first length of the new Millennium Trail opened last fall.

The land adjoins the 1,225-acre Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve. Through this trail link, the local school district will be able to access the preserve and use it as an outdoor classroom.

The new 18-acre land buy contains a unique oak forest of mainly bur oaks. Their large size and dense concentration within such a small area is uncommon. A small wetland extends east to west on the site and contains mainly black willow and cottonwood trees. Invasive species such as cattails, reed canary grass and purple loosestrife have degraded the wetland. With proper land management, the oak forest and the wetland can be revitalized.