Celebrating 50 Years of Lake County Forest Preserves

Music Kids laugh and music Music The Lake County Forest Preserves are widely recognized as a gold standard in nature and historic preservation. And in outdoor recreation and education. And that’s only fitting. After all, the Lake County Forest Preserve District is celebrating its Golden Anniversary – Music 50 years of preserving the beautiful scenery, open spaces and exciting wildlife that have made Lake County such an attractive place to live, work and play. (Music) And, as more and more people have moved to the Lake County . . . the role of the Forest Preserve District has become ever more critical. (Music) Lake County has grown dramatically in the last 50 years, adding more than four hundred thousand people . . . Along with the traffic, congestion and other stress of urban life. (Music) Without the Forest Preserves, we might have lost the very treasures that brought us here in the first place. The woods. The trails. The wildlife The picnics. The discoveries. (Music) These are the places where we get in touch with families and ourselves. They are the places where we make memories. (Music) But our natural spaces might have become only memories if it weren’t for the work of visionary leaders seeking to balance growth and conservation. Spurred to action by an inspired 33-year-old homemaker, voters approved a referendum in 1958 to create the Lake County Forest Preserve District. (Music) As time has passed, generation after generation has followed that example. With the support of voters, the Lake County Forest Preserves have blossomed into a system of vibrant natural areas that have been voted the “Best in America.” (Music) It’s no wonder that three out of every four of us visit our Forest Preserves each year to enjoy clean, quiet, beautiful places, as we exercise our minds and bodies . . . Places like our Des Plaines River Greenway. Creating the Greenway was one of the original goals when the Forest Preserve District was founded. It now covers over 7,400 acres and protects more than 80 percent of the land along the river in Lake County. To lead us through this enchanted space, the Forest Preserve District has created a network of trails – one of the top priorities listed in its survey of county residents. (Music) The 33-mile-long Des Plaines River Trail is nearly complete, connecting 10 Forest Preserves with local parks and neighborhoods as it winds through the greenway from Wisconsin south toward Cook County and Chicago. Our new Millennium Trail and Greenway is creating a 35-mile loop to connect Forest Preserves and communities in the central, western and northern areas of our county. Altogether, the Forest Preserves contain over 125 miles of trails for bicycling, hiking and walking. Music (Music) Of course, Forest Preserves are also places for creatures with more than two legs. Lake County has more endangered and threatened species than any other county. Through careful management, we protect and restore thousands of acres of natural habitats for rare plants and animals. Controlled burns help us manage prairies, woodlands and wetlands each year. We also remove non-native weedy and return native trees and wildflowers... In countywide research, visitors give the Forest Preserves excellent ratings for customer service, cleanliness and safety. All in all, Lake County’s Forest Preserves are now considered a national leader for how to successfully balance conservation with public access. Forest Preserves enhance property values and have become a source of public pride Music All of this . . . is credit to all of us. County residents consistently have voted to restore wildlife habitats, preserve native prairies and protect endangered species, and to create new trails and complete other improvements to make our preserves easier to visit and enjoy. The Forest Preserve District continues to depend on this public input and involvement. It consults with citizens to formulate plans for the future. Forest Preserves rely on hundreds of committed volunteers who donate thousands of hours of their time helping stretch limited tax dollars. They’re joined by non-profit support and advisory groups, which provide private funds and assist in other ways. Corporate sponsorships, private donations and grants also help provide services for all ages, interests and abilities. Music After 50 years, everyone involved in the past, present and future of the Lake County Forest Preserves can celebrate this Golden Anniversary together, and take pride in knowing that excellence will continue to be in our nature for generations to come. Music