The Lake County Forest Preserves play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for the community by providing expansive green spaces for recreation, relaxation, and connection with nature. They offer those who live, work and play in the community a variety of outdoor activities that foster a healthy and active lifestyle. The preserves also boost the economy by attracting visitors and engaging local businesses. In this blog, contributed by Lake County Forest Preserve Executive Director Ty Kovach, we see how companies are playing a role in sustaining this important piece of Lake County’s legacy.
A 33-year-old homemaker with drive and determination, coupled with her son’s desire to explore nature, sparked the creation of the Lake County Forest Preserves a little more than 60 years ago.
Ethel Untermyer was passionate about the outdoors. She moved to Lake County from Chicago in 1952. She wanted to take her 3-year-old son, Frank, and her other children to explore the woods at a forest preserve. When she asked a friend where the nearest one was, she was shocked to learn there were none in Lake County. Meanwhile, Cook County had already protected a significant amount of land.
Untermyer was enthusiastic about protecting nature for everyone to enjoy. To achieve this, she organized a countywide referendum to establish the Lake County Forest Preserve District. The Roosevelt University alumna typed up a petition on her small IBM typewriter. Despite a slow start, with only four people attending her first meeting, she persevered. Untermyer drove her Studebaker around the county, speaking with groups and rallying support.
On November 4, 1958, the referendum succeeded with an overwhelming 60% of votes. About two weeks later, the District was legally established in circuit court.
And in 1961, four years after young Frank asked for a place to explore, the first preserve in Lake County was created: Van Patten Woods in Wadsworth. It was 162 acres at the time. Today it has grown to 973 acres.
As principal guardian of Lake County’s open space and natural areas, the Forest Preserves now manages more than 31,100 acres of natural lands and 209 miles of trails.
The most recent land purchase approved in early July adds about 18.2 acres to expand Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest.
The U.S. Department of the Navy is selling the $6 million property located on the east side of Patten Road in unincorporated Highwood. It consists of a bluff surrounded on three sides by the ravines of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve. This 71.5-acre parcel was gifted to the Forest Preserves last summer by Openlands, a Chicago-based regional conservation organization and land trust, as an addition to Fort Sheridan.
“This is a tremendous enhancement for Fort Sheridan,” Executive Director Alex Ty Kovach said. “We’re elated with this result after 11 years of dedicated work, first by Openlands staff and then by the Forest Preserves.”
Once the transaction closes this fall, the acquisition will preserve new land for the public to enjoy and make management of the larger preserve much easier and more cost-effective. The fence surrounding the new property will be removed after closing.
Shaping the Future of the Forest Preserves
Currently, the Forest Preserves does not have the capital funding needed to restore this property and many others. However, if a November 5 referendum passes, dollars will be allocated for developing a master plan for the portions of Fort Sheridan added in the past two years to integrate them into the northern section of the preserve.
Voters will be asked to approve the sale of $155 million in bonds. $65 million will be used for land acquisition and $90 million for public access improvements and habitat restoration. The estimated annual increase on a Lake County home valued at $300,000 is just under $33.
“If approved, the new funding would be used to protect more land and expand the benefits the forest preserves provide to all of us,” Kovach said. A comprehensive list of projects has been created to ensure all areas of the county benefit from the referendum funds.
New funding would be used to:
- Acquire and restore additional lands to ensure future generations can enjoy them in every part of Lake County;
- Protect and restore wildlife habitat that is home to native plants and animals, some of which are threatened or endangered; and,
- Build important trail connections.
Lake County Businesses Boost Beauty & Splendor
The 64 forest preserves in Lake County provide a unique allure for homeowners and businesses, offering picturesque natural settings and recreational opportunities that enhance quality of life. These green spaces not only boost property values but also create an appealing environment for businesses seeking to attract employees and customers.
“Lake County’s forest preserves are not just scenic retreats; they’re vibrant spaces that enhance our communities and drive economic growth,” said Angelo Kyle, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “Their beauty and tranquility make our county an exceptional place to live and work.”
In addition, the Forest Preserves collaborates with Lake County businesses that share our mission. These companies work closely with the Preservation Foundation, the 501 (c)(3) charitable partner of the Forest Preserves.
The Foundation established an endowment to ensure the perpetual care of the Forest Preserves restored lands. When the Foundation reaches its $20 million goal, the endowment will generate about $800,000 annually. These funds will support critical land management activities, such as re-treating invasive species, replanting native trees and conducting prescribed burns.
Recent business collaborations include:
- Abbott Laboratories, headquartered in Lake County, has supported the Forest Preserves for more than 30 years. The company has contributed to the Dunn Museum in Libertyville, various restoration projects and education initiatives. Recently the company also made a sizeable donation to the Ryerson Education Center in Riverwoods. Many Abbott employees also donate, with the company matching their contributions.
- The Grainger Foundation, an independent, private foundation based in Lake Forest, has provided incredible support for Granger Conservation Area in Mettawa, including more than $1 million for habitat restoration and a $500,000 Grainger Woods Endowment.
- Libertyville Bank & Trust has sponsored Concerts in the Plaza since 2007 and, together with Lake Forest Bank & Trust, the Lake County institutions have funded educational programming for youth and young adults.
- Medline joined the list of contributors in 2021 with a generous donation to support the Ryerson Education Center.
- North Shore Gas has sponsored Concerts in the Plaza since 2007. The company also made multiple gifts to support new educational facilities, including a donation to the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago, support for the North Shore Gas Classroom at the Dunn Museum and a large gift to support the Ryerson Education Center.
- USG Foundation’s annual support allows the Dunn Museum to offer free admission on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Many USG employees volunteer their time to help.
- Valent Biosciences contributes annually and organizes volunteer workdays focused on seed collection and buckthorn removal. In 2022, Valent made an additional monetary donation to remove invasive Callery pear trees at the Forest Preserves’ General Offices in Libertyville, and to plant native hickory and oak trees.
- Hey and Associates has been supporting the Preservation Foundation since 2011. The company recently contributed to the Blanding’s Turtle Recovery Program and supported a fundraising gala.
- MBX Systems (now AHEAD Engineered Solutions) has made gifts since 2017, providing critical support for the Annual Fund. They also host a yearly volunteer workday.
“Our aim is to ignite interest and encourage other Lake County companies to protect our quality of life in Lake County by helping the Forest Preserves do more,” said Rebekah Snyder, director of community engagement and partnerships. “With more biodiversity than any other county in Illinois, we work to restore our native habitats–including woodlands, prairies, savannas, wetlands, lakes and streams–to ecological health.”
Get Involved
Learn more about the Lake County Forest Preserves’ corporate partnership program here, and click here to connect with us to see how your company can get more involved in the Lake County community.