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2021 Annual Report
Acres of land acquired.
Total acres preserved throughout the county.
People served through education, outreach & public programs.
Followers across all social media platforms.
Hours of volunteer service donated.
Funds received through grants.
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We protect the health and well-being of nature and the residents of Will County by conserving parcels of land – some of which are of the highest quality and have rare ecological value.
We enhance our communities by restoring land back to its natural state as closely as possible and providing opportunities for people to engage with the outdoors through trails, fishing lakes, dog parks and more.
We benefit current and future generations by helping to keep air and water clean, by preventing floods to residential areas and by promoting an overall healthy ecosystem.
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The Forest Preserve acquired more than 1,035 acres of land in 2021. Highlights include:
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Acres on which natural area stewardship activities were conducted.
Pounds of seed collected from 292 different native plant species to establish native communities in newly restored areas.
Invasive plant species controlled within 37 preserves, covering more than 3,300 acres.
Acres on which prescribed fire was introduced.
Populations of rare plants species monitored at 14 preserves.
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In 2021, we not only continued to offer programs that focused on a variety of recreational interests, but that also represented a variety of groups to provide greater access for everyone. Programs were held for seniors, Spanish speakers, women, men, children and families, individuals with sensory-processing needs, and even dogs and their owners.
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Grants expand local tax dollars to enable the District to provide more amenities to Will County residents. In 2021, the following grants were received:
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
Land Acquisition and Restoration Grant
Purchase of 47.5-acre parcel adjacent to Hadley Valley
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Habitat Preservation Grant
Braidwood Sands Natural Area
Total Grants for 2021
Highlights from 2021 include:
The District recognizes two agencies annually with its Appreciation of Partners Awards. Organizations selected in 2021 were:
In 2021, more than 9,158 hours of service were generously donated by 576 individuals, allowing the District to accomplish much more than it could have without their diligent efforts.
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Nearly $98,000 was received by the Forest Preserve in 2021 through sponsorships and donations. These included sponsorships provided by The Nature Foundation of Will County as well as donations from the following individuals and organizations:
Sponsorships and donations listed above exceed $250 in cash value.
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If hiking, biking or in-line skating interests you, the Forest Preserve District of Will County has a variety of trails to enjoy. Some trails are also available for horseback riding, and winter trail recreation includes cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
DOWNLOAD THE 2021 ANNUAL REPORT
Photo credits: Mark Bettin, Chris Cheng, Glenn P. Knoblock, Chad Merda, Anthony Schalk
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Stay up-to-date on the happenings in Will County's forest preserves by subscribing to The Compass, our weekly digital newsletter that provides subscribers with updates on Forest Preserve news, upcoming events, and other fun and useful information for the whole family. If you're only interested in programs, subscribe to Get Going, which outlines the must-do programs each week. Signing up for either newsletter is easy and free of charge.