Forest Preserve wins awards for restoration, land acquisition projects

The Forest Preserve District has received two awards recognizing recent restoration and land acquisition projects.

An Outstanding Ecological Restoration Project award was won for habitat and ecological restoration work at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve, while an Outstanding Planning or Capital Improvement Project award was received for a land acquisition at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. The awards were given by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's (IPRA) Forest Preserve and Conservation Leadership section.

The awards were announced during a one-day symposium for professionals from IPRA's Forest Preserve and Conservation Leadership section, which recognizes the uniqueness of the work done by these agencies compared to local park districts, said Colleen Novander, the Forest Preserve's Director of Planning and Land Preservation. The intent of the awards presentation is to bring together professionals who work in the same field to share ideas that they can take back to their agencies, she said.

"The awards are a way for us and our peers to applaud each other on the work we've done and showcase our achievements," Novander said.  

Outstanding Ecological Restoration Project

A six-year, 269-acre restoration project to restore native wetlands at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve was honored as the Outstanding Ecological Restoration Project. Work at the preserve focused on removing cattails and other invasive plants and replanting native species and conducting prescribed burns, said Restoration Ecologist Barbara Sherwood. 

Lockport Prairie is home to globally rare dolomite prairie. Because of the rarity of the habitat, the preserve is home to several threatened and endangered plant and animal species, including insects and reptiles, Sherwood said. 

The award helps bring awareness of the Forest Preserve's efforts and also hopefully promotes collaboration across similar agencies, Sherwood said.

"Seeing the improvements and changes on the landscape and protecting and enhancing the natural communities is rewarding," she said. "We hope our successes and lessons learned can inspire others to keep up the good fight and adapt methods as we acquire more knowledge."

While the restoration project is complete, Sherwood said Forest Preserve conservation crews will continue to control invasive species and monitor the area to enhance the health of the dolomite prairie and sedge meadows at Lockport Prairie.

"Due to the high quality and rarity of this site, we will prioritize restoration efforts there," she said. 

Outstanding Planning or Capital Improvement Project

The acquisition of a long-sought-after parcel of land that helped grow Goodenow Grove by nearly 500 acres was the Forest Preserve's other award-winning project. 

"The District has had its eye on this property for decades because it sits so close to Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve and would protect habitat for endangered and threatened species," said Real Estate and Data Supervisor Cori Crawford. 

When the District updated its 2024 Preservation Plan, this parcel was identified as a top priority because of its ecological value and because it would close gaps in District holdings in the area, Crawford said. 

"When we reached out to the landowner and learned she was willing to sell most of the property, the timing couldn’t have been better," she said. "It really felt like everything lined up at once to make this massive acquisition possible."

The 495.27-acre parcel fits well into the Forest Preserve's long-term conservation and recreation goals. It fills a gap in the area surrounding Goodenow Grove while strengthening a vital ecological region and creating opportunities for public access, Crawford said.

"For the public, this means more outdoor recreation opportunities, better wildlife habitat and long-term protection of an area that plays a meaningful role in the overall health of the Plum Creek Watershed," she said. "It's a win both for conservation and for residents who value open space and nature experiences."

Crawford said receiving the award is an acknowledgement of the important role the Forest Preserve's real estate staff have in achieving the Forest Preserve's mission. 

"These awards help shine a light on why conservation is important and build support for the work we hope to do in the future," she said.