Watch budget hearings, Property Check, Trick or treating hours, and More
Dear Neighbor,
I hope this finds you, family and neighbors well.
As we rake and crunch through our annual budget hearings this week, I've been thinking a lot about trees. Lately, though, I was wondering how we can plant more of our arboreal friends.
Trees give us splendid, mostly unseen gifts every day. They store carbon, water, and reduce stormwater flow. Their canopy reduces air temperatures. Unfortunately, building, disease and Euro-American settlement has profoundly changed the sylvan nature of our county.
Lake County was once home to a thriving oak savanna ecosystem. Sadly, some 88% of it has been lost to development. This devastation has impacted the air, water and quality of life for a wide range of creatures, including us. More than 3,000 animals depend on the oak ecosystem for survival, including an astounding variety of birds, squirrels and insects. As a "keystone" species fundamental to the health of our local ecosystem, we want to restore and expand native oak woodlands.
That's why the Forest Preserve District is engaged in a long-term Woodland Habitat Restoration Project, which is in its ninth year.
"The goal is to improve conditions for natural oak regeneration, improve habitat for woodland birds and amphibians and increase the diversity of native shrubs, grasses, sedges and flowers in the groundlayer, according to Ty Kovach, executive director of the Lake County Forest Preserves. "Over time, monitoring will continue to advance our understanding of how to restore our oak woodlands."
By the way, biodiversity protection and enhancement is also one of our prime goals. As the most biodiverse county in Illinois, we're taking a leadership role in restoration and preservation. Want to help us restore and grow our preserves? There are multiple ways you can help.
I know, having sadly lost a magnificent spruce tree to disease (likely triggered by climate change) recently, we will be planting more native trees and shrubs to accompany the two splendid oaks on our property. See this excellent Forest Preserve video to learn how you can help.
Another great Forest Preserve happening for your calendar: “Ansel Adams: Early Works” exhibition opens at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville starting November 6. The show will feature many less well-known prints from Adams’ early career.
Finally, thanks to our friends and 18 volunteers from Valent BioSciences – a corporate partner and neighbor. They continued their annual tradition of collecting seeds from the Rollins Savanna Native Seed Nursery. We'd like to see more corporate and/or foundation partners like Valent. They more than doubled their support to our Preservation Foundation this year.
Be well, enjoy the autumn splendor and be safe on Halloween: Official Trick-or-Treat times are from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 31 in Grayslake and Hainesville.
It's always my honor to serve you. If you have immediate need for county services, please call 2-1-1. I'm also thrilled to speak before your community group.
Regards,
John
