The Forest Preserve District of Kane County was honored with two major conservation awards presented by the Chicago Wilderness alliance on Dec. 11.

Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn was recognized for achieving the Excellence in Ecological Restoration accreditation. The preserve was one of only 10 sites to receive the prestigious award in the Chicago region. Additionally, Pingree Grove Forest Preserve earned the Conservation in Native Landscaping Award — one of only 13 sites honored with that recognition.

The Chicago Wilderness Excellence in Ecological Restoration program showcases excellence in conservation leadership and site-based restoration by recognizing high-quality natural areas and the organizations that manage them.

Through the program, organizations conduct comprehensive self-assessments of their restoration programs and the quality of the natural areas being accredited. The assessments are based on a set of rigorous, science-based standards that recognize best practices in natural resource management. Conservation experts from across the region review the assessments to determine if the site meets one of the accreditation levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze. The Forest Preserve District received a Platinum level accreditation for Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve.

The natural areas of Chicago’s wilderness are home to a wide diversity of species and rare habitats that provide the region’s residents with opportunities for recreation and exploration, as well as clean air and water, flood protection and so much more. Yet the region’s natural areas are threatened by fragmentation; invasive plant and animal species; pollution; and the impacts of climate change.  To address these threats, the Forest Preserve District actively restores and maintains the health of local nature, to benefit both people and wildlife.

“Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve is a very special place to both relax and study nature,” said Director of Natural Resources Drew Ullberg.

“This preserve is a favorite of local residents who venture out each spring for a spectacular display of woodland wildflowers. Birders know the preserve as a warbler stopover point, with more than 100 different birds documented here,” he said.

The serene, wooded preserve is surrounded by rolling prairie. The site features a glacial kame cloaked by an oak-hickory woodland. Johnson’s Mound was actually Kane County’s very first forest preserve.

“To signify the importance of this land, the core of the preserve was granted Illinois State Nature Preserve status in 1992, in recognition of the gravel kame (mound), plus the diversity of plant and animal life supported here,” explained Ullberg. “Scientists from across the nation have come here over the decades to study the plant and animal life. The Forest Preserve District has worked hard for a long time to maintain the quality of this important natural area,” he said.

Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve is located at 41W600 Hughes Road, Elburn.

The Conservation and Native Landscaping Award recognizes sites within the greater Chicago region that demonstrate excellence in site-based restoration, native landscaping, and conservation design. These practices create and protect habitat for a variety of native plant and animal species, and result in important environmental benefits for both people and nature.

Pingree Grove Forest Preserve, for which the district received the Conservation and Native Landscaping Award, contains 395 acres and more than 40 tallgrass prairie plant species. This site has transformed from a degraded marsh and crop fields to a preserve that is rich in biological diversity. Pingree Grove Forest Preserve is located at 14N187 U.S. Rte. 20, Hampshire.

“The Chicago Wilderness alliance is so pleased to recognize the Forest Preserve District of Kane County,” said Suzanne Malec-McKenna, executive director of Chicago Wilderness. “They are helping to ensure that our region’s natural heritage remains vibrant for generations to come.

For more information on the Forest Preserve District of Kane County or to volunteer to help us restore Kane County’s natural areas, visit www.kaneforest.com.

SOURCE: Kane County Forest Preserve District