[BCNnet] Middlefork Savanna

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 12:28:42 EDT

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LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES
NEWS RELEASE=20
FOR IMMEDIATE USE

OCTOBER 10, 2002

CONTACTS:=A0=20
Mike Fenelon, Director, Planning, Conservation and Development,
847-968-3339
Jim Anderson, Natural Resources Manager, 847-968-3282

NEW TRAIL OPENS AT MIDDLEFORK SAVANNA=20
FOREST PRESERVE IN LAKE FOREST

Join the Lake County Forest Preserves for a special Preserve Dedication
and Open House event to celebrate the opening of a new 4.5-mile trail
and other public access improvements at Middlefork Savanna Forest
Preserve in Lake Forest on Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event is free and open to all ages.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with a dedication ceremony and native
prairie seed toss, followed by free refreshments, music by Acoustic
Prism, kid's crafts and activities, nature stations and informational
exhibits. Visitors will be able to explore the new Preserve through
guided trail walks, a Savanna Stroll, and Preserve tours. At the Open
House, visitors are also invited to join Middlefork Savanna's
stewardship volunteers to help with restoration efforts.=A0=20

The Savanna Stroll, led by Lake County Forest Preserve Natural Resource
Manager, Jim Anderson, also fulfills the Middlefork Savanna requirement
for Hike Lake County participants. Learn more about Hike Lake County at
the event or by calling the Forest Preserve General Offices at
847-367-6640. Hike Lake County walking sticks can be purchased at the
event for $15.

Improvements at Middlefork include a new 4.5-mile trail with five
bridges and two boardwalks; a parking area; restoration and management
of the Preserve's oak woodland, savanna, prairie and wetland communities
through active land management programs; and establishing Middlefork
Savanna as a national ecological research site and outdoor classroom for
universities, schools, and other organizations.=A0=20

Home to a rare Tall Grass Savanna, Middlefork features a mix of oak
savanna and woodlands, wet and mesic prairies, sedge meadows and marsh
wetlands. Over 25 of the Preserves' 576 acres are considered the highest
quality black soil savanna of its kind in the nation and a globally
threatened ecosystem.=20

In April 1997, the Forest Preserve formed the Middlefork Savanna Master
Plan Advisory Committee to coordinate input from community and
conservation groups. The Advisory Committee consisted of representatives
from the Forest Preserve Board, The Nature Conservancy of Illinois, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Forest Open Lands Association, and
the City of Lake Forest.=A0=20

The committee developed a vision statement and goals and objectives for
the Preserve, and discussed and resolved planning issues including
natural resource assessments, land acquisition, Preserve access,
parking, trail locations and uses, land restoration, nature education
and research and funding options.=20

The cooperative efforts of the committee and many other individuals and
organizations involved with Middlefork Savanna have resulted in the
successful preservation of the Preserves' rare and unique landscape.=20

The entrance for Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve is located at
Waukegan Road (Route 43) and Middlefork Drive north of Route 60 and
south of Route 176. Turn west onto Middlefork Drive and follow signs to
the Preserve parking area.=20

While at the open house, visitors are encouraged to stop by the Forest
Preserves Information Station for free copies of trail maps, Hike Lake
County travel logs, newsletters, and for a brochure about the Forest
Preserves' bond referenda on the November 5th ballot.=20

Denis Bohm
847-283-9231
600 Riverwoods Road
Mettawa (Lake Forest) IL 60045
Lake County

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<HTML>LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESER=
VES
 NEWS RELEASE=20
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 
 OCTOBER 10, 2002
 
 CONTACTS:=A0=20
 Mike Fenelon, Director, Planning, Conservation and Development,
 847-968-3339
 Jim Anderson, Natural Resources Manager, 847-968-3282
 
 NEW TRAIL OPENS AT MIDDLEFORK SAVANNA=20
 FOREST PRESERVE IN LAKE FOREST
 
 Join the Lake County Forest Preserves for a special Preserve Dedication
 and Open House event to celebrate the opening of a new 4.5-mile trail
 and other public access improvements at Middlefork Savanna Forest
 Preserve in Lake Forest on Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 The event is free and open to all ages.
 
 The event begins at 10 a.m. with a dedication ceremony and native
 prairie seed toss, followed by free refreshments, music by Acoustic
 Prism, kid's crafts and activities, nature stations and informational
 exhibits. Visitors will be able to explore the new Preserve through
 guided trail walks, a Savanna Stroll, and Preserve tours. At the Open
 House, visitors are also invited to join Middlefork Savanna's
 stewardship volunteers to help with restoration efforts.=A0=20
 
 The Savanna Stroll, led by Lake County Forest Preserve Natural Resource
 Manager, Jim Anderson, also fulfills the Middlefork Savanna requirement
 for Hike Lake County participants. Learn more about Hike Lake County at
 the event or by calling the Forest Preserve General Offices at
 847-367-6640. Hike Lake County walking sticks can be purchased at the
 event for $15.
 
 Improvements at Middlefork include a new 4.5-mile trail with five
 bridges and two boardwalks; a parking area; restoration and management
 of the Preserve's oak woodland, savanna, prairie and wetland communities
 through active land management programs; and establishing Middlefork
 Savanna as a national ecological research site and outdoor classroom for
 universities, schools, and other organizations.=A0=20
 
 Home to a rare Tall Grass Savanna, Middlefork features a mix of oak
 savanna and woodlands, wet and mesic prairies, sedge meadows and marsh
 wetlands. Over 25 of the Preserves' 576 acres are considered the highest
 quality black soil savanna of its kind in the nation and a globally
 threatened ecosystem.=20
 
 In April 1997, the Forest Preserve formed the Middlefork Savanna Master
 Plan Advisory Committee to coordinate input from community and
 conservation groups. The Advisory Committee consisted of representatives
 from the Forest Preserve Board, The Nature Conservancy of Illinois, the
 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Forest Open Lands Association, and
 the City of Lake Forest.=A0=20
 
 The committee developed a vision statement and goals and objectives for
 the Preserve, and discussed and resolved planning issues including
 natural resource assessments, land acquisition, Preserve access,
 parking, trail locations and uses, land restoration, nature education
 and research and funding options.=20
 
 The cooperative efforts of the committee and many other individuals and
 organizations involved with Middlefork Savanna have resulted in the
 successful preservation of the Preserves' rare and unique landscape.=20
 
 The entrance for Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve is located at
 Waukegan Road (Route 43) and Middlefork Drive north of Route 60 and
 south of Route 176. Turn west onto Middlefork Drive and follow signs to
 the Preserve parking area.=20
 
 While at the open house, visitors are encouraged to stop by the Forest
 Preserves Information Station for free copies of trail maps, Hike Lake
 County travel logs, newsletters, and for a brochure about the Forest
 Preserves' bond referenda on the November 5th ballot.=20
 
 
 Denis Bohm
 847-283-9231
 600 Riverwoods Road
 Mettawa (Lake Forest) IL 60045
 Lake County</HTML>

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