Oak restoration topic of talk in Highland Park

Restoring Lake County’s oak woodlands to improve oak regeneration and bird habitat is the subject of a program at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, Highland Park. More than 88 percent of Lake County’s oak communities have been lost, and the rest have become overgrown with little light reaching the understory. This impacts oak seedling growth, native shrubs, plant diversity, and bird and other wildlife habitat. As ecologist Debbie Maurer will explain, the Lake County Forest Preserve District, in partnership with the Morton Arboretum, is embarking on a long-term multimillion-dollar project to solve the problem and encourage growth of the next generation of oaks. Admission is free. For directions, more information and a complete 2012-2013 schedule, visit www.lakecookaudubon.org or contact Rena Cohen (847) 831-0331.