Articles filed under Kane County Forest Preserve District

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State law sparks union, partisan debate in Kane County Jan 14, 2014 12:00 AM
In another somewhat rare issue that will pit Democrats against Republicans on the Kane County Forest Preserve Commission, there is a move to oppose a change to the state's prevailing wage law. The change would broaden the number and type of workers receiving the prevailing wage and, opponents argue, disqualify a number of small, local contractors from being so-called “responsible bidders.” That classification requires training and apprenticeship programs usually only offered in unionized companies.
Take a walk and network with others who love nature Jan 13, 2014 12:00 AM
Enjoy a wintry walk along the trails of Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia, a 250-acre natural marshland and an Illinois State Nature Preserve, as part of the “Nature Network.”
Home-school students invited to program on snow Jan 10, 2014 12:00 AM
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County invites home-school families to study the science of snow as part of the “Homeschool Explorations” nature program series.
Algonquin, Carpentersville score grant for Fox River improvementsDec 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Algonquin and Carpentersville have secured a grant aimed at enhancing recreational opportunities along the Fox River, which runs through both villages. “It was great to have a willing partner who has similar goals and we can work together to try to make the river more of a regional draw,” said Ben Mason, Algonquin’s senior planner. “The stretch from Algonquin to Carpentersville is four miles, so that’s a very good stretch.”
Bird watchers learn which ones stay through winter at St. Charles program Dec 28, 2013 12:00 AM
While most birds head south over winter, about 12 bird watchers and a novelist learned which hearty birds stay and brave northern Illinois winters, including northern cardinals, hawks, owls and other birds during a nature program Saturday in St. Charles. Kane County Forest Preserve District naturalist Ben Katzen led about 12 visitors on a hike in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve near Creek Bend Nature Center.
Families hunt for signs of nature’s creatures at Sugar Grove forest preserve Dec 28, 2013 12:00 AM
Thirteen explorers discovered ample evidence of raccoon, mice, mole, coyote, squirrel and rabbit. But only by the tracks they left in the snow. The occasion was a Friday-morning winter scavenger hunt at Bliss Woods Forest Preserve in Sugar Grove. “I think the programs are a wonderful way to discover new forest preserves,” said participant Pat Shaefer.
Register now for Kane County Certified Naturalist program Dec 13, 2013 12:00 AM
It's never too late to learn more about nature -- and yourself. Classes for the 2014 Kane County Certified Naturalist program begin in January, and include lectures and discussions on local ecology, and field trips to natural areas.
Kane forest preserve district finalizes Pingree land dealDec 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Kane County Forest Preserve District officials finalized the purchase of more than 40 acres in Pingree Grove this week. Despite the perception that the land is unbuildable wetland, district officials said that could be fixed.
Hear how technology helps, hinders night sky viewing Nov 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Learn about the night sky — and how excessive outdoor illumination has impacted our society — at a Dec. 4 “Learn from the Experts” nature program. Experiencing the night sky is part of the common heritage of mankind. Excessive outdoor illumination prevents us from experiencing the night sky as our ancestors did just a few decades ago.
Police seek help locating 85-year-old Aurora-area man Nov 24, 2013 12:00 AM
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 85-year-old man from Aurora Township. According to police, Enrique Ruiz has been missing since Friday afternoon, when he didn’t return home from a walk in the Oakhurst Forest Preserve.
Habitat restoration workday held at Bliss Woods Nov 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Six volunteers braved gusty winds and bitter temperatures to help at Bliss Woods Forest Preserve near Sugar Grove for a restoration workday on Saturday morning. Local naturalist and forest preserve steward Mary Ochsenschlager divided the group into pairs to cut down invasive, nonnative species, such as buckthorn, and then treat the stumps with herbicide. Native seeds were gathered for future plantings.
ComEd plan leaves county choosing forest preserves or farms Nov 18, 2013 12:00 AM
A plan to put new high-tension power lines through either Kane County forest preserves or neighboring farms is forcing commissioners to choose between preserving open space and helping out some of their taxpayers.
Editorial: Actions must align with forest preserve missionNov 15, 2013 12:00 AM
Kane County forest officials should ensure their actions align with the district's mission, a Daily Herald editorial says.
Issue stand in path of cross-country at Settlers HillNov 13, 2013 12:00 AM
A new legal hurdle has further stagnated progress on implementing the redevelopment of the former Settlers Hill landfill. The original contracts between Kane County, the forest preserve district and Waste Management on the operation of the landfill made little to no reference of who assumes liability for projects that occur on the site now that the landfill is closed. That issue must be worked out before Waste Managment will delve into running a fill operation on the campus. And that fill operation must proceed the creation of the cross country course. That course also had to be redesigned as no topographic maps showed some possible conflicts between the cross country track and proposed golf course improvements.
Veterans can apply for restoration ecology jobs program Nov 11, 2013 12:00 AM
The Veterans Conservation Corps of Chicagoland, in conjunction with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, will hire four U.S. military veterans to participate in a five-month transitional job-training program. The deadline to apply is Nov. 17.
League of Women Voters again slams Kane forest districtNov 5, 2013 12:00 AM
The Elgin area League of Women Voters issued a report this week criticizing Kane County Forest Preserve District commissioners for drifting away from their mission to preserve open space by pursuing revenue-generating recreation outlets for area residents. The study is also critical of the handling of the Brunner Forest Preserve opening and revives tension about possible gravel mining at the site. The chapter president said she may have a tough time supporting future district tax increases if the pattern doesn’t change.
Kane Co. forest district hires company dumped by county Oct 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Kane County Forest Preserve District officials have hired a company once shunned by the county for its political connections to former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert. Forest preserve commissioners unanimously agreed this week to contract with Progressive Energy Group for one year. The company’s job is to package the various electricity and gas accounts among the district various suppliers and get a cheaper rate for the district.
Kane County forest commissioners decry budget shifting but give preliminary approval Oct 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Kane County Forest Preserve commissioners decried a budgetary shell game at both the county and the forest preserve district Friday, but gave the budget a preliminary OK, anyway. The forest district will use a $150,000 riverboat grant for one-time construction projects. "We need to be following sound policies with how these funds are used. Our use of the riverboat fund is not sound,” Commissioner Mike Donahue said.
Creepy creatures: Myths and truths about spiders, bats and snakes Oct 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Spiders, snakes, bats and other animals of ill-repute are everywhere this month. In real life, they’re way cooler than their Halloween personas, and their presence is a plus in our lives. The autumn holiday will come and go, yet these silent creatures will continue to creep and crawl and slither and flutter all year long.
Latest Kane budget plan bails out forest preserveOct 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Few obstacles remain to approval of Kane County's 2014 budget as finance staff seemed to convince board members Wednesday they will be in good position on pension payments despite a reduced tax levy. The regular pension payment will still be made.