Kane County Forest Preserve District lands grant

The Kane County Forest Preserve District was awarded a $1.4 million grant Nov. 4 by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, the largest grant ever received by the district.

The $1,460,000 Foundation Signature Grant was awarded for the acquisition of the Brunner Family Forest Preserve in Dundee Township.

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation invests in clean energy development and land preservation efforts to improve environmental quality in Illinois. Among the programs and projects that the Foundation supports are those that preserve and enhance natural areas and wildlife habitats throughout Illinois.

The forest preserve district closed on the 741-acre property on Oct. 1, 2008. The purchase had been a 20-year goal for the district. The Brunner Family Forest Preserve is the largest waterfront piece in the district's holdings and the largest property ever acquired from a single landowner. The property includes riverfront, wetlands, fens and woodlands that will be protected as a result of the purchase.

Director of Natural Resources Drew Ullberg said the area has been deemed some of the highest quality, unprotected habitat in the county.

"In the last five years, Forest Preserve staff has observed bald eagles along the riverfront of the property, in addition to rare mussels in the Fox River and regionally rare plant and shrub species," he said. Among priorities are bird habitats for the Willow Flycatcher, American Bittern and Sedge Wren. The district also plans brush removal to support habitats for Baltimore Checkerspot butterflies and other animals.

Located between Route 31 and the Fox River, Brunner is bordered by Buffalo Park Forest Preserve in Algonquin to the north, Fox River Shores Forest Preserve in Carpentersville on the south and east sides of the Fox River, and Raceway Woods Forest Preserve to the southwest. The acquisition creates a 3.5-mile stretch of waterfront along the Fox River, and combined, the properties make for over 1,000 acres of contiguous open space.

In awarding the grant, James E. Mann, executive director for Illinois Clean Energy said, "We were particularly impressed by the district's long-term efforts to acquire this land and its plans to connect the property's high quality natural areas to those of adjacent preserves for management and public enjoyment."

Monica Meyers, executive director for the forest preserve district said, "It was such a pleasure to work with the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation through their grant review process. The foundation quickly connected with the vision of preserving this riverfront property and understood the investment the district was committing. We are so grateful to receive this grant so the district can reinvest the funding to continue our land acquisition program."

Forest Preserve Commission President John J. Hoscheit added, "The district has coveted the Brunner Family Forest Preserve for more than 20 years. The hard work and perseverance of our commission and staff has resulted in the preservation of this beautiful waterfront property - the value of this acquisition will benefit generations to come."

The district plans to work on a master plan for the property over the coming months. For information on the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, visit www.kaneforest.com.