Author to sign latest edition of book on native plants

The new edition of "Kane County Wild Plants & Natural Areas" is now available for purchase.

The Kane County Forest Preserve District will host a book-release party with author Dick Young from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the district headquarters, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. G, Geneva.

Light refreshments will be served. Young will be available to autograph copies of his latest work.

The third edition of the nearly 400-page manual includes descriptions and color illustrations of more than 1,400 native plant species recorded in Kane County -- including 46 new species discovered since the last edition was published in 1994.

Young served as Kane County's environmental director for 17 years. He retired in 1987 but has remained active in his profession. The Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia is named for him.

"Kane County Wild Plants & Natural Areas" is available from the forest preserve district for $15 in person or $17.50 via mail.

To order, call (630) 232-5980. To RSVP for the book-release party, call the community affairs department at (630) 444-3064.