North Branch Conservation Area wins recognition for restoration efforts

Submitted by McHenry County Conservation District

North Branch Conservation Area in Richmond recently received the Excellence in Ecological Restoration Program’s Platinum certification level during the Chicago Wilderness Celebrating Nature benefit at Loyola University. Platinum is this highest level that can be bestowed on a site and is given to celebrate and accredit managing organizations for high-quality restoration and impact on the ground.

If you have never been to North Branch Conservation Area, this might be a reason to visit. North Branch offers visitors an excellent example of how a high-quality natural area can be protected while also allowing an opportunity for outdoor recreation.

Tucked away in the in the extreme northeastern part of McHenry County lies 521 acres of preserved open space known as North Branch Conservation Area, 11500 N. Keystone Road, Richmond. This biologically rich ecosystems protects the 125-acre wetland complex, 282-acre Genoa City Wetlands and Barrens, a Bur oak dominated savanna, and a 1.5 mile section of the North Branch of Nippersink Creek.

Teeming with wildlife, the lowland graminoid fen, sedge meadow and marsh communities provide a haven for more than 80 different species of grassland songbirds, ducks, hawks and shorebirds, including the state endangered yellow headed blackbird and black tern, as well as 21 species of butterflies. Due to its clear, spring fed water and continuous sand and gravel bottom, Nippersink Creek supports more mussel species than any other Northeastern Illinois creek, including 11 state endangered or threatened species. In addition, 30 different native fish species swim in its clear waters including eight pollution intolerant species like the state endangered pugnose shiner and black nose shiner.

Four sites received the highly coveted rating of platinum. CW’s EERP is a science based point system designed to recognize high-quality restoration sites in the Chicago Wilderness region. Restored natural areas were assessed in five categories, from site features to organizational programs and practices, developed by natural resource experts from across the region.

Chicago Wilderness is a regional alliance of more than 300 nonprofit and corporate council member organizations that connect to restore and improve natural areas and their ecosystems.