Forest Preserve With Lake County's 'Highest Point' Gets $1M Grant

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A $1 million federal grant recently awarded to the Lake County Forest Preserves and will be used to help restore the Gander Mountain Forest Preserve in Lake County.

On Wednesday, Congressman Brad Schneider visited Gander Mountain Forest Preserve to announce the grant. The 250-acre preserve, home to Lake County’s highest natural point, contains rare prairie, savanna, and wetland habitats that support threatened and endangered species, according to forest preserve officials.

“A highlight of my week was hiking up to the highest point in Lake County to present a $1 million check to the Lake County Forest Preserves for restoration work at Gander Mountain,” said Schneider. “This investment will help restore more than 250 acres of rare prairie, oak savanna, and wetlands, protecting at-risk species, improving water quality, and strengthening the health of our local ecosystems for years to come. Protecting our environment is something I care deeply about,
and I’m proud to help bring this investment home for our community.”

The restoration project will focus on removing invasive species such as buckthorn and replanting the area with native grasses and wildflowers, according to a news release from the forest preserve. The work will enhance the dry gravel prairie and oak savanna that sit atop a glacial kame—a steep hill of sand and gravel left by melting glaciers.

Additionally, crews will improve surrounding woodlands and restore bottomland prairie along the Fox River, a rare type of prairie that grows in flood-prone areas near rivers, according to the news release.

The restoration effort is expected to take 3 to 5 years to complete, and is expected to have far-reaching benefits for the community, providing more than $3 million annually in ecosystem services, including carbon storage, flood mitigation, groundwater recharge and improved air and water quality in the Upper Fox River and Chain O’Lakes watershed. More than 300,000 people rely on the Fox River for drinking water, lake county forest preserve officials said.

“This investment will protect at-risk species, improve water quality, and strengthen the health of our local ecosystems,” said Jessica Vealitzek, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The removal of invasive species will allow native plants to regenerate, enhancing habitat quality for wildlife such as the Blanding’s turtle, northern harrier and rusty patched bumblebee, all listed as endangered. Restoring green spaces like Gander Mountain also contributes to reduced flooding, cleaner air, and cooler temperatures in nearby communities while building resilience against climate change and other environmental challenges, according to the news release.

Currently, Gander Mountain Forest Preserve does not have maintained trails, public parking areas and facilities. Visitors are advised to park along Wilmot Road.