New Land Protections Announced By Glenview Park District

From The Glenview Park District: The Glenview Park District announced today the dedication of nature preserve land at both The Grove National Historic Landmark and the Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. These actions will provide greater long-term protection for the natural lands at each location.

“We are very excited to see these rare and valuable properties dedicated as Illinois Nature Preserves, the highest level of protection in our state,” said Grove Director Lorin Ottlinger. “Both parcels not only have great ecological significance, but are also important from a historic and cultural perspective. This community is richer as a result of the many natural areas that support biodiversity and provide quality opportunities for education and recreation.”

At The Grove, 21.5 acres of nature preserve buffer and 23.2 acres of nature preserve were added to the existing 50-acre Kennicott’s Grove Nature Preserve, bringing the total nature preserve acreage to 94.7. Protection of this site supports several elements of the Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Plan such as the provision of suitable nesting habitats for threatened and endangered species, including the State-listed swollen sedge and the Kirtland’s snake (a species first identified by naturalist Robert Kennicott at The Grove in 1855). The two parcels contain mesic upland forest and pond communities in addition to a portion of the original prairie grove first described by Dr. John Kennicott in 1850. The dedication of the Kennicott’s Grove Nature Preserve is a fitting companion to the designation of The Grove as a National Historic Landmark.

At the Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie, 30.24 of the total 32-acre site has been dedicated as the Glenview Naval Air Station Prairie Nature Preserve. Comprised of both mesic and wet-mesic prairies, the site is considered “imperiled globally” and is a high priority for protection. The namesake for the preserve is the Glenview Naval Air Station which, upon its closure in 1995, was conveyed to the Village of Glenview. In 2007, ownership of the prairie was transferred to the Glenview Park District.

The mission of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission is to assist private and public landowners in attaining permanent legal protection for high quality natural areas and habitats of endangered and threatened species through voluntary dedication or registration of such lands into the Illinois Nature Preserves System. The Commission promotes the preservation of these significant lands and provides leadership in their stewardship, management and protection. Areas dedicated as nature preserves may be used for activities including hiking, wildlife watching, photography, and approved scientific research and programming.

Image Courtest of Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie | via Google Street View