Lake County Forest Preserves Expands Protection For Antioch Rookery

ANTIOCH TOWNSHIP, IL — The Lake County Forest Preserves is expanding protection around the county’s largest heron and egret rookery with the purchase of about 4.6 acres in Antioch Township.

The Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners approved the $450,000 acquisition Wednesday. The property, at the northwest corner of Rena and Highland avenues about a half-mile south of Grass Lake Road, is bordered on two sides by Lotus Country Conservation Preserve, according to the district.

The new property will provide an additional buffer around the sensitive rookery habitat and improve access for Forest Preserve staff. There are no plans to add parking or trails to the property because of the need to protect the rookery.

Kimberly Mikus Croke, a Forest Preserve District spokeswoman, said the acquisition is intended to protect the rookery from future development and other activities that could disturb nesting birds.

It also gives the district greater control over activity near the rookery and helps preserve the surrounding habitat the birds rely on.

“While this is a small purchase, it’s a significant one because we don’t have many opportunities to expand this preserve,” Forest Preserves Executive Director Ty Kovach said. “Every adjacent acre can make a difference when we’re protecting a sensitive natural area like this.”

The property includes a residence and other buildings that will be evaluated to determine whether they can be used by the Forest Preserve District. If the buildings are deemed unsuitable, they will be removed, Croke said. No timeline has been established for any potential demolition.

The Forest Preserves established Lotus Country Conservation Preserve in 2024 after acquiring about 41 acres along Grass Lake Road. The preserve includes wetlands, wooded areas and important rookery habitat and is managed primarily to protect its natural resources.

In 2025, the district purchased another 34.2 acres along Rena Avenue, further expanding protection for the rookery and surrounding habitat. The latest acquisition will bring Lotus Country to about 80 acres, according to forest preserve officials.

Funding for the purchase will come from the $155 million Forest Preserve referendum approved by Lake County voters in November 2024.

The name Lotus Country reflects the history of the Grass Lake area, which has been associated with the term since the early 1900s, when extensive beds of American lotus attracted visitors to the area.