Oaky D'Oak, we're planting Oaks!

For Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 30), TLC is planting oaks with people throughout McHenry County. These little trees will be Mighty Oaks one day, but it could be 20 years before we're sitting under their shade!

So, what's up with that? What's the point of planting a tree if it is going to take that long to turn into a "real" tree?

Well, for those readers who have been checking out this blog for the last couple of years, you already know the answer, but let's review - for old time's sake!

McHenry County was once 40% covered in oak-hickory woods and savannas. Today, nearly 90% of those woods have been lost. Many were cleared in the earliest days of settlement for farming or building homes, barns & fences, or even to provide fuel to heat homes. In fact, during the first 40 years following settlement, 50% of the oaks were cut down. Over the following 130 years, another 38% were sacrificed - primarily for development.

So, isn't one tree as good as another?

No, Oaks are better. They really are in many ways.

Oaks have acorns. Acorns are a valuable food source for a diversity of wildlife ranging from deer to blue jays. Native people would make biscuits from acorn flour because they were potent sources of energy.

Insects love oaks, and more insects use oaks for at least some part of their lifecycles than any other type of tree. And a diversity of insects translates directly into a diversity of birds! So, even if one doesn't appreciate insects, most folks do like birds.

Oaks are McHenry County's heritage. Not maples, not willows, not cottonwoods. Oaks. Quercus. Macrocarpa (bur), Rubra (red), Bicolor (swamp white), Alba (white). And if we play our cards right -- if we all do what we can to restore, protect and regenerate our local oaks -- oaks will be our future too!

Remember, the Greeks said: A society grows great when old men & women plant [oaks] whose shade they know they shall never sit in. Let's make McHenry County a great society!!

2030 Land Use Plan Vote Tuesday

Tuesday night at 7pm, the McHenry County Board will meet to vote on the proposed 2030 Land Use Plan that has been 3 years in the making.

In the last few days, several people have asked me my opinion on the plan. Let me sum it up this way:

I think the plan should show all undeveloped and unincorporated areas west of Route 47 as farmland or environmental resources. I have several reasons for favoring this approach:

1. It puts the County clearly in the position of supporting farmland and groundwater protection - resources that will benefit all county residents.

2. It sends a message to municipalities that the County is going to stop approving developments in the unincorporated areas of the County - this type of development is more expensive to all county residents (more expensive for the schools, more expensive for emergency responders, more expensive to maintain the extra roads, etc etc).

3. It puts the County in the best possible position to start working collaboratively with municipalities on Intergovernmental matters such as groundwater protection, fuding for road maintenance, and even future growth boundaries to ensure the land and water resources available are used in a sustainable way that benefits all residents -- today and in the future.

I believe recent news articles support this approach:

• Agritourism grows in County (without farmland, we have no agritourism, and it is big business!)


• Fire Destroys home in unincorporated area north of Crystal Lake (because the home was in an unincorporated area without fire hydrants, tankers full of water had to be brought in by departments from McHenry and Lake county communities to fight the fire)


• Industrial Solvent present in local water supplies (article is archived since it's from December 2009) - notices were sent out to residents in Crystal Lake and Fox River Grove letting them know that levels of Trichloroethylene (TCE) in the local water supplies are at half the legal limit.

Think about it, as currently drafted, the plan purports to encourage future development to occur in or adjacent to existing municipalities -- a style of development known as "compact and contiguous." Yet, the plan shows vast areas of unincorporated land as being developed for commercial, industrial or residential uses in the future, BUT it has NO requirement that the development occur only through municipal annexation.

What this means is that a developer can use the plan to gain approval of a project that is NOT compact or contiguous, but is consistent with the plan map. And there isn't much the county board can do to stop them if the project is consistent with the map.

Take a look at the map, especially the area by Marengo and Union. The purple areas are proposed Commercial/Office/Research/Industrial areas and the yellow parts are planned for rural residential development. Thousands of acres of each use on land that is currently farmed. Thousands of acres underlain with groundwater that is highly vulnerable to pollution.

I repeat: I think the plan should show all undeveloped and unincorporated areas west of Route 47 as farmland or environmental resources. Someone suggested to me that this would be the absence of a plan, but I strongly disagree with that notion.

To plan for farmland and enviornmental resources in the unincorporated areas does nothing to stop municipalities from annexing land for development.

The best way to make it clear that the County is serious about wanting future development to occur in municipalities, to protect precious groundwater resources and to ensure there is a thriving agricultural industry in the county in the future, is to have a County Land Use Plan (aka a plan for future development in unincorporated areas) that reflects what the County Board would actually approve in the unincorporated areas.

The next question is "What can we do?" The short answer is to call your county board members and tell them what you think before they vote Tuesday night.

April is TLC month at Duke's Ale House!

Just a quick reminder that for the entire month of April, 5% of purchases made at Duke's Ale House in Crystal Lake will be donated to The Land Conservancy of McHenry County! Just bring along a TLC coupon that you can print from our website, and present it to your server to help them keep track!

Additionally, Duke's mixologist created a special drink for the month of April called the Hairy Aster - named after a native plant (Aster pilosus). each martini-style drink sold during April will result in $1 being donated to TLC to support our land preservation mission!

Duke's Ale House has gained a reputation for their menu selections made from locally raised products including honey, beef, herbs and vegetables! They also host the monthly Green Drinks group where people gather on the first Wednesday of every month from 5-7pm to network with other people who are interested in the environment! Hope to see you there on April 7th!

County 2030 Land Use Plan Meetings

Public Meetings on the McHenry County 2030 Land Use Plan are scheduled for the first week of March: March 1, McHenry; March 2, Harvard; March 3, Crystal Lake; March 4, Marengo; March 6, Woodstock. Details can be found here. The weekday meetings will take place from 5-7pm and the Saturday meeting from 9am-noon.

Taking the time to view the maps and read at least some of the plan is important for residents, especially those who live in the north and west portions of the county that are predominantly farmland.

This is the document that will/should guide future land use changes in the rural areas of the county. The words are important, but let's face it, most people just look at the pictures anyway, so the map is really important.

I can sum up my comments in three words: Change the map.

The text is pretty good - actually quite strong in some areas - but the current map doesn't match the text. [Caution: do not try opening the plan document unless you have a high speed internet connection - it is 89 MegaBytes in size. Copies are available at local libraries.]

One of the big disconnects between the text and the map is in the area of projected population growth and the amount of land needed to accommodate all the new people and jobs that may be needed over the next 20 years.

The map was drafted using a very high future population number, but the text includes a smaller number that is more realistic. The map, therefore, shows a lot more rural residential development in the future than is realistic given the number of new people that are realistically projected to want to move here.

The result it that there are thousands of acres planned for rural residential development that are far outside any municipal boundaries. This directly contradicts one of the plan's primary goals, which is to promote compact & contiguous growth in and around municipalities where essential services are already available, rather than continuing to allow scattered development throughout the rural areas.

Fortunately, the County Planning staff already did a really excellent analysis of the possible changes to the map's sprawling residential development (as recommended by the Planning Commission). The map that staff prepared recommends removing various areas that were initially planned for rural residential development, and showing them as agriculture.

I found the planning staff's memo describing possible map changes to bring the plan's maps into line with the text very helpful in thinking about comments to make at the public meetings. Since this is information that has been provided to the County Board members who will ultimately decide what changes to make, I think using it as a reference is helpful.

There are other issues as well.

For instance, vast areas of farmland far outside of municipalities are planned for industrial development, far in excess of what could be needed to support job creation for future residents. Also, industrial development is planned for areas that are highly sensitive groundwater recharge soils, particularly in the area around Marengo and the Kishwaukee River. These mapped industrial uses are in conflict with the text which supports protection of groundwater resources and compact & contiguous growth patterns.

So, please attend one of the meetings near you and say something, even if it is that you support the map changes proposed by the staff. But it is important to say something, and to say it now, because in a couple of weeks it will be too late. Thank you.

Land of Oz article link

Did you see the article in the Monday, January 11th NW Herald about TLC's purchase of a 60 acres we are calling the Land of Oz?

This is only the third time TLC has purchased land -- we only buy land when it is on the county natural areas inventory, and either too small or isolated to be purchased by the Conservation District. Otherwise, we leave the land-buying to them, and focus on work with private landowners.

Let's face it, land is expensive, the District has the money, and they are really good at acquisition. On the other hand, because of Linda Balek, TLC excels at working with private landowners to help them leave their legacies of land for future generations.

But, that brings us back to the Land of Oz. We purchased 60 acres of (mostly) wetland for $270,000, and will undertake restoration in the coming years. There is a lot of reed canary grass growing out there, BUT, there are also these amazing pockets of natural sedge meadow that have no reed canary. The pockets are dominated by blue joint grass, sedges, wetland forbs, and all the things one would expect to find in a natural sedge meadow.

The goal of TLC's restoration will be to connect the dots -- to expand the extent of the high quality pockets to the point where they dominate the site.

We decided to name the site the Land of Oz after the long-time owner, Nat Ozmon. But, the name fits for other reasons as well. Like Baum's Land of Oz, this place would only be found by accident, as when the Wizard's balloon blew off course and in to the Emerald City. It is otherwise inaccessible, and hidden from view due to topography. The Land of Oz lies at the bottom of a basin, and does not have direct frontage on any road.

Our local Land of Oz is also a place of wonder - a place where surprises lie around each bend.

We haven't seen any munchkins yet! Or cowardly lions. But I bet there are plenty of frogs & salamanders! We'll find out in the Spring - I hope you'll join us.

Disc Golf versus a Wetland

I read - with a groan - another rant in the newspaper from someone about those "special interest" people in McHenry trying to stop progress because it would mean kids throwing frisbees in their backyards.

I thought: Can't we all learn to get along? Isn't this world big enough for the frisbee-golfers too?

After a call from one of the anti-disc golf neighbors, I realized it wasn't just a case of some folks wanting to keep other folks out of their backyards. The proposed disc golf site is located on a wetland listed on the County's natural area inventory.

There are only about 170 such natural features remaining in the entire county. These natural areas took millenia to evolve, yet the only take hours to destroy through thoughtlessness -- or malice. There are lady slipper orchids growing out there. These flowers are typically only found in natural areas that have survived the onslaught of human beings.

The soil at the park is wet, mucky, not suitable for building anything, and certainly not appropriate for a bunch of people to be running around in, tossing hard discs into metal cages.

When most parks develop amenities in wet areas, things like boardwalks are built to allow people to move across the wetlands without damaging them. Think of Volo Bog or the Bog at Glacial Park near Ringwood. The wetland isn't usually planned for intensive use best suited to a mowed lawn.

Now I will rephrase my early question: "Can't we learn to get along with nature?"

People have destroyed or dramatically altered at least 99% of the landscape somoehow to the detriment of the natural communities that were once here. There are so few remnants of these unique combinations of plants, animals, soils and insects remaining, and yet we still find ways to trample on what little is left.

Call me a savage, but I think nature deserves some places to play too.

Life without the Internet

It was a long three weeks in some ways.

TLC moved our office about 500 feet on July 25th from a pole building at the back of a plant nursery to a 100 year old farmhouse at the new Hennen Conservation Area to serve as care-takers of this City of Woodstock park. We'll open and close the gate every day, monitor the trails, pick up trash, and provide a presence to help ensure vandalism does not become a problem.

And the 500 foot move meant we were about 300 feet out of the DSL service area for our former Internet provider. Thus began our three week journey to find an alternative to DSL...

In the meantime, being disconnected from the world of Internet and e-mail meant that we had plenty of time to organize all of the records that were moved from the old office, and ample time to work on organizing the Hennen Conservation Area for a public opening later this month. (August 30th from 2-3:30pm!!)

Thank you to the crew of summer interns who worked through heat and rain to put in a trail system (over 2 miles) and to begin removing invasive species that were crowding the handful of giant oaks they discovered while exploring the property (like the 52 inch diameter one pictured above).

Our new location at Hennen will give TLC lots of opportunities to actually run programs to help connect people with the great outdoors and with the work that TLC does to preserve and care for the land. For example, we'll work with City staff to plan "back to nature" programs to help connect Woodstock residents with the great outdoors -- a special opportunity presented by this site.

Hennen Conservation Area is a 25 acre parcel that was donated to the City by Phyllis & Tony Hennen - long time residents who retired to Minnesota three years ago. The Hennen's were known to many in the community through their daughters Tonya and Tara, and through their involvement in the "Stop the Stacks" battle against a proposed peaker plant in their back yard.

So, I guess the bottom line for me is that three weeks without the Internet was a very small price to pay for the priviledge of getting to work here every day -- actually the three weeks was a gift. Just like the Hennen Conservation Area will be a precious gift for area residents forever!

Inaugural Work Party!

Who's up for a winter work party?!

The Presidential Inauguration is going to be Tuesday January 20th, and the theme is "Restoring America's Promise," so what better way to celebrate than by attending the Inaugural Workday at our newest preserve: West Woodstock Prairie?!

The President-elect's Inaugural Committee is having a Day of Service on Monday, January 19th, the MLK Jr. Day Holiday, and encouraging people to volunteer in their communities to kick-off this new era of restoration!

It's practically a Presidential Decree! And you can be a part of this historic event by participating in TLC's Inaugural Work Party at West Woodstock Prairie!! You don't want to miss out on the fun!

Meet at 9am on Rose Farm Road, south of Kishwaukee Valley Road on the west side of Woodstock! You can park at the side of the road. Thanks to Seneca Township for clearing the shoulder for us to park on! Dress for the weather, and in work clothes. We plan to get a bonfire going to burn the brush we cut - and help us stay warm. We'll have something warm to drink and sweet things to eat!

Happy New Year!

As 2008 draws to a close, and 2009 looms on the horizon, it seems time to stop and take stock of where we've been, where we are today, and where we are heading, doesn't it?

Despite the economic downturn, our members and supporters have been wonderful, and we are finishing the year in good shape financially. Thank you!

From a conservation standpoint, it was a blockbuster year with some amazing projects completed: the key 40 acres at West Woodstock Prairie (still looking for a knock-out name for the site!), 53 acres of beautiful oak woods across the road from MCCD's Marengo Ridge preserve (thanks to Dale Shriver and Judy Rogers), and a 3 acre addition to the protected area at Barber Fen in Greenwood (thanks to Marty & Lynn Sobczak).

As we look into the early days of 2009, we see several other land protection projects coming together - perhaps as early as the Annual Meeting on January 25th! Be sure you join us at Bull Valley Golf Club at 11am that day for brunch and to hear our speaker, Batavia author Gina Olszowski, as she tells her story of suburban sprawl. It's just $35 for members (and if you are not yet a member, $45 which includes a special introductory membership in TLC)!

Looking further into 2009, we will be continuing to build our local support through a matching grant from the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. For each new dollar we raise through increased giving levels from existing members, brand new members and returning members, the foundation will provide matching funds up to a total of $35,000 over two years.

In 2009, you can expect to hear more stories from TLC - stories of people and the land - as world renowned storyteller and author (an new TLC board member) Jim May helps us put the right words together to help convey the magic that occurs when someone loves the land so much that he or she chooses to permanently restrict the development of that land.

Also in 2009, you'll see TLC planting many more oak trees as we start a program to assess our easement properties for their oak reforestation potential, and then working to help them realize that potential!

Baseball for Gravel Pit proposal

I just have to get something out there:

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is not for or against the proposal to build a baseball stadium in Woodstock in exhange for allowing the surrounding area to be mined for gravel. There have been implications in public meetings that TLC has some interest in the project - that is not accurate.

TLC's interest is in ensuring that the environmental resources on and around the property are safeguarded should the development project go forward.

There is a large, high quality wetland area in the center of the parcel. While the proponents say that they will take necessary steps to preserve the wetland, the history of gravel mining adjacent to wetlands is that the wetlands lose because of the changed hydrology (water flow) over and through the site.

The wetland is dependent upon groundwater flow through the surrounding porous soils. Building a baseball stadium will decrease the ability of water to infiltrate at this site, and has a good chance of reducing the flow of water through the ground into the wetland. It also has a good chance of increasing the surface water flow into the wetland, thus changing cool clean groundwater for warm, dirty surface water. The change is likely to mean that the wetland will be more susceptible to invasion by non-native, invasive plants like Phragmites australis, an invader that thrives in urban wetland because of its tolerance of poor water quality and salt.

Now, don't get me wrong, gravel pits can be reclaimed to become lovely conservation areas such as MCCD's The Hollows and Lake County Forest Preserve District's Independence Grove.

In this case, the proposed end use for the gravel pit area is a new County Fair Ground should the Fair Association have the funds needed to purchase the site from the gravel company after the mining is complete.

A question I have in that regard is this: if the gravel company digs down to within a foot of the seasonal high water table, will that leave enough of a separation between the water table and the ground surface for development of a fair ground facility? Or, will soil have to be brought in to increase the separation? And, if the mining will go within a foot of the seasonal high water table level, where will it be in relation to the record high water level? And, how will the water level change with the addition of a baseball stadium and large parking area?

These are not trivial concerns. As the answers emerge, I'll be sure to report back!!

What's in a name?

I have a problem with a lot of the names of natural areas and parks. They just don't do anything to inspire me.

For example, Lions Park or Bailey Woods (named after the group or individual who donated the land) are pretty plain-sounding.

Some use words that sound Native American or French (or both) like Meredosia or Chautauqua or Emiquon (all Wildlife Refuges in Central Illinois), which harken back to an earlier era, but start to sound alike over time.

Some parks are named after an animal, plant or natural community that is found there, like Boloria Meadows in Bull Valley (named after a species of butterfly), which seems to take the risk of sounding like a subdivision (Turtle Crossing in Harvard comes to mind -- it's a subdivision, not a park where turtles cross...)

Other sites are named for the geographic location, as is TLC's Crowley Sedge Meadow which is located on Crowley Road near Harvard and TLC's Powers Creek Conservation Area (which could easily become the name of a subdivision by substituting "Estates" for "Conservation Area"...)

So, why am I rambling on about this whole issue of naming natural areas or parks? Well, just this week, TLC acquired the nicest remaining wet prairie in all of McHenry County, and now we need to come up with a name.

The site is currently known as "West Woodstock Prairie" (since it is on the west side of the City of Woodstock, and is a prairie). Yawn.

The property was originally bought for $50 in 1843 by a man named Peter O'Brien, so maybe "O'Brien's Meadow" is an option.

The property is located in the headwaters of Franklinville Creek, so how about "Franklinville Headwaters Preserve"? It is mostly a wet prairie, so maybe Franklinville Prairie Preserve?

The land sits at the base of a steep bluff, so maybe something like "West Woodstock Bottoms" would be appropriate? Or "Franklinville Bottoms"?

You see the challenge! Now, if someone came along and made a donation to cover the costs of buying the site, we could just name it after him or her: TLC's Jane Smith Praire Preserve!

Just a thought.