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.

Crowley Sedge Meadow burned!

Walking across the recently charred landscape at TLC's Crowley Sedge Meadow near Harvard, I actually caught myself doing a little dance! The site has never looked so beautiful!

This has always been one of my favorite places - the 6.7 acre "diamond in the rough" that TLC actually purchased in late 2003. I say "actually" because I am still amazed that we took that leap, especially at that time. McHenry County land is expensive, and in 2003, our finances were still a bit iffy. Yet, when it came right down to it, we knew that if we didn't buy the property, it would be lost - either through development or neglect.

After the fire, seeing all the blackened sedge tussocks (mounds of clumping grass) extending across the property, I knew that we had done a very good thing. TLC took a chance on a small site - a site that is on MCCD's natural areas inventory, but is too small and isolated to make it onto their acquisition list. Yes, a small site that the experts consider a high quality natural area worth protecting, yet because of its location and size, it would have been lost - if not for TLC.

The most common misunderstanding about TLC is that we are part of MCCD. Folks don't understand how we are different. Where do I begin?!

(1) We do not get tax money to pay our staff or to buy land. We raise our budget from private sources that include members and charitable foudations.

(2) Imagine a future where every child will be able to walk to a natural area - that is our vision for the county. You won't have to get in a car and make a special trip to experience nature - it will be part of your community - part of where & how you live, regardless of your income.

(3) We focus on preserving those resources that would otherwise fall through the cracks - those places like Crowley Sedge Meadow that all the experts say are worth preserving, but that no one else has the time or the will to save.

(4) We work primarily with private landowners to help them leave a legacy of natural lands for future generations. The vast majority of land in the county is, and always will be in private hands. TLC helps individual landowners make permanent commitments to keeping the land they love undeveloped.

I think that TLC fills a unique niche in McHenry County, and we accomplish things for land protection that - in all likelihood - would not be accomplished if we were not here. There are plenty of 6.7 acre parcels across the county that have homes on them - and you can bet that there will be plenty more in the years to come, but how many thriving sedge meadows are there? I'm thrilled to know that because of TLC - and our awesome cadre of volunteers, this little sedge meadow will be here forever!