The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is excited to celebrate its first 100 years of public land conservation and invites everyone to help celebrate as we embark on our next century of conservation in Kane County.
On June 8, the Forest Preserve District will celebrate this monumental milestone with the unveiling of the Centennial Grove Project at Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn. Johnson’s Mound was the District’s first forest preserve, and executive director Ben Haberthur said the site marks the perfect spot to launch the Forest Preserve District’s next century of conservation.
“The beauty of the woods and the spring ephemerals at Johnson’s Mound are what inspired the creation of the entire Forest Preserve District. We’re excited about the celebration that we’ve got planned, to both honor our shared history, as well as recommit to a future with nature. Together, we’ll be planting the newest trees here, next to the very first trees ever protected for the public, by the Forest Preserve District,” Haberthur said.
Planned improvements include a new 800-tree centennial grove, made-up primarily of oaks but also a diverse native mix of species including hickories and maples; a new 23-acre prairie to further enhance the ecological diversity of the preserve; an ADA-accessible trail spur to help everyone get to the centennial site; and the District’s first-ever public art installation – a two-piece sculpture, entitled Guardians, by renowned local artist Mike Baur.
“We’ve never done anything like this in our 100-year history, tying in the art with the natural environment. “The Centennial Grove Project is an opportunity to honor and show gratitude for the efforts of those who came before us, and to weave the efforts from one generation into the next” Haberthur said.
“Already, four to five generations of Kane County residents have committed to the mission of the Forest Preserve District. We preserve and maintain public land in every township of the County, for everyone’s benefit. This long-term dedication needs to be celebrated and commemorated,” he said.
—Forest Preserve District of Kane County