Two Forest Preserve District of Will County initiatives, a major restoration project at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve and the Be a Trailblazer campaign, received awards from the Chicago Wilderness Alliance.
The awards were presented October 22 during the Celebration of Conservation at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago.
The Lockport Prairie restoration earned a platinum-tier Excellence in Ecological Restoration Program Award from the alliance.
“The commission has been impressed with your knowledgeable staff and their work,” the award notification stated. “Equally impressive is the support and organizational commitment of the Forest Preserve District of Will County and volunteers to restore the high-quality natural areas under your jurisdiction to their fullest potential.”
The 320-acre Lockport Prairie features globally rare dolomite prairie and wetlands that support federally endangered species, including the Hine’s emerald dragonfly, leafy prairie clover and lakeside daisy. It also shelters 11 state-listed plant species, the federally endangered rusty patched bumble bee, and Illinois’ largest spotted turtle population.
The District’s Be a Trailblazer campaign received the George B. Rabb Force of Nature Award, which honors exceptional efforts on behalf of nature in the region.
The public engagement program encourages people of all ages and abilities to explore nature through self-guided challenges. More than 2,000 participants have joined this year, completing photo, GPS-based and trivia missions, with over $10,000 in prizes awarded through support from The Nature Foundation of Will County and local sponsors.
The Chicago Wilderness Alliance is a regional network of leaders, experts and conservation professionals from Southeast Wisconsin, Northeast Illinois, Northwest Indiana, and Southwest Michigan working together on large-scale conservation to ensure a healthy, thriving region for people and nature.
— Forest Preserve District of Will County