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Your support helps us save places like the virgin prairie at the Fields of Cambridge (see story to right). We hope you will consider a year-end donation to the Conservancy so we can continue to preserve treasures like these close to home. Donate |
| What's Happening |
(Bull Creek/Bulls Brook Watershed and UDREP Program)
December 8
January 13
December 11 January 8 February 12 |
| Little Brown Bats | 
It was no surprise to find that the barn at Casey Farm, exposed to the elements for many years, is home to a population of little brown bats ( Myotis lucifugus). Currently the most common bat found in Illinois, its survival is threatened by White-nose Syndrome, a fungus which is decimating bat populations in the eatern part of of the nation.  Knowing that the barn will eventually need improvements that may drive the bats out, we decided to install a bat house near the barn that could serve as a new roost for the bats should the need arise. The bat house was installed in August thanks to volunteer Bill Batz of Gurnee who built the house and North Shore Sign of Libertyville which donated and installed the pole. |
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| Protecting one of Illinois' most important virgin prairies | |
 | | The Liberty Prairie Conservancy plans to purchase up to 38 acres of land to help preserve a virgin prairie at the Fields of Cambridge Sedge Meadow and Prairie Nature Preserve. |
We are excited to be working on a project with the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, a local homeowners association, and other partners to preserve an extremely rare sedge meadow and wet prairie hidden on the west side of Waukegan. The proposed Fields of Cambridge Sedge Meadow and Prairie Nature Preserve is virgin prairie undisturbed by man-made development. Illinois, the Prairie State, retains less than 1/100th of 1% of the prairies like these that once covered so much of the state. The Conservancy, through land acquisitions, will help secure the future of the prairie allowing it to receive the highest level of protection with designation as a full Illinois Nature Preserve. The site, which could be as large as 133 acres, harbors at least 97 different native plant species including one that is federally threatened/state endangered. The location of the protected site will also open up opportunities to create a new trail corridor. We hope to make an official announcement of the protection of this significant prairie early in 2011! In 2010 the Conservancy helped save 30 acres of an oak-hickory woodland from development by working closely with a private landowner to sell the land to the Forest Preserve District. See pictures of the protected land on our Facebook page. |
| Taking Care of Land and Water - Thank you to all our volunteers and partners who helped make a difference in 2010 | | It takes time and helping hands to make a difference in land health. Here's what we accomplished this year:
 | | Volunteers from Motorola |
- Our monthly workdays bring out many committed volunteers to battle invasives and do other important restoration projects in Oak Openings and Liberty Prairie. Special thanks to Jim O'Connor, Al Moody, Celeste Breen, John Breen, Karl Oder, Dale Shields, Ted Meehan, Joe Marencik, Bob Gjerdingen and Gloria Huntoon.
- We halted erosion at Casey Farm by converting a farm field from conventional row crops to hay. Thanks to farmer Mike Kelly for managing this conversion now in its second year.
- We helped a landowner in the Liberty Prairie Reserve start the conversion of an eroded farm field into prairie and initiated a wetland and savanna restoration near state-protected open land in the Antioch area.
- With help from Eagle Scout Carl Remler of Libertyville, we implemented a gully erosion-control project in a prairie restoration site.
- A boardwalk was built by the Youth Conservation Corps to help repair a trail in Oak Openings.
- A crew from Motorola cleared woody invasives at Casey Farm. Young oaks and other native plants will now receive the sunlight they need to survive and thrive.
- With help from the privately owned Liberty Prairie Restorations, we cleared two acres of invasive woody growth at Casey Farm.
- We secured grants to work with a private company, Tallgrass Restoration, to control invasive species at the Liberty Prairie Nature Preserve in Libertyville Township.
- We visited a variety of properties to advise and support landowners who are stewarding their properties.
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| Urban Coyotes - Finding the Truths, Debunking the Myths | |
Mark your calendars for a fascinating presentation about the elusive urban coyote. Dr. Stan Gehrt has been researching coyotes in urban Chicago since 2000 and has all sorts of interesting stories to tell. Share your own coyote stories over hot cider and sweet treats after the presentation.
Date: Thursday, January 13
Time: 7 - 8:30 pm
Location: Byron Colby Barn, Grayslake
$13 ($8 for members)
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