News

Keeping Pace in Kendall

The Conservation Foundation (TCF) has launched an aggressive open-space protection initiative focused on Kendall County, Illinois. Called “Protect Kendall Now!”, the two-year project is concerned with shaping the effects of a rapid increase in land development, and the population growth associated with that development.

“Kendall County is the second fastest growing county in the United States,” says Stephanie Houk Sheetz, TCF Land Use/Open Space Planning Manager. “The pace of [acquisition of] open space that is permanently protected is really not keeping pace with the rapid development. Right now our calculation is that 1.5 percent of Kendall County is permanently protected. We would like to increase that.”

Without aggressive action, Sheetz warned, an increase in protected land is unlikely. In contrast, neighboring DuPage County has protected nearly 20 percent of its open land, an achievement that Kendall would like to emulate, Sheetz said. She added that the work must proceed rapidly.

As part of this initiative, TCF plans first to create an open space and natural areas master plan for Kendall County. The second component, starting in the fall, will be a public awareness campaign stressing the importance of open space, the urgency for protection, and options for action. The third component involves proactively contacting landowners.

Marking its 33rd year of operation, The Conservation Foundation is a nonprofit land and watershed protection organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life by preserving open space, protecting natural lands, and improving rivers and watersheds in DuPage, Kane, Will, and Kendall Counties.

— Kevin Murphy