News

Kane County on an Acquisition Roll

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County, fortified with $75 million more dollars for land acquisition from a successful bond referendum last April, has made the first purchase in what could be the acquisition of as many as 5,000 acres.

An additional 171 acres will be added to the Johnson’s Mound preserve in Blackberry Township, a spectacular glacial kame that is the highest point in Kane County. The district is now evaluating its future use, which may be as a grassland bird habitat or an oak savanna, as well as a bike trail link to Ferson Creek.

The Acquisitions Committee is considering numerous parcels of land in Plato, St. Charles and Campton Townships. While it formerly concentrated on acreage in more urban areas and along the Fox River, the district’s acquisition planning has been turning westward as increased development surges onto former farms and fields. According to Director of Communications Anne Marie Fausco, the district is “looking at all areas of the county east to west, looking at areas contiguous to existing forest preserves, looking at areas that would link to forest preserves (such as with bike trails) and thirdly at areas that have native species or rare species.” Even developers are discovering the value of proximity to preserved lands, as housing land values shoot up when there is a preserve next door.

— Elizabeth Riotto