Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA) is preserving Old Mill Forest, a 72-acre forestland situated within a larger 102-acre property in Lake County, Illinois. Consisting of mature stands of old-growth oak and hickory, Old Mill Forest lies within the headwaters of the Westfork of the Chicago River. In addition to Old Mill Forest, the property boasts an impressive matrix of high-quality wetlands and a sedge meadow.

The property had been proposed for a 265-unit mixed-use development; through this acquisition, LFOLA is protecting one of the last remaining significant parcels in the area. Protecting the forest from development not only promotes air quality and protects wildlife habitat, it also improves stormwater management in the Chicago Region watershed, improving water quality and reducing flooding for downstream residents. LFOLA also plans to conduct restoration throughout the property and create a future public nature preserve for all to enjoy, with walking paths and trails for community recreation. LFOLA will include the project in their robust volunteer program, which will offer opportunities for people of all ages to engage with nature on their own terms, whether through vigorous citizen science monitoring opportunities, volunteer educator programs, or LFOLA’s Center for Conservation Leadership program.

This project is part of the Chicago Region Carbon Program (CRCP) and complements other tree planting and preservation projects in the seven-metro counties supervised by the Chicago Region Trees Initiative. Projects in the 2023 CRCP cohort include:

• Kenney Addition to Lind-McGeachie Forest Preserve
• Camp Lakota Woodland

More information soon.

More information soon.