Lake County Gazette

The Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of 337 additional acres in Fremont Township for the Ray Lake Forest Preserve at their meeting Nov. 10.

The $10,461,491 addition abuts the current northern border of the Ray Lake Forest Preserve and brings the total acreage of the preserve to 894. The property was purchased with a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and the money was approved by referendum vote in 2008.

"This acquisition is a dynamic step in realizing the district’s 100-year Vvsion for Lake County, adopted just a few short months ago," Forest Preserve President Ann Maine said. “One of the strategic directions of the vision is to acquire, protect, restore and manage a system of large natural areas connected by waterways and greenways. We want to do this in order to improve the county’s biodiversity and wildlife habitat, enhance water quality and air quality, lessen flood damage, improve property values and preserve the inspiring natural vistas for which Lake County is known.”

Forest Preserve officials described the land as having rolling topography with expansive views. They also said it provides a habitat for wetland and grassland species in need of preservation.

The new addition will add to Lake County's extensive network of forest preserves, which at 30,722 acres is the second largest in Illinois.