Center for Conservation Leadership Impacts Lake County

Photo credit Julia Lunn

 Lake Forest Open Lands’ Center for Conservation Leadership (CCL) recently received two grants from the Illinois Coastal Management Program (ICMP), a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), focused on the Great Lakes Coastal Region.

One grant, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will fund research at Illinois Beach State Park. Partners include the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC), the Illinois State Geological Survey, IDNR and CCL. This three-year study will provide data for restoring rare wetlands and beach plant communities. The University of Illinois will conduct the research, with CCL managing educational outreach and community engagement.

“We are thrilled to partner with LFOLA’s Center for Conservation Leadership to bring their Eco-Ambassador program to Illinois Beach State Park,” says Cody Eskew, senior scientific specialist at ISTC. “[T]his federal investment will help foster development of the next generation of environmental stewards from the diverse and vibrant communities neighboring the park.”

Julia Lunn, director of engagement at Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA) and director of CCL, adds: “I’m so excited about getting the community engaged with this important research on our lakeshore right here in Lake County.” CCL will lead educational events and programming for all ages.

“Additionally, ICMP funded our Coastal Area Connections program,” continues Lunn. “This funding opportunity will allow CCL to offer boat building workshops, guided bird hikes, art and poetry workshops along the lakeshore.”

Since 1967, LFOLA has preserved natural habitats in the region, maintaining more than 20 miles of trails and nine, soon to be 10, nature preserves. The organization’s mission is to engage all generations with nature through robust programming. LFOLA is supported by voluntary contributions and does not receive local tax funding.

For more information, visit LFOLA.org.