THE SCENE
Broad, open expanse of savanna, prairie, and wetlands with oak woods in the north

Highlights
Sweeping views on the prairie; diversity of birds in the wetlands (an observation blind is planned for next year)

Stats
1,225 acres. About 6 miles of trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing

Behind the scenes
Rollins Savanna is the largest restoration project ever undertaken by the Lake County Forest Preserves

Getting there
Exit I-94 at Grand Ave; west to Rt 45; south to Washington St in Grayslake, and west to the entrance. Additional parking on Drury Lane on northwest side of preserve

Fall 2004

Restored prairies, wetlands, and savanna surround a lake; trails take visitors into a different world

Lake County, Illinois

At 1,225 acres, the broad and open Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve in central Lake County, near Grayslake, Illinois, is the largest restoration effort ever undertaken by the Lake County Forest Preserves. This fall, with the addition of a trail system, the county will officially invite the public to enjoy the results of six years of habitat restoration.

Much of the preserve sits on the site of the former White Picket Fence Farm. While acquiring the preserve in phases between 1988 and 1993, Lake County Forest Preserve staff envisioned a large complex of prairies, wetlands, and savanna surrounding the western portion of Third Lake. The restoration work that followed has brought back wetlands and prairie in the center and south, with marsh and sedge meadow, oak savanna, and woodland to the north and east.

Sandhill crane. Photo by Pat Wadecki.

"In planning the restoration," explains Jim Anderson, natural resources manager for the Lake County Forest Preserves, "we realized that with the large site we have the opportunity to provide habitat for area-sensitive species."

Forest Preserve staff removed more than 11 miles of agricultural drain tiles, leading to the restoration of approximately 200 acres of wetlands that dot the central section of the preserve. Yellow-headed blackbirds, bobolinks, Henslow's sparrows, sandhill cranes, great blue herons, ruddy ducks, and blue-winged teal are drawn to this expansive space. Anderson hopes that northern harriers will nest here soon, and the county has plans to reintroduce Franklin's ground squirrels and Blanding's turtles.

A wide gravel trail will loop this part of the preserve for 3.5 miles, transporting visitors into a very different world. At a high point above a large basin, waist-high grasses blow in the breeze. The sounds of the surrounding residential communities are blocked out by the distant stands of tall oak trees. Phlox, baptisia, spiked lobelia, and rattlesnake master color the prairie in summer. Compass plants and prairie dock should continue through early fall, as the landscape begins to retire into soft browns and reds.

An additional trail winds through the marsh and meadow in the northeast section, and a mile-long self-guided interpretive trail traverses the south edge of the preserve. A portion of the planned 35-mile Millennium Trail will connect to Rollins along the northwest section of the preserve.

A greenhouse and ten acres of nursery beds sit near the main entrance off Washington Street. Here, volunteers and staff will collect seeds from plants to be used for restoration efforts.

On Saturday, September 18, Lake County will officially open the preserve. The public is invited (12-4 p.m.) to share in music, arts and crafts, and nature tours. For more information, or to volunteer to help with ongoing restoration, call (847) 367-6640.

— Terry Stephan

See also:

Big Plans for Rollins Savanna (News of the Wild, Winter 2002)