Thanks to a $5,000 Nicor Gas Environmental Stewardship Pillar Grant we received, the river views around the Forest Preserve District’s Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon will be a little more picturesque and ecologically sound.

The project will enhance the viewshed and restore native plant communities in the preserve, said Judith Wallace, land management coordinator for the District. The grant funds will be used to remove invasive brush and overseed the work areas with native plant species.

“The ability to start managing additional acreage utilizing outside funds is a true gift,” Judith said.

To ensure the project met conservation, education, and recreation needs, Judith consulted with staff who work at Four Rivers.  The goal is to make more places useful for public and education programs.

Improving biodiversity at the site begins with removing invasive brush.  Follow-up treatments to ensure it doesn’t return can be time consuming and labor intensive.  Finally, overseeding the work areas with beneficial, native plant species gives them a head start to get established so they can out-compete any new, woody growth. 

Timing for overseeding is weather-dependent and yields the best results when spread over snow. If it can’t be completed this winter, it will be postponed until the end of the year.

“I am often stopped by the public to chat about the work we are doing and am always thanked for creating such a beautiful space for them to visit,” she said.

“The habitat restoration work funded by the Nicor grant complements work previously completed with a donation from Pembina Pipeline Corporation.  These additional investments allow the Forest Preserve District to double the amount of habitat restoration work completed at Four Rivers,” said Tara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation of Will County.

“A wider array of plant life attracts a broader range of wildlife such as insects and birds,” Judith said.

Folks from near and far travel to Four Rivers to take in the views and watch wildlife.  We know these investments make a difference and we hope you do, too!