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PROPOSED MISCELLANEOUS ITEM OF BUSINESS
Department: Department of Resource Management
Summary: Pursuant to Section 9 of the Cook County Forest Preserve District Act (70 ILCS 810/9), the Forest Preserves requests dedication of Somme Prairie Grove as a nature preserve as provided in the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act, 525 ILCS 30/1, and requests authority to submit its dedication for registration with the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (“INPC”).
This dedication contributes to one of the key goals set forward in the Forest Preserves’ Next Century Conservation Plan to dedicate and register 20,000 acres with the INPC. Dedication of a site as a nature preserve provides the highest level of protection for land in Illinois, and is granted only to natural areas of important natural or cultural significance.
The proposed Somme Prairie Grove Nature Preserve is an approximately 85-acre portion of the preserves located in the village of Northbrook in northeast Cook County. The site consists of high-quality mesic savanna and dry-mesic woodland that support a host of conservative native plant species and a rich assemblage of savanna and shrubland breeding birds. Somme Prairie Grove has benefitted from a vibrant stewardship community since 1980, and represents one of the oldest and most comprehensive savanna and woodland restorations in the Midwest.
The Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) currently has twenty-six (26) dedicated Nature Preserves and five (5) Land and Water Reserves. The addition of Somme Prairie Grove would bring the Forest Preserves’ total INPC-protected lands to approximately 10,405 acres.
The Forest Preserves respectfully requests authority to submit Somme Prairie Grove to the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission for review and formal dedication and registration as a nature preserve according to the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act.
District(s): 14
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