SPECIAL FOCUS

Increasing the land-holdings of a forest preserve district typically requires a balancing act between the interests of district citizens, landowners, boards of commissioners and forest preserve staff. In the rapidly developing counties of Illinois, the approach has been one of aggressively acquiring land before the open space falls into the hands of developers. However, in Champaign County—where the majority of the land is rural and the trend toward urbanization is less threatening— expanding of forest preserve land-holdings recently has been accomplished with the help of cooperative landowners.

Currently the Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) has acquired (or is working on acquisition of) six different land parcels. The key to the success has been good public relations and well-written grant applications.

Over the past two years, the Champaign County Forest Preserve District has been able to work with willing sellers and match funding opportunities through grants, to proceed with highly desirable natural area acquisition without intending to be in that role. The parcels of land—ranging in size from 5 to 358 acres— have been offered for sale or donation to the forest preserve by willing and interested owners whose land is adjacent to, or near, one of our three existing preserves. State grants through the Illinois Department of Natural Resource's Conservation 2000 Program or the Open Land Trust program have provided funding for most of the acquisitions.

Additionally, land donations have been made by public-minded private citizens and from a local conservation organization. No doubt part of the reason for part of this success has been the forest preserve's good public image coupled with public concern over loss of natural areas and preservation of open spaces, especially in our rural community.

Statewide, Champaign County has one of the lowest percentages of open land acres per population size (19 acres per 1,000 population), a deficit which is sure to catch the eye of grant reviewers. Furthermore, donations were leveraged—the effect of the donation maximized—in that title to land that had been donated was actually being held by forest preserve's foundation.

The Champaign County Forest Preserve District Foundation is the not-for-profit support and fund-raising branch of the forest preserve. Since many grants require matching funds, the appraised value of this property is used to match the necessary fund request. This process then provides the district with the upfront match for the grant request.

One of the concerns of county taxpayers is that as land goes into non-taxed holdings of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, there is a higher proportional tax burden placed upon them. In fact, the usual result is that property values around forest preserve land-holdings go up exponentially in value, with tax receipts following the increase in value as the land available for development is actually developed and new taxpayers move into the county. This acts as a

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SPECIAL FOCUS

stabilizing influence on the taxes individuals pay.

Fortunately, the land that is in the process of being acquired by forest preserve has marginal farm-related value and probably should not or cannot be farmed. Also, land that had been used for gravel mining, or land with poor soil or drainage problems, is not a significant loss from agricultural production. No prime farm land has been involved in any of the district's current land acquisition projects.

Some of the land projects have very exciting potential for restoration of unique ecosystems to east-central Illinois. Following is a brief summary of a few of the current projects.

River Bend Recreation Area

River Bend is a 358-acre tract southwest of Mahomet, Ill., which includes 150 acres of deep spring-fed gravel pit lakes, including what will be the largest recreational lake in Champaign County. This acquisition was partially donated and partially purchased through a $2 million Open Land Trust grant. The land borders almost three miles of Sangamon River corridor.

This forested riparian zone provides important habitat for wildlife and will afford a crucial protective buffer for the river by decreasing siltation and erosion. The River Bend site has restoration potential for everything from bottomland forests and ephemeral wetlands, through wet mesic prairies to xeric prairies. The site serves as a recharge area for the Glasford and Mahomet-Teays aquifers. The state-endangered, endemic Sangamon Phlox is thought to exist here. Champaign County Audubon has observed more than 170 species of bipeds here. The forest preserve was indeed fortunate to obtain this tract!

Middle Fork Peat Bog and Wetland

This 69-acre site—adjacent to the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District—includes a degraded peat bog. The acreage surrounding the peat bog was purchased to buffer and protect it.

After centuries of erosion, the peat in this area has become covered by 12 inches to 18 inches of alluvium. Core samples have shown peat deposits to a depth of more than 24 feet. The core samples revealed the presence of seeds and plant parts from long ago, and gave indication of extensive use by wildlife.

Restoration efforts will take some time, but we should begin to see the return of acid-loving bog plants in the not-to-distant future. This site offers a unique interpretive opportunity for our environmental educators, and is indeed a highly valued addition to the forest preserve's land-holdings.

Norton Tract and Tomlinson Cemetery Nature Preserve

Managed by the forest preserve district and Champaign County's only designated Illinois Nature Preserve, Tomlinson Pioneer Cemetery Prairie is a one-acre oak savanna remnant. A closed cemetery with no burials after 1953, Tomlinson is one of only two similar sites in Illinois. Located in the middle of agricultural fields, Tomlinson lacks dedicated legal public access. An Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation 2000 grant will provide

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RURAL LAND DEALS

Statewide, Champaign County has one of the lowest percentages of open land acres per population size.

funds to purchase 130 acres surrounding most of the cemetery.

Purchased from a willing seller, this acreage will provide legal access to the area, as well as buffering and protecting this unique and highly valued property. Plans call for the 130 acres surrounding the cemetery to be restored to pre-settlement vegetative conditions, consistent with those represented by the cemetery. We have the potential to incorporate cutting-edge field research into the restoration with help from botanists and restoration ecologists.

Old Homer Park

A popular recreation site in the '20s and '30s, this area adjacent to the Salt Fork River still evokes the nostalgia of the old Chautauqua days. Located two miles downstream of the forest preserve's Salt Fork Forest Preserve site, and a mile north of Homer, Ill., Old Homer Park has an extensive legacy of historical information and photographs documenting its heyday. While of historical significance, the site has become overgrown and only foundations of buildings, a stone weir, and bridge abutments remain.

Because this site was at the end of a spur of the then-existing electric interurban railway, it was a popular weekend excursion. Many scientists and researchers from the University of Illinois and the Illinois Natural History Survey used the site as a study area because of its accessibility and natural beauty. This 28-acre park was donated to the Champaign County Forest Preserve Foundation. A trail with interpretive markers and brochures that illuminate and retrace the park's history is contemplated. Additionally, parking lot and canoe accesses have also been proposed for this site.

None of these projects have required Champaign County Forest Preserve District money for land purchases. All acquisitions are from statewide granting agencies or local donations. But certainly much of the success for these projects has been the leverage provided by the low percentage of open land in Champaign County and the diligent work of the forest preserve staff. Sensitivity to land-use and preservation issues, and maintaining a good working relationship with the local farming community are equally important elements in successfully increasing the county's protected open space.

Hopefully other districts will be encouraged by the positive experiences of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Needless to say, it has taken many years to build trust, sensitivity and understanding among the staff and landowners in the county. We encourage other forest preserve districts to explore working with landowners to address their concerns of land use and protection as well as leaving a living legacy.

ROGER KIRKWOOD
is the director of natural resources for the Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

EARL CREUTZBERG
is a commissioner for the Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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