HIGHWOOD —State Senator Julie Morrison celebrates the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announcement of almost $130,000 in grants for land trusts in Lake County to support land protected by the Illinois Nature Preservation Commission.

“Our nature preserves are a point of pride, and to give them the support that they need is vital to maintain their high quality stewardship,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “They serve not only as a way to preserve our environment, but as ways for our children to learn about nature.”

Two area Open Lands Associations have been given grants to support their stewardship efforts. Lake Bluff Open Lands Association will receive nearly $60,000 to hire interns and contractual services to control invasive species, remove undesirable trees, and conduct controlled burns which are vital in preservation at Skokie River Prairie Land and Water Reserve. The Lake Forest Open Lands Association will receive just over $70,000 to purchase equipment, supplies, and contractual assistance to improve natural community structure and diversity at Skokie River Nature Preserve and Middlefork Savanna Nature Preserve.

“It is important to get the right tools to the right people,” said Morrison. “Environmental stewardship is a vital step to ensure our future generations have a clean and healthy environment.”

Stewardship is the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through preservation and sustainable practices to enhance ecosystem resilience. In recent years the stewardship needs at natural areas throughout Illinois have outpaced the ability to deliver these services to natural areas permanently protected in the Illinois Nature Preservation Commission system.

More information about the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant Program can be found on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website at https://bit.ly/stewardshipgrants.