Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting local happenings in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and surrounding communities.
Get yours: subscribe here. Refer a friend: share this link.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County recently expanded Meissner-Corron Forest Preserve in St. Charles by 45 acres, filling in a triangular, wedge-shaped section within the northeastern portion of the preserve.
The 45 acres consist primarily of fenced horse pasture, an outbuilding for horses, and an access route for maintenance. The horses utilizing the cool-season grass pasture will remain for one more year, until the current lease expires. Afterward, the District will begin a prairie restoration.
Meissner-Corron Forest Preserve now totals 665 acres. Combined with the adjacent site owned by Campton Township Open Space, both agencies protect a contiguous 1,126 acres of natural area in the complex.
Forest Preserve District Executive Director Benjamin Haberthur said the new land investment adds what appeared to be a missing piece, and further protects a high-quality natural area within the preserve.
“The beauty in the protection of this parcel is in the shape. Like a missing puzzle piece locking-in, we’ll now be able to see a more intact picture of the natural landscape of Kane County,” Haberthur said. “There’s also a sensitive ecological area that is already protected at Meissner-Corron Forest Preserve. An Illinois Nature Preserve was dedicated here in 2015 as Meissner-Corron Prairie and Sedge Meadow.”
He said the permanent conservation of this parcel protects the interior of Russel Fen, and buffers the vulnerable plant species from animal predation and invasive species infestation.
The Forest Preserve District invested $947,965 in the 44.45-acre addition. According to officials, that cost will be offset by a $190,000 acquisition grant from the Prairie State Conservation Coalition (PSCC).
“The mission of protecting the entire suite of life for future generations is bigger than the District,” Haberthur said. We’re always open to new and effective partnerships. We want to be on the cutting edge of conservation, and right now that is Prairie State Conservation Coalition (PSCC).”
The Meissner-Corron acquisition brings total lands managed by the Forest Preserve District to 24,228 acres.
Information provided by the Kane County Forest Preserve District.
📖 Thanks for reading
Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with questions or comments.
Not signed up yet? Subscribe here.