Cook County forest preserves to start restoration

CHICAGO — Officials with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County say they're ready to begin restoration work this winter.

The idea is to restore areas of ecological significance.

Workers will remove vegetation that competes with native plants for resources and conduct some prescribed burns, among other things. Officials will also create outreach programs to organize field trips and try to increase volunteerism.

The work on the four areas is funded in part by $350,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The areas in the project include the Sand Ridge Nature Preserve, Jurgensen Woods and Green Lake Savanna. All are within a few miles of one another.

The agency has planned a public meeting early next month in South Holland to offer more details.