In 2013, a group of public and nongovernmental organizations, including Openlands, developed a set of recommendations to complement the achievements of the original 1991 Reserve Master Plan. This updated plan looks to the next 20 years and envisions people restoring, enhancing, and enjoying the Reserve’s rich array of natural areas. Additionally, the Reserve’s agricultural heritage will be celebrated and continued in ways that support clean water, healthy soils, and diverse agricultural products and foods.
Today, we continue to breathe life into this revised Master Plan by working with landowners and partners to implement the recommendations. We are assisting Libertyville Township Open Space District as they expand core habitats for wildlife by converting more than 300 acres of farmland into native prairies, wetlands, and savannas.
Executive Summary: Liberty Prairie Reserve Master Plan (2013)
Full Report: Liberty Prairie Reserve Master Plan (2013)
The Planning Team for the Liberty Prairie Reserve Master Plan included Openlands, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), Lake County Forest Preserve District, the Lake County Departments of Planning, Transportation, and Stormwater Management, Liberty Prairie Foundation, Libertyville Township, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, and Conserve Lake County, which merged into Openlands in 2018.
For more information, please contact LakeCounty@Openlands.org.