On Wednesday, the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners approved an expansion of Ray Lake Forest Preserve in Wauconda—a key step in a large-scale wetland restoration project.

Land Details

The board agreed to purchase two adjoining parcels totaling about 131 acres from the same family:

• 51-acre Giambrone property for $4.3 million
• 80-acre Honey G. Farms property for $1.8 million

The land lies north of Gilmer Road and east of Fairfield Road.

“These are two keystone properties for us,” said Executive Director Ty Kovach. “This is extremely important for the restoration work we'll be doing at Ray Lake.”

A decade ago, the Forest Preserves bought 338 acres known as the Cuneo parcel, located on the east side of Fairfield Road between Chardon and Erhart roads. About 40 acres of the new land are wetlands, while a small portion remains in agricultural use.

Ecological Benefits

The expansion connects and protects vital wetlands in central Lake County. Adding to this area north of Gilmer Road strengthens habitat for wildlife and makes the preserve more resilient to invasive species and flooding.

“Every time we fill in the blanks between preserves, we make these landscapes stronger,” said Natural Resources Director Pati Vitt. “Larger, connected habitats support more biodiversity and allow nature to function as it should.”

Owning this land also saves the Forest Preserves about $1.2 million by avoiding the need to replace a large storm pipe. Instead, the area will be restored to a more natural state that holds and filters water, improving water quality and protecting nearby infrastructure.

Wetland Mitigation and Biodiversity

A wetland mitigation bank will also be created, where restored wetlands generate environmental “credits.” Developers can buy these credits to offset the impact of construction projects elsewhere in the same watershed.

According to a property assessment, the site supports a range of native plants and wildlife, including remnant oak trees and sedges. The 2010 Oak Ecosystems report found that the oaks on this land resemble those documented in 1939.

White ibises—wading birds typically found in Florida and Central or South America—have been spotted on the property, as have Neotropical cormorants, another southern water bird rarely seen in Illinois.

Protecting Nature for People

“This land plays a vital role in restoring and protecting Lake County’s wetlands,” said Forest Preserves President Jessica Vealitzek. “These projects don’t just benefit wildlife—they also improve flood control, clean our water and create healthier spaces for people to enjoy.”

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