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Lanternfly

An invasive spotted lanternfly Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture© Provided by CBS Chicago

The spotted lanternfly is a striking creature – with an array of black polka dots on its wings and a pair of strips of bright red on its underwings.

But the spotted lanternfly is also an invasive species, and if you see one, officials want you to stomp it with your shoe.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture on Tuesday confirmed the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma deliculata) has appeared for the first time in Illinois – though the department did not specify exactly where the spotting was.

State, federal, and local officials visited the site near the area where the insects were reported and found a moderately-populated area of spotted lanternflies on Monday of last week, the department said.

The department emphasized that the spotted lanternfly is not dangerous to the health or safety of humans or animals.

But it is still no friend of ours. And again, you’re supposed to stomp it with your shoe.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper, native to China. It was first spotted in southeast Pennsylvania in September 2014, went on to spread throughout the East Coast.

In New Jersey, spotted lanternflies have invaded Jersey Shore beaches. They have also been swarming in New York City since 2020.

In Westchester County just north of New York City, the Parks Department has taken to using a vacuum that looks like the proton pack from “Ghostbusters” to suck the swarms of spotted lanternflies off trees.

More here.

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Blazing Star

As summer winds down, late-blooming prairie wildflowers—including blazing star and goldenrod—provide a striking display throughout the Forest Preserves, marking the end of the season with vibrant golds and purples. | Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya) and Goldenrod (Solidago spp.), Photo by: Michelle Wendling

In this issue:

  • New and Improved Crabtree Nature Center Now Open
  • Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a Party for the Preserves
  • 2023 Photo Contest Winners Announced
  • Latest News: Hispanic Heritage Month Paddling Celebration, See How Chicago Botanic Garden Shines, Conservation Cup Raises Funds for Restoration and Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
  • Upcoming Events, and
  • New Volunteer Opportunities

Read more here.

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Flood Zones

Excerpt from FEMA Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel 0178 in Hoffman Estates | Courtesy of Illlinois State Water Survey on behalf of FEMA

Submitted by Shelly Fuller

Updates to portions of Cook County’s and Kane County’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are nearly complete.

The new maps will provide both counties with up-to-date flood risk information and tools that can be used to enhance local mitigation plans and help officials and residents make better decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance.

Areas of revision are within the Poplar Creek and Spring Creek watersheds and include portions of: Barrington Hills, Cook County (unincorporated areas), Elgin, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Schaumburg, South Barrington, Streamwood, Kane County (unincorporated areas) and South Elgin.

The mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce those risks.

The work has been led by FEMA Region V, in partnership with local community officials and the Illinois State Water Survey.

Before the new Flood Insurance Rate Map is finalized, a 90-day appeal period will give residents and business owners a chance to provide additional technical data or non-technical comments for FEMA’s consideration.

FEMA encourages residents and business owners to review the proposed map changes, learn about local flood risks and potential flood insurance requirements, and share any concerns or questions.

If members of the affected communities notice incorrect information that does not involve changing the flood hazard-related information-such as a missing or misspelled road name or an incorrect corporate boundary-a written correction, or “comment,” can be submitted.

If members of the communities have concerns about certain areas of the map and have technical and scientific information-such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data-that can be used to improve the maps, they may file an appeal during the 90-day appeal period. All comments and appeals must be submitted through the local officials. Because submitting an appeal requires some time and effort, we encourage property owners and renters to review the updated flood maps now.

If you are interested in submitting an appeal, we highly recommend that you first discuss it with your local officials so they can provide guidance on the process. For more details about this process, visit www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/BFE_Status/bfe_main.asp.

Read more here.

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Party for the Preserves

Visitors of all ages can enjoy nature exploration, dancing, stewardship and more at the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Party for the Preserves events on Sept. 23.

Submitted by Forest Preserves of Cook County

The annual Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Party for the Preserves on Saturday, Sept. 23, checks a lot of boxes: it kicks off fall forest fun events that run through November, marks two historic anniversaries, and — most importantly — offers a full day of fun, from a bilingual bird walk at 8:30 a.m. to a Funkadesi concert followed by s’mores and night walks 12 hours later.

“As the seasons turn, there’s even more to see and do in the Forest Preserves, and that deserves a party,” says Forest Preserves General Superintendent Arnold Randall.

“This year we are also marking the 30th anniversary of National Public Lands Day and the 60th anniversary of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. We have a lot to celebrate.”

Six events — all free and open to the public — will be held as part of this year’s Party for the Preserves:

  • Bilingual Bird Migration Walk/Caminata Bilingüe Sobre la Migración de Aves: 8:30 a.m. at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont.
  • Bike Ride: Party for the Preserves: 10 a.m. at Beaubien Woods in Chicago.
  • Salsa Dance: 11 a.m. at Thatcher Woods Pavilion in River Forest.
  • Party for the Preserves Program: noon at Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington.
  • Fourth Annual Fall Nature Fest: noon at LaBagh Woods, Foster and Cicero in Chicago.
  • Party for the Preserves: 4 p.m. at Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs. Includes paddling on the lake, food and more, to be followed by a Funkadesi concert, ending with optional night walks and s’mores.

Additional details on all six events are online at fpdcc.com/events/category/party or at each preserve’s web pages. Fall events through the end of November are available in the Fall 2023 Guide.

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The Barrington Hills Park District Board will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 7:00 PM. Topics on their agenda include:

  • Indoor Arena Window Proposal
  • Adopt A Policy To Authorize Electronic Attendance At Board Meetings For Commissioners And The Public
  • Maintenance: Remove Buckthorn Next To Front Dumpster, and
  • Portable Ice Skating Rink

A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.

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The Equestrian Commission will hold a meeting this evening at 6:30 PM.  Though scheduled to meet quarterly, this will be their first meeting in a year.

Topics on this evening’s agenda are:

  • Equestrian Trail Subdivision Easements, and
  • Equestrian Trail Licenses

A copy of the agenda can be viewed here.

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crabtree-nature-center-art-2-sep12-1050x600

After a three-year hiatus, the annual Art in Nature Festival returns to Crabtree Nature Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10.

During this free event, attendees can view artists at work reflecting on the landscapes of the nature preserve.

“We will also have a variety of activities such as painting with watercolor and sculpting with clay, which allow people to reflect the beauty of the forest preserves through art,” explains Jeff Rapp, director of Crabtree Nature Center.

There will be live music and dance programs performed by the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago and the local duo Second Wind. Additionally, visitors can view and purchase art.

More here.

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The Barrington Hills Park District Advisory Committee meets tomorrow evening at 7 PM.  Some of the topics on their agenda include:

  • Grounds / Landscaping Committee
  • Motorized vehicles in Forest Preserve
  • Additional clear-view windows to be added to the indoor arena for winter
  • Dust-free driveway and parking lot solution

A copy of their agenda can be viewed here.

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Maple Lake

Located in the Palos Preserves, the 60-acre Maple Lake is a popular fishing spot—from a rented boat at the Maple Lake Boating Center or from more than 8,000 feet of shoreline. Photo by: Frank Grubich

In this issue:

  • Referendum Seeds Begin to Bloom
  • Seventy-Five Youth Graduate from Forest Preserve Experience Program
  • Little Bees Have a Big Impact on Ecosystems
  • Latest News: Celebrate Crabtree Nature Center’s Grand Re-Opening, Take Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Survey, Field Notes from the Forest Preserve Foundation
  • Upcoming Events
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Read it here.

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Crabtree Reopening

It’s finally happening folks! We cordially invite you to our Grand Opening Celebration this Sunday at 10am. Join us for our ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a guided tour of the facility and nature play fun. We hope to see you there!

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