October 17, 2024
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Glacial Park recognized for restoration, biodiversity recovery work

McHenry County Conservation District director named ‘A Force of Nature’

By Northwest Herald staff report
A 2013 file photo of Glacial Park Conservation Area near Ringwood.

Glacial Park Conservation Area on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, in Ringwood. (Lathan Goumas)

McHenry County Conservation District’s Glacial Park was awarded the Platinum level in Excellence in Ecological Restoration from Chicago Wilderness, an award that recognizes high-quality natural areas, restoration and biodiversity recovery work.

Glacial Park is considered the “jewel of McHenry County” and has been under ecological restoration management since 1985, according to a news release.

Early restoration focused on brush removal from the oak savannas and prairie restoration in former agricultural fields, according to the release. By the 1990s, staff began extensive hydrological restoration, culminating in the re-meandering and bank grading on 3.5 miles of Nippersink Creek.

More recently, the Conservation District worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to repair stream banks, install riffles and ecologically transform the next 3.5 miles of Nippersink Creek into a healthy, meandering stream.

Earth Werks contractor Omar Alaniz checks the elevation while contractors work on grading the streambank back on the Nippersink Creek at Glacial Park in Ringwood Wednesday, January 28, 2015. A joint five-year project between the McHenry County Conservation District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore 3.5 miles of Nippersink Creek and 507 acres of sedge meadow, wet prairie and wet mesic oak savanna is currently in process to potentially alleviate some flooding and may also mean better water quality, a better wildlife and fish habitat and easier access to the creek for those fishing, kayak and canoe users.

Earth Werks contractor Omar Alaniz checks the elevation while contractors work Wednesday, January 28, 2015, on grading the stream bank of the Nippersink Creek at Glacial Park in Ringwood. The work was part of a joint five-year project between the McHenry County Conservation District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore 3.5 miles of Nippersink Creek and 507 acres of sedge meadow, wet prairie and wet mesic oak savanna. (Sarah Nader)

This is the fourth McHenry County Conservation District site to receive this honor, according to the release. Past recipients include Lake in the Hills Fen Conservation Area, North Branch Conservation Area and Pleasant Valley Conservation Area.

Chicago Wilderness also recognized Ed Collins, McHenry County Conservation District’s director of land preservation and natural resources, naming him a recipient of the 2021 George B. Rabb Force of Nature Award.

“Over the years, Ed Collins has developed extensive knowledge in the natural resources field and has directed his attention to bold, innovative ideas and land ethic stewardship,” McHenry County Conservation District Executive Director Elizabeth Kessler said in a statement. “He is respected for his aspirational conservation vision, grand plans for large landscape ecological restoration, and the ambitious undertaking of scientific research and land management firsts. He is a conservation champion who advocates for the natural world.”

Among his achievements are the remeandering of Nippersink Creek, establishment of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, Oak Ecosystem Study, Schools Springs Mitigation and Wetland Bank and the Trail of History which was started in 1989 to raise awareness to prevent the destruction of Glacial Park.


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