Map courtesy of Forest Preserve District of Kane County.

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County made two more land investments last week, bringing total District acreage to over 19,488 acres.

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, the District closed on a 93.95-acre addition to the Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve in Elgin. The property was purchased from Dorothy L. Gurke, David L. Gurke and Barbara Markham for $1,168,000.
The property is on Russell Road and adjoins Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve to the west. Forest Preserve Director of Natural Resources Drew Ullberg applauded the addition.
“It’s great to have an expansion of Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve. This is a preserve where we’ve done a lot of restoration work already, to reestablish the prairie and wetland. Adding to it will make for a greater habitat for wildlife,” he said.
The addition brings Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve’s total size to 467 acres.
On Nov. 2, the District also closed on a 162.62-acre property in St. Charles. The former Swanson farm was purchased from Oliver Hoffmann Corp. for $3,073,748.
The as-yet unnamed preserve is at 6N327 IL Rte. 25.
The Elgin and St. Charles acquisitions are the fourth and fifth investments made with 2011 referendum funds.
In April, Kane County voters approved a $30 million referendum for land acquisition and preserve improvements.
Thus far, the District has spent $12,204,331 and acquired 675 acres.
For more information on the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, visit kaneforest.com.