Improving ecosystems to promote healthy native animal and plant communities

Deer Grove Forest Preserve Habitat Restoration

The oldest forest preserve in the United States, Deer Grove stands as a testament to landscape architect Jens Jensen’s vision of preserved natural spaces in the Chicagoland communities. The preserve’s ecosystems—globally-imperiled oak ecosystems and prairies, streams, and wetlands—are once again thriving due to the efforts of Openlands and the Forest Preserves of Cook County to implement a model for ecosystem restoration.

Over a period of 18 years, we provided ecosystem assessment, design, implementation, monitoring, and stewardship to execute this restoration plan. Deer Grove East’s agricultural history left a legacy of impaired wetlands and invasive species. From 2008–2023, our team helped install vibrant and resilient native plant communities that now provide habitat for a diverse array of wildlife. Deer Grove West experienced much less historical disturbance, so we took a stewardship approach from 2015–2024 to maintain and enhance the ecosystems that naturally occur there. Our team also worked side-by-side with the Deer Grove Natural Area Volunteers and conservation interns to strengthen community support.

The total footprint restoration of the two areas stands at 611 acres (247 hectares). Improvements to recreation, water quality, and flood control in Deer Grove East alone are expected to convey benefits of $33.5 million over a 20-year period, a return of six-to-one for every dollar spent.