Forest Preserve District Gifted $100K, Monee Reservoir To Get New Shade Structure

MONEE TOWNSHIP, IL — Monee Reservoir is among several Forest Preserve District of Will County properties that will see some improvements with the help of a recent donation, the district said.

The Nature Foundation of Will County’s most recent quarterly donation to the forest preserve district totaled $101,600, to be spread among several projects. The funding will support the Forest Preserve’s preservation, conservation, education and recreation priorities.

At Monee Reservoir, a $50,000 grant from Earthrise Energy will be used to build a shade structure at the Monee Reservoir Visitor Center.

“It’s designed specifically not to obstruct the beautiful waterfront view,” said Tara Neff, the Foundation's executive director.

Neff presented the Forest Preserve District's Board of Commissioners with the check on Thursday, Sept. 11.

“We’re proud to be a partner with the Forest Preserve District, supporting the programs and activities that protect nature, inspire discovery and bring people and nature together,” said Neff.

Highlights of the Foundation’s donation include the following:

• $35,000 from Citgo Petroleum through its Caring for Our Coast program. The funds will be used for ecological management on 68.5 acres of wetland and prairie habitat at Romeoville Prairie Nature Preserve in Romeoville.
• $5,000 from Vulcan Materials Company Foundation for the Forest Preserve District’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook. The money will be used to expand a native plant garden and install educational signs.
• $5,000 from Pembina Pipeline for outdoor habitat improvements at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.
• $2,500 from the Foundation itself for a new bicycle repair station at Monee Reservoir, which will be installed this fall.

Foundation sponsorships this year include $3,000 for the Forest Preserve's popular fall Woods Walk hiking challenge and $1,100 for the exhibit “Souvenirs From the Silurian Sea: Fossils of Will County,” which runs through Nov. 30 at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville. The Foundation also has supported the yearlong Be a Trailblazer scavenger hunt experience.

In addition to corporate donations and grants, The Nature Foundation of Will County, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, also accepts donations from individuals who would like to give back to nature. Donations can be made online or by mail. For more details, visit the donation page on the Foundation's website, willcountynature.org/make-a-donation.