Exploring the Gorgeous Arboretums and Forest Preserves of Illinois and Wisconsin on National Love a Tree Day

Today is National Love a Tree Day!  We’re bringing you some of our picks fpr best places to go hiking and get back in touch with the forest and natural wilderness.  You’ll find forest preserves, arboretums, and forest trails abound on today’s blog!  But first, let’s take a look at why these areas are important and vital to our local ecosystems.  We’re so excited that we live, work, and play in an area with so many incredible arboretums, parks, and forest preserves.  It’s such a beautiful part of Lake County Illinois life!

An arboretum is different from the typical forest preserve and protected nature preserve.  It serves, in a sense, as a “museum” of trees and local flora.  Trees and plants are grown for the purpose of research, preservation, and educational purposes.  Regional trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers are cultivated for the purpose of exhibiting their different varieties and properties, and providing a little oasis in the area for scientific and educational research.

Forest and Nature preserves differ from Arboretums in the sense that they are not cultivated.  Instead, they are protected wilderness areas in states, cities, and counties which retain their natural character.  They provide permanent areas of protection against development and industry, with the means of preserving animals, plants, and ecosystems.

Both of these categories of natural resources are vital to sustainability and environmental protection efforts.  We highly recommend exploring both, and bringing a camera along with you so you can help raise awareness and education for these beautiful environmental staples!

While you’re out and about on your adventures, keep your eyes peeled for the following native trees in Illinois:

• American Beech
• American Elm
• Sycamore Tree
• Tuliptree
• Sugar Maple
• Red Oak
• Sweetgum Tree
• Pawpaw Tree
• Buckeyes
• Holly
• Spicebush
• White Oak (the state tree of Illinois!)

Here are some gorgeous arboretums and forest preserves in the area that are perfect for spending summer days in nature:

• Lyons Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan, IL
• Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve in Waukegan, IL
• Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Waukegan, IL
• Century Park Arboretum in Vernon Hills, IL
• Ladd Arboretum in Evanston, IL
• Kuechmann Arboretum in Lake Zurich, IL
• Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve in Mettawa, IL
• Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve in Wadsworth, IL
• McDonald Woods Forest Preserve in Lake Villa, IL
• Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve in Grayslake, IL
• Old SChool Forest Preserve in Libertyville, IL
• Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve in Lake Forest, IL
• Grassy Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Barrington, IL
• Nippersink Forest PReserve in Round Lake, IL
• Grant Woods Forest Preserve in Ingleside, IL
• Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve in Deer Park, IL
• Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest, IL
• Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway in Wadsworth, IL
• Gander Mountain in Antioch, IL
• Raven Glen Forest Preserve in Antioch, IL
• Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda, IL
• Kenosha Sand Dunes in Pleasant Prairie, WI
• Petrifying Springs Park in Kenosha, WI
• Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum in Kenosha, WI

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