Will County, IL Preserve Adds 126 Acres, 32,000 Trees

Will County, IL – A 126-acre family-preserved woodland in Custer Township has become Will County's newest protected property, adding more than 32,000 trees and important wildlife habitat to the Forest Preserve District's holdings.

According to the Forest Preserve District of Will County, the district purchased the property Sept. 9 and named it Horse Creek Preserve – Kang Woodland in recognition of Dr. Shin Theke Kang and Tae Sue Kang.

The Chicago couple first purchased the land and began protecting it in the 1980s, dedicating decades to preserving the woodland.

The acquisition was funded as part of the district's $50 million 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program, which includes money for land acquisition, habitat restoration and preserve improvements.

So far, the district says 1,019 acres have been purchased through the program. The latest acquisition brings the total amount of land the district owns, manages or leases to 24,228 acres.

The property contains more than 32,000 black walnut, oak, maple, ash, pine and cherry trees. Wildlife documented on the land includes bald eagles, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, red foxes, yellow-billed cuckoos, slender glass lizards and numerous native songbirds and pollinators.

Its location near the southern end of the Wauponsee Glacial Trail also made the property attractive for preservation.

Elsewhere, the district announced fall volunteer opportunities for residents interested in hands-on habitat management. Space is limited, with registration available through ReconnectWithNature.org.

The district also announced that Four Rivers Environmental Education Center naturalist Alexis Lyons received a 2026 Outstanding New Interpreter Award from the Heartland Region of the National Association for Interpretation.