Twin Creeks Conservation Area, host Ders Anderson
The Twin Creeks tour will visit the protected conservation areas within the Twin Creeks development. Openlands purchased the development property which stalled during the 2008 recession, and immediately transferred strategic acreage to the McHenry County Conservation District so that it could connect separate land holdings and create a significant greenway corridor along Nippersink Creek. Openlands is currently marketing several remaining lots to recapture its acquisition costs. The 3/4 mile walk will visit: 1) a north facing oak savanna with possibly the only known population of beak grass in McHenry County, 2) a prairie restoration protected by a conservation easement at the rear of several yet to be built on lots, and 3) Nippersink Creek,where Openlands has accomplished fish and mussel surveys. Invasive colonies of brush have been removed.
Directions: From Woodstock, take Rt 47 north to Allendale Rd. Turn right (east) onto Allendale and take it to Queen Anne Rd. Turn right (south) on Queen Anne Rd. and you will see the entrance to Twin Creeks in about 1/2 mile, shortly after you cross Nippersink Creek. If you pass Avang Rd. you’ve gone too far. The entrance is landscaped and has two stone signs that say “Twin Creeks”. Turn left (east) at the entrance onto Twin Creeks Rd. Park anywhere along Twin Creeks Rd. G.P.S. coordinates are 42.392976., 88.413303.
