Conserve Lake County
Almond Lake Headquarters

Conserve Lake County shared office space with Lake County Forest Preserves at their Mid-Century Modern headquarters building. Almond Marsh is a very high-quality natural area that was donated by the prior landowner as dedicated public open space. Totaling over 500 acres of wetland, woodland, prairie and savanna ecosystems, the preserve is actively stewarded to support native ecosystem health by Lake County Forest Preserves, however, the landscape immediately surrounding the impressively sited headquarters was dated and did not support the mission of either organization.

Living Habitats was asked to consider high-level master planning for the headquarters of these two allied not-for-profit organizations along with potential expansion plans that included a seasonal native plant sales nursery needed to bridge the gap between typical nursery stock and native species to provide easier public access to the plants that comprise native plant communities.

Given that both organizations looked to expand both the deployment and support of native plantings more broadly in the landscape, initial demonstration areas for native gardens that married with the modern architecture included the front entry and a courtyard centered around an original water feature that would be rejuvenated as a native garden focal point.

A minimalist plan was selected that added a bluestone walking path to connect the building’s office sliding doors with the site. Native plants were added that worked with the existing native species already growing in the historic courtyard that were preserved as part of the plan.

Location:
Grayslake, Illinois

Date:
2014 – 2015

Client:
Conserve Lake County