SHIRLAND — The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County announced on Tuesday the acquisition of an 88-acre piece of land along the Sugar River.
It will be named the Paula Swanson Forest Preserve after an avid birdwatcher and Forest Preserves volunteer whose donation made the purchase of the land possible. Swanson died Feb. 18, 2025, at the age of 87.
This is the 45th preserve that will be owned and managed by the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. It was purchased for $747,000 from the McKee family using the donation from Swanson and a general obligation limited tax bond. The bond issue will extend the district’s tax levy for an additional four years, meaning the debt will now be paid off in 2032. The Forest Preserves projected tax rate for fiscal 2027 is 7.90 cents per $100…