The Kankakee River Valley Forest Preserve District has received a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore degraded wetland communities at the Aroma Land and Water Reserve. The preserve is located approximately 7 miles east of Kankakee and 2 moles osuth of Route 17, on Hieland Road.

The District will use the money provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chicago Field office, to remove aggresive shrubs, that have choked out much of the native sedge meadow and wet prairie vegetation. The District will match the grant with $3,000 in inkind service4s and seed. District staff will implement prescribed fire to maintain the sedge meadow.

Starting in the winter of 2001-02, contractors will be in the preserve removing the shrubs. The cleaned areas will be left alone through 2002 growing season to see what species of plants remain in the seed bank. If seeding is necessary, it will be completed in the late fall of 2002. The walking/hiking trail will remain open during the restoration process.

Aroma Land and Water Reserve is a 54-acre natural area, comprised of dry sand prairie, sand savanna, flloplain forest, and the 20-acre wetland. The restored wetland will provide valuable habitat to birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects dependent on wetland habitat.