The Humphrey Woods are an isolated woodland and remnant of the past located just west of the Village Center campus. The twenty-five (25) acre site is home to the historic Hostert Cabins, dating back to the 1800’s and the founding of the Village, along with hundreds of species of plants and trees in excess of two hundred (200) years old. The Village has long recognized Humphrey Woods as a valuable natural and historical resource.
Recent site assessments have identified a diverse plant palette and cover types, including woodlands, wetlands, savanna, and prairie. Areas of the site have drastically degraded in quality due to the effects of invasive insects, notably the emerald ash borer and invasive plants such as buckthorn, honeysuckle, common reed, and pear trees.
Since 2019, the Public Works Department has been working with Hey and Associates on a plan for the restoration and long-term management of this area. These efforts began with an ecological assessment, which was completed in 2020, and provided a snapshot of the current condition of the woods, followed by the “Humphrey Woods Ecological Restoration and Management Project - Master Plan”, which was completed in July 2021. The Village Board approved funding for the initiation of this multi-year project in 2022. As a result of the planned work, Humphrey Woods will be an improved habitat for local wildlife, and it will increase the opportunity for people to experience native plants and animals.
The Humphrey Woods Restoration Project is currently underway. V3 Companies was selected via the Village's proposal process to be the restoration contractor for the project. Ultimately, the restoration plan is broken into two (2) phases; a three (3) year establishment period (2022 - 2024) followed by an initial two (2) years of stewardship (2025 - 2026). Ongoing management will then be required to ensure long-term project success.