View the many accomplishments of Lake Forest Open Lands in Fiscal Year 2025. In addition, thanks to our volunteers, interns, monitors, and many more who help LFOLA fulfill their mission.
Lake Forest Open Lands Association Annual Meeting May 14, 2025
300 North Green Bay Road Lake Forest, Illinois
Annual Meeting May 14, 2024 Agenda
Welcome Remarks
Chair, Board of Governors
Brett Paschke
Special Recognition and Thank You’s Vice Chair, Board of Governors
Jim Dean
Land Stewardship
Director of Land Stewardship
Hillary Peters
Engagement Report and President’s Report President, Lake Forest Open Lands
Ryan London
Guest Speaker
Debra Shore
Thank you and Adjourn
Brett Paschke
Land Acknowledgement Statement Lake Forest Open Lands honors the land we are on by recognizing that the nature preserves we steward are the ancestral homelands of the Council of Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi . These lands were also an important place of trade for many other peoples including the Sauk, Meskwaki, Miami, Menominee, Ho-Chunk and Kickapoo . We offer tribute with gratitude to the land and to the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. We acknowledge our commitment to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we care for and to strengthening our relationship with all who have come before and will come after.
Guest Speaker Debra Shore
Debra Shore, a prominent environmental advocate in the Midwest for over 30 years, has dedicated her career to advancing conservation efforts, promoting clean air and water, and championing social justice. Her extensive work includes serving
nearly three terms on the Board of Commissioners
for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing water quality through the implementation of cutting-edge disinfection technology. In recognition of her expertise and commitment, she was appointed by President Biden in 2021 as the Regional Administrator for the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5. In this capacity, Shore oversaw a range of significant environmental initiatives aimed at protecting natural resources and public health across several states. Beyond her administrative roles, she is an award-winning author and the founder of Chicago Wilderness Magazine, a publication dedicated to raising awareness about regional biodiversity and conservation issues. Shore’s passion for the environment extends to her active involvement in habitat restoration projects and her leadership in various environmental and social organizations, where she continues to influence policy and inspire community engagement.
KEY ACQUISITIONS
1970 McLaughlin Meadow launches Skokie River Nature Preserve 1979 George and Jane Beach Woods The very first parcel of land protected in the Middlefork Savanna 1988 West Skokie Nature Preserve 1994 Mellody Farm and Derwen Mawr Nature Preserves 1996 Everett Farm Nature Preserve 1998 Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve and preservation of Elawa Farm 2017 Carruthers Nature Preserve 2018 Jean and John Greene Nature Preserve at McCormick Ravine 2021 1.5-acre prairie buffer at Haffner Meadow Mello’s Preserve at Westfork Savanna 3-acre parcel that connects a 7-mile greenway next to West Skokie Nature Preserve 2022 Paula and John Lillard 8-acre easement along the Middlefork Corridor 2024 2.13-acre easement along Lake Forest Cemetery Ravine and Lake Michigan Hawk Meadow—the 28-acre remnant preserve along the Middlefork
EXPLORE YOUR TRUE NATURE!
Rt. 176
SKOKIE RIVER NATURE PRESERVE
MIDDLEFORK FARM NATURE PRESERVE
DERWEN MAWR NATURE PRESERVE
MELLODY FARM NATURE PRESERVE
Rt. 60 / Kennedy Rd.
DEERPATH FARM
New! CARRUTHERS NATURE PRESERVE
Westleigh Rd.
94
WEST SKOKIE NATURE PRESERVE
JEAN AND JOHN GREENE NATURE PRESERVE
New! MELLO’S PRESERVE at WESTFORK SAVANNA
EVERETT FARM NATURE PRESERVE
LFOLA Nature Preserve Other Managed Property
Rt. 22 / Half Day Rd.
Fiscal Year 2025 Lake Forest Open Lands Achievements Land Preservation and Advocacy Finished the installation for the new preserve infrastructure and amenities at the Carruthers Nature Preserve (NP) and opened the preserve to the public. Completed the process of engineering, design, and permitting work for the preserve infrastructure at our oldest preserve along the Middlefork—West Skokie NP. Made significant progress on Phase II of the Greene NP’s restoration, which entails the design, engineering, and permitting of a resilient bluff and near shore as well as additional ravine restoration in partnership with our Indigenous partners. Finalized a substantial slope repair project at Greene NP, utilizing nature- based solutions with funding from the Great Lakes Commission and Lake County’s Watershed Management Board. Submitted the first part of Land Trust Alliance’s (LTA) re-accreditation. We are the first Land Trust to go through this process for the fourth time in Illinois. Commenced the process for accepting the reassignment of 11 conservation easements in Lake Bluff from Lake Bluff Open Lands and Openlands (Chicago). Secured the donation of a new conservation easement in Lake Bluff, adjacent to Lake Forest Cemetery.
Acquired a long-term organizational priority along the Middlefork—Hawk Meadow, a 28-acre remnant savanna and meadow. Acquired a .78-acre Lot 2 at McCormick Ravine from the City of Lake Forest. Released a series of videos comprised
of on-site interviews with all the key stakeholders in the preservation of Mello’s Preserve at Westfork Savanna, the organization’s largest land donation.
Continued to serve as a stakeholder and supporter of the North Branch Watershed Working group, which monitors the Skokie River, Middlefork, and Westfork branches of the Chicago River in Lake Forest. President and CEO, Ryan London was chosen to attend the Land Trust Alliance’s Wentworth Leadership Program. Supported the successful Lake County Forest Preserve capital referendum for our community and region. Received a Watershed Management Board grant for West Skokie wetland restoration. Successfully submitted and obtained preliminary approval for Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s (LFOLA) newest Illinois Nature Preserve dedication at Mello’s Preserve at Westfork Savanna. Community Conservation Initiatives Continued to grow our community resident education program, where Community Conservation staff meet with private homeowners and help assess and advise best management practices using native plants in landscapes around the home.
Successfully monitored 80 conservation easements in three communities: Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, and Mettawa. Received a Tree Equity Grant from Chicago Region Trees Initiative to plant trees in underserved communities as well as support forest health management in Waukegan Parks. Partnered with the History Center of Lake Forest- Lake Bluff for their climate change exhibition, including a ravine presentation from LFOLA’s president.
Our partnership with Lake County Forest Preserve and their Preservation Foundation has expanded with a new Memorandum of Understanding for Skokie River NP and a shared management agreement for the Middlefork complex. We received our first independently applied for ComEd Green Region grant, for the enrichment of Carroll Meadow with seed following several recent years of active management.
Administrative and Operations Initiatives Completed the preliminary design plans for the redesign of our administrative headquarters and community gathering space. Successfully completed audits for both LFOLA and the Lake Forest Land Foundation. Maintained our strong partnership with our two local financial institutions to successfully steward our operating and investment activities to their current and excellent financial position. Strategically focused our risk management efforts with both the hardware and software side of technology asset management. This year we continued to upgrade our computers and planned for a major upgrade to our CRM, human resources, and benefits administration program thanks to the Dick Family Mapping and Technology awarded grant. Land Stewardship This last year Lake Forest Open Lands has achieved significant restoration progress across all preserves through collaboration with Land Stewardship staff, multi-organizational partnerships, and ongoing volunteer support. In addition to the fine restoration work being undertaken at LFOLA, the organization has been able to resurrect varied monitoring activities and continues to build strong relationships with our dedicated volunteers and wildlife monitors. Monitoring: For the second year in a row the summer internship included rusty patched bumble bee monitoring: USGS Rapid Rusty Patched Bumble Project volunteers and our Restoration Ecology Summer Interns confirmed that the rusty patched bumble bee was found at nine of our nature preserves. A survey route was completed at Mello’s Preserve at Westfork Savanna. Our fall intern from Lake Forest College completed a round of monitoring. We continued our partnership with Jeanette Bailey who is a representative from North American Bat Monitoring: Jeanette coordinated with Land Stewardship staff to set up mist netting monitoring at Skokie River NP.
Jeanette also maintained and collected data from 3 acoustic monitoring stations; two stations at Skokie River NP and one at Greene NP. Ravine and Coastline Geomorphology Monitoring: In partnership with Hey and Associates, the summer interns established monitoring points throughout Greene NP and successfully recorded two sets of data that have helped with our Phase II design work. Bluebird Monitoring: Total number of fledged birds throughout the monitoring period: ◊
Bluebirds 149; Tree Swallow 201; Wren 31; Black-capped Chickadee 6 Bluebird monitors logged 166 hours this season with an additional 125 hours being spent on repair, construction, and installation of the boxes themselves. This year they added eight new boxes to Deerpath Farm NP.
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CO
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This year our first purple martin scout showed up April 23, the first eggs were laid May 19, the first babies hatched June 7, with the last fledglings leaving on July 20. 87 eggs were laid, 70 birds hatched, and 58 birds fledged! Breeding bird surveys were conducted at two sites this year, Mello’s Preserve at Westfork Savanna and Carruthers NP. During the monitors’ visits they counted 66 species across the two sites. Of note, while setting monitoring points a juvenile great horned owl was spotted at Mello’s Preserve at Westfork Savanna suggesting there is a nesting spot in the woods there. Cicada monitoring conducted by Lake Forest College was completed from May through August: This study will continue through 2026 and looks at finding the relationship between cicada emergence and ant populations. Partnered with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to reinvigorate LFOLA’s frog call monitoring throughout the preserves: Recruited three new volunteers to monitor at Mello’s Preserve and Deerpath Farm NP. This will be the first monitoring opportunity available since 2019.
Butterfly monitors with the Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network spent 36 hours monitoring across six preserves and found 17 species of butterflies. 32 monarchs were counted throughout the monitoring period. Plants of Concern monitoring started back up at Greene NP last fall with Addy Grisez, a 2024 Summer Restoration Intern, picking it up where we left off in 2016! VOLUNTEERING Eco-Crew: The Eco-crew focused their work at Mello’s Preserve at Westfork Savanna to create a greater sense of community and responsibility at this 103-acre nature preserve. The biggest turnout of volunteers for one day occurred in January, with 41 students, parents, and community members in attendance. Collaborated with the engagement team for volunteers with additional expertise to further enhance the volunteer experience—especially with students from Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep. Our dedicated volunteers helped contribute to the removal of 1.5 acres of buckthorn totaling 437.5 hours of work on site! Adventures In Restoration (AIR): AIR workdays contribute to the overall success for the Land Stewardship team and our collective goal to maintain and steward our preserves. Some notable jobs completed by the group included assistance with prescribed burn preparation in the spring and fall at Skokie River NP, seed processing,
removal of buckthorn and seed distribution at Everett Farm NP, assistance with Bagpipes & Bonfires set up and take down, and wrapping freshly planted trees at the Carruthers NP to protect them from deer. With 32 total days of volunteering this year the AIR team contributed to 577.5 total hours spent on restoration activities throughout the preserves. This year we celebrated and thanked the AIR team with a special lunch.
Shaw Prairie Stewards: Collectively, they volunteered 686 hours. Gathered 29 gallons of seeds including 100 species. Assisted with two prescribed burns. Girdled aspen with LFOLA interns in Stevenson Savanna at the Skokie River NP to return it to a savanna ecosystem. Began restoration work in the savanna area north of McLaughlin Meadow. Helped with purple loosestrife management in Shaw Prairie. GPS-tagged reed canary grass in Skokie River NP. Co-hosted Chicago River Day in May and filled over a dozen bags of pulled garlic mustard. Eagle Scout Projects: Two amazing Eagle Scout Projects were completed during the last year: Anneliese Rudloff built a bridge in
Skokie River NP. This bridge was built with burr oak lumber that came from Middlefork Farm NP. Anneliese with her troop built a sturdy bridge that can withstand our gator and tractor use! Graddy Gustafson built a 70-foot puncheon walking bridge at the Greene NP. This bridge installation helps to maintain the integrity of the nearby fragile ravine slope.
Other Volunteer workdays: Stevenson Green Club, Chicago River Day, Chalet Workday, Lake Forest Country Day School, Waukegan High School, and CURI RMB together contributed 422 hours of volunteer work.
Total volunteering and monitoring hours: 2,898.75 hours and counting!
LAND STEWARDSHIP ACCOMPLISHMENTS
New Hires: Alex Barnes accepted the role as Stewardship Programs Coordinator in July and began managing the Restoration Ecology Summer Internship Program. Former Lake Forest College fall intern, Zack McGinnis joined the Land Stewardship team in January. He then transitioned to a part-time Restoration Technician through the winter. Zack will return this summer as crew leader for the Restoration Ecology Summer Internship program. Grant Funding: Natural Areas Stewardship (NAS) grant award. NAS funding enabled us to complete 2.5 acres of large tree canopy clearing at Skokie River NP and contract out for purple loosestrife management and prescribed burn support. This grant also made it possible to stock up on our herbicide supply. The Oberweiler Foundation awarded us a $20,000 grant to support the Restoration Ecology Summer Internship Program. 2024 Restoration Ecology Summer Internship Program: Hired six fantastic college interns from across the country.
The crew participated in hands-on field work including invasive species management, maintenance projects, and seed collection. One of their collective, favorite activities was learning from Friends of
Shaw Prairie about girdling as a technique for invasive tree removal. The crew participated in native bumble monitoring through participation in the Rapid Assessment for the detection of the rusty patched bumble bee. The crew participated in weekly field trips. One of the most notable field trips was when representatives from the Trickster Cultural Center visited. The Trickster Cultural Center’s mission is to increase the visibility of Native American traditions, Veteran contributions, and contemporary cultural arts, through community engagement, social advocacy, and collaborative education. The interns also visited a coral reef biologist at the Shedd Aquarium to learn about coral restoration.
Restoration Work: During the growing season, the Land Stewardship staff worked hard at controlling invasive species. Some of our most successful advances were made by eradicating goutweed at Mellody and Middlefork NPs. Purple loosestrife management control took place at Mellody, Skokie River, and Everett Farm NPs. There was a focus on teasel control at the Carruthers NP and Mello’s Preserve while management of reed canary grass at Derwen Mawr, Skokie River, Mellody, Middlefork, and Everett NPs took place. The Land Stewardship team focused on clearing projects during the winter at Skokie River NP. Mitigating the Rubus populations throughout the Skokie River NP was a large initiative. About an acre of Rubus was cleared. Woody removals also occurred at Mellody Farm NP, Middlefork Farm NP, and at Mello’s Preserve. Prescribed burns: With the help of volunteers and contractors we were able to complete burns at: Skokie River, Everett Farm, Derwen Mawr, Greene, Mello’s, and Mellody Farm Nature Preserves. The Land Stewardship team completed 36 acres of prescribed burns with help from volunteers. In addition to that, contractors completed 40 acres of burning, totaling 76 acres for the year. Plant Sale:
Hosted successful spring and fall plant sales with hundreds of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants sold! A big thank you to the City of Lake Forest for partnering with us to ensure successful spring and fall sales.
Presented at the History Center of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff on how and why native plants should be incorporated into our home landscapes.
Marketing and Communications
A successful first year with our website: 30,200 visitors 75,400 views Top pages visited: Home, Events and Programs (calendar), Bagpipes & Bonfire, Greene Nature Preserve, Your Preserves. 52% viewed on a mobile device, 47% on a desktop, 1% on a tablet. Continued to enhance all webpages and calendar blocks. Continued producing exciting and engaging social media content on Instagram and Facebook with over 3,000 followers. Utilized LFOLA LinkedIn page and press releases to share stories about accomplishments of the organization. Engaged an outside graphic designer to create all new maps of LFOLA preserves, including our new preserves, Mello’s Preserve at Westfork Savanna, Carruthers Nature Preserve, and Deerpath Farm.
Created and produced a new z-card map of all preserves in collaboration with a hired graphic designer.
Started the process of creating new interpretive and historical signs for Middlefork Farm and Derwen Mawr Nature Preserves. Increased utilization of user-friendly flippable documents for the board directory and event programs. Continued to create and produce bronze donor plaques, hatchet directional and informational signs, and tribute bench plaques throughout our preserves. Established a video library using drone enhanced video footage including events, burns, ongoing stewardship projects, and land acquisitions. Produced our 110th Grass Roots newsletter/annual report and sent 12 monthly eNewsletters and 50 targeted electronic communications to over 6,400 email subscribers, a 13% increase. Designed an informative LFOLA postcard that hit all 12,800 households in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff inviting households to get involved in programs, events, membership, and volunteering.
Created and produced 9 ads and 2 editorial articles for Forest & Bluff magazine and 4 cover strips for North Shore Weekend . Produced and created 12 signboards displayed in three locations throughout the City of Lake Forest. Featured in the City of Lake Forest eNews as well as spotlights in the City’s Dialogue. Sponsored the Lake Forest High School Talent show, including an ad in the program and an introductory slide on LFOLA before the show. Researched new databases for shopping cart functionality as well as fundraising capabilities. Integrated a more complete system to enhance our grant receipts throughout our communication network. Development Milestone for record-breaking annual fund revenue. Membership revenue also hit a new milestone on record! The average membership level continues to climb well above the Columbine $250 level. Proud to have close to 1,400 LFOLA member households. The Associate Board worked tirelessly to promote our organization. They hosted Cattails & Kiddies and Cattails & Cocktails . Thanks to co-chairs, Heidi Clifton and Tyler Lisenby for their hard work and to the entire Associate Board for meeting their budget goals. Bagpipes & Bonfire, chaired by the Deromedi family, was very successful. 1,750 people of all ages attended. This event is the longest consecutive September ongoing family fundraiser on the North Shore. Special thanks and recognition to our presenting sponsor, Northern Trust and to all our sponsors including PCA, Mariani, North Shore Gas, Knauz, and Price Insurance. Our ongoing partnership with the Citadel Theatre provided outdoor family programming for hundreds of families last July. Achieved the highest possible rating in fundraising and program efficiency as would be measured by Charity Navigator. Offered the Eldridge Environmental Classroom to a variety of community organizations to host meetings at no charge.
The inaugural Open Prairie Society biannual newsletter debuted. Funding for capital projects at Skokie and West Skokie Nature Preserves for trails and landscape plans as well as acquisition of 30-acre parcel contiguous with the Middlefork Corridor. These major gifts totaled $5 million in new gifts. A June member open house for over 100 people, or close to 10% of our members, enjoyed breakfast and a hike at the Jean and John Greene NP. Staffing: Hired a part-time development associate. Community Engagement Partnered with Gorton Center to bring Mountainfilm on Tour and the Fly- Fishing Film Tour to Lake Forest. Participated in Lake Forest College speed networking workshop for students. Hosted Celebrate Earth! , LFOLA’s
Earth Day gift to the community, with guided hikes and immersive activities for all ages throughout Mellody Farm NP.
Partnered with Gorton Center for Safety Town, educating youth on safety in the natural world. Delivered ten Conservation Cocktails lecture programs on various conservation topics to over 250 adults. In partnership with Lake Cook and Lake County Audubon chapters, hosted the second annual Big Sit at Middlefork Farm NP, an international birding event designed to educate and encourage birders of all ages. Partnered with Lake Forest Library for Lake Forest Reads as a host site for a book discussion. Offered the 3rd annual Take a Hike to Honor our Veterans inviting the community for guided hikes and beneficial time spent in nature. Partnered with the Lake Forest Library for Storytime with Lake Forest Library seasonally at Mellody Farm NP.
Partnered with the City of Lake Forest for two seasonal Go Lake Forest walks. Hosted guided walks in our preserves for the History Center of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff and with Ragdale for their artists in residence. Established the pilot Community Supported Conservation Share, programs for all ages throughout the year. Our adult and family programming engaged over 1,000 people through hikes, birding, lectures, campfires, and film. School Programs: Delivered 91 school programs for students from Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and beyond. Over 1,500 students visited our savannas, prairies, wetlands, and woodlands to learn and connect to the natural world. Created a pilot Visiting Naturalist program, offering nature education for preschools. Continued to expand Early Childhood program offerings, collaborating with the Winter Club, Sheridan, and Kinderhaven preschools. Continued strong educational partnerships with Districts 65, 67, 115, Lake Forest Country Day School, the Montessori School of Lake Forest, Woodlands Academy, and Homeschool Cooperatives. Summer Programs: Welcomed over 100 young people to connect to the natural world through nine summer programs for ages 18 months-15 years old. Staffing: Hired and trained a new full-time position, the Community Engagement Coordinator. Center for Conservation Leadership (CCL)
In year 15, CCL evolved to expand its reach. Through partnerships with Trickster Cultural Center, Boys and Girls Club Lake County, Cool Learning Experience, Lovell VA, Waukegan to College, Drip and Culture Socially Minded Coffee, Waukegan High School, and Cristo Rey St. Martin College
Prep, nearly 1,000 Lake County residents participated in immersive nature programs from bird hikes, beach clean ups, mindfulness hikes, and more. Funded 12 Waukegan High School students with transportation, lodging, and food in an immersive weeklong summer camp at Yellowstone National Park in July of 2024. Chaperoned and funded eight Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep students for a weeklong camping and canoeing experience in Canada in August of 2024. Collaborated with Cristo Rey St Martin College Prep and Waukegan to College to offer two boat building workshops in Waukegan. Partnered with Trickster Cultural Center to engage residents with an Indigenous perspective of the natural world. Partnered with Drip and Culture with two Run and Yoga events at Mellody Farm NP. In partnership with Lovell VA, offered several monthly hikes for Veterans in the region. To date, CCL has positively impacted thousands of Lake County residents through programming and outreach. Staffing: Hired and trained a full-time position, the Coastal Community Program Coordinator. Grant Funding: Awarded the Coastal Area Connections grant proposal from Illinois Coastal Management Program through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Subaward recipient with IDNR’s Prairie Research Institute for the Combined Hydrology, Water Quality, and Botanical Characterization to Guide Coastal Wetland Restoration and Management grant supporting Lake Michigan biodiversity and habitat restoration education initiatives at Illinois Beach State Park.
FY25 Totals: 230 Programs / 4,809 Participants
2024/2025 Extraordinary Volunteer Group
Thank you to our Adventures in Restoration (AIR) volunteers who fill their lives with a
new noble purpose, learn new skills, and commune in nature with like-minded individuals.
Last year, this group met on 32 Wednesdays, completing a total of 577.5 volunteer hours. During this time, they have prepped for prescribed burns, cut, and burned invasive woody species, and collected and sown seed. Staff ecologist Kevin Kerrigan coordinates this group’s weekly activities. His expert knowledge, coupled with a boundless enthusiasm for conservation, fosters a harmonious atmosphere where members unite as stewards of the land. Together this group has flourished, cultivating a strong and enduring community committed to the preservation of our preserves! Special Thanks to our Core AIR Volunteers Marion Cartwright
Jed Morris John Ossyra
Fred Thompson Charles Thorson Sheila Vogess Barbara Wood
Scott Farrell Ron Fletcher Hester McCarthy
Sandra Petroshius Ramon Reynolds
Thank you to the additional volunteers who joined us for a day or two throughout the season!
Lake Forest Open Lands Association extends our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the thousands of volunteer hours All Saints Chicago 2024/2025 Extraordinary Volunteers
Jenna Goffron Addy Grisez Sarah Grover Lori Gumbiner Stone Hansard
Sandra Petroshius Sara Pickus Kim Placentino Steve Rachman Doug Reitz Ramon Reynolds Diane Rosenberg Lorra Rudman Katie Salgat Jessica Sladek Jonathan Sladek Meredith Suangka Dana Supanich Wanda Supanich Fred Thompson Chic Thorsen
Charlotte Ahern Camryn Allmon Mary Aniger Kathryn Applebaum Jeanette Bailey Kathleen Ballen Vic Berardi Anne Boynton Chris Call Laura Calvert Lisa Carlson Marion Cartwright Parker Clair Pierce Clair Heidi Clifton Alex and Scott Close Robin Comerfield Curi RMB Michelle Curly Rick Dall Sylvia Davis Spencer DePree Sandy and Roger Deromedi Bob Dolgan Sue Dye Christos Economou Scott Farrell Neal Fenwick Nancy and Ron Fletcher Jon Flusser Jill Floriani Monica Gajdel Sarah and Toby Georgi
John Hartig Ana Holland Eric Hoppe Eriko Kojima Ellie and Jay Krall Jolie Krasinski Amanda Krause Kelly Larson Allen Lawrance Derek, Matthew, and Alexandra Leggitt Jill London Jim Louderman
Nancy Tikalsky Sophie Twichell Estelle Ure Dr. Ann Vertovic Sheila Vogdess Christopher Wallner Karen Wilkes Barbara Wood Marie Woods David Young Thank you to all of our Eco-Crew volunteers throughout the year who worked with us over 7 workdays and logged 437.5 hours.
Veronica Loy Carolyn Lueck
Matt Lunn Linda Lutz
Nosheen Majeed Maureen Marsh Benedikt Mattis Hester McCarthy Elizabeth McGrann Lisa Meier Steve Meyer Alayna Mikulski Jed Morris Janet Nagel Lori Nuernberg Stephen Packard Whitney Pasquesi Charlotte Pavelka Marilla Perkins
Brooke Goffron Danny Goffron
Eagle Scouts and their Projects Thank you to our Eagle Scouts who completed their projects this year. They are an integral part of LFOLA. Graddy Gustafson (Troop 42) : Built a 70-foot puncheon walking bridge at Greene Nature Preserve. This bridge helps maintain the integrity of the nearby fragile ravine slope. Anneliese Rudloff (Troop 48): Bulit a bridge in Skokie River Nature Preserve. This bridge was built with burr oak lumber that came from Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve. Anneliese with her team and Kevin Kerrigan’s help built a bridge sturdy enough for our gator and Kubota tractor to use! Special Thanks and Recognition Intern Luncheon Program and Cocktail Social: Stephanie and John Harris Bagpipes & Bonfire Chairs: The Deromedi Family 2024 Cattails & Cocktails: Heidi Clifton and Tyler Lisenby Breakfast with the President: Elizabeth Pruett
Citizen Scientist Monitors
Mary Aniger, Bluebird Monitor Kathryn Applebaum, Butterfly Monitor Kathleen Ballen, Bluebird Monitor Rick Dall, Butterfly Monitor Neal Fenwick, Bluebird Monitor Sarah Grover, Spring Bird Count Linda Lutz, Purple Martin Monitor Alayna Mikulski, Calling Frog Monitor Steve Meyer, Bluebird Monitor
Lori Nuernberg, Purple Martin Monitor Steve Rachman, Butterfly Monitor Lorra Rudman, Bluebird Monitor Wanda Supanich, Spring Bird Count Nancy Tikalsky, BCN, Breeding Bird Survey Sophie Twichell, Butterfly Monitor Christopher Wallner, Calling Frog Monitor David Young, Calling Frog Monitor
Restoration Ecology Summer Interns
Addy Grisez Elsa Hagen
Sol Ochoa Tsatsos Kade Sweckard
Veronica Timble Hunter Williams
Development Intern Zoey Whittington
CCL Intern Paola Villanueva
Land Stewardship Interns Alyson Colwell Zack McGinnis
Engagement Interns Hope Hoffman Andrew Kame Myles Perlman
Lake Forest Open Lands Founding Board Members
President Volney W. Foster Secretary Calvin D. Trowbridge Treasurer Paul L. Ahern
George R. Beach, Jr. Edward H. Bennett, Jr.
I. W. Colburn Edison Dick
Charles C. Haffner III Augustin S. Hart, Jr. William S. North Frederick C. Pullman Carroll H. Sudler
Lake Forest Open Lands Past Presidents and Chairs Volney W. Foster* Paul L. Ahern* James O. Heyworth* Augustin S. Hart* John S. Lillard* Suzanne S. Dixon*
1967-1970 1971-1977 1978-1980 1981-1982 1983-1986 1987-1989 1990-1992 1992-1994 1995-1997 1998-1999 2000-2002 2002-2004 2004-2006 2006-2009 2010-2013 2013-2016 2016-2019 2019-2022 2022-2025
Francis C. Farwell II* Deborah MacKenzie* James P. Richter Kenneth M. Campia* Howard B. Simpson John H. Dick Kate Sackman Edward K. Chandler Melanie Rummell Mark T. Ahern Timm R. Reynolds Frederick G. Wacker III Brett L. Paschke
* deceased
Lake Forest Open Lands Associate Board
Executive Board President Matthew Sunderman Secretary
Maura Dailey Madison Engel Julia Fischer Jillian Floriani
Jennifer Forestiere Stephanie Knauff Tyler Lisenby Sarah Lockhart Veronica Loy Courtney Magliochetti Megan McCampbell Megan Oakford Henson Robinson Cory Sexson Kathleen Taubensee Brittany Tennett Aram Topalian Zain Walton
Kate Salgat Membership Briana Maffioli
Associate Board Members Brad Adams
Maureen Bennett Elizabeth Berrill Emily Bohac Heidi Clifton Michele Curley
Lake Forest Land Foundation
Officers President Mark Ahern Secretary George M. Covington Treasurer Steve Barnhart
Directors Steven H. Baer Charlie C. Bowen Edward K. Chandler Nancy D. Clemens John W. Sentell
2024/2025 Lake Forest Open Lands Board
Board of Directors Chair Brett L. Paschke President and CEO Ryan G. London Vice Chairs James F. Dean Melissa Goltra Vice Chair and Treasurer Steven H. Baer Secretary George M. Covington Directors Mark T. Ahern Miah H. Armour Matthew Claeys Margaret Jessen Kelley
Mark Goodman Shawn Gore Julie M. Greene
Stephanie F. Harris Willard M. Hunter Ned Jessen Jamee F. Kane Derek W. Leggitt Frank Mariani Caroline Masterson Cathy McGowan James Morris Janet Nagel Marilla Perkins Elizabeth Butler Pruett Bruce A. Reid Andrew M. Rosenfield Melanie Rummel Amy L. Schuetz John W. Sentell Thomas C. Sheffield III Robin P. Stuart Ro Thompson Sophie Twichell Tina E. Ventura Frederick G. Wacker III Life Directors Charles C. Bowen John H. Dick Jean McB. Greene Timm R. Reynolds Howard B. Simpson Emeritus Steven Barnhart Gay Georgi Mary N. Hoffman Kate Sackman Susan B. Wright Cheryl Ward Marie Woods
Kim Madden Lois Morrison
George Pandaleon Paula L. Preschlack
Amy Falls Rogers Marion S. Searle Matthew Sunderman ex officio Board of Governors
Stephen M. Bartram Catherine B. Carolin Court Carruthers Marion Cartwright Edward K. Chandler Nancy D. Clemens Sylvia L. Davis Spencer DePree Roger Deromedi John W. Dixon Thomas J. Duckworth Ron Fletcher Jonathan S. Flusser Sr.
Katie Frekko Will Georgi
Citadel Theatre Presents “Cinderella...Really?” THE QUEEN’S MUSEUM
LEARN MORE
JULY 17-20 | lfola.org
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, September 28, 2025 4:00-7:00 p.m.
All ages welcome! Live Entertainment, Games, and Treats Patron and Above | Open Bar and Dinner Patron and above packages available in early June. General Admission (bring your own picnic) tickets available August 1.
Presented by
LFOLA.ORG
2024 Lake Forest Open Lands Staff
Ryan G. London, President & CEO
Operations Paula Clair-Gould, Vice President and Director of Development Leslie Davidson, Development Manager John Hemenway, Controller
Susan Lenz , Special Projects Manager Kari Myers, Development Associate
Land Stewardship Hillary Peters, Director of Land Stewardship Alex Barnes, Stewardship Programs Coordinator
Kevin Kerrigan, Restoration Ecologist Konrad Zehr, Restoration Technician
Community Conservation Katie Casas, Social Media/Easement Coordinator and Marketing Administrator Hannah Granger, Coastal Community Program Coordinator Sarah Jantsch, Community Engagement Coordinator Julia Lunn, Director of Engagement and Center for Conservation Leadership Holly Meeks, Director of Marketing and Communication A.J. Morris, Environmental Educator
NOTES
The Searle Family Fishing Pier at Carruthers Nature Preserve.
Lake Forest Open Lands Association is an independently funded conservation and education organization devoted to preserving and stewarding our incredible local natural landscapes and ensuring that all generations are welcome and able to fully experience nature.
Illinois’ First Accredited Land Trust
Lake Forest Open Lands Association • 350 North Waukegan Rd • Lake Forest, IL 60045 • 847-234-3880 • LFOLA.org
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