The Conservation Foundation welcomes two new board members
Two new board members were appointed to The Conservation Foundation board of trustees, both from Kane County.
Nancy Hopp of Aurora and Ben Schwarz of Elgin will join the board in determining policy, approving land preservation projects, and supporting fundraising efforts and membership development, among other responsibilities.
Hopp is a former board commissioner with the Fox Valley Park District. She has a master's degree in business management from Aurora University. Now retired, Hopp's professional background is in marketing and public relation, mostly in the health care industry. She is a longtime member of The Conservation Foundation.
"I want to do volunteer activities that I enjoy and that make a difference in the future," Hopp said. "I'd like to be as involved as I can in programs for children, things that get kids outside. I love the partnerships and collaborations. We can do so much more if we work together."
Schwarz has been a lawyer in the area since 1971 and has served on the Review Board of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission since 2011. He is also active in the Kane County and Illinois State Bar Associations where he has held several committee positions. He is also an active volunteer at the Elgin Boys and Girls Club and helped make arrangements with The Conservation Foundation to form a Boys and Girls Club Mighty Acorns group at the former Fox River Country Day School.
Schwarz said he's looking forward to getting more involved in getting the word out on the environment.
"I'm excited," he said. "Education is the most important part. Most people don't know about native plants."
The Conservation Foundation is one of the region's largest and oldest private conservation organizations - with more than 4,000 members and donors, and more than 500 volunteers who contribute 20,000 hours per year.
Work is focused in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties to preserve and restore nature in your neighborhood. Find out more at theconservationfoundation.org.