Lake Forest Open Lands announces Hillary Peters has taken on the role of Director of Land Stewardship
Lake Forest Open Lands has announced that Hillary Peters has taken on the role of Director of Land Stewardship
A graduate of Northern Michigan University with a degree in Environmental Science, Hillary Peters’ journey into environmental stewardship began in her childhood hometown of Mundelein.
Growing up surrounded by nature, Peters’ early experiences included camping with the Girl Scouts and exploring the outdoors through mountain biking. These formative years instilled in her a deep love for the natural communities found in Lake County, setting the stage for her future career in ecological restoration.
In her previous role as a Natural Areas Specialist, Peters not only excelled in preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of our surroundings but also demonstrated leadership in responsible land management across a broad audience. Peters’ leadership extends beyond professional crews to engaging with volunteer groups, private landowners, and civic groups fostering a sense of community in conservation stewardship.
Her passion for the natural world, coupled with an exceptional understanding of the area’s ecology, drives her vision for sustainable land practices. With Peters at the helm, Lake Forest Open Lands’ land stewardship initiatives are in capable hands, ensuring a harmonious balance between conservation and community engagement.
After her first two weeks, Peters said, “It’s amazing to me how much land we manage and I’m really looking forward to learning all 900 acres. I’m excited about working for an organization that is committed to providing people with a lasting connection to nature and preserving it for future generations.”
Since its establishment in 1967, Lake Forest Open Lands, the first accredited land trust in Illinois, has acquired, preserved and maintained natural habitats including prairies, savannas, ravines and wetlands. Over 16 miles of walking trails and eight - soon to be 10 - nature preserves are open to the public year-round. Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s vision is to engage and expand the public’s commitment to land preservation and conservation, and the organization offers robust engagement programming to connect all people to nature. As an independent conservation land trust, LFOLA is supported solely by voluntary contributions, including membership dues and donations and receives no local or state government funding to support its day-to-day operations. For more information about Lake Forest Open Lands, visit LFOLA.org.