Forest Preserves Photographers Earn National Trail Awards
Two Lake County Forest Preserves photographers have won top honors for their images of the Des Plaines River Trail.
Volunteer photographer R. Scott McNeill and contractor Justine Neslund were recognized in the 2025 National Recreation Trail Photo Contest hosted by American Trails, a nonprofit organization that works to protect, enhance and promote the nation’s trail networks.
The annual contest drew 245 submissions from across the country, with just 21 winners. Competing against images from Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon, the Forest Preserves was the only organization in Illinois to earn awards.
“These awards reflect the creativity and dedication of the talented photographers we’re fortunate to work with,” said Forest Preserves President Jessica Vealitzek. “Their images showcase the beauty of Lake County’s landscapes.”
R. Scott McNeill
McNeill’s fall image of equestrians, walkers and cyclists along the Des Plaines River Trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Mettawa won first place in the Trail Sharing category. A volunteer photographer for about three years, he calls photography more than a hobby. It’s his passion.
“I enjoy capturing moments in time that I can share with other people,” said the retired Lake County resident.
McNeill is part of a team of volunteer photographers who assist staff with high-priority assignments, from nighttime firefly photography at Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods to prescribed burns and images of great blue herons and egrets at the county’s largest rookery at Lotus Country Forest Preserve in Antioch. Other recent assignments have included off-leash dog areas, canoe launches, restoration work days and holiday tree mulching led by the forestry crew.
Beyond the camera, McNeill leads quarterly photography programs in the preserves. Participants praise his hands-on instruction and encouragement. His work showcases the beauty of the trails and inspires others to explore them firsthand.
Justine Neslund
Neslund’s winter photograph of snowmobilers on the Des Plaines River Trail at Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve in Wadsworth took home first place in the Snowmobiling category. A professional photographer who has worked under contract with the Forest Preserves for the past four years, she enjoys photographing wildlife — especially owls — and also captures events.
She said the collaboration is a natural fit because the role is multidimensional, allowing her to take on a wide range of assignments, from formal galas to quiet moments in nature to large-scale events such as the 2024 Cicadafest.
“It’s a dream-come-true position,” she said. “The most magical thing I could ever ask for is shooting for the Lake County Forest Preserves.”
More than 25 years ago, one of Neslund’s photographs won a postcard art contest hosted by the Lake County Discovery Museum, now the Dunn Museum. Titled “Girl Meets World,” the image captured a young girl looking up at a punk-styled teenager in Chicago.
“That was my first connection with the Forest Preserves,” she said. A quarter-century later, that early spark has grown into a professional collaboration, and now, a national award.
National Honor for a Landmark Trail
National Recreation Trails are existing land and water trails that connect people to outdoor adventure close to home. Found on federal, state and local lands, these trails showcase some of the nation’s finest places to hike, bike, paddle and explore.
The designation highlights high-quality trails that expand access to outdoor recreation in both rural and urban communities. It also supports local economies through tourism and encourages healthy, active lifestyles.
National Recreation Trails are officially recognized by the federal government with the consent of the agency or organization that manages the land, whether federal, state, Tribal, local, nonprofit or private. Nearly 1,300 trails have earned this distinction across the country, spanning all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The annual Recreation Trail Photo Contest highlights outstanding photography from designated trails across the United States, placing winners among a select group recognized at the highest level.
The Des Plaines River Trail is the Forest Preserves’ only designated National Recreation Trail. It protects land along more than 76% of the Des Plaines River in Lake County, providing wildlife habitat, natural flood protection and outdoor recreation opportunities.
The gravel trail spans nearly the entire length of Lake County for 31.4 miles as it winds through 12 forest preserves, following the river’s edge from Russell Road in Wadsworth south to Lake-Cook Road, where it connects to the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s trail system.
The trail took nearly 40 years to complete, underscoring decades of investment in preserving and connecting open space along the Des Plaines River corridor.