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Lake County Forest Preserves earns three national awards

The Lake County Forest Preserves, two of its volunteers and its charitable partner, the Preservation Foundation, have earned national awards.

The National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials comprises 117 park and special recreation districts from across the country, of which the Lake County Forest Preserves is a member organization.

“We're so proud of the dedicated work our staff and volunteers do on a consistent basis,” said Angelo Kyle, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “We're honored that they are being recognized for their efforts by such a prestigious organization.”

Outstanding Supporting Organization

The Preservation Foundation earned an Outstanding Supporting Organization Award, given annually to an organization that has responded in an exceptional manner by making a major contribution to benefit park and recreational programs.

“We are deeply grateful for this national award and the acknowledgment of the Preservation Foundation's impact over the past 12 years,” said Nels Leutwiler, president of the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The Preservation Foundation has been exceptional, Leutwiler said, pointing to the $21 million raised from 4,614 donors since 2007. Gifts range from $3 to $1 million, including gifts of conservation easements and real estate for resale.

Donors support every aspect of the Forest Preserves' mission, from Gateways Grants, which reduce barriers for low-income schools to participate in field trips, to seasonal jobs for teens at the Green Youth Farm at Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago.

Donations to the Preservation Foundation support the care of trails and preserves, initiate new habitat restoration projects, and enable staff to work at landscape scale.

Planning Initiative

The Master Plan for the Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda earned a Planning Initiative Award. Acquired in 1968, Lakewood has 2,835 acres and is the largest preserve in Lake County. It is also one of the most complex.

Perhaps because of its size, age and accessibility, Lakewood has accommodated myriad uses over the past 70 years, said Landscape Architect Becky Mathis. The number of organized events held at Lakewood have diminished over time along with its varied land uses, and the preserve became a model of inefficiency with unused buildings, oversized parking lots and outdated utilities.

Spurred to action, the Forest Preserves established an interdepartmental planning team to lead the master planning process of historical documentation, evaluation and analysis of existing resources.

“The plan provides the framework for a complete overhaul of the recreational facilities and future capital improvements,” Mathis said.

Utilizing the public's input, the master plan features a compact, efficient design with right sized infrastructure. It offers a significant reduction in annual operating costs, is ADA compliant, and is respectful of the preserve's natural resources.

“With a restored, regionally unique ecosystem, and updated cultural and recreational resources, Lakewood will have a positive impact on the quality of life for residents for generations to come,” Mathis said.

Outstanding Volunteer

Carol Hogan and Wesley Wolf earned an Outstanding Volunteer Award for their dedication and passion for restoring Lake County's natural areas.

“They volunteer as Site Stewards at Grassy Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Barrington,” said Stewardship Ecologist Kelly Schultz. “Additionally, they donate their time, energy, knowledge and expertise to mentoring other site stewards at other natural areas in both public and private landholdings.

“Wes and Carol are outgoing and great spokespersons for natural areas restoration,” Schultz said. “They interact with forest preserve visitors, engaging them in conversations about what they are doing, and educating them on the importance of conservation and restoration.”

The duo started volunteering for the Lake County Forest Preserves in 2006, taking on the steward role at Grassy Lake in 2010.

Since becoming stewards, they have contributed nearly 14,000 hours (collectively) to restoration at the preserve, and have guided volunteers through nearly 19,700 hours of cutting invasive brush and collecting and sowing seed. In total, the stewardship group they lead has restored more than 65 acres of woodland and 25 acres of wetland.

They have also been active volunteers in the Barrington Greenway Initiative, a public/private partnership that includes the Lake County Forest Preserves, two other county open space agencies and four conservation not-for-profits intent on bringing additional resources to protect and restore natural areas in the Barrington area.

For more information about the Lake County Forest Preserves, visit www.lcfpd.org.

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