community
comm People l i n a part area that on i nterests, att itudes goals: protect, restore and preserve.
PRESERVATION FOUNDATION of the LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
l iv i ng part icular that share nterests, tudes and protect, and preserve.
When people with a shared vision work together, good things follow. In 2024, our Lake County community stepped up like never before to protect and preserve the natural spaces that sustain us.
To the donors, staff, volunteers, board members and residents who came together to make every acre of your forest preserves strong and resilient for the future, thank you.
The public phase of Every Acre Strong: The Community Campaign for Lake County Forest Preserves kicked off at an evening gala in May 2024 with keynote speaker, Joel Sartore, National Geographic photographer. More than 200 guests heard his inspiring call to action: to do all we can to protect biodiversity here at home. , The goal of the campaign is to create a $20 million endowment for the Forest Preserves to ensure its 65 preserves remain healthy forever.
Growing up, Dan Sandacz treasured the times his parents brought him to forest preserves, especially to observe a turtle pond. “I remember going there at three years old,” he said. “My dad carrying me on his shoulders.” He started college pre-med, but a summer research internship during
sophomore year rekindled his interest in the natural world.
“I was studying an endangered plant in Door County, walking through the woods and dunes, looking out over Lake Michigan. I thought, ‘I have to do this my whole life—to protect things like this.’”
Dan Sandacz, Restoration Ecologist
Today, Dan manages habitat restoration at Greenbelt Forest Preserve and several other preserves. His top priority is to remove invasive species such as buckthorn, allowing native plants to return, which increases biodiversity. Greater biodiversity means greater resilience.
Endowments are a powerful tool. They provide a steady source of funding, in this case to
28,850 native plant, animal and insect species in Lake County
THE GOAL OF THE EVERY ACRE STRONG CAMPAIGN IS TO RAISE A $20 MILLION ENDOWMENT FOR THE FOREST PRESERVES, WHICH WILL GENERATE $800,000 ANNUALLY TO SUPPORT ONGOING LAND MANAGEMENT. AN ENDOWMENT PROVIDES STEADY SUPPORT AND CAN INSULATE AGAINST ECONOMIC CYCLES.
Greenbelt Forest Preserve North Chicago
support prescribed burning, re-treatment of invasive species, replanting and ongoing monitoring to ensure our actions are effective.
Two donors stepped forward in 2024 to endow Greenbelt and Lyons Woods Forest Preserve in Waukegan. Wintrust Financial Corporation and an anonymous private foundation together gave $1.5 million to permanently care for these two preserves that serve Lake County’s most densely populated and economically challenged communities.
Steve Madden, chief executive officer of Libertyville Bank & Trust and north region market head, hopes to inspire other companies to follow Wintrust’s lead. “We all have a role to play in protecting nature for plants, animals and people,” he said.
PAT AKSTULEWICZ AND KAY GRIESBACH
It is phenomenally impressive to see how the Lake County Forest Preserves have grown since we moved here over 30 years ago. All these years later, we are still surprised by the beauty that they offer every time we visit.
Cicadas depend on healthy deciduous trees for food and safe places to lay eggs. It’s no wonder the preserves were cicada hotspots. In 2024, millions of 17-year periodical cicadas tunneled out of the soil across northern Illinois to mate and complete their life cycle. , The Forest Preserves’ unique programs and events, such as the Dunn Museum’s exhibition Celebrating Cicadas, met the moment.
Curiosity about these intriguing insects soon buzzed in from across the globe.
Mark Hurley, Environmental Educator
Mark Hurley was a newly minted environmental educator during the 1990 cicada emergence. He had only worked for the Forest Preserves for eight months and doesn’t recall any special celebration.
That changed by 2007 with dedicated education programs, media interviews and a traveling exhibit housed in a trailer called the Cicada Mobile. “We were the go-to agency in the Chicago area and the Midwest in 2007,” Mark said.
The Forest Preserves’ reputation as a leading cicada authority solidified in 2024. Regional media as well as British, German and Japanese outlets dispatched crews to film in Lake County. Thanks to
2041
THE YEAR PERIODICAL CICADAS WILL APPEAR IN LAKE COUNTY AGAIN.
a webpage, feature article, media kit and social media posts, our cicada communications reached 216 million people worldwide.
It’s the single largest audience the Forest Preserves has ever reached. “I immersed myself into this personally and professionally,” said Mark.
But the local focus wasn’t lost. Across 127 public and school programs, our educators taught 4,788 participants about cicadas. The museum exhibition drew 5,442 visitors.
Mark appreciated the chance to educate about cicadas one more time. “I feel so lucky to work with an agency that put the staff time, funding and enthusiasm toward celebrating this phenomenon. And look what we accomplished.”
Reflecting on the level of support from volunteers, donors and the public gives Mark confidence that Lake County’s periodical cicadas will continue to enjoy healthy habitats.
“The land is secure for the next emergence.”
MILLION PEOPLE REACHED WORLDWIDE.
Last fall, Lake County voters overwhelmingly supported a $155 million Forest Preserves referendum, the first in 16 years. In the ultimate example of community, elected officials, staff, volunteers, donors, voters and residents came together to ensure the future of Lake County by investing in nature. , The Friends of the Lake County Forest Preserves were key to success. The group of experienced political professionals and volunteers formed in late 2023 to carry out a campaign targeted toward likely “yes” voters.
A job transfer prompted Susan Pribyl and Grant Benjamin to move from Puerto Rico to Illinois. They expected to stay four or five years in their home, which is a short walk from Grant Woods Forest Preserve.
More than 20 years later, they are more committed than ever to this community they have come to love.
“We wouldn’t have continued to live in Lake County if there weren’t forest preserves,” Susan said. “We came for work, stayed for nature.”
Susan Pribyl and Grant Benjamin Donors and Volunteers Board Members, Friends of the Lake County Forest Preserves
IN 2024, JUST 1.83 % OF PROPERTY TAXES COLLECTED IN LAKE COUNTY WENT TO THE FOREST PRESERVES 1.83 %
FRIENDS OF THE LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES
Bob Shears President
Kevin O’Connor Treasurer
Grant Benjamin Secretary
Will Abberger
Jim Anderson
Dan Colbert
Jackie Cunningham
Jim Flury
Chris Kessler
Greg Petry
Susan Pribyl
Emily Reusswig
Mike Tully
Lisa Woolford
Nine years ago, Susan and Grant started attending meetings of the Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners. “As residents and taxpayers, we have developed a deep respect for the excellent financial management” of the agency, said Grant.
It inspired them to become donors to the Foundation.
“This became a natural decision for us, putting our money where our hearts are,” Susan said.
When asked to join the Friends of the Lake County Forest Preserves, Susan and Grant said yes immediately. It would be the pair’s first
direct involvement in a political campaign.
They relished the chance to answer questions from the public and speak with community groups face-to-face. “Somebody asking an honest question, being able to provide an accurate answer—boy, does that feel satisfying,” said Susan.
On November 5, Lake County voters approved the referendum with a 67% majority, exceeding poll projections by five points.
According to Susan, “I like to say the forest preserves do magical things.”
BRIAN AND GRETCHEN BOYER DONORS—NORTHBROOK, IL
During the pandemic, we had the opportunity to walk the entire Des Plaines River Trail and we were so impressed by the beauty, splendor and most of all, the caliber at which Lake County cares for its forest preserves.
To our friends :
Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic transformed how we live, work and connect, at least one notion still holds: the Lake County Forest Preserves offer peace, healing and hope to all who seek them.
When the world shut down, natural areas were a lifeline for many. Your forest preserves welcomed millions of visitors looking to replenish their physical, mental and emotional strength in some of the few public spaces that remained open.
Yet community is a two-way street. In 2024, Lake County communities came together like never before, united by a shared passion to support the Forest Preserves.
During spring, millions of 17-year periodical cicadas emerged. You celebrated this ecological event at an unprecedented scale. Thousands gathered in-person, and hundreds of millions tuned in from across the globe to hear our positive messaging and education.
Also in spring, hundreds of you joined the launch of Every Acre Strong: The Community Campaign for Lake County Forest Preserves. This powerful, forward-thinking initiative has now garnered nearly 1,000 donors and raised over $10.2 million.
Finally, you made history at the ballot box. Last November, 67% of Lake County residents voted to approve a referendum
for $155 million in capital funding. An even healthier, more vibrant future for your forest preserves is the direct result.
We’re grateful for the many ways you supported us in 2024. Whether as a donor, voter, volunteer, advocate or visitor, you are a key reason we can do the things we do.
Restore habitats. Connect folks with the outdoors. And ensure these 31,400 acres—and counting—thrive for generations to come.
Progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by community. On behalf of the Forest Preserves and the Preservation Foundation, thank you.
Sincerely,
Betsy Hough Erika Stergos
Preservation Foundation Preservation Foundation President Executive Director
BETSY HOUGH ERIKA STERGOS
ANNUAL FUND
$293,214
PROJECT AND PROGRAM FUNDS $774,391*
* Project and Program Funds Breakdown
TOTAL FUNDS RAISED $3,494,097
Wildlife Conservation
$4,080
Community Engagement
$4,800
Education
$4,925
Blanding’s Turtle Recovery
$19,442
Public Safety
$20,172
Lake Plain Collaborative
$25,845
Bess Bower Dunn Museum
$45,373
Restoration
$649,754
A $15,000 grant from the Annual Fund in 2024 funded a new laboratory to document and study Lake County’s native insects, fish and plants. The new space bolsters species monitoring programs. Monitoring data is critical to making informed land management decisions. Accurate identification is essential when monitoring, for example, Lake County’s native bumble bees. The differences between species can be slight, and specimen collections like those that staff and volunteers are building in the new lab are essential to this process.
Providing a high-quality space to examine difficult-to-identify species enhances planning and can highlight critical areas for protection.
Zamudio Community Engagement Specialist
Norma
Norma Zamudio’s first experience in the Forest Preserves was as a teenager at Fiestas Patrias. For several years, the annual event at Greenbelt celebrated independence for Mexico and Central American countries. “It reminded me of my Latina roots, but they also had education programs that allowed me to learn about nature,” said Norma, noting her family’s awareness of naturebased careers was limited.
Now working as a community engagement specialist, Norma is determined to invite more of
Lake County’s Latino residents to engage with the outdoors. In 2024, she attended 19 local events to share information about the Forest Preserves.
“When I’m at community events, if someone is looking at something they don’t quite understand, I ask, ‘Do you prefer me to speak Spanish or English?’” Norma said. “It’s always about trying to make them feel comfortable before I continue.”
Folks are often excited to share their thoughts with Spanishspeaking staff. Some are
DONORS ARE HELPING CREATE A LASTING CONNECTION BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE FOREST PRESERVES.
surprised to learn that the Forest Preserves offers bilingual programs. Norma tries to address barriers.
“If someone isn’t interested in the forest preserves because maybe they once had a bad experience, I’ll ask them, ‘Have you been to this preserve?’”
The community engagement specialist position is supported through the Foundation’s Accelerator Funds, which provide flexible funding to test a new approach or speed up projects.
“Donors are helping create a lasting connection between the community and the Forest Preserves,” Norma said. “It’s something I’ve felt throughout my whole time here.”
NORMA ZAMUDIO
LCFPD.org/endowment, or scan the QR code.
847-968-3110 BY MAIL
Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves 1899 W. Winchester Road
Libertyville, IL 60048
Gifts of appreciated stocks or securities are easy to make and provide great tax benefits. Maximize your support and minimize taxes through IRA distributions, retirement plan assets or life insurance.
Board of Directors
Elizabeth Hough, President
Michael Tutty, Vice President
Chad Waynee, Vice President
Jefferson McMillan-Wilhoit, Secretary
S. Michael Rummel, Treasurer
Matt Cohn
Andrea Danks
Chris Heier
Karen Hunter
James Kirby
Alex Ty Kovach
Billy McKinney
Jessica Vealitzek
Mary M. Vincent
John Wasik
Renee Young
Executive Staff
Erika Stergos, Executive Director of the Preservation Foundation
Executive Committee
Elizabeth Hough, President
Michael Tutty, Vice President
Chad Waynee, Vice President
Jefferson McMillan-Wilhoit, Secretary
S. Michael Rummel, Treasurer
Marshall Field V
Alex Ty Kovach
Steve Madden
Stephen Neaman
Mary M. Vincent
Renee Young
Design: Costello Communications, Chicago
Photography and Illustration: Bob Callebert, Tim Elliott, Samantha Gallagher, John D. Kavc, R. Scott McNeill, Justine Neslund, Andy Raupp, John Weinstein
