Environmental, natural history scholarship applications being accepted

The Friends of Volo Bog and Friends of Moraine Hills State Park are offering a total of five scholarships for $1,000 each to outstanding Illinois students interested in pursuing an environmental science or natural history career.

The Friends of Volo Bog has three Scholarships that are awarded at two levels – Entering College and Continuing College.

Entering College scholarship

To be eligible for the Entering College scholarship, the applicant must have a permanent residency and attend a accredited Illinois high school in Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage, Will, Kendall or Kane County, have a minimum B average, and plan to attend an accredited college or university. The applicant should be planning to enter a career directly related to preserving the natural environment.

Continuing College scholarship

To be eligible for the Continuing College scholarship the applicant must be currently enrolled in an accredited college of university pursuing a degree directly related to preserving the natural environment. The applicant must have a permanent residence in Illinois, have

LCFP hires new director of public safety

The Lake County Forest Preserves hired Ron Davis, a 34-year law enforcement veteran, as director of public safety to replace retiring John Tannahill.

Davis most recently served as commander with the Metra Police Department in Chicago, the third largest transit policing organization in the U.S.

“We look forward to working with Chief Davis to carry out the organization’s goals,” said Chief Operations Officer Mike Tully. “Ron brings a wealth of experience and energy to the Lake County Forest Preserves.”

Davis, who started his new post on Monday, January 23, has spent the past 19 years in supervisory or command positions. He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Chicago State University and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. In addition, he has completed advanced leadership and management training through the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association and is an active member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

“I look forward to building on the success of this respected agency,” Davis said, “and to developing the next generation of leaders here. Part of my role is to serve as a brand ambassador and provide the highest level of public safety.” graduated from an Illinois high school in Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage, Will, Kendall or Kane County, and currently hold a minimum B average in their college studies.

Countywide attitude and Interest surveys continue to show that Lake County residents feel safe in their forest preserves. “Chief Tannahill, who led the organization for the past 15 years, made this a priority. Safety is always our number one concern,” Tully said.

Applications are due by March 31 for the school year starting in the fall. Application packets are available at www. friendsofvolobog.org/scholarships.

The Friends of Moraine Hills State Park is offering two $1,000 scholarships to outstanding Illinois students interested in pursuing an environmental science or natural history career.

To be eligible for these ‘Entering College’ scholarships, the applicant must have a permanent residency in and be attending an accredited Illinois high school in McHenry, Kane or Lake County, have a minimum B average and plan to attend an accredited college or university. The applicant should be planning to enter a career directly related to preserving the natural environment.

Applications are available at www.friendsofmoraine hillsstatepark.org and are due by April 30 for the school year starting in the fall.

Recipients are determined by a review committee of Friends of Moraine Hills State Park.

Davis, who started his career at the Burbank Police Department, said it has been his goal to become a police chief. He added that he is fitnessminded and an avid hiker and mountain biker. “This is the perfect opportunity to marry aspects of my professional and personal life.” He said he plans to bike the nearly 200 miles of rideable trails in his first year.

Davis enjoys spending time with his wife and children. His 10-year-old son plays baseball and has a black belt in taekwondo. His older son is a deputy sheriff in Will County and his daughter is a high school teacher.