'A Game-Changer': $1M Donation Honors Lifelong Love Of Nature

LAKE FOREST, IL — In honor of the death of her husband John, a longtime leader and life director at the Lake Forest Open Lands Association, Paula Lillard is donating $1.02 million to the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Both John and Paula Lillard had a passion for being outdoors, and considered nature a central part to their lives. Married for 70 years, they passed their passion down through their family to ensure their love for nature lived on for generations.

“Growing up surrounded by prairies, open skies and towering oak trees, I came to realize just how spectacular this landscape is,” the Lillards' daughter Paula Preschlack, who now serves on LFOLA’s board, said. “It’s not just beautiful—it’s inspiring. And it’s right here for all of us to cherish.”

Before he died, John left Paula notes that outlined which causes he cared about most, topping the list with protecting the land they loved.

This donation will fund an endowment for long-term land management at Middlefork Savanna in Lake Forest, Oriole Grove Forest Preserve in Lake Bluff and nearby properties cared for by the LFOLA.

According to officials, 70 percent of the fund will go toward restoring 772 acres of forest preserve land, and the rest will support stewardship of the Lands Association's 314 acres. The focus will be managing invasive species including buckthorn and promoting ecological resilience.

“This endowment is a game-changer,” said Ryan London, LFOLA president and CEO. “It ensures conservation isn’t just a one-time effort, but a lasting commitment. This partnership reinforces our commitment to preserving the area’s natural landscapes.”