New Director Of Land Stewardship Named By Lake Forest Open Lands

LAKE FOREST, IL — Lake Forest Open Lands has appointed a new director of land stewardship to oversee the local not-for-profit's ecological restoration and land management initiatives.

Hillary Peters, a Mundelein native, developed a passion for the outdoors from a young age, with memories of camping with the Girl Scouts and mountain biking around Lake County, according to Open Lands representatives.

Peters is being promoted from the position of natural areas specialist, where she showed leadership in responsible land management and excelled in preserving the area's natural beauty.

With 16 miles of walking trails and eight public nature preserves — with two more soon to be added — Lake Forest Open Lands is the first accredited land trust in Illinois and operates independently, without any local or state funding.

“It’s amazing to me how much land we manage and I’m really looking forward to learning all 900 acres," Peters said in a statement.

"I’m excited about working for an organization that is committed to providing people with a lasting connection to nature and preserving it for future generations,” she added.

Peters has shown leadership with volunteer groups, private landowners and other civic groups and in her new role, she will effectively balance conservation efforts and community engagement, according to Open Lands representatives.