Living Lands Conservation Company provides environmental consulting, ecological restoration and native plant landscaping services. Living Lands' rapid assessment protocol generates a management and implementation plan for small habitat restoration project sites (10 acres or less) in 2-5 hours. Multiple site assessments are presented in a program framework to produce a project priority list and multi-year resource requirements.

The Environmental Action Team of Buffalo Grove strives to raise awareness, improve our community’s natural environment and encourage sustainability practices for present and future generations.In 2023, we led more than 500 youth volunteers in environmental projects.

I started this group which is dedicated to improving the condition of our local stream and habitats. Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership strives for clean water, less flooding and erosion, and healthy ecosystems. Our watershed based plan was approved by the Illinois EPA in 2016 and we have won support from the stormwater management agencies of Lake and Cook Counties, and eight municipalities to implement the recommendations. I was honored by the Lake County Stormwater Management… Show more I started this group which is dedicated to improving the condition of our local stream and habitats. Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership strives for clean water, less flooding and erosion, and healthy ecosystems. Our watershed based plan was approved by the Illinois EPA in 2016 and we have won support from the stormwater management agencies of Lake and Cook Counties, and eight municipalities to implement the recommendations. I was honored by the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission as Steward of the Year in 2016. We are promoting beneficial projects from the plan in member communities. We sponsor a range of activities for volunteers, including water quality sampling in streams and lakes, macro-invertebrate monitoring, habitat restoration and stream reach assessments. We have secured grants for streambank stabilization, pollutant monitoring, watershed planning, ecological restoration, and stream cleanup and planting projects. Show less

I developed and taught a field course for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences entitled Ecology of Northeast Illinois.

We conduct volunteer workdays to expand the management area of a wetland mitigation project and are preparing to take over maintenance of 200 acres of wetlands and buffer areas when the contractor's work is completed.I was honored to be named Outstanding Stewardship Volunteer in 2015 by the Cook County Forest Preserves.

For 35 years, the Prairie Guardians have worked to protect a precious remnant of the black soil prairie that once dominated our region. A museum exhibit at the Raupp Historical Museum in Buffalo Grove captured the history and importance of this Lost Prairie.

Board member, consultant and contractor to this non-profit corporation dedicated to preserving the habitat and heritage of the Loess Hills of southwest Iowa.

The Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watersheds Partnership mission is to educate citizens while building partnerships for projects to improve water quality, maintain water supply, preserve ecosystems and restore wetlands, prairies and other natural features for current and future generations.In 2023, I designed, secured funding for, organized and led more than 600 volunteers across five project areas in the watersheds.In 2022, I organized and led a project to update a watershed-based… Show more The Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watersheds Partnership mission is to educate citizens while building partnerships for projects to improve water quality, maintain water supply, preserve ecosystems and restore wetlands, prairies and other natural features for current and future generations.In 2023, I designed, secured funding for, organized and led more than 600 volunteers across five project areas in the watersheds.In 2022, I organized and led a project to update a watershed-based plan for Spring Creek. Show less

I developed and teach an Introduction to Ecological Restoration college credit course for the ACCA (Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area) consortium. It is being offered again in March, 2017 I also developed and teach a two-part seminar for the Woodland Stewardship program. Part one - Native Seeds. Part two - Native Plant Propagation.

Introduction to ecological restoration.

I teach Natural Areas Management, Introduction to Horticulture, Plant Propagation, Nursery Production and Local Flora.I also developed curriculum for a two course Restoration Ecology program funded by a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant, developed and delivered on-line content for Introduction to Horticulture and Plant Propagation courses, and piloted a practicum for students at a local nursery.

Performs ecological restoration to control more than 60 invasive plant species at sites throughout the Chicagoland area.

We served hot meals five times a year to hungry guests for eleven years! This program was sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 140 and received generous support from the Men's Club at St. Mary Church in Buffalo Grove.

Along with my family and friends, we led numerous service events that provide activities for kids and improve the learning environment at Chicago Public Schools.

Committee member, merit badge counselor, Eagle scout service project mentor, and high adventure trip organizer and tour leader for trips to Alaska, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM.

Maintained nature center grounds, propagated native plants and shrubs in greenhouse, monitored native and invasive plants, taught classes and led volunteer workdays.

Elected commisioner on board of a Park District that serves more than 40,000 residents of Buffalo Grove.