The list below is very partial. Literally hundreds of people deserve credit. But this list of some of the major contributors may give you a sense of the scope of the work — and maybe even ideas about some challenges you could take and contributions they might make.
Researchers and Monitors:
Birds: Jerry Sullivan, Ben Risk, Judy Pollock
Butterflies: Jeff Sanders and Joan Palincsar
Endangered plants: Kevin Clay, Andrea Tietmeyer, Joe Walsh
Insect communities: Ron Panzer
Frogs: Karen Glennemeier, Joe Walsh
Mammals: Steve Byers
Plant communities: Marlin Bowles, John and Jane Balaban, Jerry Wilhelm, Linda Masters, Steve Apfelbaum, Laurel Ross, John Johnson
Seed Gatherers: Joan Meersman, Laurel Ross, Paul Dolinko, Duke Riggen, Jane and John Balaban, Marianne Kozlowski, Ross Sweeny, Hollis Baker, Rufino Osorio, Linda Masters, and many, many, many more.
Brush Bashers: Michael Heyman, Rhett Donnelley, Joe Walsh, Dennis Dreher, Kevin Clay, Zach Ernst, Melina Milcarek, Debra Shore, Pete Baldo, Ross Sweeny, Eileen Sutter, Marianne Kozlowski, John McMartin, Stuart Goldman,
Weed Wallopers: Donna Hriljac, Debra Shore, Kent Fuller, Kevin Clay, Melina Mikcarek, Zach Ernst
Master Gardeners: Preston Spinks, David Sollenburger
Perimeter Defense Watchman and Advocate: Wally Johnson
Trails Blazers and Maintainers: Andy Smith
Artists, Publicists and Writers: Marlene Hill Donnelley, Bobby Sutton, Carol Freeman, Joe Kayne, Gail Schmoller, Laurel Ross, Jerry Sullivan, Cynthia Gehrie, Bill Kurtis, William K. Stevens, Stephanie Mills, Debra Shore, Don Parker, Alf Siewers
Recruiters and Spirit Boosters: Nancy Freehaffer, Karen Holland, Robert Lonsdorf, Joanne Softcheck, Richard Kampwirth, Fr. Jay Risk, Derek Supple, Rebecca Blazer, Joe Walsh, Jerri Fuller, Pete Leki
Mighty Acorns (youth stewardship) organizers: Julie Sacco, Sue Kelly
Chicago Wilderness Rangers organizers: Richard Day, Lauren Williams, Julia Tigner
Organizers and planners: Stephen Packard, John and Jane Balaban, Ross Sweeny, Larry Hodak, Donna Hriljac, Beverley Hansen, Linda Masters, Kelly Trease, Steve Thomas, Bill Koenig
Hallowed restoration advisors: Dr. Robert Betz, Ray Schulenburg, Tom Vanderpoel, Virginia Kline, Ron Panzer, Doug Taron, Ken Mierzwa, Judy Pollock
Historic inspirers and guides: Henry Thoreau, Aldo Leopold, Ted Sperry, May Theilgaard Watts, Rachael Carson, Arthur Vestal, Jens Jensen, Dwight Perkins, Cap Sauers, George Fell, Jerry Paulson, Robert Betz, Ray Schulenburg, Bill Jordon, Don Falk
Forest Preserve District staff supporters and facilitators: Roland Eisenbeis, Richard Buck, Chuck Westcott, Paul Strand, Ralph Thornton, Kelly Trease, Steve Thomas, Jerry Sullivan, Bill Koenig, Richard Newhard, Debbie Antlitz, Kevin Neary
Funders: Forest Preserve District of Cook County (tools, publications, training, interns), Northbrook Civic Foundation (split rail fence), Audubon-Chicago Region (training, science, publications), The Nature Conservancy (tools, publications, training)
Notes on Super-abundant Contributors
Many people deserve to be listed in three or more categories. In those cases, in the interests of brevity, we’ve attempted to list them under their most distinctive contributions. See also some biographical sketches of them.
This website would be glad to receive recommendations for perfecting this list, correcting woeful misspellings, adding categories, and other appreciated improvements. Please contact us.
