Volunteer Stories
Maureen Marsh began volunteering for LFOLA in 2012 monitoring 37 bluebird boxes. She continues monitoring the boxes and now trains new bluebird box monitors, leads bird walks for all ages and assists with LFOLA educational programs, including The Mitten and a Great Horned Owl presentation. Maureen’s newest volunteering adventure is in the arena of restoration. Through her membership in the Lake-Cook Audubon Society, she and fellow members are collaborating with LFOLA on the restoration of a property on Westleigh Road, with a view to establishing native habitat for birds and other wildlife
Tim Bliese’s life is full of travel and adventure as he seeks opportunities to hike, paddle and bike exploring wilderness areas and national parks, both on his own and through his work. Tim spends his work week as a principal scientist at Abbott Laboratories supporting diagnostics instruments while also volunteering as a fire fighter on Abbott’s ALERT HAZ/MAT team and as a CCL mentor.
In the spring of 2015, Lisa Carlson’s friend suggested that she contact Lake Forest Open Lands to learn about volunteering opportunities. Until this point, Lisa’s relationship with LFOLA had been one of an observer. Having lived most of her life in Lake Forest, she was familiar with a couple of LFOLA’s nature preserves but was unaware of the robust programming and outreach that LFOLA provided.