𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘋𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘴, 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘝𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘻𝘦𝘬, 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘒𝘦𝘯 𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴

A Lake County Forest Preserves director and volunteer recently received national recognition for their contributions to conservation and public service.

The National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) honored Land Preservation Director Ken Jones with its Professional Fellow Award and Volunteer Photographer Dale Shields with its Outstanding Volunteer Award.

NACPRO represents about 120 county and regional park, recreation and conservation agencies across the United States, including the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The Professional Fellow Award recognizes an exemplary parks and recreation professional. Jones earned the honor for his decades of leadership in land conservation and his role in advancing major preservation initiatives throughout Lake County.

In 2025, he helped acquire or place under contract nearly 750 acres, including two new forest preserves, achieving more than one-third of the Forest Preserves' 10-year acquisition goal in a single year.

Jones joined the Forest Preserves as a land preservation intern in 2002 and has become the organization's lead land acquisition specialist. His deep knowledge of property histories, real estate processes and local landscapes, combined with strong relationships across the county, has helped advance complex projects that often take years to complete.

“Land preservation is about relationships, trust and persistence, and Ken excels at all three,” said Executive Director Ty Kovach. “His ability to navigate complex transactions and find common ground has helped protect some of Lake County’s most valuable natural landscapes.”

The Outstanding Volunteer Award recognizes exceptional service to parks and recreation. Shields was honored for his decades of volunteer work and for creating the Lake County Seed Collection Guide, a 307-page resource used by restoration professionals and volunteers throughout the Midwest.

A volunteer since 1989, Shields contributed more than 5,000 hours photographing native plants for the guide, which documents 589 species found in Lake County. The publication has been distributed across multiple states and downloaded more than 1,000 times online.

More recently, Shields assisted with bumble bee monitoring, including documenting the federally endangered rusty patched bumble bee. He is also developing a pollinator guide and has photographed more than 500 species found in the preserves.

“Dale exemplifies the power of volunteer service,” said Stewardship Ecologist Kelly Schultz. “His dedication, curiosity and passion for conservation have made a lasting difference both locally and far beyond Lake County. We are fortunate to benefit from his talent and generosity.”

Back