Laona Heights Sugar River Colored Sands Sugar River Two Rivers Ferguson Hartley Memorial Trask Bridge Four Lakes Pecatonica River Pecatonica Wetlands Crooked River Grove Creek Seward Bluffs Klehm Forest Preserve Severson Dells Fuller Memorial Cedar Cliff Indian Hill Hinchliff Memorial Kilbuck Bluffs Trailside Kishwaukee Gorge South Kishwaukee Gorge North Rockford Rotary Kishwaukee River Oak Ridge Blackhawk Springs Deer Run Espenscheid Memorial McKiski County Line Kieselburg Roland Olson Stone Bridge Clayton Andrews Ledges Hononegah J. Norman Jensen Millrace Isle Macktown Atwood Homestead Forest Preserve Headquarters

WCFPD Welcomes New Executive Director

Michael Holan took the helm of WCFPD, as Executive Director, in April, 2013. Holan  replaces retiring Executive Director, Tom Kalousek who led the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District from 1999 to 2012.

Holan brings over thirty years of professional experience in forest preserve districts. He has most recently served as the Director of Operations and Maintenance at the Kane County Forest Preserve District, a position he has held since 2003. Previously, he was employed for twenty-one years at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County where he began as a seasonal employee, advanced through various positions, and ultimately served as the West Section Operations Supervisor whereby he managed approximately 14,500 acres. Holan’s educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Southern Illinois University with major focus in wildlife management, and minors in botany and chemistry.

Holan says the opportunity to continue and build upon Winnebago County Forest Preserve District’s valuable legacy attracted him to the leadership role with the 90-year old organization. Holan says, “I would like to focus on leading WCFPD in carrying out their mission to provide public access to natural lands for recreation and education and to promote District involvement in Winnebago County communities and encourage the communities’ involvement in the WCFPD.” Further, he will “make a determined effort to secure funds to allow WCFPD to acquire and preserve additional high quality natural lands for the benefit of current and future generations of Winnebago County citizens.”