Todd Tucker, 1995–Current (Executive Director since 2008):

My employment with the District started in 1995 as a 6-month internship where my interest in our natural area systems was greatly expanded. Working in this field ignited quickly into a love and passion for the natural world that once was Illinois prairie and the flora and fauna that called it home. Then, I was hired full-time and allowed to continue to learn more about this field, educate others about the importance of it, and work to restore the natural area communities. I have grown with the District and have been involved with many projects along the way. Some of the most notable have been the Nardi land donation and the Open Land Trust Grant that protected 493 acres of land at very little cost to the tax payers. A portion of this area is now the Stephen and Deirdre Nardi Equine Prairie Preserve and enjoyed by many. The most recent land project was the purchase of 509 acres of oak savanna habitat and potential prairie habitat. I also saw the completion of the District’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified Keller Education Center. I was also involved in the Jarrett Prairie Center becoming greener with the installation of solar power 5k photovoltaic panels. I have enjoyed many aspects of my job whether it’s identifying a moth for a kid’s school project or writing a grant for new equipment to restore natural areas. I continue to enjoy expanding my knowledge of our environment and serving our patrons while keeping in line with the District’s mission, Preservation, Education, and Recreation.

Edward C. Clift, Executive Director from 1994-2008:

During my tenure at the Forest Preserve, the Board, Staff, and Citizen Volunteers all worked in unison to increase the number of educational programs offered to the public, upgraded the Natural History Museum at the Jarrett Center, expanded the Jarrett Prairie Center, increased the size of the Preschool area, purchased several hundred additional acres for our Prairie, remodeled and reconstructed the PrairieView Golf Club’s clubhouse and golf course, developed the Stone Quarry Recreation Park, completed the Heritage Farm Museum. We were also able to put the District in a sound financial position and were able to keep the tax dollars levied from 1993 – 2008 at approximately the same level. Many Staff, Board Members and Citizen Volunteers played very important roles in these accomplishments over this 14-year period. As always, all of their efforts were and still are very much appreciated as they served our District Citizens.

Jack F. Philbrick, Executive Director from 1980-1993:

• My tenure began 6 months after the District was formed. During that first year, Dr. Robert M. Jarrett, founding board president, and I would drive around every road in the District looking at sites we might develop into preserves. After presenting a magic marker drawing of what is now the main site and PrairieView Golf Club, the board liked the idea and negotiations with landowners began. Over two years later, those three tracts of property belonged to the Byron Forest Preserve District. The house on the property became the office and the maintenance road became the main entrance.
• The maintenance center area, picnic shelters, trails, and prairie improvements were primarily completed by staff. The building of the Jarrett Prairie Center began just before the building of PrairieView Golf Course. The Jarrett Prairie Center was named after Dr. Jarrett and opened in June of 1991. The golf course was named by Willis Strub who won the naming contest. Mr. Strub also won the privilege of being in the first group of golfers to tee off on the first 6 holes completed at PrairieView in 1991.
• A portion of the prairie was dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve with the Natural Land Institute.
• During the first couple years, Helen and Leo Piper approached the board and offered the property now known as the He-Leo Preserve. About two years before I retired, the Etnyre Preserve was donated.
• When the Illinois Highway Department decided to relocate the Route 72 Bridge, we negotiated the addition of a 12-foot one side path so snowmobiles could cross the bridge. Then, we attached the path that now leads to the Forest Preserve entrance.

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Board of Commissioners History

The Byron Forest Preserve District’s Board of Commissioners were appointed by the Ogle County Board when the District was established.  On April 4, 1995, voters had the privilege of electing their Commissioners for the first time.  The last appointed Commissioner was George Ashby.  The first elected Board of Commissioners were sworn in on May 1, 1995.  They were George Ashby, Fred Brune, Dr. Robert Johnson, Bob Severson, and Gene Smith.

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Land Acknowledgement Statement

The Byron Forest Preserve District acknowledges that we use ancestral lands of the Peoria, oθaakiiwaki‧hina‧ki (Sauk) & Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), Bodwéwadmi (Potawatomi), Myaamia (Miami), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Sioux), Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk), and the Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) for recreation and stewardship. We recognize these People, and all other Indigenous Peoples, for their stewardship and resilience.

The Byron Forest Preserve District acknowledges our indebtedness to traditional knowledge and stewardship. We stand in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and seek to educate about the past and present to ensure a better future for all those that occupy this land.

Please visit Native-Land.ca to learn more about the Indigenous groups that have always cherished the land we are on.