‘Force of Nature’ award will honor manager of Skokie’s Emily Oaks Nature Center – Chicago Tribune
A longtime Skokie park manager will receive one of the Chicago area’s highest honors in wilderness conservation later this month.
Emily Oaks Nature Center Manager Lee Hansen was named as one of the 31 winners of the Chicago Wilderness Alliance’s George B. Rabb Force of Nature Award. Hansen is the first Skokie Park District employee to receive the award.
“It’s a huge honor,” Hansen told Pioneer Press on a tour of the 13-acre park. “There are people on that list (of winners) that are like… wow.”
“Who would not want to be called a force of nature?” she added.
During her tenure at Emily Oaks, Hansen expanded wilderness and conservation programs at the nature center. She also implemented the Earthkeepers school program and outlined plans for the Growing Sprouts preschool program.
The award ceremony will take place at the Chicago Wilderness Alliance’s Celebration of Conservation on Oct. 22 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. There is no fee to attend the event, but the Alliance’s website asks guests to RSVP by Oct. 1.
Skokie resident Robert Kusel, a long time admirer of the park and Hansen’s work, nominated her for the Force of Nature award.
“I nominated her because (Hansen’s) a visionary leader and a community builder, and she has this extraordinary work ethic,” Kusel said.
“I believe Emily Oaks changes lives, and Lee’s extraordinary work over 37 years has resulted in this welcoming place that’s all about connections to nature and simultaneously community,” Kusel said.
Emily Oaks, which is part of the Skokie Park District, runs adults’ and children’s programming, hosts school and Scout groups, and is available for parties and rentals, including children’s birthday parties.
The Rabb award is given to individuals dedicated to wilderness conservation, restoration, advocacy, and/or educational activities every two years in the greater Chicago region from southeastern Wisconsin to southwestern Michigan.
