Dependable and resilient: Mortenson named 2025 Volunteer of the Year

_{Scott Mortenson, center, receives his Volunteer of the Year award from Forest Preserve Executive Director Tracy Chapman, right, and a Restore Will County stewardship grant from Tara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation of Will County. (Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock)}

Scott Mortenson was named the 2025 Volunteer of the Year during an annual celebration of Forest Preserve District volunteers on April 1.

A volunteer since 2020, Mortenson was recognized for his positive attitude and willingness to chip in wherever needed.

“Mortenson has taken dependability to a whole new level this year,” said Tracy Chapman, the Forest Preserve’s executive director. “In the face of changes at the preserve he currently stewards, he stepped up with poise, resilience and clear leadership, supporting both our volunteers and our natural spaces when it mattered most.”

Mortenson, who is a preserve steward, a brush pile burn boss, a chainsaw and brush cutter operator and an herbicide applicator, said he did not expect to be selected for this award.

“I work with so many wonderful staff and regular volunteers all the time, and it is a great honor to be considered by them for Volunteer of the Year,” he said via email.

He added that it takes hard work from the entire volunteer team to make a difference in the preserves.

“The real honor for me is being able to work together with so many amazing people who share a common love and respect for nature and a desire to conserve it.”

Mortenson lives in Oak Park, and he said a staffer from the Forest Preserves of Cook County once tried to “steal” him. 

“And I told him that in spite of the distance for me, the incredible variety of ecosystems that exist in Will County is something that I love to be in and around,” Mortenson said.

He added that volunteering is a “gift born from appreciation.”

“I would like people to know that stepping out of the frenetic vibration that is much of daily life and volunteering in the preserves brings a deep and quiet energy that restores the soul.”

Lifetime Achievement

Phyllis Schulte, who has contributed more than 7,725 hours of volunteer service to the Forest Preserve over the past 30 years, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Mokena resident worked many of those hours at Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve. She battled numerous invasive species while working to protect sensitive plants such as the savanna blazing star and American hazelnut, as well as countless butterflies.

“Phyllis understands that ecological restoration doesn’t happen in weeks, months or even years — it happens in decades,” said Barbara Sherwood, the Forest Preserve’s restoration ecologist and former volunteer liaison. “… Phyllis inspires all of us to persist, to care and to give our best — season after season, year after year. Her dedication, passion and joy for this work leave a lasting mark, not just on the preserves but on every volunteer lucky enough to work alongside her.”

Additional awards

Other 2025 awards given to volunteers were:

Special Acts: Andrew “Bud” Madej of New Lenox.

Outstanding Youth: Aaliyah Sproul of Oswego.

Outstanding Senior: John Grygiel of Channahon.

Rookie of the Year: Aaron Huth of Lockport.

Spirit of the District: Keith Listermann of Romeoville.

Also during the banquet, winners of the 2025 Restore Will County grant program were announced by Tara Neff, executive director of The Nature Foundation of Will County. Mortensen received $500 for supplies and equipment. John Fuqua received $500 for native species seed. And the Forest Preserve's natural resource management team received $2,000 for supplies and equipment and native species seed. 

Mud and mosquitoes

Emily Kenny, the Volunteer Services department supervisor, said the annual celebration honors the “fearless, flexible and amazing people” who support the Forest Preserve. She said the volunteers are generous with their time and tackle unexpected challenges with a smile, “even in the midst of mud, mosquitoes, cold or last-minute schedule changes.”

Volunteers support the District’s mission, she added. In 2025, more than 940 people donated 12,750 hours of service to the Forest Preserve. 

“Your warmth, your positivity and your ‘I’ve got this’ attitude make our community stronger — and a lot more fun,” Kenny said at the volunteer celebration. “Personally, one of the greatest joys of my role is working alongside you.”