About Ancient Oaks

Our Vision

An ecologically healthy local community with thriving oak woodlands and other natural areas which are enjoyable to visit, easy to maintain, and preserved for future generations.

Our Mission

We are dedicated to the preservation of our local areas’ oak woodlands and natural areas through education, volunteerism, supportive funding and long-term planning. We are a grass-roots group of area residents who love nature and want to save and enhance area oak woodlands and natural areas for future generations to enjoy.

Our Goals

  • Restore and preserve natural areas by decreasing invasive species and reintroducing native vegetation.

  • Educate the community on the care of natural areas and the benefits for future generations.

  • Encourage community involvement through activities, volunteerism and AOF membership or sponsorship.

  • Develop sustainable, long term plans for the care of natural areas.

Our Timeline

• 8000 BC

The Ice Age

Glaciers Cover 85% of Illinois.

The spring fed lakes and hilly topography of Ela Township was formed by Ice Age glaciers over 10,000 years ago. Our area’s oak savannas and wetlands are witnesses to thousands of years of history. Rare oak woodlands, such as Oak Ridge Marsh Nature Park and Kuechmann Arboretum, and high-quality wetland, such as the ones at Brierwood Preserve in Hawthorn Woods, sprouted up all over our region.

• JAN 2007

Invasive Species Move In

Diversity in the local area ecosystems was being lost to invasive weeds such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. In our local parks, the long lack of prescribed burns had taken their toll. Invasives were overrunning these natural areas, eliminating native wildflowers and trees by preventing their reproduction. Residents could no longer enjoy these areas of passive recreation.

Encroachment of invasive plants onto private property decreases property values and causes removal expenses for homeowners.

• JUL 2007

Citizens Take Action

The Oak Ridge Marsh Conservation Group, a volunteer arm of the Lake Zurich Parks Department, was formed in 2007 in response to growing threats to the area’s natural ecosystems. Concerned residents and conservationists came together to protect and restore the region’s woodlands, wetlands, and native plant life.

Through ongoing stewardship, habitat restoration, and community engagement, the group has played a vital role in preserving these spaces for wildlife and future generations. Their efforts include removing invasive species, planting native vegetation, and educating the public on the importance of ecological conservation.

• 2014 - TODAY

Ancient Oaks Foundation

Founded in 2014 as a 501(c)(3), the Ancient Oaks Foundation has transformed the declining oak woodlands at Oak Ridge Marsh Nature Park into a thriving habitat for wildlife, birds, and native plants. Today, visitors walk, bike, and birdwatch along its scenic trails, making it a true gem in the Village’s park system.

Beyond Oak Ridge Marsh, we help restore and maintain natural areas across Lake Zurich, including Echo Point, Kuechmann Arboretum, Paulus Park, Lake Zurich High School, Manor Park Pond, Breezewald Park, Brierwood Preserve, and more. In partnership with local municipalities, we also educate private landowners on oak conservation and provide outdoor learning experiences, bird box monitoring, and service opportunities for all ages.

Board of Directors

  • President

    Mary’s degree from the University of Wisconsin was in Resource Management and Environmental Law Enforcement. Mary has been Married to Paul for 30 years. Meghan and Joseph are their kids, and they have two border collies that she spoils rotten. She has worked for McHenry County Conservation District for many years. Her past employment includes, Village of Lake Zurich, Park District of Highland Park, Bryon Forest Preserve, Vernon Township and Lord and Taylor! Mary has lived in Lake Zurich since the early 90’s and served as a founding member of the Village of Lake Zurich’s Tree Commission for 19 years. She is fascinated with large carnivores and urban ecology, and she will devour any information on these.

  • Vice President

    Mike has lived in Lake Zurich since 2006 with his wife and 2 children. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Marketing and currently works in Operations for a financial services company. Mike grew up in an area of suburban Chicago where he feels lucky to have woods to explore and open spaces to play sports. He and his wife chose to live in Lake Zurich because of its diversity of natural spaces instead of just housing developments. Mike is happy to have the opportunity with Ancient Oaks to help preserve these spaces and return them back to the way they once were, where native plants, animals and insects thrive for residents of all ages to enjoy.

  • Treasurer

    Kevin is a graduate of the University of Illinois and holds a degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science. His career began with the McHenry County Conservation District where he was involved with several ecological restoration projects. He left to work for his family’s business where he would spend the next ten years, before moving on to his current role with Georgia-Pacific. Kevin and his family moved to Lake Zurich in 2019 and they fell in love with the local community. He is passionate about protecting and maintaining our natural areas for the benefit of current and future generations. In his free time you may find him at the dog park, biking the forest preserves or enjoying one of the many great local parks with his family.

  • Board Member

    Eric is a recent transplant to the area, having established his mental healthcare practice, Tree of Life Counseling, in downtown Lake Zurich. A central Illinois native, Eric received his Master’s degree from Lincoln Christian University and Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University. An avid hiker, nature photographer, and ecotherapy advocate, Eric knows that time spent outdoors is directly related to desirable mental and physical well-being.  Eric is proud to serve on the Ancient Oaks Foundation Board of Directors to help facilitate and promote accessible, functional, and therapeutic green spaces and natural-world events for the community to enjoy.

  • Board Member

    Pat has lived with his wife and son a stone’s throw north of Kuechmann Arboretum in Lake Zurich since 2017. He graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering, followed by Roosevelt University with an MBA, and works as an Electrical Engineer in the telecommunications industry. With his family he enjoys a variety of outdoor hobbies, traveling (especially rafting and backpacking trips), and cultural studies. Ancient Oaks gives him the chance to give a little back to these natural gems within the Lake Zurich community.

  • Board Member

    Claudia recently finished her master gardener program. More details soon.

  • Board Member

    Matt moved to Lake Zurich with his wife, Lizzy, in 2025. A graduate of Saint Louis University, he brings over a decade of ecological restoration experience specific to the Chicago region. Although he grew up in the area, Matt didn’t truly understand how unique our prairies, woodlands, and wetlands are until he began working in the field. He’s passionate about protecting and enhancing these native ecosystems through both hands-on work and community engagement, and he hopes to help others discover the richness of the natural spaces around them. In his free time, Matt can be found photographing plants and animals or out on a run.  

  • Executive Director

    With over 25 years of leadership in park districts and community recreation, Brian is passionate about creating spaces and programs that bring people together and support environmental sustainability. Throughout his career, he has led major initiatives—from turning around financial performance by $4.5 million to overseeing the development of award-winning facilities. Brian thrives on collaboration, building strong partnerships through intergovernmental agreements and community engagement. Whether launching new athletic programs or managing large-scale projects, he is focused on delivering impact and lasting value to the communities he serves.

Join the AOF Board

We’re expanding the foundation’s board. We’ve already made great progress preserving the Lake Zurich area's oak woodlands and natural areas but there’s more work to be done. If you’re interested in joining the board then please download and review the materials provided in the Prospective Board Members packet. Please return the completed documents to Judi Thode at 52 Robertson Rd, Lake Zurich IL 60047.

Prospective Board Member Packet

  • AOF Board Member Application - Introduction Letter

  • AOF Board Member Job Description

  • AOF Board Member Agreement

  • AOF Board Member Application

Board of Advisors

  • Founder of Ancient Oaks Foundation

    Judi calls Aurora, Illinois, her hometown. She graduated from West Suburban Hospital School of Nursing in Oak Park and Elmhurst College and is a registered nurse. But her first love is nature, and she has volunteered with various local conservation groups over the years. She earned a certificate in Ecological Restoration from McHenry County Conservation District and established the Oak Ridge Marsh Conservation Group in 2007. She has also served on the Lake Zurich Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Tree Commission. She recently began taking hammered dulcimer lessons and is making slow but steady progress toward her Carnegie Hall debut.

  • Co-Founder of Ancient Oaks Foundation

    John Thode grew up in Niles, Illinois and is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Northwestern University. He has worked various electrical engineering and management positions around the country and is currently a clinical professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Illinois. He plays jazz trumpet for Reunion Jazz Orchestra, his high school alumni band, and has run many marathons. He and wife Judi have lived in the area since 1992.

  • Certified Arborist

    Scott has been a Lake Zurich resident for over 30 years where he's been a member of the Village’s Tree Commission since 1995. For 35 years Scott worked for the Village of Arlington Heights Public Works - Forestry Division. He has volunteered with the Ancient Oaks Foundation and was a finalist for IMRF's Volunteer of the Year Award for 2015. He enjoys gardening, Chicago sports, camping and anything to do with nature.

  • Restoration Program Manager- Citizens For Conservation

    Kevin resides in Fox River Grove and is a member of the Village of Lake Zurich Tree Commission. He is a graduate of Loyola University with a degree in Environmental Science. Formerly an Environmental Restoration Technician for Stantec, an ecological consulting firm that specializes in wetland mitigation and habitat enhancement of local ecosystems, Kevin is now the Restoration Program Manager for Citizens For Conservation in Barrington, Il. Kevin volunteers with the Deer Grove Natural Area Volunteers.

  • General Manager, Sebert Landscaping's Bluestem Ecological Services

    Jan Papa, a Cambridge Wisconsin resident, has vast experience in the field of habitat restoration and ecological management. She is a graduate of Northern Michigan University and has worked for such notable landscaping enterprises such as ILT Vignocchi, Countryside Landscaping and Bret Achtenhagen Seasonal Services. She is currently the General Manager with Sebert Landscaping’s Bluestem Ecological Services. She has volunteered with the Ancient Oaks Foundation from its earliest days as the Oak Ridge Marsh Conservation Group as well as with Citizens For Conservation and The Nature Conservancy. She holds several professional affiliations within the horticulture and native landscaping field. She brings a wealth of restoration knowledge to the Ancient Oaks Foundation.

  • Arborist

    Shannon grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan and moved to Illinois in 1998 when she finished college. She has worked for The Care of Trees for 19 years and held various roles from Plant Health Care Technician to Regional Operations Coordinator to her current role of Sales Arborist. Shannon has a BS in Forest Conservation from Michigan State University, she has been an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist since 2000 and is a licensed pesticide applicator for the state of Illinois. She started hanging around trees at a young age in the National Forests of Northern Michigan and has loved trees and the environment ever since. Shannon has volunteered with The McHenry County Land Conservancy. When she isn't at work Shannon enjoys spending time watching her daughter play soccer and basketball, hiking with one or all three of her dogs or snuggling with a book and one of her cats.