Winnebago County Forest Preserve District is accepting applications for seasonal employment at the golf operations for the 2012 season:

• Macktown Golf Course
• The Ledges Golf Course
• Atwood Homestead Golf Course

Applications are available at Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Headquarters, 5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, Illinois 61103 or click below to print out an application.

Employment Application

Oak Ridge Forest Preserve will be a rest area for bikers attending the Bike MS 2012 on June 23 & 24, 2012. On Saturday, June 23, 2012 more than 2000 men, women and their bicycles will embark on a life-changing two-day journey. The ride will also change lives of the 20,000 people in Illinois affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Bike MS: Tour de Farms, taking place June 23 and June 24, is a 200-mile fundraising bike ride, with riders committed to raising a minimum of $300.

Bike MS: Tour de Farms is a ride, not a race. Riders travel the route at their own pace, following the rules of the road, as they make their way from NIU through the countryside and back. Every 10 to 15 miles, riders will encounter a rest stop manned by volunteers. Each rest stop offers tents, tables, chairs, water, sports drink, snacks, portable toilets, first aid/medical volunteers and bicycle mechanics.

The route has specific open and close times for each of the rest stops and a final close time for the route itself of 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For safety reasons, once the route has closed any rider who has not completed the day’s route will be picked up and brought directly to Northern Illinois University.

Bike MS: Tour de Farms benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Greater Illinois Chapter. The money raised through this event, and others hosted by the Chapter, support advocacy, research, local programs and services that enhance the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis and their families.

An application for the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioner vacancy can be filled out by clicking on link below. The application can be completed on line and then printed, or printed and filled out by hand. Completed applications must include an attached resume and be returned to WCFPD by scanning and e-mailing to jday@wcfpd.org, or by postal service, or deliver in person to WCFPD headquarters. Applications must be received by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.

Applications will be reviewed by the WCFPD commissioners and the most qualified applicants will be interviewed later in February. The individual selected to fill the vacancy will be required to run for re-election to the WCFPD Board of Commissioners in November 2012. Please call Winnebago County Forest Preserve District headquarters at 815/877-6100 for more information.

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Board of Commissioner Application

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District is now accepting applications for the following seasonal positions for the 2012 season.

Campground Hosts (seasonal)

For a Campground Host application, please click on link.
Campground Host Application

Preserve Maintenance (long seasonal)

For a seasonal employment application for Preserve Maintenance, please click on link.
Employment Application

Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners Announces Vacancy

At a special meeting on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners announced a vacancy due to the resignation of Jay Ferraro in December 2011. The process for filling the vacancy and an application form will be on the agenda for the January 18th board meeting. Applications will be available after that date. Residents of Winnebago County who are interested in applying to serve out the term may call the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District administration office at 815-877-6100. Names and contact information will be taken so that notification can be sent when the applications and explanation of the commissioner selection process become available.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District
JOB POSTING NOTICE

TITLE: Biologist Educator

DEPARTMENT: Education

REPORTS TO: Director of Nature Education and Research
don@seversondells.org

LOCATION: Severson Dells Nature Center

OPENING DATE: January 4, 2012
CLOSING DATE: January 27, 2012

SALARY RANGE: $30,000 – 33,000

EXEMPT: No

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
This position exists to support and carry out the missions of Severson Dells Nature Center and the Forest Preserve District. This is accomplished primarily by providing a quality educational experience for students and the general public when they are visiting our nature center or participating in off-site presentations. The position is responsible for setting up and carrying out research and survey projects within the Northern Illinois region and for planning and implementing environmental education programs. This position helps ensure that each individual involved receives a basic knowledge and appreciation of our natural world.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated ability to coordinate, develop, and conduct nature programs; previous program teaching experience preferred. Knowledge of and ability to utilize field identification procedures for plants, flowers, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and other natural resources. Bachelor’s degree with major in Life/Environmental Sciences or related field required. Combination of experience and education must relate directly to program responsibilities, with an emphasis on science and research. At least two years experience working with school age children in an outdoor setting is required. One year experience scheduling, planning and supervising nature programs and activities is desirable.

DATE POSTED: January 4, 2012

Turn in completed application to Judi Day,
Winnebago County Forest Preserve District
5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, IL 61103
no later than 5:00 PM, January 27, 2012

For an employment application, please click on link.
Employment Application

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District horse trails are closed for the season.

2012 Schedule of Board of Commissioners Meetings

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District
5:30 PM in the Conference Room
5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford 61103
3rd Wednesday of each month

January 18
February 15
March 21
April 18
May 16
June 20
July 18
August 15
September 19
October 17
November 21
December 19

Anyone wishing to speak at a Board meeting must submit a request to speak in writing to the President by noon on the day of the meeting. Request must include name, phone number, and subject matter. Requests may be relayed through District office at above address; at jday@wcfpd.org; or by fax 815-877-6124.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District to Remove Non-native Trees

The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District has contracted with Premier Forestry Products to remove non-native pine trees at three locations this winter. Reduction of the pine stands at Roland Olson and Pecatonica River Forest Preserves, and thinning of the pines at Fuller Memorial Forest Preserve are part of the District’s ecological restoration program which aims to create and maintain high quality native ecosystems. The trees being removed are scotch pine, red pine and white pine. The trees were planted very close together, “plantation style” and now require clearing to allow for the restoration of native vegetation. Originally, the only conifers in Winnebago County were junipers, and possibly rare scattered white pines. Removal of the pines in these preserves will eventually increase the biodiversity of the preserves. The trees will be cut and the stumps ground between now and winter 2013.

The next Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioner Meeting will be Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at 5:30 PM at Headquarters Forest Preserve, 5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, IL 61103.