Bob Freitag introduced Craig Lutes, the new Executive Director of the ParkLands Foundation. While Craig is new to this role, he has been involved with the organization for several years.
The ParkLands Foundation was founded in 1967 and will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year. The organization protects and preserves more than 3,600 acres of natural habitat along the Mackinaw River, with its preserves open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Craig started by sharing a piece of history that Bloomington Kiwanis was one of the early organizations to support ParkLands, helping to provide the money and manpower to plant 5,500 trees on the Hall property. The group even rented a tree planter for the project.
Looking ahead, ParkLands hopes to acquire additional land and raise funds for improvements to the Merwin building. Craig also discussed plans to continue building the organization’s capacity and making its preserves accessible to the community.
Craig encouraged members to get involved by visiting the ParkLands website to find information on preserves, including maps and parking information, as well as events such as guided hikes and public work days.
ParkLands is primarily membership-funded, with more than 75% of its revenue coming from private sources. Craig hopes to grow membership and increase community participation in ParkLands’ conservation work.
Craig also just submitted his membership application and we are excited for him to be a Kiwanian!
