Ralph Schultz attended his final Board of Commissioners meeting as executive director of the Forest Preserve District on Thursday, May 8.

Schultz, who joined the Forest Preserve in 1993 as a landscape architect and later served as director of planning and operations and chief operating officer, will retire Friday, May 16.

Deputy Director Tracy Chapman, who will replace Schultz as executive director, lauded Schultz for his almost 32 years of service to the Forest Preserve.

“Through years of visionary growth, community connection, and conservation leadership, Ralph has ensured that the Forest Preserve District of Will County remains a vital resource for current and future generations,” Chapman said during the Board meeting. “Ralph, thank you for your vision, your commitment, and your 11,624 days of dedication to the Forest Preserve District. You’ve made this community stronger, greener, and more connected – and we are better for it.”

Board President Destinee Ortiz congratulated Schultz for shaping the Forest Preserve into an accessible network of natural spaces that serve Will County residents and protect the environment.

“We are especially grateful for the deep institutional knowledge you've shared and your unwavering willingness to answer our questions – sometimes in very, very detailed ways – which we’ve come to admire and appreciate more than you know,” she said. “You’ve led with clarity, commitment, and care. Your legacy will live on in every trail connection, restored habitat, and public program that brings people closer to nature.”

During his years with the Forest Preserve, the District has expanded its land holdings by more than 50%, restored thousands of acres of habitat, and opened or improved nearly 50 access areas and trails.

Schultz said growing up near the Illinois Prairie Path in southern DuPage County influenced his love of nature and trails.  

“I knew before entering college that I wanted to be a landscape architect based on the joy I found working in the yard and my fascination with public open spaces and working for the whole community,” Schultz said. 

Through the years, Schultz has overseen the creation and extensions of the regional DuPage River Trail, Joliet Junction Trail, Old Plank Road Trail, Veterans Memorial Trail and Wauponsee Glacial Trail as well as many other smaller interconnected paths. 

“My desire was to build spaces and trail systems that connected people to nature and to each other,” Schultz said. “I wanted to help build greenway systems that would have both ecological and recreational value and truly contribute to the quality of life in our communities.”

He led the effort to acquire Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook in 2022, which recently reopened after a $2 million makeover. And he oversaw the transformation of the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon into a nationally accredited site for inclusivity. 

Schultz said he accomplished very little on his own and attributes much of his success to Forest Preserve colleagues and partnerships with federal, state and local officials. 

Overall, Schultz said his decades with the District have been worthwhile and fulfilling. 

"I’ve witnessed a lot of changes in our organization and in our local environment over the years,” he said. “I’m proud to have been part of an organization that stays true to its purpose and can make a difference in people’s lives and surroundings. And I look forward to watching the Forest Preserve continue to thrive and find new ways to make our county more livable for all of the creatures that call it home.”