CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Land Conservation Foundation (LCF) has named Eric Mollahan as its first full-time executive director, marking a major milestone in the nonprofit’s continued growth and commitment to land stewardship across Central Illinois.
Mollahan, a 2013 graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will step into the role on October 20, returning to familiar ground after years of work in ecological research and land restoration throughout the state.
“Eric Mollahan is an excellent choice,” said LCF Board President John Marlin. “He brings broad experience in many areas important to LCF, including GPS, wetland restoration, and land management. Additionally, he has an outgoing personality and a desire to enhance our outreach activities. We look forward to working with him.”
LCF’s decision to expand the executive director role to a full-time position comes as the organization has doubled the number of properties it owns and manages over the past five years. The foundation now oversees more than 400 acres across six sites in Champaign, Piatt, Vermilion, and DeWitt Counties, supporting public access to trails, habitat restoration, and annual community events such as the Mudpuppy Festival.
Mollahan earned his Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from UIUC, with a concentration in Human Dimensions. During his time at the university, he worked with both the Urbana Park District and the Illinois Natural History Survey, gaining early hands-on experience in local conservation efforts.
Prior to accepting the new role, Mollahan served as lead ecologist at Integrated Lakes Management in northeastern Illinois. There, his work spanned both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems—ranging from erosion assessment and herbicide impact studies to habitat monitoring for endangered and threatened species.
He succeeds Deanna Glosser, who led LCF for nine years until her retirement earlier this year. Fran Harty, who has served as interim executive director, will assist with the transition.
Founded in 2003, the Land Conservation Foundation focuses on protecting and connecting natural areas along Central Illinois rivers, creating wildlife corridors and recreational opportunities for the public.
For more information, visit landconservationfoundation.org.
