McHenry County Conservation Foundation

Established in 1999, the McHenry County Conservation Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of open space in McHenry County. The Foundation exists to promote, support, assist, sustain, and encourage the charitable, educational, scientific and recreational programs, projects and policies of the McHenry County Conservation District and its partners. Over the decade, the Foundation has contributed more than $3.2 million to conservation in McHenry County and helped secure more than 5,600 acres of McHenry County's prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. In addition to supporting direct acquisition costs, foundation funds are also used to purchase seeds, necessary stewardship equipment, and other resources that ensure these lands are maintained or restored as high quality habitat. The Foundation also strives to support events and projects that connect people to wild places in their communities. This work includes hosting our annual Pedal Paddle Saddle Across the Prairie event. The Foundation has also funded ecological training and nature education opportunities for more than 100 educational professionals and offered scholarships to underprivileged youth who otherwise would have been unable to attend summer camps hosted by the District.