McHenry County Conservation District

Preservation

Education

Recreation

The McHenry County Conservation District manages over 22,600 acres of open space graced with woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and savannas. Trails and other recreational amenities have been added within 27 conservation areas where the public can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, picnicking, nature viewing, camping, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Discover your District today!

Public Viewing of Plans for
Lake in the Hills Fen

McHenry County Conservation District invites the public to view and comment on the Second Draft Master Plan for Lake in the Hills Fen Conservation Area, located in Algonquin Township.

The plan of the proposed public access and site improvements is available online until Thursday, November 20. In addition, a hard copy of the plan and site map are available for public viewing at the District’s Brookdale Administrative Offices, 18410 US Highway 14, in Woodstock from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 20.

- Seasonal Site Closings -

It's that time of year when a number of sites close for the season or
on a temporary basis due to the hunting program. Check the link below
for complete list of site closings before heading out to your favorite site.

Current & Upcoming Site Closings:
Oct. 31 - Nov. 7: Fel Pro RRR, Cary
Oct. 11 - Nov. 30: Glacial Park North Shelter

Nov. 8 - Nov. 16: Hickory Grove, Cary Open M-Wed. 9 am-3 pm Lyons Prairie & Marsh, Cary
and Silver Creek, Cary

Nov. 21 - Nov. 23: Marengo Ridge, Marengo; Rush Creek, Harvard; Coral Woods, Marengo; Beck's Woods, Harvard; Harrison Benwell, Wonder Lake; Brookdale, Woodstock

Nov. 29 - Dec. 2: Glacial Park, Ringwood

Complete list of Winter Site Closings - click here

Download Conservation District Publications:

Landscapes quarterly Newsletter
Winter Issue (Dec.-Jan.-Feb.)

Environmental Education Opportunities
Teacher's Guide Fall 2008-2009

Upcoming Events

Discovery Days at Prairieview Education Center
11/19/2008
Enjoy an hour of fun including a game, craft, snack, and educational activities all based around the special theme of the day. (more...)

The Scoop on Poop at Glacial Park, Wiedrich Education Center
11/19/2008
You can learn a lot from what animals leave behind. We will search for "scat" along the trail and try to figure out what animals left it there, what they were eating and more. (more...)

Coyote Campfire at Prairieview Education Center
11/21/2008
Gather around the campfire to find out more about the adaptations and social life of the “prairie wolf”. A short hike to listening spots and a favorite campfire snack will be served. Dress for the wea (more...)

Make Your Own Paper at Glacial Park, Wiedrich Education Center
11/22/2008
Learning to make your own paper is easy, fun, and environmentally friendly. Discover how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle all in one afternoon. Take your samples home and amaze your family and fri (more...)

Tellebration Celebration at Prairieview Education Center
11/22/2008
Bring the family out to join McHenry County Conservation District and the McHenry County Storytelling Guild in our first joint Tellebration Celebration. Tellebration is a worldwide evening of storyte (more...)