Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am to 4 pm
Weekends 9 am to 5 pm

Stop by the Research Field Station and Visitor Center on your next visit to Glacial Park (follow Harts Rd. to the end and take a left). The Field Station is a four-season public use building, providing a comfortable respite for those hiking the trail system of Glacial Park or just stopping by the park for a quick visit. Drinking Water and indoor public restrooms are available.

An 800 Square-foot exhibit area is dedicated to helping the public understand natural ecosystems and how MCCD is working to restore them. Our exhibit features topics related to land management, science, and art, and to keep it interesting and relevant to the visitor we update the exhibit three times a year. Portions of the display address the interests of all ages, including activities for children.

The public display area features a grand view of the hundreds of acres of restored oak savanna and prairie. Many species of wildlife may be viewed from the Field Station, including coyote, dear, wild turkey, fox snake, groundhog, sandhill crane, and many species of resident and migratory birds.

On the lower level of the Field Station is a classroom for use by government, not-for-profit, and school group use by arrangement, and an ecological research library for on-site use, including publications on natural science and ecological management, along with historical information.

The Field Station coordinates ecological restoration land management for the northeastern region of the county, including Glacial Park. We have a three-season internship program for college-age students in natural resource related fields of study, in which we introduce students to the length and breadth of conservation in the Midwest. We also conduct public programs related to ecological restoration, including 2-day restoration retreats in the fall and spring. In addition, we house the database and geographic information systems for the Natural Resource Management Department of MCCD, including the McHenry County Natural Areas Inventory.

For information about the Research Field Station and Visitor Center, please call the Field Station at 815-678-7644 or e-mail tsimpson@mccdistrict.org.

 

 

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