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 Comments Welcome on Draft Master Plans

McHenry County Conservation District is accepting Public Comments on the Draft Master Plans from June 29 through July 16 for:

To view the Master Plans, click here.

Nippersink Canoe Base

June 16, 2009: The Nippersink Canoe Base is currently closed for a brush clearing project. The site will be closed for about a month. Please use the Lyle C. Thomas site to take out canoes.

Glacial Park Visitors Center

The McHenry County Conservation District presents a Concept Plan for a Visitors Center in Glacial Park. After a year of planning, McHenry County Conservation District anticipates beginning renovations on the existing Glacial Park Conference Center to create a new Visitor Center for McHenry County citizens.

Click here for additional info.

To view a copy of the Tentative Budget Ordinance, click here.

Download Conservation District Publications:

Landscapes quarterly Newsletter
Summer Issue (June-July-August)

Environmental Education Opportunities
Teacher's Guide Fall 2008-2009

Upcoming Events

Time Travelers Camp at Glacial Park, Wiedrich Education Center
7/6/2009
In this five day non-competitive program, campers experience a different era of history each day. From early Native American life through French exploration, pioneer life and farm life, all facets of (more...)

Outdoor Adventure Camp at Prairieview Education Center
7/6/2009
Fishing, canoeing, cooking over an open fire, outdoor challenges, hiking adventures, camp crafts and decorating t-shirts make this day camp exciting and fun! Outdoor Adventure Camp is a five day progr (more...)

Busy Bees at Brookdale, Paulsen Road Shelter
7/7/2009
Learn about buzzing bees in Illinois! Meet a local bee-keeper who will show us a hive and the important equipment he needs. Here’s a chance to know why we need these busy and sometimes noisy insects (more...)

Environmental Art and Learning Styles II at Prairieview Education Center
7/7/2009
Participants will learn strategies for locating and incorporating recycled materials while tapping into the creative process based on supply availability. Two and three dimensional constructions and p (more...)

Ladies Night Out at Prairieview Education Center
7/7/2009
Ready for summer break? Enjoy an evening around a campfire with an optional night hike. We will learn about phases of the moon, listen to some folklore, and sip on cool herbal tea while we wait for th (more...)

Arts and Nature at Pleasant Valley, Shelter #1,
7/13/2009
Do you enjoy exploring nature and creating or performing art? Then spend time outdoors with us this summer as we learn about our natural environment through the arts. We will make music out of veggie (more...)

Conservation Day Camp at Glacial Park, Wiedrich Education Center
7/13/2009
In this five day non-competitive program, campers canoe the Nippersink Creek and hike Glacial Park''s trails, exploring prairie, woodland, and wetland. They also play Predator-Prey, a popular off-tra (more...)