McHenry County Conservation District

Volunteers are needed for the…

Festival of the Sugar Maples
March 3, 4, 10, 11
Coral Woods, Marengo

Be a part of this popular event held outdoors at Coral Woods Sugar Maple Grove each year during late winter when the sap begins to flow. Volunteers are needed to lead tours on one or more days, must be age 14+.

No experience needed! Training is provided. Don’t Delay, Call Today! (815)338-6223, Volunteers@MCCDistrict.org

Special Presentation!!

Fungi Discovered:
What We Know & How Important They Are
Thursday, January 26, 7–8:30 p.m.
McHenry County College, Conference Center
Free, no registration required. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Patrick Leacock, Adjunct Curator in Mycology at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, will present the importance of fungi and their diversity in McHenry County and the greater Chicago Region; followed by a video presentation by Paul Stamets, focusing on key mushroom species that can lead to greater sustainability and better health.

Co-sponsored by: Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute, and McHenry County College

Nature at Night

Friday, January 27, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake

Guided walks for families & adults at 6:45 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 7:45 p.m. or 8:15 p.m.

Do you ever wonder what is going on outside in the darkness? What animals are active? What is happening up in our sky? Join us for educational activities about nocturnal animals and explore the night sky. Look and listen for creatures of the night on guided walks, enjoy storytelling, children's activities, a campfire and more!
Appropriate for ages 6+. Drop in for all or part of this free event. Dress for the weather if joining the walk. Read more>>

Hike or Ski on Solar Lighted Trails Everyday until 9 p.m.
Pleasant Valley & Hickory Grove Highlands

Nov. 6 – March 11

Two Candlelight Skis will be offered in January and February, see details. After January 3 check for updates, call (815) 338-6223 or sign up for
e-mail notification at MCCD@MCCDistrict.org or follow our Twitter updates @DiscoverMCCD.

Lost Valley Ventures—
Family Exploration Programs!

Saturdays, 2–3:30 p.m. No program 3/3, 3/10 or 4/21.
Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park

Are you looking for something the whole family can do for free on a Saturday afternoon? Join in on a nature craft, lesson, game, and a hike. Programs are held primarily outdoors, so dress for the weather. All ages. No registration required.

Site Advisories

Site/trail closure:

Lake in the Hills Fen Conservation Area: site and trails closed Monday–Thursday between Jan. 9–Feb. 29. The site will be open on Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Fel–Pro RRR: Early morning lot closed for improvements; reopening 2012.

Bridge out on route to Lyle C. Thomas Park— Blivin St Bridge over Nippersink Creek in Spring Grove is closed. Take US 12 to Wilmot Rd to Main St. See Map.

Seasonal closures began October 1, 2011. View the list...

Updated 1/17/2012

Download Landscapes
The District's quarterly magazine
is filled with news, events and programs.
Three previous issues are also available online.

Winter Issue (Dec-Jan-Feb):

The Lost Kame is no Longer Lost
A Getaway that Made a Difference
Referendum Recap
Howl at the Moon

Program registration opens Nov 1.
Lottery deadline is Nov 17.

Upcoming Events

Hands-On History: Working with Bone at Glacial Park, Lost Valley Visitor Center
1/28/2012
Native Americans throughout North America used bone to create a variety of tools, weapons, and jewelry. In this class you will learn the skills to work with deer, steer, buffalo, and other mammal bon (more...)

What about Weasels? at Prairieview Education Center
1/28/2012
Join us as we find out more about the weasel family members that call McHenry County home. How many species can it be? There will be an inside hands-on portion and outside exploration. Dress for the w (more...)

Working with Bone 2 at Glacial Park, Lost Valley Visitor Center
1/28/2012
Native Americans throughout North America used bone to create a variety of tools, weapons, and jewelry. In this class you will learn the skills to work with deer, steer, buffalo, and other mammal bone (more...)

Groundhog Day! at Prairieview Education Center
2/2/2012
Groundhog Day is celebrated in some interesting ways in our area, but we think it is a great time to get outside to find out what these mammals are really doing on February 2nd! We’ll start out insid (more...)

Prairie Pioneers at Prairieview Education Center
2/3/2012
Join us as we learn what it was like to be an early settler in McHenry County. We''ll do chores, crafts, and otherwise experience life in Illinois from the perspective of prairie pioneers. This progra (more...)

Winter on the Frontier at Prairieview Education Center
2/3/2012
How did the early natives and pioneers survive winters here in the Midwest without all of our modern conveniences? Join us for stories and winter survival techniques of earlier times. This program is (more...)

Snow Ventures at Pleasant Valley, Shelter #1,
2/4/2012
Is this your favorite time of year with all that snow on the ground? Join us for a snow venture where we will discover all kinds of facts about snow. There will be snow piles and paths for us to exp (more...)

Winter Wonders: Leave No Child Inside at Glacial Park, Lost Valley Visitor Center
2/4/2012
Drop in for 30 minutes or 3 hours as we help you and your little one experience the power of nature exploration and play. Move among stations where experienced nature guides will share discovery tools (more...)

Hands-On History: Basketmaking at Glacial Park, Lost Valley Visitor Center
2/4/2012
Use a traditional skill to make a product with a modern twist while you weave a classy jar candle holder. In this class you will learn start stop weaving along with a unique rim. Kits will be availabl (more...)

Skull Showcase and Study at Glacial Park, Lost Valley Visitor Center
2/4/2012
Grab this chance to view and study skulls of our local fauna, on display as subjects for your artistic endeavors. Use your camera, paints, charcoal, pencils or other medium to create a portrait or two (more...)

Land Preservation Through the Years at Prairieview Education Center
2/5/2012
The Conservation District has been celebrating 40 years of work, and we hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy some of those stories of accomplishment as we reviewed them with you this year. Come continue (more...)

Winter Woods Walk at Rush Creek, Picnic Shelter
2/5/2012
Enjoy a walk in the cool, crisp air! Along the way we will enjoy some activities and watch for winter wonders. Dress for the weather with proper footwear to be ready to walk through some snow and meet (more...)

Discovery Days at Prairieview Education Center
2/7/2012
Enjoy an hour of fun including a game, craft, snack, and educational activities all based around the special theme of the day. (more...)