Podcasts
Wide Open Spaces
with McHenry County Conservation District
Tuesdays & Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.
TUNE IN to 101.5 FM or Listen LIVE at Huntleyradio.com 
Wide Open Spaces with McHenry County Conservation District is now on FM Radio 101.5 Huntley Community Radio Station. The Conservation District teams up with Huntley Community Radio to present longer, in-depth conversations on a variety of topics that will appeal to different audiences. Each episode, Executive Director Elizabeth Kessler will highlight connections in conservation through preservation, environmental education, and outdoor interests and recreational pursuits. Each program is approximately 27 minutes long and can be listened to live on 101.5 FM on Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m., streamed live on HuntleyRadio.com or by downloading the podcasts below. Spend some time in the field, on the trails, and behind the scenes to hear conversations that inspire an appreciation for our natural world, keep us in touch with nature’s wild side, and encourage a green, healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Huntley Community Radio, 11419 Illinois 47, at the Al Litwin Studios, began in 2012 as an internet based station at huntleyradio.com where residents could listen live or click on a previously recorded podcast. In October of 2014, they received approval from the FCC to broadcast as a Low-Power FM station at 101.5 FM. The broadcast reaches all of Huntley and portions of Lake In The Hills, Gilberts, Lakewood, Algonquin, Hampshire, Union, Marengo and Woodstock.
Wide Open Spaces Podcast
July 2018
Interview With Thom Palmer From Huntley Park District 
May 2018
Interview With Steve Bryer From The Friends Of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
February 2018
Interview With Aida Frey
November
Women in Conservation
October
“Bring Your Own Bag” – An Interview with Environmental Defenders of McHenry County
September
Get Kids Outside
July
YCC Crew: The next generation of Conservation Advocates
May
Outdoor Recreation Accessibility–with Jim Wiseman
March
Planning Areas for Public Access
A visit with former State Representative Mike Tryon
February
Restoration Management
Outreach & Partnership
November
Historic Places that Matter with Kurt Begalka, McHenry County Historical Society; Gail Brown, Scientific Database Coordinator, McHenry County Conservation District; Ed Collins, Director of Land Preservation and Natural Resources, McHenry County Conservation District.
October
Delegates Discuss the First Annual Conservation Congress with Matthew Ewertowski, representing hunting community; Bob Levin from Marengo Township; and Dennis Dreher representing Boone Creek Watershed Alliance.
September
Hooked on Fishing with Radio Show Host and Columnist Steve Sarley and Dave Kranz, business owner of Dave’s Bait & Tackle and avid outdoorsman
August
Homegrown Destinations / Short local outings with John Kremer, Director of Operations & Public Safety, McHenry County Conservation District
January
Conservation Congress 2016 Preview with Conservation District Board President Bona Heinsoln; Board Secretary Steve Barrett; and McHenry County Conservation Foundation Board Director Kevin Ivers
December
No Time to Hibernate! Winter fun & Outdoor Explorations with Glacial Park Ski Patrol, McHenry County Snowmobile Club
October
Things that Go Bump in the Night – Autumn campfires stories with Education Coordinators and storytellers Andy Talley & Kim Compton
August
Great Expectations & Great Experiences on Conservation Sites with McHenry County Conservation District Police Department.
July
Children and Nature, Great Family Self-Guided Activities, highlighting the Fox Club with the Education Department Staff.
SPECIAL EDITION: with special guest Senator Pam Althoff about the treasured wide open spaces and places that matter in McHenry County, and how and why McHenry County is unique as a county and to have a Conservation District.
June
Outdoor McHenry County: Recreational Trails, Fishing spots, Camping, and Geocaching with Josh Crittenden, Asst. Site Ranger; Police Sgt. Ryan Stewart; Stephanie Michael, Geocaching Program Organizer
May
People and the Land, Historic Sites with Gail Brown, Powers-Walker & Friends of McConnell Volunteer Coordinator; Kim Compton, Education Program Coordinator
April
Go behind the scenes with Site Supervisor Ben O’Dea, Ranger Mary Deja, and Assistant Ranger Josh Crittenden. 
March
Living with Wildlife with Sara Denham, Wildlife Resource Center Manager and Beth Gunderson, Wildlife Resource Center Specialist. 
February
We LOVE our volunteers! with Denice Beck, Volunteer Coordinator and volunteers.
January
Wildlife Management with Brad Woodson, Natural Resources Manager; Gabe Powers Natural Resources Project Coordinator; and Cindi Jablonski, Wildlife Ecologist.
December
Green giving and green living with Kevin Ivers from McHenry County Conservation Foundation, and Val Siler District Land Preservation Manager
November
Why is conservation important to McHenry County? with Guests: Ed Collins, Director of Land Preservation and Natural Resources and Kim Compton, Education Program Coordinator.
