Land Protection
Land Protection
McHenry County Conservation District owns or manages over 25,603 acres of open space throughout the county that provides wildlife habitat preservation, educational opportunities and outdoor recreational amenities for the citizens of McHenry County to appreciate and enjoy.
The distinctiveness of McHenry County’s natural land was a driving force in the creation of the Conservation District. The protection of these unique, high-quality natural communities inspired continued land purchases to preserve some of the wild open spaces that are imbedded in the way of life of McHenry County residents. The first land purchase was made in 1973 when 50 acres that make up a portion of Beck’s Woods Conservation Area in Chemung were acquired. Throughout the 1970s the District added 2,167 acres, while the 1980s added 2,353 acres. The rapid growth the county experienced during the 1990s increased the value of land preservation and thus, the District acquired 7,144 acres. These purchases were made possible by successful voter approved referendum in 2001 and 2007.
Today, 35 sites are open to the public featuring 107 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of biking trails, 24 fishing areas, 6 campgrounds, 4 canoe launches, 37 miles of horse trails, and 18 sites with picnic areas & shelters, and a multitude of opportunities for wildlife viewing. The District also boasts a National Wildlife Refuge and 17 dedicated Illinois State Nature Preserves within its sites.
Land Acquisition
All Sites Map Marked with Referendum Purchases
Key to Land Acquisition Significance
Use corresponding numbers in reference to parcels listed by site found below.
1. INAI – Illinois Natural Areas Inventory Site
2. MCNAI – McHenry County Natural Areas Inventory Site
3. ADID– Advance Identification of Wetlands (ADID) study
4. IOA – Important Oak Area
5. VAR – Valuable Aquatic Resource
6. IGF – Important Geologic Feature
7. ETSP – Endangered or Threatened Species Location
8. Landscape Linkage
9. Site Addition
Key to Natural Area Types
Use corresponding letters in reference to parcels listed by site found below.
A - Aquatic
F - Fen
M - Marsh
O - Other
P - Prairie
S - Savanna
Sm - Sedge meadow
W - Woodland
Sites
Year: 2012
Significance: 2, 3, 9
Natural Area Type(s): O, Sm
Year: 2011
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, F, M, O, S, Sm
Year: 2009
Significance: 9
Natural Area Type(s): O, P, S
Year: 2011
Significance: 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, O, Sm
Funding assisted by gift from the Louis E. Marchi Trust
Year: 2010
Significance: 9
Natural Area Type(s): O
Year: 2010
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2007
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, O
IDNR/Open Lands Trust Grant Assistance
Year: 2008
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, Sm
IDNR/Open Lands Trust Grant Assistance
Year: 2010
Significance:
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2010
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2007
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5
Natural Area Type(s): A, O
IDNR/Open Lands Trust Grant Assistance
Year: 2013
Significance: 2, 3, 5, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2011
Significance: 2, 3, 5, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2012
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2012
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2008
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2010
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2011
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2010
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, S, Sm
Year: 201
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2010
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, Sm
Year: 2010
Significance: 3, 9
Natural Area Type(s): O, Sm
Year: 2008
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, P, S, Sm
Year: 2008
Significance: 3, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O
Year: 2009
Significance: 3, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, Sm
Year: 2010
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, M, O, P, S, Sm
Year: 2008
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, O, Sm, W
Year: 2009
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, O, S, Sm
Year: 2008
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, F, M, O, P, S, Sm
Bargain Sale/Partial Gift conveyance from Stewart and Nancy Ellison
Year: 2009
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, F, O, Sm
Year: 2009
Significance: 9
Natural Area Type(s): O
Year: 2009
Significance: 9
Natural Area Type(s): O
Year: 2008
Significance: 2, 3, 4, 9
Natural Area Type(s): O, S, Sm, W
Year: 2007
Significance: 2, 3, 4, 9
Natural Area Type(s): O, S, Sm, W
Year: 2008
Significance: 2, 3, 4, 9
Natural Area Type(s): M, O, S, Sm
Year: 2007
Significance: 3, 4, 9
Natural Area Type(s): O, S, Sm
Year: 2010
Significance: 2, 3, 4, 9
Natural Area Type(s): O, S, Sm
Year: 2011
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, O, S, Sm
Funding assisted by grant from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and a gidt from Earl Smith
Year: 2010
Significance: 3, 9
Natural Area Type(s): O
Year: 2007
Significance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9
Natural Area Type(s): A, O, S, Sm, W
Portion conveyed as a gift by the Sobel Family and IDNR/Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant Assistance
