The McHenry County (Illinois) Conservation District was formed over 30 years ago by citizen mandate to maintain open lands for purposes of preservation, education and recreation. Since that time the District has worked to preserve and restore over 18,000 acres throughout the county, including various wetland communities (fens, bogs, seeps and marshes), glacial kames and eskers, and virgin black soil and hill prairies.

MCCD’s philosophy embraces a cutting edge, restoration-and-education orientation that allows student interns to work in various capacities, often under several different specialists. District staff fill diverse roles such as field education, natural resource management, wildlife and native plant specialties, site maintenance, law enforcement and various administrative functions.

Finally, the District works through school, camp and public programs to both educate and involve citizens in its active work of preservation.