$8K Schwemm Family Foundation Grant Closes Funding Gap for Glacial Park Prairie Restoration A recent grant from the Schwemm Family Foundation helped the Foundation reach their $73,000 fundraising goal for the restoration of a 21 acre parcel at Glacial Park. These funds will be combined with previous grants received from Enbridge Fueling Futures, The Fairways Foundation, the Gerry and Bill Cowlin Foundation, and from individual donors to purchase the rich and diverse native seed mix necessary to restore high quality prairie. This prairie planting will take place in Winter 2023/2024 and will improve the habitat for numerous threatened or endangered species, including the monarch butterfly, the rusty patched bumblebee and the Blanding’s turtle. The restoration will also decrease sedimentation runoff into the North Branch of Nippersink Creek, one of the highest quality streams in Illinois; and improve groundwater recharge, which is significant since McHenry County is 100% reliant upon groundwater as its source of drinking water. Collaborating and Connecting Community to Conservation With support from the McHenry County Conservation Foundation and a $5,000 grant from the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club, the McHenry County Conservation District and the Youth and Family Center of McHenry County (YFC) are starting a new program this fall focused on connecting families with nature through free camping trips. Through this new program, individuals served by YFC, a not-for-profit that works to ensure empowerment and growth for youth and families in McHenry County, will be transported to the Hollows Conservation Area in Cary, IL for overnight camping events that immerse them in nature through hiking, environmental learning opportunities, nature walks, and campfire programs. From clean air and water to positive impacts on our mental health, the benefits of nature are countless and meant to be shared by all. Unfortunately, communities of color, low- income residents, refugees and immigrants have long faced barriers in accessing nature. Across the US, families with children—especially families of color with children—have less access to nature nearby than the rest of the country. In other words, these communities are nature deprived. These disparities are particularly concerning because nature is not an amenity but a necessity for everyone’s health and well-being. With the Foundation and Rotary Club support, the Conservation District is able to purchase camping equipment and fund the cost of transportation for families from YFC who have never been camping and who may not feel comfortable recreating in the outdoors. Through this partnership, we aim to break down the access barriers that exist for these families by introducing them to their local natural environment in a way that allows them to discover the value of parks and nature for personal and community health and hopefully help them develop a long-term relationship with conservation. BECOME A CONSERVATION CHAMPION Every dollar donated to the McHenry County Conservation Foundation supports the vital work of the McHenry County Conservation District and its partners, while also enhancing the health and vibrancy of our community and its residents. Make a Gift: Online: mchenryconservation.org/Donate By Check: Payable & Addressed to — McHenry County Conservation Foundation Lost Valley Visitor Center 7210 Keystone Road Richmond, IL 60071 Learn More at McHenryConservation.org Kishwaukee Brewing Fun-raising Kick-off Saturday, September 30 • 5 - 7 p.m. Join us at Kishwaukee Brewing in Woodstock for a night of camaraderie, raffles and a Hungry Hungry Hippos tournament! The evening kicks off the October Special: $1 from every pour of their Sandhill Lager will be donated to the McHenry County Conservation Foundation! Stop by and celebrate sandhill cranes, local business collaboration and conservation efforts throughout the county. See you there! 8 Landscapes | Fall 2023