News & Noteworthy 2024 Conservation and as a member of the W.A. McConnell Foundation. She helped Champion Award! form the Boone-Dutch Creek Watershed Alliance and the Kishwaukee River Ecosystem Partnership, and was a leader within The Conservation District the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, Fox River Study Group and Board of Trustees recognizes Nippersink Watershed Association. Dr. Cindy Skrukrud as the 2024 Conservation Champion Additionally, Skrukrud worked with the Illinois Sierra Club where for her unwavering leadership she drafted multiple pieces of legislation that have improved the in protecting the natural and environment throughout the state. For more than two decades, cultural heritage of McHenry she assisted the Conservation District with various advocacy County. initiatives and educational outreach programs to protect the quality of our drinking water and ensure healthy lands and waters. The Conservation Champion Her tireless service extended to watershed planning groups, and award recognizes individuals involvement and technical expertise on McHenry County’s Water who have made one Resources Action Plan (WRAP) helped address issues related or more contributions to nutrient loss reduction and watershed management. Her of extraordinary signi昀椀cance or impact to the conservation e昀昀orts have become a cornerstone of environmental advocacy, movement through their continued dedication to and support of conservation and restoration e昀昀orts for hundreds of people the mission of the McHenry County Conservation District. throughout the years. Skrukrud has been an inspiration and driving force toward The Conservation District extends its enthusiastic congratulations ensuring McHenry County remains one of the most conservation- and thanks her for her advocacy and devotion and for standing minded, environmentally-focused counties in Illinois for the out and standing up for conservation and protecting our water, past 30 years. She served as the Executive Director of the wildlife and way of life in McHenry County. Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, as a founding member of the Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, The people, plants and wildlife in McHenry County are forever grateful for her sel昀氀ess service and stewardship. s ma ho T eg W Conservation District Protects 26 Acres The Value of Open Space in Hebron Township The mission and direction of the Conservation District ensures The Conservation District recently protected 26 acres in Hebron that the natural treasures represented by the 25,800 acres, Township, contiguous to the Conservation District's 430 acre 35 open sites and 150+ miles of trails will be here for future Goose Lake Conservation Area. The property, located Southeast generations to enjoy and appreciate. of Seaman Road, will serve as an important bu昀昀er for the Protecting open space helps reduce air pollution, provides preserved area that is noted for its large concentrations of areas for excess 昀氀ood waters, and provides relief from suburban waterfowl, sandhill cranes and state listed endangered and stressors like tra昀케c congestion and a horizon of only rooftops. threatened wetland birds. Approximately 80 acres of the site is a Protecting land along wetlands, rivers and lakes safeguards and dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve, known as the Goose Lake Land improves McHenry County’s drinking water. & Water Reserve. This land donation was made possible by Thelen O昀昀ering numerous opportunities to get outdoors to recreate Sand & Gravel, Inc. improves our quality of life! And being in nature reduces stress, anxiety and depression. Time in nature can also boost memory and creativity, and have a calming e昀昀ect on the mind. The District will continue to protect high-quality natural areas, old growth oak woodlands, key bird nesting areas and important recreational trail corridors. Additionally, the District will continue key restoration projects that have resulted in the successful recovery of wildlife species once on the decline or extirpated from McHenry County such as the bobcat, bald eagle, river otter, k c osprey, badger, smooth green snake and Baltimore checkerspot i W n butter昀氀y. Ke