Ten Acres in Burton Township Gifted to Conservation District The Conservation District entered into an agreement to receive a gift of a 10-acre parcel from the Land Reserves, LLC. The property, located in unincorporated Burton Township, runs along the north side of Nippersink Creek, roughly half-way between the Lyle C. Thomas Memorial Park and the District’s Nippersink Canoe Base. It is directly opposite of 111 acres owned by the Conservation District on the south side of the creek where Spring Creek, a large wetland restoration project, was completed in 2022. The protection of this land complements the District’s natural resource protection e昀昀orts of Nippersink Creek, one of the highest quality streams in the state. The gift transaction is expected to close later this year. Project Updates at The Hollows Access to Lake Atwood (including the parking lot and trails), located in the Hollows Conservation Area in Cary, will be temporarily closed this fall due to an exciting project! Construction will begin September 3 and continue through the middle of November (weather permitting). Improvements to the site include replacing a 1-mile trail around Lake Atwood with an accessible paved trail, as well as adding a second k w 昀椀shing pier, installing interpretive signage a s H ' r e and adding solar lighting to facilitate evening p o o e C cross country skiing and hiking. The project is l i n e funded by an Open Space Lands Acquisition and v u s / J Development Program grant from Illinois Department of Natural Resources. r e y n M An additional project includes the installation of a new ADA canoe and e r u a kayak launch, made possible by an $80,000 Boat Access Area Development L grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and donations to McHenry County Conservation Foundation. We request your patience while we complete these exciting additions to one of our most popular conservation areas. Seeking Conservation Champion Award Nominations McHenry County Conservation District is seeking nominations of individuals who have been Conservation Champions for the public lands of McHenry County! The Conservation Champion and Conservation Legacy IN THIS ISSUE awards recognize individuals who have made extraordinary impacts to conservation through their continued dedication to and support of the 2 News & Noteworthy Conservation District. Make a Nomination at MCCD.me/ConservationAwards. 4 Proposition 2024 Nominations will be accepted through December 31, 2024. 8 Year in Review FIND US OUT & ABOUT! 10 Foundation News Woodstock Farmer's Markets 12 Seasonal Sightings August 17 & 20; September 3; October 5 13 Volunteer 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Woodstock Square, Woodstock 14 Special Events Summer Sunset Festival Community Picnic Saturday, August 31 16 Programs 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills 23 Calendars Landscapes | FALL 2024