The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

TLC's CLIP internship program closes for applications Feb. 15. If you've been thinking of applying, now is the time!
Learn more and apply today: conservemc.org/clip/

Did you know that 2026 is the Year of the Woman Farmer?
We will be celebrating by sharing profiles of local "FarmHers", promoting local farms and more. Watch this space and the TLC website for more to come!
Thank you to Anna Lentz of Spring Bird for this beautiful artwork!

Native Plants for Shade Gardens Webinar - Feb. 18 - The Land Conservancy of McHenry County Shade gardens can be filled with a beautiful diversity of native plants, from wildflowers to sedges and ferns.

Sorry about that - here's the correct link conservemc.org/native-plant...

Next Friday! Join TLC for the Great Backyard Bird Count at Hennen in Woodstock. We'll have feeders stocked & staff to help ID birds, give tips on counting them, help with popular birding apps, & answer questions for a successful GBBC adventure! Free - sign up here: conservemc.org/the-great-ba...

Amazing shot!

Yes, spring is coming! If you have shady spots in your yard, this is the webinar for you. Free: Please register here: conservemc.org/native-plant...
If you're unable to attend the live webinar, you will receive a recording in your inbox. #nativeplants

Exciting news! A generous donor will donate $50 for each person who joins The Land Conservancy of McHenry County by Dec. 31. We help people preserve land so it stays natural land - for life.

conservemc.org/become-a-mem...

art of the land flyer

Art of the Land is Oct. 24 & 25! Join the fun - get your tickets today! Tickets are $15 in advance & $20 at the door. www.artofheland.org
#mchenrycounty
#woodstockil
#artshow

Thank you to Zach Micho, Eagle Scout candidate, and his fellow scouts of Troop 153 for building the new kiosk at the entrance to Thompson Road Preserve in Bull Valley!
📸 David Ducci

TLC's Lisa Maier is Conservation@Home certified! Read and learn how she has created a haven for birds, insects and more!
conservemc.org/conservation...
#nativeplants

Bee on butterfly weed

Bee on butterfly weed

Check out the bees drawn to the butterfly weed that happily grows at this Conservation@Home property in Marengo.
Thank you to Jennifer Luniewicz-Martins for the photos!
Learn more about Conservation@Home here:
conservemc.org/conservation...

Farmland Forever: Gauger Family Preserves Their Farm in Richmond - The Land Conservancy of McHenry County Ginger and Gary decided to place a conservation easement on each of their inherited pieces of the farm.

Farmland Forever! TLC helped siblings Gary and Ginger Gauger preserve their farmland for ife in Richmond. Read the story here! conservemc.org/richmond-il-...
#mchenrycounty #preservingland #farmland

Butterfly on milkweed

Happy Earth Day from your friends at TLC!
Some simple ways to take action today:
🌳 Visit a TLC preserve right here in McHenry County
🌳 Plant a native plant - you can order one today
🌳 Become a TLC volunteer and help preserve land for life!
www.conservemc.org
📸 Cheri Magrini, 2024 #earthday

The Four Ecologically Crucial Things You Should Do in Your Garden (Gift Article) The ecologist Douglas Tallamy says your landscape can help manage the watershed, support pollinators, bolster a viable food web, and sequester carbon.

More #nativeplants national media coverage!

Got sunny areas in your yard? Consider these native full-sun options, available during TLC's Spring Native Plant Sale. The sale closes April 23, so place your order today! store.conservemc.org/collections/...
Pale purple coneflower/showy goldenrod/slender mountain mint/prairie dock/stiff goldenrod

Vernal Pool Hike - April 26 - The Land Conservancy of McHenry County Vernal pools are an important feature of McHenry County Oak Woods. Learn why they are essential for amphibians and fairy shrimp!

TLC is hosting a Vernal Pool Hike on April 26.
Vernal pools are seasonal pools of water that provide habitat for distinctive plants & animals. Devoid of fish, they allow amphibians and insect species to grow without competition or predation from fish. conservemc.org/vernal-pool-...

How one woman is doggedly transforming a trash patch into a fragrant habitat garden Marie Massa has spent more than three years working mostly alone to transform a weedy strip of public land into a fragrant habitat garden in Lincoln Heights.

Great piece in today's @latimes.com about my wife Marie Massa's project to establish a California native plant corridor on a neglected strip of land in our neighborhood! This has been a truly herculean effort on her part and its great to see her work getting some recognition. So proud! #nativeplants

Did you know that TLC is selling local vegetable and herb plants during its Native Plant Sale? You can order today or shop in-person May 16 &17! Check out the selection here:
store.conservemc.org/collections/...
#nativeplants #locallygrown #mchenrycounty #woodstockil

TLC's Spring Native Plant Sale is open! Order your plants now, then pick them up in May. store.conservemc.org
Pickup dates - we will also have thousands of plants for you to shop in person!
Friday, May 16, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
McHenry County Fairgrounds

Have you been thinking about attending TLC's Annual Celebration? It's getting close to sold out, so reserve your seat today!
conservemc.org/annual-celeb...
#mchenrycounty
#agroforestry
#sustainablefarming

Here are some stunning photos (especially at the end) of the prescribed burn at Gateway Park yesterday. Thank you to Doug Frey for the photos!
#prescribedburn
#ecologicalrestoration
#mchenrycounty
#woodstockil
#controlledburn

This great crew conducted a prescribed burn at Wolf Oak Woods yesterday! (Not pictured, Randy Schietzelt who had to leave before the pic was taken!) Prescribed burns are an important tool in the management of invasive species &encourage healthy, new growth.
#prescribedburn #ecological #mchenrycounty

If you have never heard a woodcock you are in for a treat. They say PEENT very loudly and it absolutely does not sound like a bird. And the whistling sound farther in to the video is from their wings!

#birds

It's not going to be this snowy today, but enjoy this photo of a wintry blue jay taken at one of our Conservation@Home properties.
Thank you Cheri Magrini, for the photo!
#bluejay #nature #mchenrycounty

Today (March 6) is the last day to get early-bird pricing at TLC's Annual Celebration! Save $10 and register today!
Silent auction, cash bar, high tea, fun people & more!
Our guest speaker is Mark Shepard, award-winning author of the book Restoration Agriculture. conservemc.org/annual-celeb...

Yay for skunk cabbage!

Get some recommendations on native trees and shrubs that will thrive in your home landscape. A free webinar from TLC!
Please register by March 10.
A recording will be sent to registered participants.
conservemc.org/gardening-wi...
#nativeplants #plantnative #mchenrycounty

Today is World Wildlife Day! And that's what TLC does - preserve land for life! Learn more at www.conservemc.org
#worldwildlifeday
#mchenrycounty
#wildlife
#nature

Find a Land Trust Visit a land trust near you to walk, hike, bike, volunteer, boat and more.

Find your LOCAL land trust. landtrustalliance.org/land-trusts

Join the fun at TLC's 34th Annual Celebration! Reserve your seat today! Early bird rates until March 6
conservemc.org/annual-celeb...
Guest speaker Mark Shepard, award-winning author of the book Restoration Agriculture.
Tickets:
$55 TLC member, $65 after March 6
$65 Nonmember, $75 after March 6