50th Anniversary

A Reason to Celebrate!   1971-2021
McHenry County Conservation District officially Celebrated 50 Years in 2021!  McHenry County Conservation District was formed by a successful county-wide referendum and then formally organized in July 1971. The Conservation District founders envisioned a public agency that would preserve and protect the land and the water they loved and lived on, while promoting a way of life they cherished, and establishing a place that could be shared with the wildlife around them.

Throughout the past 50 years, McHenry County Conservation District has secured and protected more than 25,600 acres, diverse with woodlands, wetlands, prairies, creeks and rivers that afford habitat for a wide array of plant and animal species, as well as numerous endangered and threatened species. Today, McHenry County Conservation Areas offer residents wide open spaces at 35 sites to enjoy  outdoor recreational pursuits on 103 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of biking trails, 25 fishing areas, 6 campgrounds, 6 canoe launches, 45 miles of horse trails, and 18 reservable picnic shelters, as well as a multitude of opportunities for wildlife viewing.

We celebrate and recognize the milestones and accomplishments achieved, the many partnerships that help bring projects to life, and most importantly the citizens and taxpayers of McHenry County who placed their trust in the Conservation District to bring vision of our founders to life!

Our Story
50th Anniversary Commemorative Book

Landscapes Features: 
History Unfolds - Our Beginnings
A Half Century of Land Protection
Bitten by the Outdoor Bug - Where my Love of the Outdoors Began
Key Milestones Timeline
The Early Years - 1971s & 1980s Fulfilling the Dream
Growing Years 1990s & 2000s Making a Last Impression on the Landscape
Engaging Years  2010 - 2021 Fostering a Sense of Community
Enhancing Visitor Experiences
Cultural History
Leadership Through the Years
Connections in Conservation
Behind the Scenic Views