Make a Difference Day 2009
Habitat Restoration at the Headwaters of the Kishwaukee
On October 24, 2009, members of the Water Resources Protection
Committee and the Natural Resources Committee of the
Defenders will meet at the headwaters of the
Kishwaukee River to remove invasive species and
collect trash.
Work will be conducted on Defenders’
property as well as on property owned by the McHenry
County Soil and Water District. The goal is to
improve this area as habitat for native plants and
animals. Defenders’ members are invited to “make a
difference” on this date by joining in this effort.
The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at
noon after a short hike through the prairie.
Volunteers are asked to wear work clothes and gloves
and to park in the Soil and Water District’s parking
lot at the corner of Hwy. 14 and Dean Street in
Woodstock. All necessary equipment as well as water
and snacks will be provided. Come help us make a
positive difference in the environment and enjoy
some time outdoors at our beautiful property on Dean
Street!
Make a Difference Day
2008
Habitat Restoration at the Headwaters of the
Kishwaukee
On a crisp Saturday morning in late October,
over 30 volunteers gathered to "make a difference" at the
headwaters of the Kishwaukee River. This property, on Dean
Street near the intersection with Highway 14 in Woodstock, is
owned by the Defenders and is the site of our future new home.
Armed with bow saws, loppers, and garbage bags, the group cut
out invasive species that were encroaching into the prairie and
made piles of the branches for wildlife. They also tore out an
old wire fence and collected many bags of trash that had blown
into the area. With so many willing workers, brush was also cut
and piled and trash was collected on the adjoining property of
the Soil and Water Conservation District.
These habitat improvements were brought about
by Defenders members as well as students from Prairie Ridge,
Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South, and Woodstock High Schools. A
big thanks goes out to all of these hard working volunteers!
Also, thanks to the Soil and Water Conservation District for
providing parking, use of their building, and most importantly -
pizzas for all to enjoy at the end of the work day! Everyone's
hard work truly did make a positive difference for wildlife and
water quality at this beautiful site.
Environmental
Defenders of McHenry County 
