Make A Difference Day 2011
We got a lot of work done, and it
was a beautiful day to be outdoors.
We even had a Northwest Herald reporter and
photographer join us! Check out some of the photos
HERE.
Make A Difference Day is
celebrated each year on the 4th Saturday in October. Created by USA
WEEKEND Magazine, it is the nation’s largest day of volunteering, thanks
to the passion of millions of people like you. Together with
long-standing partner HandsOn Network, the generosity of Newman’s Own
and hundreds of carrier newspapers, USA WEEKEND rallies millions in a
single day to help change the world.
The Defenders have participated for many years, by
joining with friends and local high school students at the headwaters of
the Kishwaukee River to cut out invasive species and collect trash in an
effort to improve this area as habitat for native plants and animals.
Make A Difference Day 2010
The Environmental Defenders of McHenry
County will mark ‘Make A Difference Day 2010’ with a habitat
restoration project set for Saturday, October 23 at the
headwaters of the Kishwaukee River. Local area volunteers will
spend the morning working together to cut out invasive species
and collect trash, improving the area as a habitat for native
plants and animals.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude
at noon after a short hike to view this natural area located on
the southern edge of Woodstock. Volunteers are asked to wear
work clothes and gloves, and to park in the McHenry County Soil
and Water District parking lot, south of the corner of Dean
Street and IL Route 14. All necessary equipment, including
water and snacks, will be provided.
There is no cost to participate, and the
public is invited to take part. Volunteers are not required to
be members of the nonprofit Defenders organization, but all
participants must sign a liability waiver before starting work.
Those under age 18 must bring a waiver form signed by their
parent or guardian in order to participate. Click
here to get a copy of the waiver.
‘Make A Difference Day’ is a national day
of volunteer service that is celebrated each year on the fourth
Saturday of October. The idea began in 1992 as a promotion of
USA WEEKEND Magazine, a supplement that appears in hundreds of
U.S. newspapers. The nationwide event is sponsored by the
magazine, in partnership with HandsOn Network and supported by
Newman’s Own foods. Now in its 20th year,
‘Make A Difference Day’ draws millions of volunteers
from charitable organizations, businesses, community groups, and
local governments through the United States and abroad.
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 
