"The
human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the
hand of man."
~Author Unknown
photo by Ray Mathis, used with
permission
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Mission
Statement
The Environmental
Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen organization dedicated
to the preservation and improvement of the environment. We are
committed to building sound ecological relationships between
people and the natural world that supports all life.
To achieve the aim of environmental
preservation and improvement, we provide the community with
educational programs and volunteer action on pollution
prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource
conservation.
We advocate policies which protect
drinking water supplies and conserve land for open space and
agriculture. We demonstrate waste reduction through recycling
drives and reuse centers. We encourage natural resource
protection through native landscaping and stream protection
programs. |
What's important to you?
Since 1970, the
Environmental Defenders of McHenry County have had many successes in
helping to make McHenry County a healthier place in which to live. From
the formation of the McHenry County Conservation District to curbside
recycling, from the regulation of gravel mining to the passage of the
Illinois Groundwater Protection Act, the Defenders have been at the
front line, working closely with local, municipal, and county government
while advocating for a healthy environment.
Defenders' teams and
committees work to address issues facing our natural areas, water
resources, and open spaces, as well as
decisions being made by our county and city officials. Volunteer
opportunities abound.
Click Here and email or fax
to us.
Whether you are a Defenders member or not
(and of course we would love to have you
join), we want to know how you feel about the
things that are going on in our community.
Upcoming Events and
Announcements:
(also see Calendar link
above)
Office Hours: Monday
through Thursday, 10 am - 4:30 pm
Store Hours: Tuesday
through Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm
Water Resources
Action Plan
On October 18,
2011,
t he
Water Resources Action Plan passed on the County Board Routine Consent
Agenda with a vote of 23-0! The plan is now officially adopted by the
County Board and is being forwarded to all departments for
implementation. Many Defender members worked on helping to develop the
plan. This is the plan that was developed over the past four years under
the leadership of Cassandra McKinney, working with the Groundwater Task
Force that she set up. The Water Resources Action Plan can be viewed
here:
http://www.mcdef.org/WRAP.htm
Defenders' McHenry &
Woodstock Recycling Drives
We hold a monthly recycling drive on the second Saturday
of each month, alternating between McHenry & Woodstock, McHenry in
odd-numbered months and Woodstock in even-numbered months.
Our next collection of fluorescent tubes,
batteries (rechargeable, car, and button), and
clean, white block
polystyrene foam (AKA Styrofoam) will be in
Woodstock on Saturday,
February 11, from 9 am until noon. Click the link below for the
address and more information.
A donation will be requested for fluorescent bulbs, batteries, monitors
and televisions brought
in.
We also collect packing
peanuts, re-useable bubble wrap, and electronics such as computers,
phones, printers, electronic toys, etc. A donation is requested to
recycle TVs and computer monitors (suggested donation is $25 for 26
inches or less, and $35 for screens larger than 26 inch.) We can also
take VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs, etc.
We currently have no outlet for single use, alkaline
batteries.
Some businesses will take them from individuals - Batteries Plus in
Crystal Lake, Elgin & Lake Zurich do. Crystal Lake Bank & Trust has a
drop off bin inside their door. Elgin Fire Department has a drop off
bin. Check with your local Ace Hardware to see if they can recycle them.
Home Depot & Ace Hardware will
take your compact fluorescent bulbs for recycling at no charge.
read more...
The Green Spot Used Books Store
110 S Johnson Street, Suite 104
Woodstock IL 60098
Visit the Defenders' Green Spot used book
store, across the hall from the office. We have a continually rotating supply of good used books and gift
items, all at
incredible prices, and all proceeds help the Defenders.
Book donations are welcome.
You can drop them off anytime we're open, or you can use our book bin, located
on Johnson Street just to the left of the building, day or night!
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11am - 4pm.
Volunteer Opportunities
-
Help at our monthly
recycling drives is always appreciated.
-
Green Spot Resale
– We can always use volunteers willing to commit to a 11am - 4pm shift
once a week or once every other week, Tuesday through Saturday.
Mondays are perfect for someone who prefers to spend their
time putting out new books and rearranging things, and we work on
sorting books on Tuesdays 5-6:30 pm. Call the office if you want to
help.
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Speakers Bureau - we often get calls
from groups looking for someone to do a presentation for them. If
you enjoy public speaking, let us know the topics you can cover, and
we'll add you to our list.
Find us on FaceBook!
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Environmental
Defenders of McHenry County 
