Neighbor News
The Land Conservancy of McHenry County Creates Drive Tour of Its Preserves in McHenry County
The tour, a printable map, and descriptions of the sites, are available at ConserveMC.org
For people who enjoy nature, scenic trails, wildflowers, birds and more, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC) has created a Drive Tour of its preserves that are open to the public. The tour, a printable map, and descriptions of the sites, are available at ConserveMC.org/visit-a-tlc-preserve/
The tour consists of eight TLC sites throughout McHenry County. Each site has unique features, and each exists to protect natural lands, wetlands, and woods to support wildlife, clean air, and water quality in the area. All sites have a dedicated parking area and trails for hiking or exploring.
The tour starts at Hennen Conservation Area in Woodstock, a 25-acre park that includes about two miles of trails that lead visitors through native wildflowers and groves of native trees. A pond on the property is home to ducks, turtles and frogs. Hennen Conservation Area also serves as the headquarters for TLC.
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After Hennen, the tour has stops at Yonder Prairie in Woodstock, Gateway Nature Park in Harvard, Crowley Oaks in Harvard, Irish Oaks in Harvard, Wolf Oak Woods in Woodstock, and Thompson Road Preserve in Bull Valley.
The final stop is Boloria Meadows in Bull Valley, a 56-acre preserve that is home to several natural communities that were once widespread in the area, including three types of wetlands. Because of the diversity of plant life there, more than 35 types of butterflies and moths, 25 species of dragonflies, and 50 bird species can be found along its easy, one-mile trail.
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TLC Executive Director Lisa Haderlein said, “These places represent the unique role that TLC plays in conservation. TLC only acquires a site if a public agency is unable to, keeping our local woods and wetlands healthy so you can enjoy clean air, pure water, and thriving wildlife right in our backyards. We invite you to visit and explore each site at your own pace.”
The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is a member-based, private nonprofit dedicated to preserving natural, scenic and agricultural land.
