Learn about McHenry County ecotourism at next Green Drinks meeting
Staff from Visit McHenry County will share information about how they promote ecotourism in McHenry County at the next meeting of the McHenry County Green Drinks on Feb. 1.
On the first Wednesday of each month, environmentally minded people gather at Duke's Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N. Main St.in Crystal Lake, to network and talk about "greening" the future. Everyone is welcome to attend from 5 to 7 p.m.
Visit McHenry County was started in August 2005 as the McHenry County Convention and Visitors Bureau. In 2014, the name Visit McHenry County was adopted. Its purpose is to encourage, enhance and promote tourism related business and special events in McHenry County; to further the promotion of tourism and publicity for the area; to promote McHenry County as a tourist destination throughout the state, regionally, nationally and internationally; and to protect and preserve the quality of life valued by its citizens. The mission states that Visit McHenry County will strive to create economic growth for McHenry County through effective marketing of its tourism product and supporting the development of new physical tourism products.
Jaki Berggren of Huntley is the executive director. She was first hired in 2009 as the sales manager and was promoted to executive director in 2012.
Kristine Austin, the sales and marketing manager, was hired last November. She is a resident of Lake in the Hills and grew up in Johnsburg.
The upcoming tentative Green Drinks guests or topics will be: a presentation by one of Duke's fine purveyors on March 1; and Scott Henning and Ben Redding of McHenry County Division of Transportation on April 5. On May 3, Brad Woodson, natural resource manager at the McHenry County Conservation District, will speak about the district's agricultural programs that use best management practices and encourage the protection of the flora, fauna and soils of the publicly held lands.
Additional parking is available at the train station. To be added to the Green Drinks email list, send a note to GreenDrinksMC@gmail.com or "like" the group at www.facebook.com/GreenDrinksMcHenryCounty.
The Green Drinks network was founded in North London, England in 1989 and now is active in over 600 cities worldwide. Interested public is always welcome to attend the McHenry County Green Drinks monthly event. Each month there is a short presentation on a different eco-topic plus displays and demonstrations. Also, information about upcoming eco-events and green products and services is made available. Nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks are available plus a featured "green drink".
Green Drinks McHenry County is sponsored by the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen.