MCCD to host 2018 Conservation Congress Feb. 10
The McHenry County Conservation District has announced the 2018 McHenry County Conservation Congress "Sustaining the Dream, Stewarding the Places We Love." It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.
Building upon the momentum of the inaugural 2016 event, the Second McHenry County Conservation Congress calls together more than 125 delegates who represent multiple fields and disciplines from throughout McHenry County including recreation, health and wellness, historical preservation, agriculture, business, service clubs, transportation, education and conservation.
"This Conservation Congress will provide constituents and the larger community, a formal process to advocate for actions that can be taken by the Conservation District to protect and conserve natural resources and provide compatible education and recreational opportunities on public lands in McHenry County," said conservation district board president Steve Barrett. "We are looking ahead to shape McHenry County's future as it relates to conservation by engaging the community in developing a shared vision for valuing our economy, protecting our groundwater and cultivating and active and healthy community."
The day's presentations will be kicked off by the following keynote speakers, followed by delegate roundtable discussions:
• "The Value of Nature - Ecosystem $ervices" by Brian Daly, Associate/Local Planning, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
• "Funding the Dream - The Value Proposition" by Kevin Roth, Ph.D., vice president of research, National Recreation and Park Association;
• "Water - Keeping It On the Land and Out of Your Basement" by Jason F. Thomason, associate hydrologist and section head, Illinois State Geological Survey and Daniel Abrams, Illinois State Geological Survey;
• "Geotourism: Outdoor Recreation as an Economic Driver" by Liz Ogilvie, chief marketing officer, American Sportfishing Association and Keep America Fishing and Member of the Outdoor Recreation Industry.
Conservation Congress 2018 is an event not to be missed. The public is invited to hear the congressional conversations and discussions firsthand on the important environmental issues facing McHenry County and our vision for moving forward. The day will be both informational and inspirational.
Space is limited and will be available first come, first served. Register online at MCCDistrict.org. For more information, visit www.mccdistrict.org/rccms/conservation-congress/.
"By enjoying and stewarding the wide open spaces and places we love, we invest in our own well-being and that of a healthy community and economy," said Elizabeth Kessler, executive director, McHenry County Conservation District. "It is important that we do everything in our capabilities to not only protect these treasured landscapes, but provide opportunities for the public to gain an understanding and appreciation for how intertwined our lives are with the natural community. Actions taken today will have far-reaching effects on what McHenry County will look like in the future."