Algonquin hosts eighth Conservation Day

Summer heat can vaporize water without effort, but not the concerns for it.

On Friday, Algonquin held its eighth annual Conservation Community Day along the picturesque Woods Creek bike path.

The event is part of the village's ongoing effort to become a more environmentally aware community.

This year's theme, "From the faucet to the watershed," put water conservation on center stage. Volunteer Ted Thornton encouraged kids to sign up a pledge that "every drop counts," and leave their fingerprints on Willie, the water drop icon.

"We also give out rain gauges so you know better when to water the lawn and flowers," he said.

The 90-degree heat did not curb the enthusiasm of exhibitors, Barbara Wilson being one of them. Once an electronics technician from southern England, she has been volunteering with the Lake in the Hills Fen State Nature Preserve for years. Wilson said every once in a while, the fen would organize efforts to remove invasive species and sow different seeds.

"We try to restore and maintain our natural area. It's so important to our water supply," she said while showing a fluffy goldfinch nest to visitors.

Jennifer Klages, who lives just blocks off the bike path, has been taking her sons to the Conservation Day for the past five or six years. An ecology and ethology major herself back in college days, Klages pointed to potential environmental-friendly changes for the local school district.

"They are teaching and promoting recycling. But they should also provide better access to it," Klages said. She added that in some schools, recycling bins are not always close to students.

About 20 organizations participated in Friday's event, including the McHenry County Conservation District, McHenry County Audubon Society and other groups.