McHenry County Conservation District honors four leaders with 2026 Legacy and Champion Awards
McHenry County Conservation District recognized Dr. Wayne Schennum and Steve Weller as the 2026 Conservation Legacy honorees and Ders Anderson and Nancy Williamson as this year’s Conservation Champions at the April 21 board of trustees meeting.
Schennum and Weller were nominated for their lasting impact on conservation in McHenry County, and Anderson and Williamson were recognized as being inspirations and driving forces toward the conservation movement in the county.
The Conservation Legacy Award honors individuals whose long-term commitment has strengthened the conservation movement and left a lasting benefit to natural resources and the community.
The Conservation Champion Award recognizes those whose exceptional contributions have advanced the district’s mission through leadership, innovation, advocacy, restoration, and community engagement.
• Dr. Wayne Schennum was one of Illinois’ most influential and respected ecologists, dedicating more than four decades to documenting, protecting, and championing Midwestern natural areas.
Known for his scientific rigor, humility, and lifelong curiosity, he shaped conservation through his work with The Nature Conservancy, the Iowa Conservation Commission, and two decades with McHenry County Conservation District. Colleagues described him as a gifted teacher and mentor whose passion inspired countless early‑career ecologists.
Even in retirement, he continued exploring, surveying, and educating, guided by a deep dedication to nature. His lasting legacy endures across the landscapes and people he inspired. The longtime Cary resident died in 2021 at age 71.
• Steve Weller devoted his life to protecting and restoring the natural world, shaping conservation in McHenry County for generations. Over his 47‑year career — as naturalist, educator, planner, and later executive director of the McHenry County Conservation District — he oversaw transformative growth, including the acquisition of more than 9,000 acres, major restoration projects, $18 million in combined grants and bond funding, and the development of 40 miles of rail corridors into a 60‑mile regional trail system.
His leadership in prompting the district to join the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) has strengthened its workforce for decades. He left a mark on the land and community, sustaining his legacy. After serving as executive director from 1991 to 1997, he moved back home to Bloomington, Indiana, in 2004. He died in 2022 age 69.
• Ders Anderson has been an unwavering Steward of Boger Bog for nearly two decades, officially volunteering since 2008 but contributing far beyond his 60-80 annual service hours. His deep botanical expertise has significantly advanced scientific understanding of the site, from monitoring rare plants to identifying previously unrecorded species.
He works side‑by‑side with Conservation District ecologists and Illinois Nature Preserves Commission staff, tackling everything from brush removal and chemical treatments to long‑term ecological monitoring. Yet his influence reaches well beyond fieldwork. Anderson has become a mentor, educator, and inspiration to an entire community of conservationists.
• Nancy Williamson has been a leading force in McHenry County’s conservation efforts for decades. As treasurer of the Vote Yes for McHenry County Conservation District Committee, she helped pass the 2024 proposition securing long‑term funding for water protection, habitat preservation, and outdoor recreation. Her leadership in two referendum campaigns generated $141 million for conservation, and she collaborated with federal partners to secure additional restoration support.
Her career includes 19 years with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and extensive service on regional conservation boards. Her commitment, strategic leadership, and coalition‑building have created enduring benefits for the county’s natural lands and communities.
To learn more about these awards and view past winners, visit mccdistrict.org.
McHenry County Conservation District currently protects over 25,800 acres of open space which provides wildlife habitat preservation, environmental educational opportunities and outdoor recreational amenities for the citizens of McHenry County to enjoy.