Land Conservancy of McHenry County in final stretch of Wolf Oak Woods fundraising campaign

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is in the final stretch of its fundraising campaign for Wolf Oak Woods, just outside of Woodstock on Route 120.

The nonprofit purchased the 30-acre parcel, a mosaic of woodland, wetland and prairie in 2016. The property features a 350-year-old tree dubbed the Wolf Oak tree that is well known to passers-by on Route 120.

In order to pay off the mortgage on the property, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County has issued a final challenge to the community: raise the final $30,000.

A group of local donors has pledged a total of $15,000 if community members and supporters will contribute the additional $15,000 to pay off the mortgage on Wolf Oak Woods.

About $8,000 remains to be raised, and the deadline for the campaign has been extended to Sunday, Oct. 13.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County purchased Wolf Oak Woods from the Clark family who had owned the property since the 1850s.

"Wolf Oak Woods is special because of its highly visible location along Route 120 between Woodstock and McHenry. This tree and woodland have beaten the odds and have survived since the time of European settlement," said Lisa Haderlein, TLC's executive director. "We are excited about the opportunity to close out this campaign supported by such a broad number of donors in McHenry County and preserve this unique place forever."

Contributions to the Wolf Oak can be made at Donorvest.com or by mailing a check to The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, P.O. Box 352 Woodstock, IL 60098.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is a member-based private nonprofit dedicated to preserving natural, scenic and agricultural land.