#OptOutside at GreenFriday Restoration Day Nov. 29 with McHenry County Conservation District
The day after Thanksgiving may be a popular day for shoppers, but it's an even better day for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
On Friday, Nov. 29, McHenry County Conservation District's Land Stewards at Exner Marsh, Stickney Run, Boger Bog, Marengo Ridge and Pleasant Valley invite the public to stop by for an hour or two to nurture nature and give back to the land.
Come solo or bring along family and friends!
Your effort to restore habitat will give the local wildlife something to be thankful for.
Don't know much about ecological restoration?
The volunteer stewards will explain why it's important and show you what to do.
Work off your holiday feast while you cut and stack invasive honeysuckle and buckthorn.
While you're there, show the world how much you care! Post your photos or videos of the difference you make that day on social media with the tags #DiscoverMCCD and #GreenFriday.
All activities are outdoors and off trail - wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. No need to stay for the entire time! Drop in and leave when it's convenient for you.
Questions? Contact the site steward for the specific meeting location:
• Exner Marsh Conservation Area in Lake in the Hills from 9 a.m. to noon; for meetup location, contact Len Bannon at (847) 669-1381 or lennsandy@gmail.com;
• Stickney Run Conservation Area in McHenry from 9 a.m. to noon; for meetup location, contact Pete Jackson at (224) 612-1803 or beepjackson@comcast.net;
• Boger Bog Conservation Area, 2100 Cherry Valley Road, Bull Valley from 10 a.m. to noon; contact Ders Anderson at (815) 455-1537 or danderson@openlands.org;
• Marengo Ridge Conservation Area from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; for meetup location, contact Kevin Kucharski at (815) 715-3231 or kucharski.kevin@outlook.com;
• Pleasant Valley Conservation Area,, 13315 Pleasant Valley Road in Woodstock, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; contact Greg Rajsky at (815) 814-5055 or quirkaceae@yahoo.com.
Can't make it Friday or want to participate in other restoration days?
Check www.MCCDistrict.org under the Get Involved tab for regular locations and dates.
The McHenry County Conservation District manages over 25,500 acres of open space diverse with woodlands, prairies, wetlands, ponds, creeks and rivers with active steward programs on twenty sites. In addition, thirty-four sites are currently open to the public for hiking, biking, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, camping, environmental education programs and wildlife viewing.
For more information on volunteer opportunities or to sign up to receive the seasonal magazine "Landscapes," visit www.MCCDistrict.org or call (815) 338-6223.