Work off that turkey dinner at Green Friday Restoration Day in McHenry County
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. 27, McHenry County Conservation District's Land Stewards at Exner Marsh, High Point, Pleasant Valley, Alden Sedge Meadow and Coral Woods invite the public to stop by for an hour or two to nurture their nature and give back to the land. Come solo or bring along family and friends. An RSVP is required.
Your effort to restore habitat will give local wildlife something to be thankful for. Don't know much about ecological restoration? Our 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.
Each location is limited to 10 participants; participants are asked to contact the site steward to RSVP and for the specific meeting location. All activities are outdoors and off trail - wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. Bring drinking water, work gloves, hand sanitizer and wear your mask. No need to stay for the entire time; leave when it's convenient for you.
• Exner Marsh Conservation Area, 9 a.m. to noon, Lake in the Hills. For meet up location contact site steward Len Bannon, (847) 669-1381 or lennsandy@gmail.com;
• High Point Conservation Area, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Harvard. For meet up location contact site stewards Orrin Bangert and Randy Stowe, (815) 943-6333 or glaggan@yahoo.com.
• Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 13315 Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock, Site steward is Greg Rajsky, (815) 814-5055 or quirkaceae@yahoo.com;
• Alden Sedge Meadow, 1 to 3:30 p.m., 15820 Route 173, Harvard. Site stewards are Jack and Judy Speer, (815) 648-1372 or smallwatersNFP@yahoo.com;
• Coral Woods Conservation Area, 3 to 5 p.m., 7400 Somerset Drive, Marengo, Site steward is Bonnie Leahy, (815) 923-2208 or bh.leahy@att.net;
Can't make it Nov. 27 or want to participate in other restoration days? Check the Conservation District website on MCCD.me/Restoration for regular locations and dates.
About MCCD
The McHenry County Conservation District manages more than 25,600 acres of open space diverse with woodlands, prairies, wetlands, ponds, creeks and rivers with active steward programs on twenty sites. In addition, 34 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 the district's website at www.MCCDistrict.org or call (815) 338-6223.