Environmental Defenders of McHenry County

Citizens working for a healthy environment

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"...being green isn’t just a way to protect the environment, it’s a way to revitalize our economy, culture, and communities."

~Lisa Curtis, Grist.org

 

"Jack in the Pulpit"

 

 

Mission Statement 

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. We are committed to building sound ecological relationships between people and the natural world that supports all life.

To achieve the aim of environmental preservation and improvement, we provide the community with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation.

We advocate policies which protect drinking water supplies and conserve land for open space and agriculture. We demonstrate waste reduction through recycling drives and reuse centers. We encourage natural resource protection through native landscaping and stream protection programs.

 

 

What's important to you?

 

Since 1970, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County have had many successes in helping to make McHenry County a healthier place in which to live. From the formation of the McHenry County Conservation District to curbside recycling, from the regulation of gravel mining to the passage of the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act, the Defenders have been at the front line, working closely with local, municipal, and county government while advocating for a healthy environment.

 

Defenders' teams and committees work to address issues facing our natural areas, water resources, and open spaces, as well as decisions being made by our county and city officials. Volunteer opportunities abound. Click Here and email or fax to us.

   

Whether you are a Defenders member or not (and of course we would love to have you join), we want to know how you feel about the things that are going on in our community.


 

Upcoming Events and Announcements:

(also see Calendar link above)

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 am - 4:30 pm

Book Store Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm



Spring Book Sale

Wednesday, May 30th through Saturday, June 2nd

9 am - 4 pm

Downstairs in the Woodstock Square Mall building, 110 S Johnson Street, Woodstock.

 

Once again, we have way too many books! Come shop for your summer reading at super bargain prices!

 

We'll need help categorizing the books & setting up Monday, May 21- Saturday, May 26 (and Tuesday May 29, if needed), any time between 11am and 3pm.

and during the sale (9am-12:30pm or 12:30pm - 4pm)

 

Call or email if you can help!


Defenders' McHenry & Woodstock Recycling Drives

We hold a monthly recycling drive on the second Saturday of each month, alternating between McHenry & Woodstock, McHenry in odd-numbered months and Woodstock in even-numbered months.

Our next collection of fluorescent tubes, batteries (rechargeable, car, and button), and clean, white block polystyrene foam (AKA Styrofoam) will be in Woodstock on Saturday, June 9, from 9 am until noon. Click the link below for the address and more information. A donation will be requested for fluorescent bulbs, batteries, monitors and televisions brought in.

We also collect packing peanuts, re-useable bubble wrap, and electronics such as computers, phones, printers, electronic toys, etc. A donation is requested to recycle TVs and computer monitors (suggested donation is $25 for 26 inches or less, and $35 for screens larger than 26 inch.) We can also take VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs, etc.

We currently have no outlet for single use, alkaline batteries. Some businesses will take them from individuals - Batteries Plus in Crystal Lake, Elgin & Lake Zurich do. Crystal Lake Bank & Trust has a drop off bin inside their door. Elgin Fire Department has a drop off bin. Check with your local Ace Hardware to see if they can recycle them.

Home Depot & Ace Hardware will take your compact fluorescent bulbs for recycling at no charge.

read more...


The Green Spot Used Books Store

110 S Johnson Street, Suite 104

Woodstock IL 60098

 

Visit the Defenders' Green Spot used book store, across the hall from the office. We have a continually rotating supply of good used books and gift items, all at incredible prices, and all proceeds help the Defenders.

 

Book donations are welcome. You can drop them off anytime we're open, or you can use our book bin, located on Johnson Street just to the left of the building, day or night!

 

Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11am - 4pm.

 


Volunteer Opportunities 

  • Help at our monthly recycling drives is always appreciated.
  • Green Spot Resale – We can always use volunteers willing to commit to a 11am - 4pm shift once a week or once every other week, Tuesday through Saturday. Mondays are perfect for someone who prefers to spend their time putting out new books and rearranging things, and we work on sorting books on Tuesdays 5-6:30 pm. Call the office if you want to help.
  • Speakers Bureau - we often get calls from groups looking for someone to do a presentation for them. If you enjoy public speaking, let us know the topics you can cover, and we'll add you to our list.

 

Find us on FaceBook!

 

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GET INVOLVED - MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

 

Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, 110 South Johnson Street, Suite 106, Woodstock, Illinois 60098
815-338-0393  mcdef@owc.net