Environmental Defenders of McHenry County

Citizens working for a healthy environment

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"We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles, rather than by the quality of our service relationship to humanity." ~Martin Luther King

 

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?

 

Through the years, the Defenders 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.

 

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County has active committees that meet each month.  Committees plan actions and events to address issues facing our natural areas, water resources, and open spaces, as well as addressing 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.

 

Click Here to let us know what you’d like to see on website.

Click Here to become an Environmental Defenders of McHenry County Member.


Upcoming Events and Announcements:

(also see Calendar link above)

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


Defenders’ Opinions Requested!

The Defenders’ board has started work on a new Strategic Plan. This plan is needed to guide our organization into the future and to help us obtain funding. As members of the Defenders, your input will be extremely important in the preparation of this plan.

We need your opinions about our services and activities! A brief survey has been prepared for you as well as other members of your family to complete. It can be accessed by clicking HERE. If you are unable to complete the survey online, you may call the office at 815-338-0393 and have a paper form mailed to you. Please complete the survey by Valentine’s Day, February 14th.

Thanks so much for doing this. Your help with this process is invaluable!


Defenders' McHenry & Woodstock Recycling Drives

Our next household battery, fluorescent tubes, and CFL collection will be in Woodstock on Saturday, February 13, from 9 am until noon. Click the link below for the address and more information.

read more...


Defenders' Annual Meeting

Our Annual Meeting and World-Renowned Potluck Supper is set for Saturday, March 13, 5:30pm at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in McHenry.


McHenry County Groundwater Contamination Issues

The Illinois Department of Public Health is advising Union area residents who rely on private wells to get them tested for possible groundwater contamination. Click here for the NW Herald article.

IEPA requires Crystal Lake & Fox River Grove to notify public water supply users about groundwater contamination: Read the CL press release here, and the FRG press release here.

State Investigating Former Toastmaster Site in Algonquin:

Recently, a meeting was held in Algonquin with IDOT & IEPA regarding the Former Toastmaster property contamination.  In the process of looking at the Toastmaster property while considering the Rte. 31 by-pass, IDOT found groundwater and surface contamination.  30 -40 monitoring wells were scattered around the site (which is between the bike path, Rte 31, the town park & Crystal Creek).  Ground water showed contamination and IEPA has determined some VOCs in groundwater have evaporated to the surface.  Concern is with these leaking into homes, St. John Lutheran School  and businesses.  Weston is the contractor that will conduct soil gas sampling in December.  IDOT plans to buy the building and remove it and the contamination (probably next summer).  

The Algonquin library is the repository for related info.  Our county health department has a copy also.  The study and follow up materials may become available on line in the future.  

Residents and business people who were at the meeting were interested in the health aspects, techniques for managing the vapor intrusion and the cost of remediation. 

Read more: Northwest Herald article HERE and TribLocal HERE


The Defenders' Store - Now you can support the Defenders with your purchases through Amazon.com. Go to our "Defenders Store" page, and search Amazon through our search box, or choose one of the items recommended by other Defenders. We'll receive between 4 and 10% of the purchase price, even on gift cards!

On sale at the office - Conscious Cup travel mugs now on sale $5. Styro packing peanuts $5 a bag.

GoodSearch.com will donate money to the Defenders every time you use their search engine. Go to www.GoodSearch.com and find Environmental Defenders of McHenry County in the "who do you goodsearch for" box. And if you need to shop, a percentage will be donated to us when you shop through GoodShop link!

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Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, 124 Cass Street, Suite 3, Woodstock, Illinois 60098
815-338-0393  mcdef@owc.net