Environmental Defenders of McHenry County

Green Drinks - December
2025-12-03 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, 110 N Main St, Crystal Lake, Illinois, 60014, United States
Celebrate 2025
An Environmental Year in Review
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 5 – 7 PM
Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen
Come engage, learn, and celebrate the successes accomplished through the leadership of our local environmental organizations and their members! Each organization will give a short presentation on their 2025 accomplishments to create a better McHenry County. Toast their work for 2025 with us!
Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, Green Drinks Co-sponsor
Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, Green Drinks Co-sponsor
Friends of the Fox River
Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
Food Shed Co-op
Land Conservancy of McHenry County
McHenry County Audubon Society
McHenry County Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby
McHenry County College Sustainability Center
McHenry County Conservation District
McHenry County Conservation Foundation
Small Waters Education
Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee
5 pm begins out social hour to mix, mingle and meet like-minded peers. Program starts at 5:45 pm! We encourage all guests to order food before the presentations begin or make a dining room table reservation for after the presentations.
Food and beverages available from Duke’s menu: before, during or after the event. Kitchen closes at 8 pm.

Small Business Saturday (Do-over)
2025-12-06 09:00 - 17:00 | The Green Read, 61 N. Williams, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014
Due to the wintry weather, we’re re-doing Small Business Saturday! We’ll now be celebrating on December 6th! Stop by The Green Read & The Green Spot to shop second-hand and support our local environment. ♻️💙

Santa Storytime
2025-12-20 11:00 - 12:00
Santa Storytime
Saturday, December 20 | 11AM at The Green
Visit with Santa and listen to him read stories with an ASL

Green Drinks - January
2026-01-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, 110 N Main St, Crystal Lake, Illinois, 60014, United States
Coffee & Environmental Stewardship
Michael Shipley, owner and operator of Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters, shares his insights on environmental stewardship and community. With over twenty years of roasting and serving coffee, the presentation will draw from his experiences as a small business operator, managing cafes and sourcing and purchasing green (unroasted) coffee from around the world. Learn about the common challenges and success of the environmental movement in the coffee industry both at home and at origin.

People in Need Forum
2026-01-31 08:30 - 13:00 | McHenry County College, 8900 US-14, Crystal Lake, IL, 60012, United States
The public is invited to the annual People in Need Forum, held each January at MCC, to learn about the abundance of resources and support available to them and others. Exhibitors showcase essential community resources available to help those in need and present workshops on topics such as teen dating, senior issues, caregiver resources, LGBTQIA+, substance abuse and addictions, and human trafficking.

Green Drinks - February
2026-02-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, 110 N Main St, Crystal Lake, Illinois, 60014, United States
Paddle the Kish with Pat Lawlor

The Great Seed & Soil Event
2026-02-07 10:00 - 14:00 | McHenry County College, 8900 US-14, Crystal Lake, IL, 60012, United States
The Great Seed and Soil Event is back for its third year brought to you by the Center for Agrarian Learning at MCC and the University of Illinois extension Master Gardeners! This popular annual event is designed for anyone interested in growing their own food and expanding home gardening skills.
We have amazing vendors and non-profits, kids’ activities and demonstrations throughout the day, and lots of free seeds to give away! Come pick out veggies, herbs, natives, and flowers for free!

Micro-Talks
Three informative talks will be happening throughout the day:

10:30 a.m. – Why and How to Build a 10-by-10 Pocket Prairie with Will’s Native Perennials
11:30 a.m. – Urban Agroforestry: A Food Forest at Home with Stephanie Tesmer
12:30 p.m. – Composting: Home and Commercial with Midwest Organics Recycling and Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition

Demonstrations
The Master Gardeners will be hosting gardening demos throughout the day, including:

Composting
Winter sowing
Indoor lighting
Kids’ art projects

Registration
Registration is not required, but you may sign up in advance. Contact Sheri Doyel or call (815) 479-7618 for more information.

Annual Auction: Donations Due
2026-02-13
Important Dates
Donation Due Date: February 13, 2026
Auction Start: February 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Auction End: March 6, 2026, at a time to be determined.
HOW TO DONATE
Donating is simple! Please contact the Fundraising team at basten1@sbcglobal.net to discuss your ideas and/or submit a description of your donation. Please drop off your donation at the Defender’s office at 114 S Jefferson St, Woodstock (call 815.338.0393 to make sure someone is there to receive your item).
Seeking Donations of All Kinds
Do you have a creative flair, a special talent, or access to unique experiences? We are seeking donations of all kinds for this year’s auction, including:
Gift baskets (themed, gourmet, spa, etc.)
Handmade items (artwork, crafts, jewelry, quilts, and more)
Experiences (private lessons, tours, tickets to events, vacation rentals, and more)
Gift cards from local businesses
Services (photography, home improvement, wellness sessions, etc.)
Homemade/homegrown delicacies (jams, eggs, breads, pies, cakes, etc.)
And much more—your imagination is the limit!
Why Your Support Matters
Every donation—big or small—helps us reach our fundraising goal and ensures we can continue our vital work throughout the year. Plus, your contribution will be featured in our online catalog, giving you or your business great exposure to our community of supporters. Thank you for considering a donation to our 2026 Annual Online Fundraising Auction.
Together, we can make this event our best yet!

Community Open House for Comprehensive Conservation Plan
2026-02-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Lost Valley Visitor Center, Route 31 & Harts Road, Ringwood, IL, 60071
Forward to 2040 with a Vision to 2071
The McHenry County Conservation District is excited to be creating a Comprehensive Conservation Plan, titled “Forward to 2040 with a Vision to 2071” to guide the District’s path for the next 10+ years, and create a vision for the future extending to the District’s Centennial Anniversary in 2071. The plan will help determine District priorities and where future resources will be focused.
As part of this planning process, the Conservation District has enlisted Upland Design, LTD. who bring with them a collection of experts from aQuity Research, Engineering Resource Associates, Dewberry, Vetter Consulting Enterprises LLC, and 110%.
Upland Design and the Conservation District will be holding two Community Open Houses to gain feedback from residents and site users. We invite you to attend and share your ideas for the future of Conservation in McHenry County. The District will also be creating and issuing a statistically valid community survey that will be distributed in future months, and will be hosting pop-up events and other ways for site users to share their ideas throughout the creation of this plan.
Attend an Open House
Join us at one of the following COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSES to learn about the planning process and share your thoughts. Registration is not required.
Wednesday, February 18, 5pm-7pm, Lost Valley Visitor Center
Wednesday, March 4, 5pm-7pm, McHenry County College

Annual Auction is Open!
2026-02-20
Important Dates
Donation Due Date: February 13, 2026
Auction Start: February 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Auction End: March 6, 2026, at a time to be determined.
How Can you Bid on Donated Items?
Before the auction goes live, the EDMC staff will send out an email giving you the link to start reviewing the items up for auction and start bidding. Watch for this to happen starting before the bid opening date. Bid high and often to make this a memorable fundraiser!

WPPC's Annual Natural Landscaping Seminar
2026-02-28 08:00 - 16:00 | McHenry County College, 8900 US-14, Crystal Lake, IL, 60012, United States
Join us for our 2026 program!
Saturday, February 28, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
McHenry County College at Luecht Conference Center
8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, IL
Online Registration is now open!
Online or Mail-in Pre-Registration: $50 now through February 22. Mail-in registration must be received by February 22. At the Door: $55

Community Open House for Comprehensive Conservation Plan
2026-03-04 17:00 - 19:00 | McHenry County College, 8900 US-14, Crystal Lake, IL, 60012, United States

Green Drinks - March
2026-03-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, 110 N Main St, Crystal Lake, Illinois, 60014, United States
A Forest in a Footprint:
Algonquin Garden Club Pioneers Local Mini-Forest
On October 25, 2025, the Algonquin Garden Club and its collaborators, Mini Forest Alliance and Ruthless Readers book club, planted the seeds for a greener, wilder future right in the Dixie Briggs Fromm Land and Water Preserve. The ambitious project, a Miyawaki Mini-Forest, has transformed a small, former buckthorn infested plot into a densely packed, biodiverse habitat – the first of its kind for the collaborators and a significant step for local conservation.
Carol Weinhammer, long-time steward of Dixie Briggs and Chairman of the Algonquin Garden Club’s Special Committee, along with Cindy Germata, President of the Algonquin Garden Club, will share how this Mini Forest project came to fruition.
5pm begins our social hour to mix, mingle and meet like-minded peers. Presentatiom starts at 5:45 pm! We encourage all guests to order food before the presentations begin or make a dining room table reservation for after the presentation.
Food and beverages available from Duke’s menu: before, during or after the event. Kitchen closes at 8pm.
Attend on Zoom

Annual Auction Ends
2026-03-06

Defenders' 2026 Annual Meeting & Brunch
2026-03-08 11:00 - 14:00 | Oruga Social, 1000 McHenry Ave,, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014, United States
DATE: March 8th, 2026
TIME: 11am-2pm
LOCATION: Oruga Social | 1000 McHenry Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Brunch will be included with the ticket.

Live Auction: There will be an in-person 50/50 cash raffle, live mini silent auction, and bag raffle at the event. Cash and card will be accepted.
Sponsorships: You can be a sponsor of our Annual Meeting and have your own table for friends and family. For sponsorship tickets, please email Erin at defendersdirector@gmail.com or call our office at 815-338-0393.

Get Tickets

BMP Talk and Tour: Successful Natural Areas Management for Homeowner Associations
2026-03-20 13:00 - 14:00 | McAndrews Glen Subdivision, Bull Valley
BMP Talk and Tour: Successful Natural Areas Management for Homeowner Associations
This Talk and Tour will provide a first-hand look at successful natural area management at the McAndrews Glen subdivision in Bull Valley. It will also include a brief visit to the adjacent Boloria Meadows Nature Preserve.
Dennis Dreher, Geosyntec Consultant and volunteer Nature Preserve steward, will lead the tour and discuss elements of successful management of 25 acres of natural area in the McAndrews Glen. The subdivision was developed 20 years ago following a conservation design theme with homes clustered within naturalized open space. The natural area, which includes four detention basins, was formally designated as a common area in the plat of subdivision and the approved HOA covenants require long-term ecological stewardship of the area.
The HOA natural area abuts Boloria Meadows Natural Preserve, owned by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County. To better protect the Preserve and to enable flexible ecological management, 6 acres of HOA natural area were placed into a Nature Preserve Buffer that is cooperatively managed by the HOA contractor and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.
The natural area is routinely managed by a contractor hired by the HOA. The management approach focuses on control of invasive species and regular controlled burning. While the overall appearance and ecological quality of the natural area has improved significantly over time, some ongoing issues with invasive species persist.
The tour will visit several representative zones in the natural area as well as the adjacent Nature Preserve. Discussion will address several important topics:

The role of the HOA in funding and overseeing natural area management. (A HOA board member has been invited to participate.)
Considerations in hiring and overseeing natural area contractors.
The role of local government in approving effective institutional arrangements, including covenants. (A representative of the Village has been invited to participate.)
Effective communication with HOA residents.
Synergies and opportunities of cooperating with The Land Conservancy and other adjacent landowners.
Benefits of sound natural area management to stormwater and water quality.
Cost savings of natural area management vs. turf grass maintenance.

To register, please RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/BMPTourSignup. Directions and parking instructions will be sent after you have RSVP’d. These popular Talk and Tour programs showcase Best Management Practices successfully implemented in McHenry County. The programs are a collaborative effort with the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and the McHenry County Department of Planning and Development.
Sign Up

Green Drinks - April
2026-04-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, 110 N Main St, Crystal Lake, Illinois, 60014, United States
Attend on Zoom

Scaling regenerative agriculture in Chicago
What does this latest buzzword, “regenerative,” actually mean? How does it differ from Organic and the industrial farming model? Learning more about Wanda Farm’s regenerative farming practices and how these practices create healthier food, repair our environment, and rebuild a local community in the process.

Hannah Wanda is the co-founder of Wanda Farms, a regenerative farm in Harvard, Illinois. She supports the farm alongside her husband Joe while raising their three children. Hannah manages the book and helps around the farm as needed and shares in the mission to provide families with clean, nutrient-dense food.

Joe Wanda is the founder of Wanda Farms, a first-generation regenerative family farm in Harvard, Illinois. He and his wife, Hannah, produce grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, chicken, and eggs, and sell their products directly to consumers online for home delivery. Their mission is to produce clean, nutrient-dense food and connect 10,000 families to a farmer they trust by 2030.

Gardenfest
2026-04-11 08:00 - 16:00
Saturday, April 11, 2026

8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Luecht Auditorium at MCC
Building B, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake
Registration ends March 28, 2026
You must register each attendee separately
General Admissions includes continental breakfast and lunch

Learn more

BMP: Talk and Tour - The Food System We Built and the One We Need
2026-04-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Soil and Water Conservation District, 2222 Dean Street, Woodstock, United States
Join the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and McHenry County Department of Planning and Development for Our First BMP Talk and Tour of 2026
The Food System We Built – and the One We Need
Friday, April 17, 1-3 pm
McHenry-Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District Building
2222 Dean Street, Woodstock
This Talk and Tour will feature Scott Brix, one of the original co-founders of the Food Shed Co-
op, who will present “The Food System We Built – and the One We Need.” His talk will explore
how local food movements and community-owned cooperatives can contribute to creating a
more resilient and sustainable food system.
From global supply chains to McHenry County farmland, this talk will explore how the way we
grow and distribute food impacts our environment. Scott Brix brings a unique perspective as
both a food industry professional and co-founder of the Food Shed Co-op, sharing insights into
soil health and sustainability—and how local food movements and community-owned co-ops
can help move the needle toward a more resilient and sustainable food system.
Scott Brix brings decades of experience in food science, engineering, and biotechnology. His
years in the corporate food and agriculture sector left him increasingly disillusioned with an
industry that often puts profit ahead of people, the planet, and real food. Determined to create
an alternative, he helped launch the Food Shed Co-op – rooted in local, sustainable food
systems that strengthen small, non-industrial farmers, local producers, and the community.
After the presentation, a tour of the Food Shed Co-op, at 2390 Lake Shore Drive, will highlight
BMPs in action at the facility.
These Popular Talk and Tour programs showcase Best Management Practices successfully
implemented in McHenry County. The programs are a collaborative effort with the
Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and the McHenry County Department of Planning
and Development.
Sign Up

Earth Day Mending
2026-04-22 17:30 - 19:00 | Food Shed Co-op, 2390 Lake Shore Dr, Woodstock, 60098, United States
Earth Day Mending
Earth Day
Wednesday, April 22nd
5:30-7:00pm
Food Shed Co-Op
2390 Lake Shore Dr, Woodstock, IL 60098

Come mend with us! The Environmental Defenders invites you to bring 1-2 items of clothing that need mending. Volunteers will demonstrate basic mending instructions and offer guidance on individual guest projects.

Basic supplies for repairs will be provided.
No registration required but space is limited.
No outside food or drink allowed.

Highway Cleanup
2026-04-25 09:30 - 11:30
Join our Highway Cleanup with our Waste Reduction Action Team!
Saturday, April 25 at 9:30am
Cary Algonquin Road from Fox Trails Drive to Main Street (next to Fox Bluff Conservation Area)

Meet our Waste Reduction Team + other Defenders
Children ages 10+ are welcome with adult present
Please bring gloves
Dress for the weather

Email alange090@gmail.com for more details and to let us know you’re coming!

Earth Month Hike & Gather
2026-04-30 17:30 - 20:00 | Kishwaukee Brewing Company, 1900 Dillard Ct, Woodstock, IL, 60098, United States
Earth Day Hike & Gather
***If raining, meet us at Kishwaukee Brewing Co!
Thursday, April 30 | 5:30pm – 8pm
Dufield Pond & Kishwaukee Brewing Co
Join the Defenders Earth Month Celebration! Meet us at Dufield Pond (South) for a guided short hike. End the night with us at Kishwaukee Brewing Company. Grab a beer with our Defenders community and meet new people.
RSVP

Compost Giveaway
2026-05-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Kishwaukee Brewing Company, 1900 Dillard Ct, Woodstock, IL, 60098, United States
Compost Giveaway
Saturday, May 2nd from 10am-2pm
Shovels provided, please bring your own buckets. Limit 20 gallons per household.
Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week. Reap all the benefits of adding compost to your vegetable garden, flower beds or landscaping. Experts available to teach you how to compost in your backyard or find a local drop off site.

Green Drinks - May
2026-05-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, 110 N Main St, Crystal Lake, Illinois, 60014, United States
Attend on Zoom

Tommy Vaughn, WasteNot Compost’s Growth Manager, will speak about WasteNot’s work in McHenry County and plans for expanding access to composting in the area. WasteNot currently services businesses in McHenry and operates a drop-off program for residents in collaboration with Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC).
5pm begins our social hour to mix, mingle and meet like-minded peers. Presentation starts at 5:45 pm! We encourage all guests to order food before the presentations begin or make a dining room table reservation for after the presentation.

Styrofoam Kick-Off Event
2026-05-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Algonquin Township Road District, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake, IL, United States
Styrofoam Kick-Off EventMAY 9, 2026 | 9am-12pm
Algonquin Township Road District
3702 US-14, Crystal Lake
To keep the Defenders’ Styrofoam Recycling Program available to our community, we need your support. Your donations directly fund & manage the collection, processing, and recycling of Styrofoam. We’re fundraising $7,500. We can’t do this without you! Donate today to make a lasting impact.
Donate
