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X-WR-CALNAME:Environmental Defenders of McHenry County
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://mcdef.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Environmental Defenders of McHenry County
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260204T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260204T190000
DTSTAMP:20260523T083147
CREATED:20260115T191330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T195649Z
UID:5758-1770224400-1770231600@mcdef.org
SUMMARY:Green Drinks - February
DESCRIPTION:Paddle the Kish with Pat Lawlor
URL:https://mcdef.org/event/green-drinks-february/
LOCATION:Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen\, 110 N Main St\, Crystal Lake\, Illinois\, 60014\, United States
CATEGORIES:Green Drinks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://mcdef.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GD_CoverImage_FEB2026_PaddletheKish_1x1.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260207T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260207T140000
DTSTAMP:20260523T083147
CREATED:20260115T173558Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T173614Z
UID:5736-1770458400-1770472800@mcdef.org
SUMMARY:The Great Seed & Soil Event
DESCRIPTION: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. \nWe 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! \n\nMicro-Talks\nThree informative talks will be happening throughout the day: \n\n10:30 a.m. – Why and How to Build a 10-by-10 Pocket Prairie with Will’s Native Perennials\n11:30 a.m. – Urban Agroforestry: A Food Forest at Home with Stephanie Tesmer\n12:30 p.m. – Composting: Home and Commercial with Midwest Organics Recycling and Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition\n\n\nDemonstrations\nThe Master Gardeners will be hosting gardening demos throughout the day\, including: \n\nComposting\nWinter sowing\nIndoor lighting\nKids’ art projects\n\n\nRegistration\nRegistration is not required\, but you may sign up in advance. Contact Sheri Doyel or call (815) 479-7618 for more information.
URL:https://mcdef.org/event/the-great-seed-soil-event/
LOCATION:McHenry County College\, 8900 US-14\, Crystal Lake\, IL\, 60012\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conservation,Education,Public Events,Water and Natural Resource Protection
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://mcdef.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-15-at-11.34.59-AM-e1768498523307.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260213
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260214
DTSTAMP:20260523T083147
CREATED:20260115T180628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T180628Z
UID:5740-1770940800-1771027199@mcdef.org
SUMMARY:Annual Auction: Donations Due
DESCRIPTION:Important Dates \nDonation Due Date: February 13\, 2026\nAuction Start: February 20\, 2026 at 8:00 AM\nAuction End: March 6\, 2026\, at a time to be determined. \nHOW TO DONATE\nDonating 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). \nSeeking Donations of All Kinds\nDo 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:\nGift baskets (themed\, gourmet\, spa\, etc.)\nHandmade items (artwork\, crafts\, jewelry\, quilts\, and more)\nExperiences (private lessons\, tours\, tickets to events\, vacation rentals\, and more)\nGift cards from local businesses\nServices (photography\, home improvement\, wellness sessions\, etc.)\nHomemade/homegrown delicacies (jams\, eggs\, breads\, pies\, cakes\, etc.)\nAnd much more—your imagination is the limit! \nWhy Your Support Matters\nEvery 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. \nTogether\, we can make this event our best yet!
URL:https://mcdef.org/event/annual-auction-donations-due/
LOCATION:IL
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mcdef.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EDMC_FR_Annual-Auction_SocialMedia-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260218T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260218T190000
DTSTAMP:20260523T083147
CREATED:20260209T230352Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T230438Z
UID:5812-1771434000-1771441200@mcdef.org
SUMMARY:Community Open House for Comprehensive Conservation Plan
DESCRIPTION:Forward to 2040 with a Vision to 2071\nThe 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. \nAs 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%. \nUpland 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. \nAttend an Open House\nJoin us at one of the following COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSES to learn about the planning process and share your thoughts. Registration is not required.\nWednesday\, February 18\, 5pm-7pm\, Lost Valley Visitor Center\nWednesday\, March 4\, 5pm-7pm\, McHenry County College 
URL:https://mcdef.org/event/community-open-house-for-comprehensive-conservation-plan/
LOCATION:Lost Valley Visitor Center\, Route 31 & Harts Road\, Ringwood\, IL\, 60071
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260220
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260221
DTSTAMP:20260523T083147
CREATED:20260115T183027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T194328Z
UID:5743-1771545600-1771631999@mcdef.org
SUMMARY:Annual Auction is Open!
DESCRIPTION:Important Dates \nDonation Due Date: February 13\, 2026\nAuction Start: February 20\, 2026 at 8:00 AM\nAuction End: March 6\, 2026\, at a time to be determined. \nHow Can you Bid on Donated Items?\nBefore 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!
URL:https://mcdef.org/event/annual-auction-is-open/
LOCATION:IL
CATEGORIES:Fundraising
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260222T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260222T110000
DTSTAMP:20260523T083147
CREATED:20220208T200838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251114T225442Z
UID:3950-1771750800-1771758000@mcdef.org
SUMMARY:Sterne’s Fen Restoration Workday
DESCRIPTION:THE GROUP\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe meet once a month at Sterne’s outdoor pavilion\, 5617 Hillside Dr. from 9-11AM.  Volunteers have a chance to learn about restoration ecology and what makes Sterne’s Fen special.  Please bring a water bottle and a pair of work gloves.  The park district will supply loppers and bow saws.  Invasives like honeysuckle and buckthorn are crowding out the native fen species.  The brush also prevents the use of controlled burns on the fen. Email Brice Alt\, volunteer site steward\, to receive a monthly workday reminder: bricemaieralt@hotmail.com. \n \nTHE PARK \nSterne’s Woods & Fen became an Illinois State Nature Preserve in 1994 to preserve and protect its unique ecology.  A fen is a rare type of wetland in which cold groundwater that is high in calcium and magnesium seeps to the surface.  The unique water chemistry supports plants that grow nowhere else.  Sterne’s Fen is home to at least 10 rare or endangered plant species.  The surrounding parkland acts as a buffer to the fen and includes prairie\, oak savanna\, and flatwood ecosystems.  Every one of those ecosystems can benefit from the efforts of volunteers.  Join us once a month and learn about them! \n \nTHANK YOU \nMuch thanks to the local groups who have volunteered with us at Sterne’s:  the MUDD trail running club\, the Silver and Sleepy Hollow Creeks Watershed Coalition\, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County\, the BREAK\, Jacobs High School Interact\, Crystal Lake South Elementary\, Girl Scout Troop 888\, Cub Scout Pack 156\, and Boy Scout Troops 158 and 368.  We can accommodate community groups!  Just give us a heads-up of how many volunteers to expect. \nNEWS \nA video about Sterne’s Fen: https://youtu.be/DMVPl80PDQ0 \nPark district updates:  https://www.crystallakeparks.org/project-updates#SternesFen\nWho was Ted Sterne?  The Crystal Lake Historical Society article: https://www.dropbox.com/s/h61unofnnnx06kg/Ted%20Sterne%20.pdf?dl=0\nECOLOGIC RESTORATION \nBy volunteering at a Sterne’s workday you’re helping with the ecologic restoration of an exceedingly rare type of habitat. \nTo learn more about restoration ecology\, here’s a quick video: https://youtu.be/VNwQ6cRMTKI \nSterne’s Fen has a management plan: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9ekp2nfniddn1d6/1989%20management%20plan.pdf?dl=0
URL:https://mcdef.org/event/sternes-fen-restoration-workday/2026-02-22/
LOCATION:Sternes Woods Park\, 5617 Hillside Rd\, Crystal Lake\, IL\, 60014
CATEGORIES:Work Days and Clean-ups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mcdef.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Group-Garlic-Mustard-Pull_1x1-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260228T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260228T160000
DTSTAMP:20260523T083147
CREATED:20260115T184311Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T184654Z
UID:5749-1772265600-1772294400@mcdef.org
SUMMARY:WPPC's Annual Natural Landscaping Seminar
DESCRIPTION:Join us for our 2026 program! \nSaturday\, February 28\, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m. \nMcHenry County College at Luecht Conference Center \n8900 US Hwy 14\, Crystal Lake\, IL \nOnline Registration is now open! \nOnline or Mail-in Pre-Registration: $50 now through February 22. Mail-in registration must be received by February 22. At the Door: $55
URL:https://mcdef.org/event/wppcs-annual-natural-landscaping-seminar-2/
LOCATION:McHenry County College\, 8900 US-14\, Crystal Lake\, IL\, 60012\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mcdef.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EDMC_Events_NLS_FEB2026.jpg
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