50 YEARS OF DEFENDING

A documentary about the Environmental Defenders.

AT THE FRONT LINE

What We Do

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.

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. What’s important to you?

MAKING AN IMPACT

A Brief History

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County history begins in 1969 when the Fox Valley Freeway was proposed. In response to the proposal that would pave over some of the most ecologically significant features within the Fox River watershed, a group of concerned citizens from the Barrington area formed the Defenders of the Fox to protect and improve the Fox River ecosystem and its tributaries. The Defenders of the Fox’s first goal was to fight the freeway. In February 1970, a group of like-minded people from Crystal Lake and other parts of McHenry County joined the Barrington group, forming the McHenry County chapter of the Defenders of the Fox.

At about the same time, an ad in the Woodstock Daily Sentinel called for people interested in environmental matters to attend a meeting at Pleasant Valley Outdoor Center. Rita and Ralph Halvorsen, Anne Carroll, Sherry Anderson, and Lou and Margaret Marchi attended and eventually formed the McHenry County Environmental Council. In September 1970 this group presented Earth-O-Rama, a program on ecology. Admission was gained by bringing some item to be recycled. Soon thereafter, the Council was asked to become a part of the McHenry County Defenders of the Fox.

In February of 1971, the two groups merged and incorporated as McHenry County Defenders.

The Defenders first hired staff and rented office space in 1981, in Crystal Lake.

A Resource Library, with an extensive collection of books, videos, and magazines about environmental issues was established in 1981 and is open to the public.

The Defenders has been a strong advocate of recycling activities since the organization’s inception. Recycling activities were promoted as a way to handle the solid waste problem and as a source of funds.  During the 1990’s and through October 2006, the Defenders operated a full-service drop-off center in Woodstock. We continue to hold monthly recycling drives in Woodstock and McHenry.

In 2008, the members of the McHenry County Defenders voted to change their name to “The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County” to more accurately describe the mission of the organization.

The Defenders publishes a quarterly newsletter with articles on environmental issues facing the county and about the work of the organization.

For years we provided Environmental Tips to radio station WIVS and a series of Water Conservation Tips to the Northwest Herald. Currently, weekly Sustainable Living Tips are published in the Northwest Herald.

A scholarship is offered yearly to a graduating McHenry County high school senior who will be studying environmental issues, while the Youth Conservation Fund supports environmental youth projects.

The organization has been through various locations and staff throughout the years, bringing it to its present success and location in Woodstock.

Our Environmental Successes

  • Stopping the Fox Valley Freeway (twice! in the early 70’s and again in the early 90’s)

  • Saving Allerton Park near Decatur

  • Protecting Volo Bog and Wilson Bog as Illinois Nature Preserves and an Illinois State Natural Area

  • Banning phosphates in detergents

  • Crafting a Crystal Lake watershed protection ordinance

  • Protecting the Middlefork River near Danville

  • Saving Ryder’s Woods in Woodstock

  • Forming the McHenry County Conservation District

  • Passing the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act and the Solid Waste Management Act

  • Regulating gravel mining in McHenry County

  • Preventing landfills on permeable soils in McHenry County

  • Stopping power plants from being built on agricultural lands

  • Aiding in the adoption of the McHenry County Stormwater Ordinance

Awards

  • 1983 Illinois Environmental Council’s Environmental Organization of the Year

  • 1987 Governor’s Hometown Award

  • 1989 Daughters of the American Revolution State Conservation Award

  • 1989 Take Pride in America Award to the Wildflower Preservation & Propagation Committee

  • 1989 Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste Environmental Justice Award

  • 1993 Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste Environmental Justice Award

  • 1998 The Center for Neighborhood Technology’s Pathmaker Award

  • 2002 McHenry County Outstanding Recycler Award

  • 2003 McHenry County Recycler Commendation Award

  • 2004 McHenry County Consistency in Recycling Award

  • 2005 McHenry County Job Training Youth Program Certificate of Appreciation

  • 2006 McHenry County Outstanding Recycling by an Organization Award

  • 2011 McHenry County Department of Health McHenry County Green Award