Author: Glenda

Soulful Prairies – 34 acres preserved forever

Written on March 3, 2014.

“Soulful Prairies became a white canvas and our palette was loaded with color. We researched, dreamed and schemed to create a beautiful place with sustainability, restoration and salvage in mind. Each step has brought...

Madeline & Walter Bolger

Written on October 2, 2013.

Walter “Gov” and Madeline Bolger have deep roots in the McHenry County soil they work. The Bolger family has farmed in McHenry County since just after the Civil War, and Gov himself has been a resident of the county for over 90...

Spring Hollow–A Special Area

Written on February 15, 2013.

In July 2013, the Spring Hollow easements were transferred from the Natural Land Institute in Rockford to The Land Conservancy of McHenry County for long-term stewardship. When established in 1977, this was the first conservation...

Heritage Oaks

Written on December 4, 2012.

As the oldest residents of McHenry County, old oak trees connect us to a time before McHenry County existed – before the State of Illinois was established – in some cases, before the Declaration of Independence...

Voices of the Land – The Frisbies

Written on February 27, 2012.

In 1993, Hugh and Marlene Frisbie purchased farmland outside of Woodstock where they built their home, raised their children, opened a plant nursery and began restoring the farm fields to native prairie, wetland and woodland...

Voices of the Land – The Bothie

Written on February 27, 2012.

If you drive west out of Woodstock along South Street, you may have seen a new house that looks old. It overlooks an expanse of open prairie, with a remnant oak grove near the road that welcomes the eye. The owners placed a...