Defenders’ property on Dean Street

As I reflect back over 2015, what hits me the most is the great diversity of areas in which the Environmental Defenders have been active to help protect the environment in McHenry County. Our educational outreach has stretched from screening docu-mentaries and hosting Green Drinks, to special events such as the Earth Day Celebration and It’s Our River Day, to participa-tion in more occasions than can be mentioned, where our mem-bers share environmental information, whether at large events such as the County Fair or at small meetings of Girl Scout or Rotary groups. Our work to protect the environ-ment through all of our recycling events was tested in 2015 as electronics recycling ef-forts in the state broke down, resulting in our monthly collections being inundated with electronics. But we persevered and are helping to create changes in legislation statewide that will help solve that problem. And our BYOBag Initiative picked up steam and spread throughout the county. Our preservation endeavors focused on protecting our water resources through our work with watershed groups in the county to reduce use of coal tar sealants and phosphorous fertilizers. Collaborations with other groups in the County continued and expanded as we joined in efforts to protect Monarch butterfly populations, promote adoption of the Illinois Clean Jobs Plan, and spread the word about reducing the use of Styrofoam and plastics in schools. Our members shown in our advocacy campaigns as we heard from our legislators and the Illinois Environmen-tal Council that our members’ phone calls and emails lent needed support for legislation to protect a healthy environment. As I think about all that the Defenders accomplished in 2015, I’m especially aware of the fact that none of it could have happened without our members generously volunteering their time to help our organization fulfill its mis-sion. So thank you to all of you!

Nancy Schietzelt

Preserve Protect Educate

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen organization dedicated

to the preservation and improvement of the environment. We are committed to build-

ing sound ecological relationships between people and the natural world that supports

all life. To achieve the aim of environmental preservation and improvement, we pro-

vide the community with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution pre-

vention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. We advo-

cate 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.

Everything The Defenders accomplishes is done through our network of committees

run by volunteer chairpersons and committee members. Following are the accomplish-

ments from 2015 and in come cases, goals and endeavors for the new year. Our com-

mittees are always looking for volunteers and your organization wouldn’t exist without

these hardworking individuals, who together, truly make a difference by educating the

public and advocating for preservation and protection of the environment here in

McHenry County, Illinois.

Chairperson, Cindy Skrukrud

This committee meets monthly with the goal of protecting water quality and quantity in our surface waters and under-ground aquifers. Some of the highlights of 2015 were:

Served as host organization for the Silver and Sleepy Hol-low Creeks Watershed Coalition (SSHCWC)

Worked with CMAP in the development of a watershed plan for Boone and Dutch Creeks

Helped to conduct the Spring and Fall Youth Groundwa-ter Festivals organized by MCSEEP

Conducted educational activities and distributed information about water re-

sources protection at our Earth Day Celebration, at Crystal Lake Park District’s

Lake Discovery Day, at the Friends of Hackmatack Monarch Family Fun Fair, &

It’s Our River Day

Collaborated with the SSHCWC and the Crystal Lake Park District to conduct

two habitat restoration workdays at Wingate Prairie

Conducted a habitat restoration workday and site cleanup on the Defenders’ and

the Soil and Water Conservation District properties

Organized volunteer led canoe/kayak trips throughout the summer on the Rock,

Nippersink, Kishwaukee and Fox rivers.

Chairperson, Cynthia Kanner

In 2015, The Defenders’ BYOBag McHenry County committee, founded in October

of 2013, received a grant of $5,000 from the McHenry County Community Founda-

tion to further the work of reducing the use of plastic bags in our county. This was in

addition to a grant of $2,000 received the previous year. The committee of ten volun-

teers handed out BYOBag cling signs and bag racks & signs to stores throughout the

county. To date, the towns of Algonquin, Cary, Crystal Lake, Huntley and Spring

Grove have declared BYOBag months in their towns. The committee continued to

table at events, such as Earth Day, Green Living Expo and McHenry County Council

of Governments. The committee also made presentations before various government

entities, including two commissions of the City of Woodstock, which plans to declare

2016 BYOBag year. Looking toward the future, the committee will make a brief

presentation at the March 23rd meeting of the McHenry County Council of Govern-

ments and will continue to encourage towns as well as the County to declare BYOBag

months. Further, the committee will devote its continued efforts to reduce plastic

pollution by advocating for lasting change through plastic bag reduction resolutions or

ordinances throughout McHenry County.

Chairperson, Barb Day

Recycling Drives:

Monthly drives alternating between McHenry and Woodstock Woodstock volunteer hours – 260

McHenry volunteer hours - 270

Electronics collected at recycling drives: Computers – 12,225 pounds Monitors – 9,696 pounds Televisions – 41,243 pounds Printers/fax machines/scanners – 10,985 pounds CEDs – 3,325 pounds Other electronic devices – 5,696 pounds Total pounds of electronics – 83,170 pounds

Styrofoam collected at recycling drives and from locations around the County: 17,723 pounds of Styrofoam processed through the densifier 7,818 pounds sold for $2,189 Cost to densify and transport - $2,975 9,905 pounds remain in storage for price to improve

Batteries collected at recycling drives and from locations around the County Lithium ion batteries – 277 pounds Pure lithium batteries – 16 pounds Button batteries – 19 pounds Alkaline batteries – 5,371 pounds Lead acid batteries – 4,139 pounds NiCad batteries – 286 pounds NiMH batteries – 78 pounds $86.15 net profit from donations for batteries after paying transporting costs

Fluorescent tubes and light bulbs – 4,517

VHS and cassette tapes were collected and taken apart for recycling

USAgain also collected shoes and clothing at each drive Recycling at Events: Volunteers supplied bins and recycling services at the County Fair, and the Folk Festival, the Harvest Fest event, and the Lighting of the Square in Woodstock Trash Talk Events: Events were held in Woodstock, Algonquin, and Crystal Lake to help imple-ment recycling in more downtown businesses Parades: Volunteers promoted recycling and collected cans and bottles in parades in Crystal Lake, McHenry and Algonquin School Programs: In collaboration with McHenry County Schools Environmental Education Program and Chicago Logistic Service, Styrofoam recycling drives were held in several schools

Chairperson, Jim Donato

Highlights accomplished by the Membership committee in 2015:

Increased Defenders’ membership from 491 to 512 households and businesses. Although we saw a gain of 96 new members we had a net increase of 21 members (4.3%).Our goal as stated from two years ago was for a net increase of 7% (525 year end count) so we did not reach that, but at least we are still on the upswing.

Tabled at Bioneer Speaker Series at MCC Feb. 11, 18, 25

Tabled at Natural Landscaping Seminar Feb. 28

Held Annual Meeting and Brunch at Loyola Ecology Center March 8

Tabled at Garden Fest at MCC April 11

Tabled at Earth Day April 18

Held Member Pancake breakfast and nature hike at SWCD building June 6

Held Member Tours - Chicago Logistic Service June 28, July 1

Participated in July Parades in Crystal Lake, McHenry, Algonquin

Tabled at McHenry County Fair Aug 5-9

Held Annual Corn Roast for members at Pioneer Tree Farm Aug.16

Tabled at It's Our River Day in Algonquin Sep. 19

Tabled at Trash Talks meetings in Woodstock, Algonquin, & Crystal Lake

Tabled at showing of film "Merchants of Doubt" at MCC Oct. 27

Tabled at Green Living Expo at MCC Nov. 7

Tabled at Showing of film "Prairies to Fracking" at the Raue Center Nov. 15

Held Open House and Volunteer Appreciation member event Nov.27

Plans to increase new memberships included phone calls to lapsed members throughout the year and a Direct Mail Campaign.

“The Earth is what we all

have in common.”

Wendell Berry

Chairperson, Mary Forni

Documentary Film Series:

The Ethics of Fracking

Merchants of Doubt

Awarded two $1000.00 scholarships to:

Trevor Lawson, Jacobs HS, plans to major in zoology, minor in environmental studies at SIU and Katelynn McManus, McHenry HS-East, environmental studies major with emphasis on sustainability and international business in Colorado.

Co-chaired the Earth Day Celebration once again at Prairieview Education Center and worked closely with Resurrecton Church on Climate Change Program. Developed new Climate Change display for use by Education Committee and Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Tabled at: It’s Our River Day in Algonquin, Earth Day Celebration, McHenry Coun-ty Fair, Green Expo at MCC, & Resurrection Church

Citizens Climate Lobby connection:

Invited Jim Thrall, Citizens Climate Lobby, to our meeting and two committee mem-ber, Rick Johnson and Lois Johnson assumed leadership of the CCL chapter in McHenry County and have been instrumental in bringing the message for a carbon tax to our legislators locally and in Washington.

Chairperson, Anne Basten

Raised $25,000 through the following activities:

Green Spot book and gently used items sales

Hallway used book sales

Annual meeting raffles and auctions to members

Sale of used books on Amazon.com

Two “Garage” sales in the spring and summer

A beer tasting event at Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen

Used Book sale in Algonquin Township

Supplying volunteers for the County Fair ticket booths

Note that the percentage of the sales of Christmas Trees and baked goods at Pioneer

Tree Farm were not applied to the 2015 income as they were received in 2016.

2015 2014

(Unaudited) (Audited)

ASSETS

Cash & Cash Equivalents $45,422 $49,076

Investments $233,826 $219,761

Prepaid Expenses $4,707

Property & Equipment, net $101,343 $101,343

Other Assets $1,000 $1,000

Total Assets $381,591 $375,887

LIABILITIES

Accounts Payable $475

Accrued Payroll

Payroll Tax Liability $1,673 $2,152

Sales Tax Liability $339 $342

Total Liabilities $2,012 $2,969

NET ASSETS

Unrestricted, Undesignated $380,744 $366,592

Unrestricted, Designated $6,326

Total Net Assets $380,744 $372,918

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $382,756 $375,887

Note: Amounts shown above are as of December 31 of each year.

Nancy Schietzelt , President

Lori McConville, Vice President

Alice Lumsden, Secretary

James Wigman, Treasurer

Dwight Dalton

Jim Donato

Ed Ellinghausen

Mary Forni

Kim Hankins

Sue Jensen

Nicky Obenauf

Rico Rotta

Ken Santowski

Joe Starzynski

Staff Christy Matsuoka, Administrative Coordinator

Cynthia Kanner, Office Assistant & Newsletter Editor

Teagen Andrews, Recycling/Waste Reduction Contractor

“A small group of thoughtful people

could change the world. Indeed, it’s the

only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead

Adele Petersen, Realtor, ReMax Unlimited Northwest

Advanced Eyecare Clinic

Algonquin/LITH Chamber of Commerce

Artland Story Group

Alpine Accessories

Backdrop, An Art Gallery

Illinois State Senator Pam Althoff

Computer Recycling Center, LLC

Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters

Copy Express, Inc.

Crystal Lake Park District

Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen

Falcon Waste & Recycling, Inc.

Green Box Boutique

Hyperstitch, Inc.

Marvin’s Toy Store

McHenry County Department of Water Resources

Napoli’s Pizza

Pioneer Tree Farm

USAgain

Michele Aavang

Dee Abbate

Adrianne Adams

Jeanne Adams

Greg & Carol Alfus

Dean Allen

Pam Althoff

Jan Altman

Michael Ander

Jim Anderson

Ders Anderson

Sherry Anderson

Teagen Andrews

Betty Andrysiak

Clarence & Pam Arnold

Jeff Aufmann

Miriam Baily

Jennifer & Michael Balian

Lora Ball

Deborah Ballard

Nancy & John Balough

Lidija Baltabols

Lillian Bandelin

Shirley Basler

Anne & Scott Basten

John Bazan

Robert Beardsley

Juliette Beaulieu

Ann Beck

Robert Becker

Jamee Beggs

Ron & Debra Bendis

Dave Bengston

Barbara Bennett

Ed Bennett

Fred Berchtold

Gerry & Emily Berendt

Lenore Beyer-Clow

Jack & Linda Biesterfeld

Mike Bissett

Rick & Beverly Blankenbaker

Kerry & Sherry Blass

Dennis & Barb Blow

Laura Bobowski

James & Peg Bolm

Virginia Boss

Meg Bradshaw

Jane Brantley

Robert Brasile

Eduard & Natalia Breuer

Virginia & Dennis Brightwell

Scott & L. Chase Brissey

Scott & Kim Brix

Richard & Sonja Brook

Troy & Kerry Bruley

Peggy Brunschon

Dee & Art Budelier

Addie Burns

Dana Burroughs-Glave

Rebekkah Burtcher

William Byczek

Steve Byers

Steven Cafcules

Matt Calhoun

Carolyn Campbell

James & Suzanne Campbell

Sheila Caplis

Jackie & Pete Carbone

Andy & Martha Carver

Osvaldo Cedillo

Sharon & Michael Chakoian

Deb & Don Chapman

Judi Chase

Cathy & Aage Christensen

Pat Christian

Debby Church

Bette & David Chwalisz

Berne Clary

John & Timmie Clemetsen

Roger & Phyllis Close

Douglas Close

Algonquin Club

Kim Compton

Lawrence & Kathryn Smith Connell

Alan & Bonnie Cornue

Robert & Deborah Cote

Jose & Selena Cruz

Tom Cubr

John Daab

Tom & Brenda Dahlfors

Joe & Peg Daleiden

Dwight Dalton

Michelle Dare

Michael & Nancy Daurio

Lisa Davidson

Barb Day

Marianne De Leon

Margaret Deason

Debbie Dechant

Walt Dembos Jr.

Sara Denham

Ronald & Alice Denley

Dan & Marijane Deters

Terry & Pat Dieckhoff

Dan & Lynn Doherty

Frank & Karen Dombrowski

Bill & Elizabeth Donato

Jim Donato

Barbara & James Donnelly

Mary Donner

Mike & Suzanne Dooley

Timothy Dooley

Bev Dow

Dennis Dreher

Laura & Bill Dreiling

Chris Duel

Rhoda Drije

Pat & George Edmund

Carl Edstrom

Ed & Carol Ellinghausen

Lou Emmons

Ed & Diane Ericson

Arline Esposito

Albert Ettinger

Phil & Anna Teresa Evans

Copy Express

Rich & Susan Eyre

John & Dorothy Fankhauser

Carol Faure

Tim & Melodie Feeley

Curtis Fetzner

Nancy & Steve Fike

John Fiorina

Tom Firak

Larry & Kathie Fischer

Ray & Grace Fischer

Avis & Jeff Fisher

Darlene & Ken Fiske

Tom Flynn

Donald & Lucille Foecking

Mary Forni

Russell and Sara Foszcz

Margaret Fox-Hawthorne

Doug Hawthorne

Kay France

Carol Francis

Dorothy Frantz

Dan Fried

Budd & Gretchen Friend-Jones

Brandon & Marti Frisbie

Marlene & Hugh Frisbie

John Fritz

Sally Fyfe-Stachniak

Susan Garcia

David & Caren Gardner

Carol Gardner

Russ & Janet Gardner

Sheryl Gartner

Howard Gaura

David Gervais

Lorna & Evan Gladstone

Judith Goffo

Nancy & John Gonsiorek

Beth & Ryan Goodrich

Jeri & Wylan Gradecki

Bob & Karen Graham

Shari Gray

Mark & June Greenleaf

Debbie & Ted Groat

James Gross

Melissa & Zach Grycan

Jerry Gudauskas

John & Elaine Gurnett

John Hackman

Lisa Haderlein

Linnea Hadlock

Robert & Kathleen Hahn

Michael Hallisy

Kimberly Hankins

Ann Hanson

Charlie & Ellen Hanson

Camden & Brian Harlan

Robert Harmon

Mike & Kathy Hartke

Laura Hartke

Jill Hartman

Jim & Joan Hasselman

Helen Hawthorne

John & Jean Headley

John Healy

Mary Jo Lucas-Healy

John Hebert

Mary N. Hedge

Molly & Peter Heraty

Jan & Judy Beth Hervert

Ronald Heuer

Linda Hewins

Fran & Jim Hicks

Tina Hill

Hertha Hill

Dave Hill

Debra Hillstrand

Bruce Hilstrom

Beth Holland

William & Betty Holleman

David & Barbara Howard

Chuck Howenstine

Alice & Bill Howenstine

Holly Hudson

John & Susan Hudson

Dorothy Hughes

D. Humbertson

Deborah Huml

Sandy & Gordon James

Mercedes Jamka

Matthew Jamnik

Cathy & Dan Johnson

Gary Johnson

Keith & Nancy Johnson

Pam & Brad Johnson

Rick & Lois Johnson

Dorothy Johnson

Suzanne & Dave Johnson

Jeff & Denise Jordan

John Junkroski

Les Kaffko

Cynthia Kanner

Jim Kanter

Neal Kaporis

Maurine & Jack Kaskel

Jim & Marlene Keenan

June & Steve Keibler

Jan & Al Kennedy

Bob, Kelley, Holt, & Ivan Kepes

Elizabeth & Kenneth Kessler

Sharon Khan

Bob Kirschner

Zak Klehr

Ross Knutson

Jean Leete-Knutson

Michael Kocent

George Kolak

Bill Kopanda

Walter & Ann Korpan

Leslie Krebs

Susan Kreibich

Kristina Kreitzer

John Kremer

Carol Krohm

Duane Lahti

Dr. Philip & Helene Lambru-schi

Jennel Lampe

Larry & Lucy Lane

Kira & Noel Langkan

Susan Lannin

Barbara Lanphier

Donald & Carol Larson

Esther Larson

Pat Lawlor

David & Carolyn Lawson

Trevor Lawson

Monica Leccese

Ann Legg

Kerry Leigh

Lloyd & Rosemari Lesmeister

Robert Levin

Lorraine Lid

Charles Liebman

Wayne & Nancy Limbaugh

Greg & Pat Lofgren

Nancy Loomis

Frances Lovelace

Diane & Alan Lubow

Ray Lucich

Laura Lucy

Rance & Alice Lumsden

Cheryl Lynch

Kelly & John MacDonald

Joel Mains

Lou Anne Majewski

Renee & Albert Malik

Pat Malo

Mark & Sherri Manninen

Roberta, Charlene & John Marco

Bob Martin

Christy Matsuoka

Doug May

Thomas & Caryn McAndrews

Mary & Robert McCann

Lori McConville

Mark & Annie McCormick

David & Deborah McLean

Linda McMahon

Katelynn McManus

Linda McNeilly

Dale & Trudy Medendorp

Pat Meloy

James & Janice Merrifield

Beverly & Victor Meuch

Keith Mierzwa

Bryan & Jennifer Millard

David Miller

Julianne Mitchell

Tom & Kelly Mitchell

Stephen Mitten

Astrid Moi

Mary Moltmann

Mike Montes Jr

Barb Montes

Ingrid & Brent Mullane

Katherine Murray

Connie & Robert Murray

Debra Muscarello

Rob Mutert

Terry & Mary Nader

Barbara & Jay Needleman

Jim & Ardie Nelson

Myrna Nelson

Lori Nerland

Stephen Newton

Joseph & Trudy Nie

Jean Hervert Niemann

Cheryl Niemo

Tom & Jean Nigbor

Julie Ninos

Jim & Rhonda Nissen

John Niziolek

Jason Nosbaum

Brian Noshay

Helen & Stephen Noskowicz

Jim & Julie Novak

Andrew Nuno

Richard Obenauf

Anne O'Donnell

Lonni Oldham

Mary & Kathleen O'Leary

Rob & Mary Jeanne Olsen

Susan Olson

Perle Olsson

Marie Orwig

Gretchen & H. Nick Oster

James Otis

Edward & Rosemarie Pahnke

Bob & Carolyn Paine

Kestas & Rita Palulonis

JoAnne & Carl Papp

Susan Parker

Katie & Nick arkhurst

Leili Parts

Connor Patterson

Jerry Paulson

Sandra Paulu

Ray & LynN Pensinger

Stan & Mary Perrin

Donald & Emele Peters

Adele Petersen

Carl Peterson

Gail Peterson

John Peterson

Tom & Carol Philips

Stephen & Kimberly Platt

Kathy Powles

Kay Preshlock

Donald Purn

Sue Racansky

Tricia Rachford

Jaclyn & Nick Radeni

Gregory T. Rajsky

Irene Raven

Paul & Chris Rechten

Helen Rehling

Kathy Reiland

Margaret Reiland

Larry Reinhard

McHenry County Dept of Water Resources

Carol & David Rice

Todd Rickey

Bob Riepl

David & Kathleen Rigby

Charlotte Risto

Dian & Edward Robbins

Maxwell Robey

Sue Rodig

Judy Rogers

Jon & Ina Roquet

Don & Tracie Rose

Steve Ross

Renate Rotta-Koch

Richard Rotta

Lynn Rotunno

Bonnie & John Rudolph

Mark Rusley

Neill & Margaret Sachs

Kathy Salzmann

Kenneth Santowski

Robert & Monica Sargeant

Annette Sather

Vern & Judy Scacci

Dan & Sandra Scheinfeld

Nancy & Randy Schietzelt

Mark & Isabel Schiffer

Roger & Darlene Schlies

Larry Schmidt

Kathleen Bergan Schmidt

John & Elizabeth Schroeder

Pam Schroeder

Bob Schroyer

Patricia Sullivan Schroyer

Linda Schuberth

Ingrid & Will Schulze

M. Alexandra Schweitzer

Michael Sedola

Bill & Donna Seeley

Carol Sek

Joe & Barbara Sgarbossa

Alene Shaull

Dr. Lloyd Shaw

Kimberly Shefner

Tom & Vicki Sheppard

Dale Shriver

Mark & Ann Shuman

Cal Skinner, Jr.

Michele Skinner

Cynthia Skrukrud

Kathy Slover

Michael & Lara Smith

Wendell Smith

Caroline Sobolak

Jan & George Soderberg

Teri & Nimette Soli

Kathryn Spaldon

Kathleen Spaltro

Judy & Jack Speer

Donna Spethman

Robert & Arden Spooner

Robert Stachniak

Karen Stahlecker

Francis Stanaszek

Philip & Melody Stanko

Joe Starzynski

Joseph Sternberg

Elizabeth O’Leary-Sternberg

Rick Stevens

M.A. Stompanato

Carol & Timothy Stone

Nicky Strahl

Jim & Diane Strzelinski

Judi & Chuck Stuck

David & Elizabeth Stumpf

James Sullivan

Scott Summers

Marti Swanson

David & Susan Sweet

Rhoda Symons

Mary Ellen & Norio Tanabe

Gilbert & Susan Tauck

Steve Tayler

Svetlana Taylor

Michael & Stephanie Teta

Jan Thelen

Tom & Karen Thennes

Earl Thomas

RB Thompson

Ted & Judy Thornton

Ray & Angela Thuma

Bob & Ann Tirk

Marvin's Toys

Janet Trafelet

Susan & John Tredwell

John Trost

Mike Tryon

John & Lori Valus

Al Van Maren

Michelle Vance

Eberhard & Catherine Veit

Thomas & Margaret Vicek

Dorothy Vick

Ann Viger

Tom Von Geldern

Luella Voss

Gail Wachowski

Greg & Carol Waggoner

Carolyn Wahl

Warren Wahl

Becky Walkington

Michael Walkup

Debbie Wallenfang

Debs Wallner

Molly & Bob Walsh

Bruce & Sharon Walter

Rick Walters

Arne & Diane Waltmire

Richard & Mary Wantuch

Donna Ward

George & Beverly Waterman

Thomas & Eva Wedel

JoAnn Wedin

Jim & Mary Weisman

Bruce & Marian Weiss

Marie Wendt

Caron & Steve Wenzel

Ed Weskerna

C. White

Johanna White

Christina Whitworth

Chuck, Janie & Russ Wiedemann

Jim & Kathy Wigman

Laurie & Jay Wilde

Donovan Wilkin

April & Noel Williams

Nancy Williamson

Larry & Kim Willis

Nola Willis

Dan Wilson

Barbara & Al Wilson

Bill & Mary Winkel

Debora & Keith Winn

Lauretta Wolf

Mary Wolff

Christine & Dana Woodall

Jerry & Elaine Worth

Sally & Jim Yanahan

Paula Yensen

Emily Zack

Matthew Zastrow

David & Colleen Zeiger

Jim Zid

George & Judith Zielinski

Norb & Liz Ziemer

Algonquin Township Road District

Citizens for Conservation

Land Conservancy of McHenry County

McHenry County Conservation District

McHenry County Farm Bureau

Burton Bridge Beach Civic Association

David Process Inc

Luisa De Roo Interior Architecture

McHenry Savings Bank

The Prairie Club

110 S. Johnson Street, Suite 106

Woodstock, IL 60098

www.mcdef.org. Like us on Facebook!

815-338-0393; envirodefmc@gmail.com

Our organization, which celebrates its

46th year, would not exist without

the dedication, passion and energy of

those who organize and volunteer.

The Defenders, as we are well-

known, is YOU. Thank you.

ARE EVERYTHING

VOLUNTEERS

Highlights of Advocacy Efforts 2015

Facilitated monthly Green

Drinks educational and networking events

Worked with MCC’s Sustaina-bility Center as part of the Bioneers group to conduct the Green Living Expo and the Bioneers Speakers Series

Co-hosted the McHenry County Food Scrap Seminar for businesses with the MCC Sustaina-bility Center and others

Provided an Environmental Tip to the Northwest Herald for weekly publi-cation

Helped to plan and promote the Clean Energy Town Hall hosted by our local legislators at MCC’s Shaw Center

Presented programs advocat-ing environmental pro-tection at locations in Woodstock, Bull Valley, and Crystal Lake

Activated our membership to support the State’s Exot-ic Weed Act, dedicated funds to protect the environment in Illinois, the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill, maintenance of strong rules governing power plants in Illinois, and adequate funding for Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, our state muse-ums, and the Endan-gered Species Protection Board

Activated our membership to contact their legislators to oppose including MCCD in a local consol-idation bill and to op-pose bobcat hunting in the state

2015 Advocacy Highlights

In addition to all the work conducted

in 2015 by the Defenders’ committees,

we also provide education about and

advocate for policies that protect a

healthy environment in McHenry

County, not only for us for but for all

living things. Here is a summary of

these accomplishments: