Director's Challenge

This has been a very exciting year for the Land Conservancy of McHenry County. We've expanded our list of properties that are protected through conservation easement, and for the first time, we've actually taken ownership of properties to ensure that they remain as natural open space (not once, but twice!). We've been successful in facilitating the transfer of another easement property to a new, conservation minded-owner. This is incredibly exciting, as it provides evidence for how well the easement process can work. And we've launched our effort to preserve the 'most vulnerable' of the county - the high quality parcels that are too small or isolated to attract the attention of the public open-space agencies.

We are trying to expand our efforts as rapidly as we can, because our Board of Directors recognizes how critical the moment is for preserving open space in McHenry County. Lisa's arrival has given us a jolt of energy, as she identifies one opportunity after another for us to make a difference in the county. The Board has committed the organization to taking as many of these opportunities as we can manage. The time is now!

With opportunity, with commitment, comes responsibility. In particular, the organization has taken on new financial responsibilities, with our first full time staff person, the costs of managing and improving our sites, and a plan in the works to purchase a key parcel of land. We've been very fortunate in funding many of our programs with grants and foundation support, but it's still you, the members, who keep the lights on.

The Directors are renewing their commitment to the organization, and we'd like you to join us! To this end, we've launched a Directors' Challenge Fund. We've pledged $9,000 to match any increases in membership funds we receive over the next six months. What can you do to help?

You can:

1. Renew your membership now, and increase your membership level if you can.

2. Make an additional gift. Be sure to indicate 'Directors' Challenge' on your form, so that the funds are credited accurately.

3. Give gift memberships. Do you know someone who might be interested in LCMC? Sponsor their membership for a year..

4. Send us names. We know there are many like-minded residents of the county that we haven't reached yet. We will send them intoductory materials and a membership form. If they join, we'll count it toward the Challenge, and you'll get a thank you letter!

Thanks so much for your past support of the Land Conservancy, and for any additional help you can give. Together we can make a difference for the future of McHenry County.

Thomas von Geldern
Membership Committee Chair