Land Conservancy Accepts Marsha Portnoy into Land Heritage Registry

August 18, 2005

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County recognized Marsha Portnoy for her dedication to natural land and open space preservation. On July 8, 2005, Ms. Portnoy’s land was accepted into the Land Conservancy’s Land Heritage Registry, a program that recognizes private landowners for stewardship of their land.

Marsha Portnoy lives on a 9-acre parcel of land outside of Woodstock along Kishwaukee Valley Road, with her husband, Sherwin, and their three dogs. The property lies within what is called “West Woodstock Prairie,” identified by biologists as a unique natural area. Marsha is restoring the property to its natural conditions by returning an old hayfield to a meadow of wildflowers and grasses, and by removing invasive species from an old oak woodland.

The Land Conservancy has provided Marsha with a booklet containing information on invasive plants and how to control them, and will be assisting her with seed collection from a nearby site that will be added to her prairie restoration.

Through its Land Heritage Registry program, the Land Conservancy of McHenry County recognizes private landowners throughout the county who are interested in preserving their land. Areas of open space which contribute significantly to the community, including agricultural lands, scenic resources, wetlands, backyard prairie restorations, all qualify for the Land Heritage Registry. The Registry is a voluntary program, and provides technical assistance and management advice to participants upon request.