The Wingate Circle

Back in 1988, local naturalist Bill Wingate met with several other McHenry County conservationists to discuss the need for a non-profit Land Conservancy organization that would work with private landowners to help them protect the land they love, and leave a legacy of land for the future. The organization they envisioned would accept conservation easements on small parcels of private land, and ensure the land remained undeveloped in perpetuity. The result of that meeting was the organization now known as the Land Conservancy of McHenry County
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Today, the organization holds 21 conservation easements, primarily on private land, including one on the land that Bill & his wife Ardath Wingate nurtured for many years just north of Crystal Lake. Bill was killed in a tragic car accident in 1996, but his influence and memory will live on for a long time to come.

To sustain the legacy that Bill Wingate and the other founding members of the organization began 15 years ago, we have created a special membership category called the Wingate Circle. This is meant to recognize those individuals, families or organizations who are able to contribute $1,000 or more in support during a given calendar year.

Already, there are several founding members of the Circle. Circle members will receive acknowledgement in our annual report, and invitations to special events to thank them for making a major contribution to sustaining the organization.