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We save land.

We save rivers.

The support of more than 5,000 members and 500 volunteers helps us carry out our mission to improve the health of our communities by preserving and restoring open space and natural lands, protecting rivers and watersheds, and promoting stewardship of our environment in northeastern Illinois. We focus our work in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties where we have helped preserve more than 35,000 acres of open space, and we also go where we are needed in LaSalle, DeKalb, and Grundy Counties.

The support of more than 5,000 members and 500 volunteers helps us carry out our mission to improve the health of our communities by preserving and restoring open space and natural lands, protecting rivers and watersheds, and promoting stewardship of our environment in northeastern Illinois. We focus our work in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties where we have helped preserve more than 35,000 acres of open space, and we also go where we are needed in LaSalle, DeKalb and Grundy Counties.

About Us

Simply put, we save land and we save rivers, and we’ve been at it for more than 50 years. Founded in 1972, The Conservation Foundation is one of the region’s oldest and largest not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds, and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois.

We believe…
every person, regardless of where they live or their social-economic status, deserves clean water, clean air, and safe access to nature as a way to be healthy and happy.

Events

March 25, 2023
O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday
March 26, 2023
Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens, & Other Water Conservation Practices
April 8, 2023
Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday
April 17, 2023
April Showers! Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens, & Native Plants
April 19, 2023
A River Flows Through It
April 22, 2023
O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday
April 27, 2023
2023 Earth Day Benefit Dinner
May 7, 2023
Spring at the Farm 2023
May 5, 2023
Preordering for McDonald Farm Annual Plant Sale
May 12, 2023
McDonald Farm Annual Plant Sale
May 13, 2023
Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday
May 13, 2023
McDonald Farm Annual Plant Sale
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The Conservation Foundation’s Green Earth Harvest is an all-organic farming operation that provides healthy, organic vegetables to the community through the sale of “shares.” When you become a Green Earth Harvest shareholder, you are essentially purchasing a portion of the harvest. You’ll come to McDonald Farm in Naperville (or one of our remote pickup locations) every week or every other week and pick up your produce.

latest news & Articles

Rain Barrels & Composters

There are many small steps we can all take to make a difference in our communities. Making changes in the way we use water and manage our households means cleaner water and healthier streams. Simple, efficient, and low-cost methods include rain barrels and composters.

Conservation Stories

It All Comes Back To The Land

We’ve had the great honor and pleasure these past few months of sharing some huge conservation “wins” of the past year or so. If you’ve donated or supported us in

Read More »

Shop the Rookery

Show your love for nature and our mission to preserve and restore it by purchasing these quality products for yourself or to give as gifts with purpose. A portion of your purchase will directly support our work to preserve and restore open space and natural lands, protect rivers and watersheds and promote stewardship of the environment.

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