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.
Reclaiming Land For Nature: Harper’s Farm in Ottawa
Continue reading "Reclaiming Land For Nature: Harper’s Farm in Ottawa"
Music on the Farm
10 Wildflowers in the Woodlands This Spring
Continue reading "10 Wildflowers in the Woodlands This Spring"
Mindful Anticipation
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.
the conservation foundation
In Your Neighborhood
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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

Reclaiming Land For Nature: Harper’s Farm in Ottawa
When our Vice President of Land & Water Conservation Programs Dan Lobbes describes our newest land preservation acquisition as “lumpy and bumpy,” he means it both literally and figuratively. The

Remembering Nancy Hopp, Vice Chair
“Nancy just seemed bigger than life and that she would live forever,” said our President/CEO Brook McDonald of Nancy Hopp, lifelong Aurora resident and Vice Chair of The Conservation Foundation’s

Celebrating Local Women In Conservation
A couple of weeks ago, I sat down to research an influential woman in conservation in honor of Women’s History Month. There are many across the nation and world, but

Celebrating A Harvest of Good: Itasca Bank & Trust Co.’s 75th Anniversary
Aricema, an Itasca Bank & Trust Co. employee, volunteering at the Bensenville- Wood Dale Food Pantry In a time when our conservation work is getting done more and more at
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.
