Conserve Lake County

Land preservation: in partnership with landowners, Conserve Lake County preserves natural areas and farmland in Lake County through a variety of methods.

Outreach and education: through our conservation@home program, we help educate property owners about best conservation practices for their home and business properties. During these visits we offer advice on nature-friendly landscaping practices, including the use of native plants. We also certify properties that meet a threshold of those practices and provide a sign that rewards their hard work and promotes the program. We also provide presentations and organize educational events that offer the public the opportunity to learn more about nature and how to live with it. Finally, we hold plant sales to encourage property owners to plant natives and educate them on appropriate plants for their properties.

Land stewardship: Conserve Lake County restores land to good health on property it owns and also helps private landowners and public partners be good stewards of their lands. Many landowners want to care for their properties in ways that promote healthy soils, biodiversity, and clean water but need help using the best conservation practices. We also engage volunteers to help with land restoration work at two sites. As an extension of our land stewardship program, in 2013 we moved forward with a cooperative sustainable farming venture at our casey farm property in cooperation with the liberty prairie foundation, radical root organic farm, and the Lake County forest preserve. This will demonstrate sustainable farming practices that will benefit the land and water of Lake County.

Advocacy: Conserve Lake County works to protect and enhance the quality of life in Lake County through public discourse and advocacy for open space preservation.