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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate the McHenry County
4Conservation District on the occasion of the 50th anniversary
5of its founding; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The Conservation District Act (70 ILCS 410) was
7established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1963; and
 
8    WHEREAS, On April 6, 1971, the McHenry County Conservation
9District was formed by a successful county-wide referendum
10held in conjunction with the consolidated election of 1971 and
11was formally organized in July of 1971; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The founders envisioned a public agency that
13would preserve and protect the land and water they loved and on
14which they lived, while promoting a way of life they cherished
15and establishing a place that could be shared with the
16wildlife around them; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District exists
18to preserve, restore, and manage natural areas and open spaces
19for their intrinsic value and for the benefits to present and
20future generations; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Over the past 50 years, the McHenry County
2Conservation District has secured and protected more than
325,600 acres, diverse with woodlands, wetlands, prairies,
4creeks, and rivers that afford habitat for a wide array of
5native plants and wildlife species, including numerous
6endangered and threatened species, that clean and filter
7surface and ground water, and that provide for clean air; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District has
9dedicated 17 sites as Illinois State Nature Preserves and has
10helped to establish the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in
11southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District has
13partnered with many local, state, regional, and national
14governmental agencies, institutions, businesses, and
15not-for-profits to advance its conservation mission and
16vision; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Throughout its history, the McHenry County
18Conservation District has been awarded and nationally
19recognized as a leader in conservation and environmental
20stewardship excellence for its role in ecological restoration,
21rare plant discoveries, scientific research, innovative
22management strategies, wildlife reintroduction, investments in
23green infrastructure, greenway corridors, and trail

 

 

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1connections, and thus establishing McHenry County as a
2treasured destination and a place to call home; and
 
3    WHEREAS, McHenry County conservation areas provide access
4to open space and public amenities in 35 locations where
5residents and visitors can enjoy outdoor recreational pursuits
6on 106 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of regional biking
7trails, 25 fishing areas, six campgrounds, six canoe launches,
836 miles of horse trails, and 18 sites with multiple picnic
9areas and shelters, as well as a multitude of opportunities
10for wildlife viewing; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The McHenry County Conservation District hosts
12over one million visitors each year, including during 2020 as
13outdoor explorations were deemed essential during the COVID-19
14pandemic and sites were able to stay open for the health and
15mental well-being of all residents; and
 
16    WHEREAS, For five decades, the McHenry County Conservation
17District leaders, dedicated staff, and volunteers have
18achieved the vision set forth by the founders and fulfilled
19promises made to county residents to protect, preserve, and
20enhance the properties owned by the conservation district and
21held in perpetuity, for all county residents to enjoy daily
22and for decades to come; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, It is appropriate to celebrate and recognize the
2milestones achieved, the growth, progress, perseverance,
3achievements, and accomplishments, the many partnerships that
4help bring projects to life, and most importantly the citizens
5of McHenry County who placed their trust in the conservation
6district to bring into being the conservation dream envisioned
7by the founders; therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
9HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
10we congratulate the McHenry County Conservation District on
11its 50th anniversary, and it is with deep and sincere
12gratitude and heartfelt appreciation that we hereby
13congratulate the past and present board of trustees, staff,
14volunteers and citizens of McHenry County; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to the board of trustees for the McHenry County
17Conservation District as an expression of our esteem and
18gratitude.