2016 Annual Report. Environmental Defenders of McHenry County

Transcription

1 2016 Annual Report Environmental Defenders of McHenry County

2 A Message from our President Thinking back over 2016 makes me realize how much the reach of the Environmental Defenders has increased and diversified over the past couple of years. This resulted in a nice bump in membership in 2016, involving people of all ages. And with that increased membership has come increased involvement, especially on the part of our youngest members. This allowed us to have a greater impact through our restoration workdays and monarch planting events. Also, the young muscles of our high school volunteers helped immensely as we again were inundated with electronics during our monthly recycling drives that we took on the road around the county for the first time in We continued to be active through our membership in the Illinois Environmental Council to try to achieve a better statewide option for electronics recycling an effort that is continuing. Our Speakers Forum really took off during 2016 with a greater number of presentations being given to a wider variety of audiences on topics ranging from natural landscaping to recycling to protecting our water resources. Of course, we continued our longstanding efforts to reach larger numbers of citizens with environmental protection information at our Earth Day Celebration, It s Our River Day, the County Fair, and at several documentary screenings, as well as at events in collaboration with other groups. Our BYOBag McHenry County initiative took a big step forward with the county approving a month-long county wide BYOBag proclamation, which took place in August. Also, we were very successful in our lengthy advocacy efforts that came to fruition in 2016 to convince the County Board to hire a Water Resources Specialist. This successful campaign will result in increased efforts and greater collaborations to protect our water resources in McHenry County. Our members really stepped up when it came to successfully advocating for the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill, which was signed by the Governor in Lastly one of our most important accomplishments during 2016 was writing a Strategic Plan for the Board and each of our committees for the years This Plan guided us as we increased staffing in the office and shifted our employees into two new positions that we hope will better meet our needs as an organization as we move toward our 50th Anniversary! As I think about all that the Defenders accomplished in 2016, I m especially aware of the fact that none of it could have happened without our members generously volunteering their time to help our organization fulfill its mission. So, thank you to all of you! Our Mission: Preserve, Protect & Educate In order to protect all living things, The Environmental Defenders is dedicated and committed to the preservation and improvement of the natural environment in McHenry County. We are committed to building sound ecological relationships between people and the natural world that supports all life. To achieve the aim of environmental preservation and improvement, we provide the community with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. We advocate policies which protect drinking water supplies and conserve land for open space and agriculture. We demonstrate waste reduction through recycling drives and reuse centers. We encourage natural resource protection through native landscaping and stream protection programs. Cover photo by Weg Thomas

3 Defenders Accomplishments in 2016 Water & Natural Resources Protection Committee Chairperson, Cindy Skrukrud This committee meets monthly with the goal of protecting the water and other natural resources of McHenry County. This includes protection of both groundwater, our county s sole source of drinking water, and our high quality lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. Preserving and restoring the oak savanna and prairie habitats of our landscape is a priority along with ensuring that our communities are built and managed to sustain these resources. Some of the highlights of our 2016 activities were: Successfully led the effort to convince the McHenry County Board to budget and hire a water resource specialist (Scott Kuykendall took on this position on Feb. 20, 2017.) Reached out to over 200 government bodies, including townships, municipalities; library, school & park districts; as well as churches, requesting they lead by example by eliminating the use of toxic coal tar sealants on their properties and by informing their constituents of the harm posed by the use of sealants high in carcinogenic PAH compounds and the readily available less toxic alternatives. Planted prairie plants for monarch butterflies and other pollinators at two roadside prairies and at the Kishwaukee River headwaters and worked with the McHenry County Fair Association to establish a butterfly garden at the fairgrounds, in cooperation with Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service who supplied the plants. Removed invasive species and collected trash at the O Brien Road Prairie on Make A Difference Day. Served as host organization for the Silver and Sleepy Hollow Creeks Watershed Coalition (SSHCWC) and lead organization recruiting volunteers for monthly Sterne s Fen workdays. Helped to conduct the Spring and Fall Youth Groundwater Festivals organized by McHenry County Schools Environmental Education Program. Provided input on watershed protection for McHenry County s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Convened biannual meetings of the McHenry County Watershed Roundtable, bringing together the county s watershed groups with McHenry County, McHenry County SWCD and McHenry County Farm Bureau to develop and work on common priorities for watershed protection Conducted educational activities and distributed information about water resources protection at our Earth Day Celebration, at Crystal Lake Park District s Lake Discovery Day, at the Friends of Hackmatack Monarch Family Fun Fair and It s Our River Day. Organized volunteer-led canoe/kayak trips on Nippersink Creek and Kishwaukee River and a behind-the-scenes tour of McHenry County Conservation District s Pleasant Valley preserve.

4 BYOBag Committee Chairperson, Cynthia Kanner The committee of over 10 volunteers celebrated many more towns signing onto the BYOBag proclamation campaign. And, in July of 2016, the Board of McHenry County unanimously voted for August 2016 as BYOBag month county wide. To date, approximately 2/3 of towns have all dedicated a month as BYOBag month. The City of Woodstock declared 2016 BYOBag year beginning in April and completed in April Plans for the future include writing an ordinance to be presented to all towns in McHenry County asking for a charge for plastic and paper bags. Our efforts to reduce plastic pollution by advocating for lasting change through plastic bag reduction will continue throughout McHenry County. Transportation Committee Co-chairs, Christine Kustra & Gary Kanner Revived back on the 2 nd of May, 2016, the Transportation Committee s accomplishments have been modest. Successes include drafting our Strategic Plans when we were just beginning to learn about one another; this big endeavor, being a living document, has essentially found a seat at the table with us. We hold these goals and objectives true by revisiting them to ensure these targets are met. In light of this, we also have established connections and knowledge of our County s successes, needs, and challenges on this subject. We had the pleasure of having Scott Hennings, Principal Transportation Planner of MCDOT speak with us on many subtopics of transportation as well as helping us all understand the various spokes of the wheel that keep the region moving. Our goals are to keep organized with our Strategic Plans, which encompasses 1. Promote bike path improvements/expansions/utilization and 2. Build relationships with other transportation committees by getting to know officials and committees at different levels. We have talked of educational and outreach programs for the public on transportation issues in McHenry County.

5 Waste Reduction Committee Chairperson, Barb Day Recycling Drives: Monthly drives roamed the county to bring the opportunity to many. Volunteer hours ,868 pounds of Styrofoam collected. Batteries collected at recycling drives and from locations around the County 14,886 lbs. of batteries 8672 of alkaline 4399 of lead 1815 of rechargeable 248,376 lbs of electronics: 6940 of computers/laptops/servers 3232 of flat screen monitors of glass televisions/computer monitors of printers/copiers/fax/scanner and all others (microwaves, vacuums, stereos, etc) 5250 lbs of clothing collected. VHS and cassette tapes were collected and taken apart for recycling.

6 Membership Committee Chairperson, Cynthia Kanner Highlights accomplished by the Membership committee in 2016: Achieved our goal of enrolling 10 new members per month Tabled at Bioneer Speaker Series at MCC on three evenings Tabled at annual Natural Landscaping Seminar at MCC Hosted a members event for Neill Sachs presentation on Alaska Held Annual Dinner Meeting at Park Place Tabled at annual Garden Fest at MCC Tabled at Earth Day in Prairie View Education Center Held Pancakes on the Prairie event for members Tabled at documentary Plastic Paradise at MCC Arranged for two tours for members at Gladstone Fen Tabled at McHenry County Fair Held Annual Corn Roast for members at Pioneer Tree Farm Tabled at It's Our River Day in Algonquin Tabled at showing of documentary "The Burden" at MCC Tabled at Green Living Expo at MCC Held Open House and Volunteer Appreciation event in November

7 Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land. Aldo Leopold

8 Chairperson, Mary Forni Education Committee Co-chaired the Earth Day event at Prairieview Education Center, and worked with McHenry County Conservation District on the Eco-Run held the same day at Prairieview. Members of the committee maintained the Environmental Defenders library, available to members to check out books and films. A $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Annie Schirmer from Marengo High School who will study wildlife ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Worked closely with Citizens Climate Lobby with focus on the threat of climate change. Tabling at events Documentaries shown: This Changes Everything The Burden and presentation by Retired Navy Commander Cliff Lee Everything The Defenders accomplishes is achieved through our volunteers who sit on our various committees. Whether doing the heavy lifting at recycling drives or tabling at events, our volunteers make it all possible. Following are the accomplishments from 2016 and in come cases and in some instances endeavors for the new year. Our committees are always looking for Defenders members to volunteer their time, expertise and energy.

9 Fundraising Committee Chairperson, Anne Basten Raised $30,000 through the following activities: The Green Spot Used Book Store Hallway used book sales Annual meeting raffles and auctions to members Sale of used items online Two garage sales in spring and summer Used Book sale in Algonquin Township Supplying volunteers for the County Fair ticket booths Thank you to all the volunteers who support the Defenders by donating time, baked goods, high quality gently used household items, and customer service expertise to maximize our fundraising efforts throughout the communities we serve. Without everyone's support and ideas, we could not continue to support the luxury of an office and the limited staff we have or to have the Green Spot to redistribute useable books at reasonable rates. If you have additional fundraising event ideas, don't forget to let us know!

10 Financial Summary unaudited audited ASSETS Cash & Cash Equivalents 55,774 45,422 Investments 248, ,826 Accounts Payable 0 79 Prepaid Expenses 2,020 5,009 Property & Equipment, net 101, ,294 Other Assets 1,000 1,000 Total Assets 408, ,630 LIABILITIES Accounts Payable Payroll Tax Liability 1,681 1,936 Sales Tax Liability Total Liabilities 2,020 3,260 NET ASSETS Unrestricted, Undesignated 406, ,370 Total Net Assets 406, ,370 Total Liabilities & Net Assets 408, ,630 Note: Amounts shown as of December 31 of each year.

11 Board of Directors & Staff Nancy Schietzelt, President Lori McConville, Vice President Alice Lumsden, Secretary James Wigman, Treasurer Dwight Dalton Ed Ellinghausen Mary Forni Kim Hankins Sue Jensen Christine Kustra Rico Rotta Ken Santowski Joe Starzynski Nicky Strahl ~ Andrea Hawkins-Kamper, Intern Cynthia Kanner, Outreach Coordinator Christy Matsuoka, Bookkeeper & Records Clerk

12 Business Members Adele Petersen, Realtor, ReMax Unlimited Northwest Algonquin/LITH Chamber of Commerce Algonquin Township Road District American Ad Bag Apple Creek Flowers Artland Story Group Alpine Accessories Illinois State Senator Pam Althoff Backdrop, An Art Gallery Brothers Junk Removal Burseth Farm Computer Recycling Center Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters Copy Express, Inc. Crystal Lake Brewing Crystal Lake Park District Dave s Bait & Tackle Duke s Alehouse & Kitchen Falcon Green Resources Green Box Boutique Hyperstitch, Inc. Marvin s Toy Store McHenry County College McHenry County Department of Water Resources Napoli s Pizza Pioneer Tree Farm Red Buffalo Nursery Respace, Inc. Sustainable Life, Inc. The UPS Store of Crystal Lake Wheel Werks Bikes Windridge Memorial Park Woodstock Chamber of Commerce

13 Membership & Contributions $1,000 Plus Charles Liebman Judy Rogers & Dale Shriver Kenneth Santowski Dan & Sandra Scheinfeld Nancy & Randy Schietzelt Cynthia Skrukrud & Tom Von Geldern Ted & Judy Thornton $ Barbara Bennett Tim & Melodie Feeley Russell & Sara Foszcz Jerry Gudauskas Alice & Bill Howenstine John Niziolek Mark & Isabel Schiffer Jim & Kathy Wigman Anonymous $ James & Peg Bolm Deb & Don Chapman Dwight Dalton Bev Dow Ed & Carol Ellinghausen Avis & Jeff Fisher Marlene & Hugh Frisbie Lisa Haderlein & Tom Cubr Michael Hallisy Hertha Hill William & Betty Holleman Donald Humbertson & Cynthia White Maurine & Jack Kaskel Jim & Marlene Keenan Jean Leete-Knutson Lorraine Lid Kelly & John MacDonald Perle Olsson Katie & Nick Parkhurst Neill & Margaret Sachs Jeff & Karla Schumacher Gilbert & Susan Tauck Eberhard & Catherine Veit Thomas & Margaret Vicek Becky Walkington & John Peterson Molly & Bob Walsh David & Colleen Zeiger $ Dee Abbate & Fred Berchtold Jeanne Adams Adrianne Adams Greg & Carol Alfus Pam Althoff Deborah Ballard Nancy & John Balough Anne & Scott Basten Ron & Debra Bendis Lenore Beyer Dave Brandt Virginia & Dennis Brightwell Addie Burns Derek & Gavin Burseth Matt Calhoun Carolyn Campbell & Carl Edstrom Bette & David Chwalisz Alan & Bonnie Cornue Please let us know if you feel an error has been made in contribution reporting. Joe & Peg Daleiden Barb Day Sara Denham Dan & Marijane Deters Dan & Lynn Doherty Timothy Dooley Lou Emmons Albert Ettinger & Susan Lannin Carol Faure Curtis Fetzner Nancy & Steve Fike Lee Frisch Lorna & Evan Gladstone Lawrence & Barbara Glowacki Nancy & John Gonsiorek John & Elaine Gurnett Peter Handy John Healy & Mary Jo Lucas-Healy Ronald Heuer Deborah Huml Sue Jensen Dorothy Johnson Cathy & Dan Johnson Pam & Brad Johnson Rick & Lois Johnson Cynthia & Gary Kanner June & Steve Keibler Jan & Al Kennedy David Kranz Dr. Philip Lambruschi & Helene Lambruschi Barbara Lanphier Robert Levin & Debs Wallner Frances Lovelace

14 Diane & Alan Lubow Pat Malo Mary & Robert McCann Lori McConville Dale & Trudy Medendorp Beverly & Victor Meuch Tom & Kelly Mitchell Stephen Mitten Terry & Mary Nader Tom & Jean Nigbor Jerry Paulson Ray & Lynn Pensinger Donald & Emele Peters Adele Petersen Tom & Carol Philips Donald Purn Leo Quanz Paul & Chris Rechten Renate Rotta-Koch & Richard Rotta Mark Rusley Annette Sather Larry Schmidt & Kathleen Bergan Schmidt Pam Schroeder & Debby Church Carol Sek Dr. Lloyd Shaw Jan & George Soderberg Teri & Nimette Soli Judy & Jack Speer Joe Starzynski Joseph Sternberg & Elizabeth O'Leary-Sternberg Judi & Chuck Stuck David & Elizabeth Stumpf Mary Ellen & Norio Tanabe Steve Tayler Jan Thelen Janet Trafelet Susan & John Tredwell Al Van Maren Greg & Carol Waggoner Bruce & Sharon Walter George & Beverly Waterman Jim & Mary Weisman Johanna White Laurie & Jay Wilde Nancy Williamson & Steve Byers Chip Yager Paula Yensen & Mike Bissett Phil & Chris Zack Up to $99 Michele Aavang Mary Ahnen Jan Altman Michael Ander Brian Anderson Jim Anderson & Kerry Leigh Ders Anderson Anderson Sherry Anderson Teagen Andrews Betty Andrysiak Clarence & Pam Arnold Jeff Aufmann Tammy Baier Miriam Baily Julie Baldwin Jennifer & Michael Balian Lora Ball Lidija Baltabols Lillian Bandelin Shirley Basler Christine & William Batalden Kim Bateman John Bazan Robert Beardsley Juliette Beaulieu Ann Beck Douglas Becker Robert Becker Dave Bengston Gerry & Emily Berendt Isabel Bernardi Ann Bessette Jack & Linda Biesterfeld Rick & Beverly Blankenbaker Kerry & Sherry Blass Dennis & Barb Blow Laura Bobowski Marcie Botto Carmen & Neil Boyer Jane Brantley Robert Brasile Zach Bray Curtis & Maria Bremer Eduard & Natalia Breuer Scott Brissey & L. Chase Brissey Scott & Kim Brix Richard & Sonja Brook Troy & Kerry Bruley Peggy Brunschon Dee & Art Budelier Burton Bridge Beach Civic Association William Byczek Steven Cafcules James Campbell & Suzanne Campbell Roy & Janice Carlsten Cecelia Carman Andy & Martha Carver Sharon & Michael Chakoian Judi Chase George Chinn Cathy & Aage Christensen & Jason Nosbaum Pat Christian

15 Georgianne Chromczak Jeanette Clark Berne Clary John & Timmie Clemetsen Roger & Phyllis Close Douglas Close Algonquin Club John Cole Amy & Doug Collins Kim Compton Lawrence Connell & Kathryn Smith-Connell Patrick Connolly Jean Cooper Tom & Deb Corcoran Jacklyn & Richard Crosby Jose & Selena Cruz John Daab & Kathleen Spaltro Tom & Brenda Dahlfors Pat Dahn Martin & Beth Daly Michelle Dare Lisa Davidson Margaret Deason Debbie Dechant Walt Dembos Jr. Ronald & Alice Denley Terry & Pat Dieckhoff Abigail DiTroia Frank & Karen Dombrowski Bill & Elizabeth Donato Barbara & James Donnelly Mary Donner Dennis Dreher Laura & Bill Dreiling Chris Duel Anna Evans Rich & Susan Eyre John & Dorothy Fankhauser Sean Feely John Fiorina Tom Firak Larry & Kathie Fischer Ray & Grace Fischer Ken Fiske Tom Flynn Donald & Lucille Foecking Marianne Fontes & Chris Padgett Mary Forni Margaret Fox-Hawthorne & Doug Hawthorne Kay France Rob Franco Dorothy Frantz Budd & Gretchen Friend- Jones David & Caren Gardner Russ & Janet Gardner Carol Gardner Marla & Carlos Garrison Sheryl Gartner Jane & Pamela Gerloff David Gervais Mary Goerner Judith Goffo Bethany Gola Marla & Robert Gomberg Frank & Colleen Gosser Bob & Karen Graham Karen Griswold Debbie & Ted Groat James Gross Melissa & Zach Grycan Mike Gullotto Terry & Linda Gurgone Duane Haak John Hackman Linnea Hadlock Robert & Kathleen Hahn Kimberly Hankins John Hanlin Charlie & Ellen Hanson Ann Hanson Sally Harris Mike & Kathy Hartke Jim & Joan Hasselman Andrea Hawkins-Kamper Helen Hawthorne John & Jean Headley John Hebert Jeff & Carol Heisler Molly & Peter Heraty Jan & Judy Beth Hervert Linda Hewins Fran & Jim Hicks Dave Hill Debra Hillstrand Bruce Hilstrom Jenn Hofmann Beth Holland & Jim Zid Tom & Roberta Hoover James & Denise Hotchkiss David & Barbara Howard John & Susan Hudson Dorothy Hughes Bob Idstein Sandy & Gordon James Mercedes Jamka Matthew Jamnik Diana Jarrell Chantel Jenrette John Jocius Suzanne & Dave Johnson Gary & Judi Johnson Keith & Nancy Johnson Lisa Johnson Jeff & Denise Jordan Dennis & Jennifer Judd Les Kaffko John Katzenmayer

16 Ron & Robin Kelps Patrick Kenneally Bob & Kelley Kepes & Holt and Ivan Elizabeth & Kenneth Kessler Sharon Khan Bob Kirschner Zak Klehr Cynthia Knox Bill Kopanda Jeff Koppa Walter & Ann Korpan Leslie Krebs Susan Kreibich John Kremer Bill & Nancy Kreznor Paul & Liz Kubiak & Gavin and sabella Laraine Kubiak Sahara Kuiper Sandra Kupstis Christine Kustra David & Kendall Lace Jennel Lampe Larry & Lucy Lane Donald & Carol Larson Esther Larson Pat Lawlor David & Carolyn Lawson Monica Leccese Ann Legg Lloyd & Rosemarie Lesmeister Geri Levine Joe Lewis Wayne & Nancy Limbaugh Greg & Pat Lofgren Nancy Loomis Ray Lucich Rance & Alice Lumsden Cheryl Lynch Lisa Maier Lou Anne Majewski Renee & Albert Malik Mark & Sherri Manninen Christy Matsuoka Chet Matysek Doug May Thomas & Caryn McAndrews Charles & Diana McCloskey Mark & Annie McCormick McHenry Savings Bank Jeff McKee David & Deborah McLean Gene McSweeney James & Janice Merrifield Sarah Michehl Keith Mierzwa Bryan & Jennifer Millard David Miller Lauren Mirs Laura Mitchell Kayalia Mitchell Astrid Moi Mary Moltmann & Ed Bennett Mike & Barb Montes Sean Morgan Bart & Elisa Mueller Ingrid & Brent Mullane Connie & Robert Murray Debra Muscarello & Maxwell Robey Rob Mutert Barbara & Jay Needleman Jim & Ardie Nelson Stephen Newton Joseph & Trudy Nie Jean Hervert Niemann Brian Noshay & Emily Zack Helen & Stephen Noskowicz Jim & Julie Novak Andrew Nuno Cheryl Nuzzo Richard Obenauf Mark O'Connell Anne O'Donnell Lonni Oldham Mary O'Leary & Kathleen O'Leary Bob Olsen Rob & Mary Jeanne Olsen Susan Olson Marie Orwig Gretchen & H. Nick Oster James Otis Edward & Rosemarie Pahnke Bob & Carolyn Paine Kestas & Rita Palulonis JoAnne & Carl Papp John & Sarah Parisi Susan Parker Connor Patterson Sandra Paulu John Pavlis Joseph Perilongo Mary Perkins Stan & Mary Perrin Victoria Peters Anne Pierce Stephen & Kimberly Platt Kay Preshlock Sue Racansky Tricia Rachford Jaclyn & Nick Radeni Gregory T. Rajsky Amanda Ranieri Irene Raven Helen Rehling Kathy Reiland Margaret Reiland

17 Larry Reinhard Bob Reisdorf Carol & David Rice Susan Richards Todd Rickey Bob Riepl David & Kathleen Rigby Sue Rodig Jon & Ina Roquet Don & Tracie Rose John Roseliep Steve Ross Lynn Rotunno Angela Ryan Kathy Salzmann Roger & Darlene Schlies Carolyn Schofield John & Elizabeth Schroeder Bob Schroyer & Patricia Sullivan-Schroyer Linda Schuberth Steve Schultz Ingrid & Will Schulze Eric Seagren Bill & Donna Seeley Joe Sgarbossa & Barbara Sgarbossa Kimberly Shefner Tom & Vicki Sheppard Mark & Ann Shuman Cal & Michele Skinner Kathy Slover & Michael Sedola Cathy & Peter Smith Wendell Smith Caroline Sobolak Renee Solger Robert & Arden Spooner Sally & Robert Stachniak Karen Stahlecker Philip & Melody Stanko Bill Steinforth Rick Stevens & Rhoda Drije M.A. Stompanato Carol & Timothy Stone Nicky Strahl Jim & Diane Strzelinski James Sullivan Scott Summers & Carol Krohm Marti Swanson Rhoda Symons Svetlana Taylor Sandi Teiken Michael & Stephanie Teta Jack Thacker Tom & Karen Thennes Michelle & Bryan Thomas RB Thompson Trudith & Dan Thompson James Thrall Ray & Angela Thuma Bob & Ann Tirk Mike Tryon Kent & Tanya Utsurogi John & Lori Valus Fernando Vellisca Dorothy Vick Ann Viger Melissa Volny Luella Voss Gail Wachowski Carolyn Wahl Joseph Wajrowski Michael Walkup Debbie Wallenfang Rick Walters Arnie & Diane Waltmire Richard & Mary Wantuch Thomas & Eva Wedel JoAnn Wedin Bruce & Marian Weiss Caron & Steve Wenzel Ed Weskerna Linda Wheeler Christina Whitworth Chuck Wiedemann & Janie and Russ Donovan Wilkin April & Noel Williams Larry & Kim Willis Nola Willis Barbara & Al Wilson Dan Wilson Bill & Mary Winkel Debora & Keith Winn Lauretta Wolf Mary Wolff & Warren Wahl Christine & Dana Woodall Jerry & Elaine Worth Sally & Jim Yanahan Kristina Zahorik Matthew Zastrow George & Judith Zielinski Norb & Liz Ziemer Tami Zuck & Gregg Hornyak Land Conservancy of McHenry County McHenry County Conservation District McHenry County Farm Bureau

18 Highlights Advocacy Efforts 2016 In addition to all the work conducted in 2016 by the Defenders committees, we also provide education about and advocate for policies that protect a healthy environment in McHenry County, not only for us for but for all living things. At right is a summary of those accomplishments: VOLUNTEERS Our organization would not exist without the passion and energy of those who organize and volunteer to help better our environment. The Defenders, as we are well-known, is YOU. Thank you. Facilitated monthly Green Drinks educational and networking events Worked with MCC s Sustainability Center as part of the Bioneers group to conduct the Green Living Expo and the Bioneers Speakers Series Provided an Environmental Tip to the Northwest Herald for weekly publication Presented programs advocating environmental protection to groups around the county Activated our membership to support Community Solar in Illinois and the Illinois Clean Energy Plan Continued our participation with the McHenry County Health Department s Solid Waste Task Force Joined the efforts of Chicago Living Corridors, the IDNR s Monarch Butterfly Summit, and the Right-of- Ways as Habitat Working Group to increase habitat for monarchs and other pollinators Participated in the Steering Committee for the creation of a Fox River Corridor Plan from Algonquin to Burton s Bridge led by CMAP Continued to support the efforts of the McHenry County Chapter of the Citizen s Climate Lobby