Celebrating 50 Inspiring Articles from Steve Stawarz
Continue reading "Celebrating 50 Inspiring Articles from Steve Stawarz"
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.
Continue reading "Celebrating 50 Inspiring Articles from Steve Stawarz"
Continue reading "Our Partnerships Ripple Through Our Community"
Continue reading "Conservation@Work Q & A: Downers Grove Civic Center"
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, healthy food, and safe access to nature as a way to be healthy and happy.
November 7, 2025
Empower Her Plate
Join our webinar Empower Her Plate: Centering Diverse Voices at the Intersection of Food Justice and Environmental Equity in November!
November 12, 2025
5th Annual Trivia Night
Join our 5th Annual Trivia Night hosted by the Next Gen Advisory Council of The Conservation Foundation on Wednesday, November 12th.
November 13, 2025
The Seeds of Action Environmental Film Series
Sign up for The Seeds of Action Environmental Film Series taking place on Thursday, November 13th at Fountaindale Public Library.
December 2, 2025
Conservation On Tap
Conservation on Tap is a fun, laid-back meetup where you can sip beer, connect with new people, and dive into cool local conservation topics!
December 3, 2025
The Conservation Foundation Book Club
Join The Conservation Foundation Book Club led by Kristy Belton, and meet every other month on the first Wednesday.
December 6, 2025
Wild Spices Workshop
Learn from The Conservation Foundation and Shane Alden a.k.a. The Wild Dryad about how to identify and prepare wild spices from local plants.
The Conservation Foundation’s Green Earth Harvest certified organic farm program is devoted to healthy soil, healthy vegetables, healthy people, and healthy communities. We create a place where local farmers and eaters who value responsibly grown, delicious food come together to do their part to support local farming, connect with the land, and delight in exploring the seasonal, certified organic harvest.
If you’ve spent any time perusing the “Latest News & Articles” section of our website, you’ve seen the name Steve Stawarz quite frequently over the last few years, attached to
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.

We recently had the honor of bestowing Conservation@Work certification on the newly-constructed Downers Grove Civic Center! This high-profile public space is serving as a beautiful example to other municipalities, park

St. Charles Park District, Pottawatomie Park, Image Courtesy of The Conservation Foundation When most people think of parks, they picture green lawns, hiking trails, or family picnics under shady

Graphic Generated with ChatGPT When we think of fast fashion, the images that come to mind are often stylish clothes, bargain prices, and ever-changing trends. But behind the racks

Looking to see the impact your support of The Conservation Foundation is making across our region? Want to be inspired and get some new ideas from other local people who
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.