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.

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, healthy food, and safe access to nature as a way to be healthy and happy.

Events

Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday

December 14, 2024

Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday

Join The Conservation Foundation and the City of Ottawa for our Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday in Ottawa on Saturday, December 14th.

7th Annual First Day Hike

January 1, 2025

7th Annual First Day Hike

The Dayton Bluffs Preserve is holding its 7th Annual First Day Hike on New Years Day 2025! Join us at the reserve for the hike.

DuPage Environmental Summit: Conservation 2.0

January 16, 2025

DuPage Environmental Summit: Conservation 2.0

Sign up for the DuPage Environmental Summit: Conservation 2.0 taking place on Zoom on Thursday, January 16th!

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday

January 25, 2025

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday

Join The Conservation Foundation for our O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday in Romeoville on Saturday, January 25th.

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday

February 22, 2025

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday

Join The Conservation Foundation for our O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday in Romeoville on Saturday, February 22nd.

Inquiry in the Outdoors: DuPage County-Wide Institute Teacher Day Workshop

February 28, 2025

Inquiry in the Outdoors: DuPage County-Wide Institute Teacher Day Workshop

Join our Inquiry in the Outdoors: DuPage County-Wide Institute Teacher Day Workshop on Friday, February 28th!

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday

April 26, 2025

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday

Join The Conservation Foundation for our O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday in Romeoville on Saturday, April 26th.

previous arrow
next arrow

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.

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

Eastern bluebird on box picture

McDonald Farm Bluebird Report 2024

2024 Bluebird Nesting Box Wrap-up A Different Version of a Bird’s-eye View   By Volunteer Mackenzie Kaehler   The start of the 2024 McDonald Farm bluebird nesting season started in

Read More »

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.

Support provided by:

Winter Chloride Watchers Training Registration

Name(Required)
Training Date(Required)
Which training session would you like to attend?
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.