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

Yorkville Litter Cleanup Program

May 31, 2025

Yorkville Litter Cleanup Program

Participate in our Yorkville Litter Clean-Up Program and donate one hour of your time to help make Yorkville brighter!

Nature’s Resurgence: Churchill Woods Restoration Tour

June 4, 2025

Nature’s Resurgence: Churchill Woods Restoration Tour

Discover the popular Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in a whole new light on this exclusive walking tour on Wednesday, June 4th!

The Conservation Foundation Book Club

June 4, 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.

Music on the Farm

June 8, 2025

Music on the Farm

Join our Music on the Farm summer music series on Sunday, June 7th, featuring local live musical acts and a food truck at McDonald Farm.

Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday

June 14, 2025

Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday

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

Yorkville Litter Cleanup Program

June 28, 2025

Yorkville Litter Cleanup Program

Participate in our Yorkville Litter Clean-Up Program and donate one hour of your time to help make Yorkville brighter!

Conservation@Home Kane Garden Showcase

June 28, 2025

Conservation@Home Kane Garden Showcase

Come to our Conservation@Home Kane Garden Showcase on Saturday, June 28th to be inspired by our community’s beautiful eco-friendly gardens!

Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday

July 12, 2025

Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday

Join The Conservation Foundation and the City of Ottawa for our Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday in Ottawa on Saturday, July 12th.

Music on the Farm

July 13, 2025

Music on the Farm

Join our Music on the Farm summer music series on Sunday, July 13th, featuring local live musical acts and a food truck at McDonald Farm.

Conservation@Home DuPage Garden Showcase

July 19, 2025

Conservation@Home DuPage Garden Showcase

Come to our Conservation@Home DuPage Garden Showcase on Saturday, July 19th to be inspired by our community’s beautiful eco-friendly gardens!

previous arrow
next arrow
Green Earth Harvest logo

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

Image Courtesy of The Conservation Foundation   In a world where climate extremes are becoming the norm, the term “resilience” is being used more frequently in conversations about sustainability and

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

2025 Conservation@Home Anniversary print

Conservation@Home: Celebrating 20 Years

Over the past two decades, our Conservation@Home Program Director Jim Kleinwachter has been able to see the program born out of his desire to encourage people’s environmentally-minded efforts grow to

Read More »
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.