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

Events

Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday

December 9, 2023

Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday

Join The Conservation Foundation and the City of Ottawa for our Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday in Ottawa on Saturday, December 9th.

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday

December 16, 2023

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday

Join The Conservation Foundation for our O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday in Romeoville on Saturday, December 16th.

Environmental Summit: Agroecology & Community Centered Agriculture

January 18, 2024

Environmental Summit: Agroecology & Community Centered Agriculture

Sign up for the DuPage Environmental Summit: Agroecology & Community Centered Agriculture taking place on Zoom on Thursday, January 18th!

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The Conservation Foundation’s Green Earth Harvest is an all-organic farming operation that provides healthy, organic vegetables to the community through the sale of “shares.” When you become a Green Earth Harvest shareholder, you are essentially purchasing a portion of the harvest. You’ll come to McDonald Farm in Naperville (or one of our remote pickup locations) every week or every other week and pick up your produce.

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

Advancement Team at Stockholms

Raise a Glass to Clean Water

A community is healthiest when all of its parts take care of each other. And thanks to Stockholm’s Restaurant & Brewpub, Geneva and the entire Fox River Valley are getting

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.

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