An energetic group of veteran volunteers and first-timers slugged it out on a hot, muggy July day.  The water and snacks were fully consumed during this endurance test.  Despite the heat and extra challenge of dragging the felled buckthorn uphill, the volunteers maintained cheerful attitudes throughout the morning.

On April 21st, a team of thirty 8th grade Johnsburg Junior High students led by science teachers Andy Reinhard and Nate Thomas, got dirty planting oaks along the west side of the creek near Riverside Drive and Johnsburg Road.  This was the third oak planting in the Dutch Creek Conservation Area and a great success having resulted in connecting an area to the north planted back in 2009 and an area to the south planted in 2010.  Many thanks to the students and their teachers, and to the folks from The Land Conservancy of McHenry County who sponsored and facilitated the event.

Twenty-one volunteers celebrated the coming of spring on 19-March by investing a warm Saturday morning in removing invasive buckthorn shrubs from along the creek in the central section while also removing an extensive barbed wire fence.  Many thanks to the volunteers from across McHenry County who took the time to make a difference!