Trout Valley Nature Conservancy

05/04/2026

McHenry County College
The MCC Plant sale is this Wednesday and Thursday, May 6 and 7, 9am-5pm. Wednesday is the busiest day and a lot sells out. There are veggies, annuals and perennials (sorry no native plants this year). Cash, check or credit card accepted. Students will be there to help carry items out and all purchases help their programs.
REMEMBER Frost is forecast for Friday/Saturday overnight so if you buy annuals keep them inside!

Earn a quality education and join our engaged community of learners. Whether you want to earn a degree, certificate, or take a few personal development classes, MCC can help you build a plan that aligns with your goals.

04/15/2026

Oh no not again! Yes Garlic Mustard is growing.
Garlic Mustard is an invasive species in Illinois and infestations of can limit growth and productivity of native plants and threaten the long-term health of forests.
Please take some time & remove it from your yards. If you pull down at the bottom of the leaves the S-shaped root should come out as well. Do not compost the plant material, bag it & toss it.
Thank you.

04/03/2026

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County's Spring Native Plant Sale is open for pre-orders! Shop early for the best selection.
🌿 New - Native plant kits with planting plans for sun & shade!
🌿 Local vegetable plants
🌿 Beautiful native plants
🌿 Native trees & shrubs
Check it out today! https://store.conservemc.org/

03/12/2026

Join the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and McHenry County Department of Planning and Development for a virtual BMP Talk and Tour "Successful Natural Areas Management for HOAs" Friday, March 20 at 1 – 2 pm on Zoom

This talk will cover successful natural area management at the McAndrews Glen subdivision in Bull Valley. Dennis Dreher, Geosyntec Consultant and volunteer steward at the Boloria Meadows Nature Preserve located adjacent to the subdivision, will discuss elements of successful management of 25 acres of natural area in the McAndrews Glen. The subdivision was developed 20 years ago following a conservation design theme with homes clustered within naturalized open space. The natural area, which includes four detention basins, was formally designated as a common area in the plat of subdivision and the approved HOA covenants require long-term ecological stewardship of the area.

Interested? Register at https://tinyurl.com/BMPTourSignup
A Zoom link and calendar invitation will be sent after you have RSVP’d.

10/10/2025

Take a walk in the Trout Valley Fen.

Spending just 20 minutes in nature can lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress levels.

09/22/2025

Join Wild Ones for a free webinar, “Next Steps for Nature,” featuring the renowned Doug Tallamy. Whether you’re wondering which plants are truly native to your region, how to reduce your lawn’s impact responsibly, or how to support pollinators and birds throughout the seasons, this session will help clarify your next steps. With a mix of science-backed answers and practical encouragement, Tallamy empowers all of us to become agents of ecological change.
Free registration at

Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities.

08/20/2025

08/05/2025

Trout Valley is participating in the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors Monarch pledge by planting milkweed. Swamp milkweed has been planted at the corner of Big Oaks and Turkey Run with plants purchased at The Land Conservancy of McHenry County’s spring sale. The monarchs are enjoying the milkweed.

07/19/2025

https://news.wttw.com/2025/06/09/nearly-80-chicago-area-forests-are-infested-invasive-plants-ecologists-urge-homeowners

If private landowners don’t remove invasives alongside natural areas, species like buckthorn will persist in forest preserves and parks, regardless of habitat restoration efforts.

06/22/2025

Milkweed Makes Monarchs Possible 🦋

When you plant milkweed, you're not just adding beauty to your garden - you're creating essential habitat for monarchs and providing nectar and pollen for bees, wasps, beetles, flies, and many other creatures!

This and beyond, join us in supporting pollinators, just like thousands have through Monarch Waystations for 20 years and counting by planting milkweed and other nectar plants.

🌱 It starts small - one backyard, one balcony, one milkweed stem at a time, which altogether can make a big positive difference.

Photo credit: Isabel O'Hara