The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

What The Land Conservancy of McHenry County does

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1991 (originally as the Land Foundation of McHenry County, renamed in 2003) and headquartered in Woodstock, Illinois. The organization preserves natural and agricultural land in McHenry County through conservation easements and direct ownership of nature preserves. It serves private landowners, municipalities, and the broader community through stewardship and education programs, including Conservation@Home, Conservation@Work, Conservation Easements, the CLIP internship program, and a Farmer-Landowner Match Program delivered with IL FarmLink. The organization holds Land Trust Accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an external quality credential.

The organization's preservation footprint includes 99 conservation easements totaling 2,308 acres and 8 nature preserves totaling nearly 1,000 acres, for an aggregate of 3,200 acres under stewardship as of 2025. It employs between 1 and 10 staff and operates with a 13-member board plus 2 emeritus members. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of membership dues, individual donations, foundation grants, and fundraising events; recent disclosed grants include a $38,000 two-year Mission Grant from the Community Foundation of McHenry County in 2023 and a $16,440 grant in 2021. The 5,000 Acre Challenge is a current multi-year initiative focused on protecting oak woodlands and priority natural areas.

Technology footprint centers on geographic information systems, specifically ArcGIS and FieldMaps, used for easement monitoring, preserve mapping, and field data collection. The organization partners with City Forest Credits on an Urban Forest Carbon Credits program launched in 2022, and with IL FarmLink on farmer-landowner matching. Business model is that of a community-based nonprofit: operating expense recovery via philanthropic contributions and program-related revenue, with no public financial filings referenced in the available data.

Name

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

Legal name

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

Website

https://conservemc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust, founded in 1991 and based in Woodstock, Illinois, that preserves natural and agricultural land through conservation easements, nature preserves, and stewardship programs serving private landowners, municipalities, and the community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Conservation Programs (924120), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Landscape Architectural Services (541320)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Lessors Of Real Property, Nec (6519), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Conservation & Protected Land Brokerage (Easements, Land Trust Sales) (BPAJADAH)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Conservation easement programs
• Habitat restoration services
• Native plant landscaping
• Land trust management

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodstock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Memberships and Donations: TLC is funded primarily by individual members and donors. Memberships provide bi-monthly newsletters, social gatherings, volunteer opportunities and discounts on event tickets and native plants. TLC receives no dedicated public tax funding support.
2. Merchandise and Product Sales: Online store sells TLC-branded merchandise (notecards, tote bags, hats, sweatshirts, shirts) and nature items. Also sells native plants, trees, shrubs, rain barrels, composters, and Memorial/Celebration oak trees.
3. Event Fundraisers: Major annual fundraiser Art of the Land benefit show, spring Annual Celebration, and amateur photography contests generate revenue through ticket sales and artwork purchases.
4. Program Fees: Conservation@Work program charges fees ranging from $85 to $500 for site consultations, management plans, and certification. Training programs may have associated fees.
5. Carbon Credits: Urban forest carbon credits sold to businesses and institutions to offset carbon footprints, directly contributing to forest preservation at Crowley Oaks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust that preserves natural, scenic, and agricultural land in McHenry County, Illinois through conservation easements, direct land ownership, and habitat restoration. It also offers fee-based native landscaping assessment and certification programs (Conservation@Home and Conservation@Work), a paid youth internship program, seasonal native plant and merchandise sales, and educational training and event fundraisers.

Product overview

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC) operates as a nonprofit land trust offering a portfolio of conservation programs rather than a single unified product. Core programs include Conservation@Home and Conservation@Work (residential and business native landscaping assessment and certification programs), the Conservation Leader Internship Program (CLIP) for youth training, and land preservation services through conservation easements and direct acquisition. Supporting offerings include seasonal native plant sales through the Shopify-based TLC Store, educational events and training programs, the annual Art of the Land fundraiser with photography contest, and community initiatives like the 5000 Acre Challenge and Project Quercus focused on oak woodland preservation. The organization also operates public preserves and demonstration sites including the Apple Creek Food Forest, and runs volunteer habitat restoration workdays. Funding comes through memberships, donations, grants, and program fees rather than product sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conservation@Home A home assessment program offering on-site evaluation and recommendations for converting residential yards to native plant landscaping that supports pollinators and conserves water. Homeowners receive a customized reference document with plant recommendations and can earn certification as an environmentally friendly landscape with a yard sign.
• Conservation@Work A business and organization landscaping program that educates groups on benefits of native plants, rainwater conservation, invasive species management, and chemical reduction. Qualified participants receive certification and a sign recognizing their environmentally-friendly landscape.
• Conservation Easements Voluntary permanent agreements between landowners and TLC that define future uses and restrictions for properties while allowing owners to continue using and enjoying the land. Easements preserve land in perpetuity and often provide property tax reductions for landowners.
• TLC Online Store An online store selling native plants, trees, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, rain barrels, composters, TLC-branded merchandise, and memorial/celebration oak trees, built on the Shopify e-commerce platform.
• Native Plant Sales Seasonal sales of native plants, trees, and shrubs for home landscaping and restoration projects. Includes spring and fall sales with trees, prairie plants, and native species available for purchase.
• Art of the Land TLC's largest annual fundraiser featuring an art show and sale showcasing McHenry County's natural landscapes. Includes amateur photography contest with site assignments and cash prizes, youth awards, and community engagement.
• Training Programs Various training offerings including Ecological Fire Training (prescribed burning for natural area management), Chainsaw Training, Seed Sharing Day, and landowner education on oak habitat restoration.
• Farmer-Landowner Match Program Partnership with IL FarmLink Navigator program connecting farmers seeking land with landowners who want to lease or sell for agricultural use. Targets beginning farmers and specialty crop growers to preserve local farmland.
• Conservation Leader Internship Program (CLIP) A paid summer internship providing hands-on professional training in conservation for high school juniors/seniors, college students, or recent graduates, covering skills including plant identification, land management, GIS/GPS training, prescribed fire, herbicide use, rare plant monitoring, wildlife surveys, and sustainable farming techniques.
• 5000 Acre Challenge A community initiative launched to protect oak woodlands in McHenry County by reaching 5,000 protected acres. Partners with private citizens, state and county agencies to preserve and manage oak woods through the Oak Keepers program, community plantings, and landowner outreach.
• Project Quercus A coalition program focused on protecting, preserving, and regenerating oak woodlands and savannas in McHenry County. Includes Acorn Roundup, community oak plantings, Living with Oaks Awards, Oak Rescues, Memorial/Celebration Oaks, and school education programs.
• Urban Forest Carbon Credits Carbon credit program preserving oak woodlands (Crowley Oaks) as urban forest carbon credits, sold to businesses and institutions seeking to offset their carbon footprint.
• Membership Program Annual memberships at various levels providing bi-monthly newsletters, social gatherings, volunteer opportunities, and discounts on event tickets and native plants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,200 acres preserved for life as of 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• McHenry County College (MCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for carbon credits program. MCC calculated building emissions for The Green Living Expo event and purchased carbon offsets through TLC's Crowley Oaks program to become carbon neutral for the event.
• The Green Living ExpominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with MCC and TLC for carbon neutral event. TLC met with MCC to discuss urban forest carbon credits available at Crowley Oaks Conservation Area.
• IL FarmLinkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023TLC partners with IL FarmLink and their Navigator program to help connect farmers looking for land with landowners who want to lease or sell for agricultural use. Program is intended for beginning farmers needing access to land.
• City Forest CreditscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership to preserve oak woodlands as urban forest carbon credits. Through this program, TLC preserves 80+ acres of oak woodlands and generates revenue by selling carbon credits to businesses and institutions seeking to offset their carbon footprint.
• Kishwaukee River Ecosystem PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner working with others for a common purpose - advocating for conservation in McHenry County and surrounding areas.
• Fox River Ecosystem PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner advocating for conservation in McHenry County and surrounding areas through the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership.
• Chicago Area Land TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner working with other land trusts in the Chicago area for conservation advocacy and collaboration.
• Vital Lands IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide Conservation Network coalition partner working to advance conservation efforts in Illinois.
• Land Trust Accreditation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent program of the Land Trust Alliance that awards accreditation to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. TLC is accredited by this commission.
• Non-profit PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTLC partners with local nonprofit groups to preserve land for a healthy environment.
• Government PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTLC works with governmental agencies as well as McHenry County cities and villages to preserve land for life.
• Annual Business SupportersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusinesses can become Annual Business Sponsors, aligning with conservation values and land stewardship while supporting preservation of natural, scenic and agricultural areas in McHenry County.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Land Trust Alliance: National membership association that supports land trusts, including through the accreditation program TLC holds. Functions as an enabling/industry-body peer rather than a competitor.
• Prairie State Conservation Coalition: Illinois statewide coalition of conservation organizations and land trusts. TLC is a member; the coalition provides peer collaboration, policy advocacy, and shared resources that complement TLC's work.

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that protects land for public use through acquisition, conservation easements, and park creation. Operates broadly in Illinois with overlapping land trust functions but at a national scale.
• The Nature Conservancy (Illinois): Global conservation nonprofit with a strong Illinois chapter operating on conservation easements, land acquisition, and restoration. Overlaps with TLC in landowner outreach and easement stewardship, but at vastly larger scale.

Regional players

• Forest Preserves of Cook County: Large Illinois forest preserve district managing tens of thousands of acres for conservation and recreation. Not a direct peer (government entity, different funding model), but competes for regional conservation donor mindshare and partnership attention.
• Lake County Forest Preserves: Government forest preserve district adjacent to McHenry County that runs natural area restoration, education, and volunteer programs. Comparable outreach programming but with a different funding mechanism (tax-supported).
• McHenry County Conservation District: The local public-sector counterpart that owns and manages county natural areas, preserves, and trails. Adjacent rather than directly competitive with TLC's privately-led easement model, but serves overlapping audiences in McHenry County.

Direct peers

• The Conservation Foundation: A regional Illinois land trust based in Naperville that protects natural and agricultural land through conservation easements, land preservation, and education. Closely comparable mission, programs, donor model, and geographic scope to TLC.
• Openlands: Chicago-area regional land trust focused on land preservation, conservation policy, and connecting people to nature. Comparable programming (conservation, restoration, education) but at a larger metropolitan scale.
• Natural Land Institute: Illinois' oldest land trust (founded 1958), operating in northern Illinois and beyond. Runs conservation easement, land acquisition, and stewardship programs very similar to TLC's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/landconservancyofmchenrycounty
• Facebookfacebook.com/ConserveMC
• Instagraminstagram.com/conservemchenrycounty

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Land Conservancy of McHenry County