The McHenry County Conservation District is taking a survey.
Questions include
- demographic data
- overall opinion of district
- what do you like most about the conservation district
- what do you dislike the most about the district
- a list of areas is provided asking you use
- If “no,” why not?
- Ensuring long-term financial stability of the District (Do you smell a tax increase referendum?)
- priorities, e.g., preserving wildlife habitat, environmental education, maintaining existing stuff, protecing and restoring historic buildings, buying more land, connecting expanding trails and rught out of the last referendum question “Acquiring/protecting more natural areas to restore ecosystems to produce cleaner air and water, prevent flooding and erosion, and increase pollinator diversity
- From the same list, which ismost important? The list has two options where the word “more” is printed in bold face type: (1) Acquiring more space for recreation (trails, parking lots, picnic shelters) and (2) Acquiring/protecting more natural areas to restore ecosystems to produce cleaner air and water, prevent flooding and erosion, and increase pollinator diversity
- a list of things MCCD claims to do, asking for the top three: reduce flooding, cilmate change, prevent erosion, protect habitat of deckling species, addressing outdoor public health coincerns (ticks, etc.), protecting natural areas from development, eliminating invasive plants, protect soil health, protect/restore wildlife habitat, none of the above
- From the same list, which is most important? The list has two options where the word “more” is printed in bold face type: (1) Acquiring more space for recreation (trails, parking lots, picnic shelters) and (2) Acquiring/protecting more natural areas to restore ecosystems to produce cleaner air and water, prevent flooding and erosion, and increase pollinator diversity
A list of things MCCD claims to do, asking for the top three: reduce flooding, cilmate change, prevent erosion, protect habitat of deckling species, addressing outdoor public health concerns (ticks, etc.), protecting natural areas from development, eliminating invasive plants, protect soil health, protect/restore wildlife habitat, none of the above.
When I tried to follow directions, I got locked out.
Back in, but still couldn’t get the ;page above to work.
Select least improtant functions:
- Protecting habitats of declining species including birds and pollinators for biodiversity
- Protecting soil health(nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and water filtration)
- Addressing/reducing local flooding (protecting/restoring streams, wetlands, floodplains)
- Protecting and restoring wildlife habitats
- Protecting natural areas from further development and urbanization
- Protecting the supply and quality of drinking water (groundwater)
- Eliminating invasive tree/plant species
- Improving surface water quality by preventing erosion and stabilized banks/shorelines
- Addressing outdoor public health concerns (reducing tick and other wildlife borne disease)
- Addressing the effects of climate change
- Preserving/restoring native trees and woodlands (reforestation, expanded tree canopy)
- All of these are important
Program participation in the last two years:
- Youth summer camp
- Restoration Day or Volunteering
- Early Learners program
- Daytime guided hike with a District naturalist
- Guided canoe or kayak program
- Evening hike and campfire program
- First Friday Concert
- Find Your Wild, Geocaching, Century Hikers Club, or FOX Family programs
- The Great Outdoors Beer Trail
- School Field Study/Field Trip
- Powers-Walker House Living History Event
- Birding events (World Migratory Bird Day, In Search of Eagles, The Big Sit, etc.)
- Nature/conservation education program
- Festival of the Sugar Maples
- Other, please specify:
- Have not attended any of these
Satisfaction of such programs on a ten-point scale.
What is your interest in these NCCD programsL
| Weekend/multi-night camping experiences (camping with kayaking, hiking, fitness courses, etc.) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local history education programs (geology, native flora/fauna species, indigenous populations, etc.) | ||||
| Wildlife outreach/education programs (bringing live animals to schools, community groups/events, etc.) | ||||
| Cultural events/demonstrations, art/craft fairs, etc. (with vendors) | ||||
| Designated nature play areas for young children | ||||
| Signage/amenity for exercise/workout suggestions along trails | ||||
| Improved access for water activities like kayaking and canoeing | ||||
| Daylong or weekend arts and crafts workshops in an outdoor- centered facility (painting, sewing/knitting, photography, etc.) |
What program or event would interest your family most?
- Weekend/multi-night camping experiences (camping with kayaking, hiking, fitness courses, etc.)
- Local history education programs (geology, native flora/fauna species, indigenous populations, etc.)
- Wildlife outreach/education programs (bringing live animals to schools, community groups/events, etc.)
- Cultural events/demonstrations, art/craft fairs, etc. (with vendors)
- Designated nature play areas for young children
- Signage/amenity for exercise/workout suggestions along trails
- Improved access for water activities like kayaking and canoeing
- Daylong or weekend arts and crafts workshops in an outdoor- centered facility (painting, sewing/knitting, photography, etc.)
Interest in future possible programs:
| Pre-school and early learner nature programs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth camps during winter or spring school breaks | ||||
| Summer camp for youth with combining ecological, conservation, and outdoor adventure activities | ||||
| Internship programs for teens/high schoolers | ||||
| Programs and activities for seniors/older adults |
What was not listed that should have been?
Willingness to pay user fee for programs:
| Facility rental fees for parties, meetings, weddings or other events (to cover facility/staff costs) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increased permit fees for camping (to cover program and site management costs) | ||||
| New or slightly higher fees for existing events and educational or recreational programs |
Interest in programs that MCCD could offer:
| Forest and wellness retreats for adults which may include yoga, saunas, mediation, etc. in an outdoor-centered environment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| An archery range and programs on safety, skills training, youth education, and competitions | ||||
| Upgraded campsites and camping options including hook-ups for water and electricity, RV access, showers, etc. |
Value of property taxes paid, specifically: “As you may know, less than 2.5% of your property taxes goes to the Conservation District. Thinking about the conservation areas, trails, facilities, and services that the District provides, how would you rate the overall value of your property taxes that go to the Conservation District?
Scale of one to ten.
Familiarity with McHenry County Conservation Foundation:
Which of the following is your primary source of information about the Conservation Foundation? Please select one.
- Mailings I receive from the Foundation or the McHenry County Conservation District
- Notices, fliers, or posters about the Foundation at Conservation District facilities and conservation areas
- Correspondence that I receive as a past or current donor
- The Foundation’s/Conservation District’s website
- Information from other local environmental groups
- Discussions with staff and/or volunteers at Conservation District locations and facilities
- Family and/or friends who are familiar with the Foundation
- Other, please specify:
Length of residence.
Live in incorporated or unincorporated area?
Gender, including prefer not to identify.
Birth year,
Number in household and number over 18.
Own or rent?
Race:
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Asian, please specify:
- Black/African American
- Middle Eastern or North African
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- White
- Other, please specify
Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin?
And to learn more about the Comprehensive Conservation Plan, click here.
= = = = =
This is a not too cleverly camouflage survey to provide information on how to frame the next tax increase or bond referendum of the Conservation District
