A Comprehensive Plan for an Ecological Restoration-based Eco-toursim Program at Glacial Park

Abstract

McHenry County Conservation District (MCCD) manages 25,000 acres of open lands in northern Illinois, including Glacial Park, a 3,273-acre park and conservation area. Dr. Tom Simpson, Research Field Station Ecologist for MCCD, approached the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan with the proposal that a master’s project team join him and MCCD in reestablishing a weekend-long event, called the Weekend of Restoration, and analyzing ways to turn the event into a sustainable annual or semi-annual program at Glacial Park. To guide the project’s activities, objectives and research, the team formulated a fundamental question: What elements of event planning, marketing, implementation, and evaluation can best create a successful, repeatable weekend restoration program at Glacial Park? The team developed a set of recommendations based on a combination of personal observations, evaluation findings, background research on relevant topics, and conversations with MCCD and other conservation professionals. Additionally, site analyses were conducted to inform future restoration projects by providing educational resources via maps, teaching points, references, and activities. The project resulted in the establishment of a 2012 event, complete with outside funding as well as staff and volunteers registered to help plan, market, implement and evaluate the event.