Conservation Foundation
Our History, Mission, and Goals
The Friends of Winnebago County Conservation Foundation, Inc., was formed in 2012 to help support the conservation, recreation, and educational efforts of the Winnebago County Conservation Board. The mission of the Foundation is to support the functions and efforts of the Winnebago County Conservation Board, including conserving and protecting our county's natural areas, assisting with environmental education efforts, and developing and maintaining public outdoor recreation areas in the county. We accomplish this by helping to raise funds for various WCCB projects, serving as an organizational base for volunteers, and advising the WCCB concerning the needs of the community in regards to educational programming and recreational resources.
Goals
Specific goals of the Foundation include:
- Assisting the WCCB in the development of an environmental education center in Winnebago County (see our capital campaign effort to raise money for the center)
- Helping the WCCB create new outdoor recreational opportunities for people, thus enhancing and promoting outdoor education and local tourism
- Providing continued support for the WCCB's environmental education program and its needs and
- Organizing fundraising events to support WCCB projects.
Foundation Board Members
The Foundation Board consists of six community board members, the WCCB Director, the WCCB Naturalist, and a WCCB board member. The current members of the Foundation board are:
- Brad Huntington
Thompson, Chairperson - Tim Ranes
Forest City, Vice Chairperson - Tim Missal
Forest City, Secretary/Treasurer - Robert Schwartz
Forest City, WCCB Director - Lisa Ralls
Buffalo Center, WCCB Naturalist - Nancy Helm
Forest City, WCCB Board Member - Larry Vold
Joice - Doug Ostermann
Buffalo Center - Paul Fitzgerald
Forest City
Join or contribute
The Foundation board has set membership fees at the following rates:
- $5 for students
- $10 for individuals
- $25 for families
- $100 for small businesses
- $250 for large corporations
People can join the Friends of Winnebago County Conservation Foundation by submitting the annual fee, along with the membership form below. Of course, donations beyond the basic membership fees are also always greatly appreciated! All Foundation members, as well as the general public, are welcome to attend any of the Foundation board meetings. The annual Foundation meeting is held each summer.
The Friends of Winnebago County Conservation Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. As such, all donations are tax-deductible.
What do I get if I join?
Foundation members will have voting rights to determine the Foundation's board members, will receive certain discounts for WCCB programs and events, and will receive a subscription to "The Prairie Country Quarterly," the WCCB's newsletter. Members will also have the satisfaction of knowing they are contributing to the conservation of our county's natural resources and helping to assist environmental education efforts in Winnebago County!
For more information about the Friends of Winnebago County Conservation Foundation, Inc., you can contact the WCCB at 641-567-3390.
