The McHenry County Conservation District, in partnership with three other local agencies, will seek state funding to help buying 185 acres near Woodstock.
On Thursday, the MCCD board approved a grant application to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which is offering matching grants for open-land purposes.
The district, with the city of Woodstock, the McHenry County Defenders environmental group and the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District, are seeking to preserve the land at the headwaters of the Kishwaukee River.
The land is in two parcels. The larger parcel is 95 acres, southwest of Illinois Highway 47 and U.S. Highway 14. The second, 90 acres, is at Illinois 47 and McConnell Road.
MCCD estimates the land would cost up to $3 million.
If the application is approved and the sale goes through, the majority of the land would be owned by the MCCD.
The other three agencies would own small portions, averaging 10 acres. Grant disbursements will be announced this fall.
