Fund Your Wild!

Our goal is to raise $3000 for native seeds & plants as we build habitat.

You can support Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in the following ways:

1.  Donate online using America’s Wildlife Refuges Find Your Wild! nationwide event platform. ALL DONATIONS come back to Friends of Hackmatack NWR, along with a percentage of additional money granted to us from America’s Wildlife Refuges & Public Lands Alliance for being part of this nationwide effort.

2. Donate by check to FOHNWR, mailed to PO Box 413, Richmond, IL. 60071. Please put Fund Your Wild in the note space on your check.

3. Donate through the Shop on this website using Credit Card, PayPayl or Venmo:  Donate Here.  Please put “Fund Your Wild” in the Order Notes. You will see the Order Notes after you click on “Proceed to Checkout”.

4. Donate by making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), also called IRA charitable distribution. Checks should be made out to FOHNWR and mailed to PO Box 413, Richmond, IL. 60071. Our FEIN Number is 46-2490340.

How Will My Donations be Put to Use?

Friends of Hackmatack NWR is a completely volunteer organization, so your money will go directly into funding the many ways our group supports our refuge.

Friends of Hackmatack NWR volunteers have put thousands of hours into restoring prairies, wetlands and oak savannas on lands protected for Hackmatack NWR since the refuge was established in 2012. We also work with communities to build pocket refuges in the form of pollinator gardens. One ongoing need is for seed and plants for sites. Our FUNd Your Wild fundraising goal is $3,000. This money will be used to seed a newly restored savannas at the Tamarack West and Schaid sites and to continue to expand the Petersen Park Pollinator Garden in the City of McHenry.

Wild Events!

Tuesday,  September 9
Friends Fall Gathering
Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park
6:30 – 8:00 PM

The Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee at Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge: Attend our Fall Gathering, where we will hear about the Rusty Patched Bumblebee and how it is faring in our region. Watch for Current Announcements with more details.

Enjoy meeting old & new Friends, and enjoy refreshments before & after the presentation.

Sunday,  September 14
Mexican Independence Day
C de C Event

Saturday,  September 20
Exotic Pet Surrender Event
Fontana JT8 School District
12 PM – 3 PM

Do you have an exotic pet that you are no longer able to care for?  If so, bring your pet to this safe, judgement free environment. In some areas, rehoming options for exotic animals are limited, and releasing them into the wild is harmful to both the animal and the environment. We’re here to provide a compassionate alternative. After a brief quarantine period, all surrendered animals will be available for adoption.

See complete details here.

Saturday,  September 20
Find Your Wild Blazing a Trail!
9AM – 11 AM
Park at the Red Barn (previous Cimmarron Archery Barn)
9201 US Rte. 12, Richmond, IL

Find Your Wild by Blazing a Trail on new refuge lands! Join Friends leaders on an exploration that will take us to an overlook of a large, beautiful marsh, home to rare birds like the Black Tern. This is not a groomed trail, so be prepared for uneven surfaces. Parking and meet-up location is the red barn at 9201 Rte 12 in Richmond, IL. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Bring your water bottle. Snacks will be provided.

Find Your Wild is a national event in partnership with America’s Wildlife Refuges and US Fish & Wildlife Services, aimed at raising money for national wildlife refuges. And YOU can take part!

The Big Sit! is a free, annual, international birding event open to anyone, anywhere in the world. The concept is simple: find a good spot for bird watching and count all the bird species you see or hear. Stop by for a few minutes, stay a few hours or join the whole sit. Bring a lawn chair and your binoculars and layered clothing.

The Hackmatack4birds Big Sit! will be held at the north side of Lost Valley Visitor Center overlooking the wetlands. The Visitor Center will also be open all day, providing a warmup spot and bathrooms. Inside, we will also be celebrating Fall World Migratory Bird Day with information about birds’ incredible migrations south each fall. The theme for World Migratory Bird Day this year is Shared Spaces so we’ll also have information about how you can help the birds and other wildlife that share your property.

Saturday,  October 18:  Due to predicted rain, this event has been rescheduled for October 25.
Find Your Wild:  Seed Your Wild

October 25, 2025
2 PM – 4 PM
Tamarack West
6500 E Tryon Grove Rd , Richmond, IL 60071
Richmond, IL  60071
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/Zgg6BQdGasWRR6J56

Seed Your Wild with Friends of Hackmatack NWR stewardship volunteers! Growing a new refuge like Hackmatack NWR (est. 2012) requires a lot of restoration work and native plantings. And native prairie seed is expensive! One way we grow our refuge most economically is by collecting seed from more-established parts of the refuge and spreading it on newer sites. Join us as we collect seed at a re-established prairie at lands protected by our conservation partner, Openlands. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and bring gloves and your water bottle. Seed collection supplies and refreshments will be provided.