Megan Oropeza

I am a restoration ecologist at The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC). Since moving to Woodstock in 2020, I have been responsible for supervising and facilitating stewardship operations, managing restoration projects, and assisting landowners in achieving their restoration goals. Together with my colleague, Kim Elsenbrook, I organize the Conservation Leader Internship Program (CLIP) to provide ecological opportunities for young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds. Community engagement is a vital part of my role, and I collaborate with organizations and municipalities to inspire restoration efforts. Hosting restoration workdays allows volunteers to come together and create a welcoming environment for newcomers. Before my current role, I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, and I gained hands-on experience in restoration through my work at the Richardson Wildlife Foundation (RWF) and as a Crew Leader for Pizzo & Associates. Working in restoration has taught me patience, endurance, and the importance of healing both the environment and the soul.