"To enhance the historical hunting and fishing heritage, and conservation of fish, game and wildlife and their habitats through programs of management, education and research."

The Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation was established in 1962 by the late Max McGraw--founder of the McGraw Edison Co., sportsman, and ardent conservationist--for the purpose of furthering management and conservation of wildlife and fisheries resources through programs of research, education, and cooperation with other agencies. The Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation under Illinois statutes and is qualified as a charitable organization for federal tax purposes.

Situated between Elgin and Dundee, in Kane County, IL, the Foundation's 1,224 acres include a variety of terrain and habitat, ranging from lowlands along the Fox River to native oak-hickory woodlands, and from areas reforested in the 1940's with conifers and hardwoods, to fertile farmland. Over 260 species of birds have been identified on Foundation property along with 52 species of fish, 18 species of amphibians and reptiles, 51 species of butterflies, and 33 species of mammals.