“This recent investment in Jasper County will further the conservation and restoration of our native grasslands,” remarked Nathan Goldberg, Director of Conservation Science. “I’ve visited nearby Prairie Ridge State Natural Area many times over the years, and the stark difference in flora and fauna between restored properties and nearby agricultural land is quite apparent. Breeding birds including Sedge Wrens, Henslow’s Sparrows, and Northern Bobwhite will certainly benefit from this new acquisition, as well as many wintering raptors including Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers. As someone who calls the Prairie State home, it brings me joy to know that Illinois Audubon Society is firmly committed to re-wilding our landscapes, and returning land back to native prairie.”

Illinois Audubon Society’s legacy of assisting with land protection at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area began in 2000. This most recent purchase adjoins a 30-acre restored prairie acquired by the Society in 2003. With the addition of this latest parcel, the Society has now protected 1,175 acres with an investment of $5.4 million within the PRSNA boundaries.

Deb Carey, Chair of the Lands Protection and Stewardship Committee, remarked, “Acquiring wildlife habitat, like this recent purchase of an 80-acre parcel in Jasper County, is one way to increase biodiversity. Other methods we utilize include: instigating scientific research on native flora and fauna, inspiring people to work together on land stewardship, and educating young and old on the intricacies of Nature. Share our passion for the planet by joining us on our journey.”

The mission of the Illinois Audubon Society is to promote the perpetuation and appreciation of native plants and animals and the habitats that support them. The Society is an independent, statewide, member supported, not-for-profit organization. Founded in 1897, the Society is Illinois’ oldest private conservation organization. The Illinois Audubon Society has protected 7,400 acres by investing $21 million to protect land and water throughout Illinois.

Northern Bobwhite photo by Leroy Harrison

The post Announcing the Newest Addition to Prairie Ridge State Natural Area appeared first on Illinois Audubon Society.

The parcel lies adjacent to the 130-acre Queen of the Prairie tract (purchased in 2022) where volunteer stewards are currently restoring a 40-acre former agricultural field to grassland habitat. Deb Carey, Illinois Audubon Society Board of Directors and Chair of Illinois Audubon Society’s Land Protection and Stewardship Committee reports, “Nesting Lark Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks and more have already found it to their liking. This work would not happen without the efforts of dedicated volunteers.”

The latest purchase will also be targeted for grassland restoration; volunteer stewards have already reported finding New Jersey tea and prairie drop seed on the property.

According to Carey, “Southern Lee County’s sand ridges and marshes hold a multitude of amazing life forms: glass lizards, poppy mallow, cream indigo, and blue racers, just to name a few. Now, with the majority of the county in row crop agriculture, many of the native plants and animals no longer thrive due to a lack of sustainable habitat.It is the goal of the Illinois Audubon Society to protect representative examples of intact native ecosystems and unique natural features that persist and provide habitat for native plants and animals.”

Green River Lowlands is a river of sand, eolian sands, sand dunes and sand ridges because the landscape was once covered over by outwash from the receding of the Wisconsin glaciation. Subsequent post-glacial winds had used the most portable component of this outwash, sand, to shape the dune and swale topography seen today.

Studies of the substance, structure and orientation of sand deposits in the area, indicate that winds from west to northwest had largely completed this work by about 17,000 years ago.

The late botanist Henry Allan Gleason referred to the vegetation of the Green River Lowlands in his extensive study of Illinois sand deposits. Gleason studied a site near Amboy on August 21,1910. He noted: “This name – the Amboy area – is given to the irregular complex of sand ridges and marshes along the Green River in Lee County, well-illustrated in the vicinity of Amboy. The drainage of the whole valley is poor, and two large marsh areas, known as the Inlet Swamp and the Winnebago Swamp, are, as yet, not entirely reclaimed”.

Both the Inlet and Winnebago “swamps” were eventually drained and converted to row crop agriculture by the very early 1900s and Gleason witnessed the final bloodletting of the swamp. But the sand remains.
“Oh, what a delight it would have been to walk with him as he investigated the remains of the great swamps,” added Carey.

As the late, great naturalist and author Aldo Leopold reminded us “the first rule of intelligent tinkering is to keep all the pieces”.

This newest tract is one of those vital pieces.

Photo by Bob Schifo, Middlefork Audubon Society

The post Illinois Audubon Society expands Green River Lowlands Preserve with 60-acre Acquisition appeared first on Illinois Audubon Society.

“This addition to the Prairie Ridge State Natural Area is adding one more critical piece to the jigsaw puzzle,” remarked Deb Carey, Chair of the Illinois Audubon Society’s Land Protection and Stewardship Committee. “Natural areas in Illinois are fragmented and the Illinois Audubon Society is working diligently to knit together parcels into sustainable sanctuaries for native flora and fauna. A visitor to the site will be mesmerized by the ballet-like flight of Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers. Oftentimes the beautiful charismatic species are noted, but it is the thousands of insects, soil organisms, plants, and fungi that support the entire earth and provide habitat for everything, including humans.”

Todd Strole, Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, remarked, “Illinois Audubon has been a long-time partner in this landscape and the impact is real. When an organization pairs its financial abilities with a clarity of purpose, good things happen and it is making a difference for all grassland wildlife in the area.”

Bob Gillespie, Site Manager at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area said, “This addition to the Loy Land and Water Reserve (LWR) increases that 216-acre site by approximately 100 acres. The original Loy LWR was purchased by the Illinois Audubon Society in December of 2010. This welcome opportunity to expand the preserve will allow for more prairie reconstruction. The newly acquired property will provide for the development of populations of imperiled species including the state-threatened eryngium stem borer moth (Papiapena eryngii), state-endangered royal catchfly (Silene regia), and state endangered prairie rose gentian (Sabatia campestris). Bird species such as the Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, and Barn Owl will be common visitors as the newly planted prairie flourishes in the next few years.”

Gillespie added, “This property is a necessary addition to Prairie Ridge State Natural Area. The tract increases the acreage of the Marion County unit of Prairie Ridge, especially in the northern extent of the project where industrialization pressures have been impactful. Buffering the Loy LWR, and adding acreage in the geography of the Perbix tract of PRSNA, provides continuity to the preserve and decreases the fragmentation of habitats. One hundred acres of additional prairie will provide habitat for grassland birds and areas to expand populations of state listed plants and animals. This is a fantastic incremental step in closing gaps in preserve design and creating additional grassland at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area.”

Photo by Paul Rossi

The post Land Acquisition Expands Prairie Ridge State Natural Area appeared first on Illinois Audubon Society.

The property is the core of a proposed 60-acre Okàn Savanna Land and Water Reserve. It qualifies for inclusion in the Illinois Nature Preserves system because the high-quality savanna provides a home for the state-endangered highbush blueberry, state-threatened ornate box turtle, and regal fritillary butterfly.

“A beautiful time has come!” remarked Johari Cole-Kweli, clearly not containing her enthusiasm, “We closed on October 1st.” And her team’s long effort to protect a vital parcel of the rarest black oak savanna in the Kankakee Sands region has come to fruition. Cole-Kweli is the President and Managing Director of the CDC-PHP.

Other notable wildlife species documented there include slender glass lizard, red-headed woodpecker, whip-poor-will, plains pocket gopher, and two dozen more Species in Greatest Conservation Need according to IDNR’s State Wildlife Action Plan. Pembroke Township has also been designated as an Important Bird Area.

Kim Roman, Natural Areas Preservation Specialist, for the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, is equally excited about the acquisition of Okàn Savanna, “This project is the culmination of the growing partnerships within Pembroke-Hopkins Park and will be a huge asset to the community.”

The site also includes a 6000 square-foot building (a former daycare facility) that will become a vital hub for the community, a meeting place with office space, a center for environmental education, after-school programs, and a nature center and trailhead for the public. It is adjacent to another 15 acres owned by CDC-PHP and 20 acres owned by The Nature Conservancy. The local school, library, senior center, and community park are all within walking distance.

Okàn Savanna sits within the heart and soul of this rural township.

Partners include Illinois Audubon Society, Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, Openlands, and the Pembroke Preservation Alliance.

Community Development Corporation of PHP was forged from grassroots activism, driven by the voices and determination of concerned residents to reclaim and direct our land conservation and community development to make Pembroke Township a better place for all. In 2015 we formed a voluntary task force, and in 2018 we continued our civic commitment as a charitable Community Development Corporation (CDC). By inspiring local leadership, we aspire to rebuild and restore our community to greatness with innovative and sustainable programs and development opportunities to improve the condition of our underserved, protect our sacred environment, and bring pride to the next generations. Our mission is to advocate for community-based leadership, sustainability, and enrichment within Pembroke-Hopkins Park [PHP] and preserve and protect its cultural, historical, and environmental legacy.

The mission of the Illinois Audubon Society is to promote the perpetuation and appreciation of native flora and fauna and the habitats that support them. The Society is an independent, statewide, member supported, nonprofit organization. Founded in 1897, the Society is Illinois’ oldest private conservation organization with 2,200 members, 17 chapters and 19 affiliate groups. The Illinois Audubon Society has protected 7,200 acres by investing $18 million to protect land and water throughout Illinois. Find out more at illinoisaudubon.org

The mission of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission is to assist private and public landowners in protecting high quality natural areas, habitats of endangered and threatened species, and lands with significant archeological resources, in perpetuity, through voluntary dedication or registration of such lands into the Illinois Nature Preserves System. The Commission, established in 1963, promotes the preservation of these significant lands and provides leadership in their stewardship, management, and protection. Illinois was the first state to create such an innovative land protection program and became a national model for many other states. There are currently 419 dedicated nature preserves and 210 registered land and water reserves – 629 sites altogether – in Illinois’ System, comprised of 123,000 acres.

Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives. As Chicago’s regional land trust, Openlands connects and energizes the region through strategic collaboration and local partnerships. We work closely with government agencies and policymakers to develop new environmental conservation plans and practices created with all individuals in mind. From establishing city parks and trails to stewarding large-scale landscapes and waters in Northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region, Openlands is committed to advancing nature-based solutions to mitigate the threats of biodiversity loss and climate change and create access to nature for all. For more information, please visit openlands.org.

The Pembroke Preservation Alliance is a partnership of public and private organizations wishing to sustain Pembroke’s cultural, historical, and ecological landscape by adopting a holistic approach to conservation within the human communities of Pembroke. Alliance members, including the CDC-PHP, Friends of the Kankakee, Field Museum, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, The Nature Conservancy, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, commit to ongoing communication, transparency, community engagement, and collaboration to bring resources to Pembroke Township and to foster thriving relationships between people, community, and nature.

The post Partners Work Together to Preserve High-quality Oak Savanna in Pembroke Township and Hopkins Park appeared first on Illinois Audubon Society.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill – Across Illinois, trees are dying, gardens are being threatened, and children are literally running from drifting herbicides, according to a new report from Prairie Rivers Network.

Hidden in Plain Sight summarizes six years of study about herbicide drift – the movement of toxic chemicals through the air to a non-target site – across rural and urban Illinois. The report shows that herbicide drift, largely from the agricultural industry, is damaging wild and cultivated plants and trees throughout Illinois, threatening human health and impairing our ability to adapt to a changing climate.

“Nowhere is safe from chemical trespass,” said Kim Erndt-Pitcher, Director of Ecological Health at Prairie Rivers Network. “Herbicide drift demonstrates a disregard for property rights. Again and again, trees and plants on public land, private land, in parks, schoolyards, homes, gardens and forests are being injured by drifting herbicides. Our current system for preventing harm from pesticide drift is not working. Illinois needs to do better.”

Prairie Rivers Network, through our Tree and Plant Health Monitoring Program launched in 2018, has been studying symptoms of herbicide drift and damage to non-target broadleaf plants and trees across rural and urban Illinois. Testing was conducted over a six-year period at 280 sites in more than 40 counties throughout the state. We found widespread symptoms of injuries and an alarming decline in health among our trees.

“Conventional wisdom tends to dismiss pesticide drift as controlled, sporadic, or inconsequential,” said Martin Kemper, a co-author of the report and retired Illinois Department of Natural Resources scientist. “This scientific report by Prairie Rivers Network, conducted in the places it matters — gardens, backyards, school yards, parks, and natural areas — shows that such drift is pervasive and insidious.”

Stories about the impact of herbicide drift have also been shared by those we talked to, including managers of public lands, private landowners, and outdoor enthusiasts. Their voices are also included in the report.

“Herbicide drift has taken the joy from gardening,” says Patsy Hirsch, of Kane County. “We have made the painful decision to forego harvest of our garden vegetables due to repeated herbicide exposures from the many lawn applications that take place in our neighborhood. The damage is everywhere we go. You cannot unsee it, once you know how to identify herbicide damage symptoms.”

The Bluestem Hall Nature School is a nature-based preschool (also offering K-1 classes) in rural Urbana. It shares space with the adjacent Barnhart Prairie Nature Preserve, which is a vital part of the school’s outdoor experiential learning program. However, the school and preserve are surrounded by farm fields, and the students are frequently exposed to pesticides while outside.

“Our nature-based program is designed to cultivate magical, respectful, and wondrous connections between children and their natural environment. How can we do this if we are literally running indoors to escape the chemical drift in our community? It raises the question — who has the rights to air quality?

And the answer is clearly not in favor of our smallest citizens,” said Abbie Frank, executive director of Bluestem Hall Nature School.

The Illinois constitution, passed in 1970, guarantees that each person has the right to a healthful environment. However, Hidden in Plain Sight shows that no matter where you go in Illinois, you can’t escape herbicide drift. Tissue samples showed detectable levels of herbicides in leaves of 95% of trees we tested. Nearly all sites had symptoms of drift every year.

“If people’s homes, schoolyards, public parks and gardens aren’t safe from herbicide pollution, how is that a ‘healthful environment?’” Erndt-Pitcher said. “Illinois has lost millions of acres of habitat to agriculture. What is left of our native prairies and the species that rely on them are barely hanging on. We need to step up and protect what we have left, before it’s too late.”

Trees play a vital role in climate change, sequestering carbon, improving air quality, and cooling urban areas. The drift is triggering a chain of adverse effects that are destroying habitats and food sources for native wildlife.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes that injuries are widely under-reported. Much attention has been paid to the damage caused by the herbicide dicamba, which has damaged millions of acres of cropland and natural areas across the Midwest and South; however, the report finds that there has been consistent drift from many herbicides, including 2,4-D, glufosinate, atrazine and others. In fact, 2,4-D was found even more often than dicamba.

The report calls for an updated regulatory structure in Illinois, one that looks into herbicide drift and provides growers with the necessary support to diversify farming systems. The report also calls on the Illinois General Assembly to adequate fund enforcement of the Illinois Pesticide Act.

“It’s time that we educate the public on how widespread herbicide drift is in Illinois, and act to stop it,” Erndt-Pitcher said.

At Prairie Rivers Network (PRN), we protect water, heal land, and inspire change. Using the creative power of science, law, and collective action, we protect and restore our rivers, return healthy soils and diverse wildlife to our lands, and transform how we care for the earth and for each other. PRN is the Illinois affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.

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Creates Third Largest Conservation Landscape in Chicago Region

Updated: March 22, 2:30pm

The Conservation Fund, Illinois Audubon Society, and Openlands announced today the partnership’s acquisition of Tamarack Farms in Richmond, Illinois for Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge (Hackmatack). Straddling the Illinois-Wisconsin border, the federally designated Refuge protects vital habitat for the region’s biodiversity while offering extensive recreational opportunities for the 12 million residents of the greater Chicago, Rockford, and Milwaukee metropolitan areas.

At 985 acres, Tamarack Farms is the largest single property located within Hackmatack’s approved boundary, where the average property size is only 63 acres. According to the Prairie State Conservation Coalition, which maintains a database of all conservation properties in Illinois, Tamarack Farms is the largest conservation acquisition in the Chicago region since the creation of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in 1996. Additionally, Tamarack Farms will connect several existing conservation areas, creating a continuous 5,600-acre macrosite — the third largest in the six-county metro region behind Midewin and the Palos Preserves of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

“Since the Tamarack Farms property was under threat of development, protecting it has been a top conservation priority for decades. Through patient negotiations over the course of years, this once-in-a-generation opportunity has been realized.” said Emy Brawley, Illinois State Director for The Conservation Fund. “Thanks to our collaborative partnership, and steadfast leadership from advocates, local government, and our congressional delegations, Tamarack Farms will enable the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to dramatically expand public land access for residents and visitors of the region.”

Established in 2012 by then-Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge protects wildlife habitat within the Nippersink Creek watershed in McHenry County, Illinois and Walworth County, Wisconsin. As envisioned, Hackmatack aims to create an 11,200-acre natural landscape by connecting four conservation core areas with wildlife-friendly migration corridors through a combination of acquisitions and private land conservation agreements. A map of the Refuge’s existing land holdings is available here from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), the managing agency of the refuge.

National Wildlife Refuges serve joint purposes of biodiversity conservation, public recreation, and education. Hackmatack is also an urban wildlife refuge, a special designation within the National Wildlife Refuge system, which enhances its recreational and educational mission. When open to the public, recreational opportunities will include hiking and walking, canoeing and kayaking, birding and wildlife viewing, biking, and wintertime recreation, as well as volunteer stewardship events. The property will also provide unique public access opportunities via an adjacent rails-to-trails path that connects with Wisconsin to the north and the Grand Illinois Trail network to the south.

“High-quality public land is a boon to McHenry County, as it would be for other parts of the region with natural assets like Tamarack Farms. From the emergence of Hackmatack in 2005 as an idea, Openlands has championed, with partners, the value proposition of a National Wildlife Refuge right here in our own metro,” said Michael Davidson, President and CEO of Openlands. “McHenry County is already seeing results of accessible open space. Between 2021-2022, visitors to the county spent over $336 million, a 26% increase in spending from the previous year. Clearly, the economy benefits from our need to get outside and care for our physical and mental health. We hope this acquisition can lead to further investment in connecting our region’s natural lands.”

The acquisition of Tamarack Farms will further protect high-quality wildlife habitat on the property, including remnant oak woodland, habitat for nesting grassland birds and waterfowl, cold-water springs, a 70-acre open water wetland, and multiple feeder streams to the nearby Nippersink Creek, one of the highest aquatic quality streams in the region. Over 200 species of birds, 70 species of fish, 30 species of reptiles and amphibians, 35 species of mammals, and hundreds of plant species have been recorded within the refuge boundary.

“Large-scale conservation such as this project is critical to ensure species’ resiliency in the face of climate change, and Tamarack Farms will provide a natural sanctuary for both people and wildlife,” said Jo Fessett, Executive Director of Illinois Audubon Society. “This exceptional addition to the Refuge will not only create habitat for numerous threatened and endangered species of plants and wildlife, but also present the perfect opportunity to enhance public interaction and appreciation of nature.”

Tamarack Farms remains under an active farm lease and public access will be limited until the property is opened for recreation by USFWS.

The property was purchased from a willing private seller with the stated intention of adding it to Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, resulting in the protection of nearly 10% of the land within the Refuge’s approved boundary.

The acquisition was financially supported by The Conservation Fund, Illinois Audubon Society, and Openlands, with additional support from the Bobolink Foundation, James and Elizabeth Bramsen, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hamill, Nancy Hamill Winter, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, and the McHenry County Conservation Foundation. The Conservation Fund and Openlands will hold the property in trust until it can be conveyed to the USFWS as funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund becomes available.

“In many ways, acquisition of Tamarack Farms represents a ‘dream realized’ for a small group who first came together over two decades ago to advocate for its protection as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system,” said Steve Byers, Chair of Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. “Protection of Tamarack Farms, with its majestic oak woodlands, dynamic wetlands, and opportunities for prairie restoration, is a historic leap forward for the Refuge and brings it closer to its goal of 11,200 acres of protected land. It also demonstrates the power of dreams and of a shared vision with committed partners in building a landscape that benefits our natural world and the residents of the region alike.”

Those interested in experiencing the Refuge are encouraged to visit the Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge website, to learn about educational and volunteer opportunities, or to visit several of the USFWS or McHenry County Conservation District conservation areas within the Refuge boundary.

Correction: Additional support for the Tamarack Farms acquisition and Hackmatack advocacy efforts was provided by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. 

About The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches, and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms.

About Illinois Audubon Society
The mission of the Illinois Audubon Society is to promote the perpetuation and appreciation of native flora and fauna and the habitats that support them. The Society is an independent, statewide, member supported, nonprofit organization. Founded in 1897, the Society is Illinois’ oldest private conservation organization with 2,200 members, 17 chapters and 19 affiliate groups. The Illinois Audubon Society has protected 6,200 acres by investing $17 million to protect land and water throughout Illinois.

About Openlands
Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives. As Chicago’s regional land trust, Openlands connects and energizes the region through strategic collaboration and local partnerships. We work closely with government agencies and policymakers to develop new environmental conservation plans and practices created with all individuals in mind. From establishing city parks and trails to stewarding large-scale landscapes and waters in Northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region, Openlands is committed to advancing nature-based solutions to mitigate the threats of biodiversity loss and climate change and create access to nature for all.

The post Nearly 1,000 Acres Protected for Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge In Largest Regional Conservation Acquisition In 28 Years appeared first on Illinois Audubon Society.

“Protection of land for conservation purposes is often built on partnerships Illinois Audubon stepped up on short notice to seize an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of the premier cave system in Illinois, Fogelpole Cave. The conservation community and the citizens of Illinois are the benefactors of the work done by Illinois Audubon on many fronts, including land protection.“  Todd Strole, Executive Director, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission

Unique to Foglepole Cave are populations of the Illinois cave amphipod (Gammarus acherondytes) a small shrimp-like animal that exists only in Monroe County and found nowhere else on the planet. The cave also hosts the state- and federally-endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) as a wintering hibernacula and summer maternity roost, while the gray bat (Myotis grisescens) has been documented using the cave as a summer habitat.

The property lies adjacent to the Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve, protected and managed by Clifftop NFP. The 535-acre preserve was purchased in 2013 to also protect the recharge basin and has been restored to shortgrass prairie, with woods and wooded sinkholes.

 “Protecting the Fogelpole Cave watershed is extremely important to Clifftop. We are appreciative that Illinois Audubon was able to come to the table to help protect this Southern Illinois treasure. We look forward to partnering with them to protect the cave as they become neighbors to our own Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve.” Jared Nobbe, President, Clifftop NFP

Illinois cave amphipod illustration by Natalia Rodriguez Bazzi

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As a successful recipient of this grant, we are also eligible for an additional $6,000 upon completion of 400 hours of volunteer stewardship on the focus area.  There is no doubt that the dedicated volunteer stewards at Green River Lowlands Preserve will reach this next challenge as well. Interested in joining a workday? Contact Deb Carey here.

Combining our member’s donations, Foundation match, volunteer hours and additional funds for equipment, this grant will provide up to $32,000 in funds.

The long-term goal at Gremel Nature Preserve is to enhance and maintain sustainable habitat for native plants and animals. The focus area for the grant is an Illinois Natural Area Inventory (INAI) sedge meadow that is suffering from an encroachment of non-native woody shrubs competing with native wetland plants for space, sunlight and water. These non-natives also make the areas uninviting to some of our animal species,such as Blanding’s turtle, who find it impossible to travel through these multiple-stemmed, invasive shrubs. Our birds will benefit too when insect populations increase as the diversity and quality of native plant species is improved.

We are grateful to the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for their continued support in land protection and restoration assistance.

INAI Sedge Meadow at Gremel Nature Preserve photo by Deb Walens (Birdsong Chapter/Starved Rock Audubon Society)

The post Grant News: Funds to help restoration at Green River Lowlands Preserve appeared first on Illinois Audubon Society.

The addition contains highly restorable sand woodlands and savannas interspersed with small wetlands and wet sand prairies. “This land will provide immediate food, shelter and breeding areas for native fauna, and safe habitat for native flora,” said Deb Carey, Illinois Audubon Society President.

The parcel is in the Green River Lowlands Natural Division of Illinois. The Green River Lowlands are known to provide suitable habitat for several state-listed endangered and threatened species. Acquisition of the parcel contributes to the Society’s long-term goal to permanently preserve safe breeding habitat for the state-endangered Blanding’s turtle, state-threatened plains hog-nosed snake and state-threatened ornate box turtle, which occur at the nearby Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve and scattered sites within the Green River Lowlands.

Funding for the acquisition comes from the recent bequest of Gil and Mary Hebard (Knoxville, Illinois).

“The bequest received from the Hebards has strengthened our ability to focus on our mission of land protection in Illinois,” commented Jim Herkert, Executive Director. “Illinois Audubon Society also recognizes the Grigalauski family for their desire to preserve this land for the enjoyment of future generations.” The Society will oversee the placement of two dedication stones and a bench in honor of the Grigalauski Family sometime in 2022.

The post Illinois Audubon Society Purchases Land in Lee County appeared first on Illinois Audubon Society.

This effort advances a partnership between Illinois Audubon Society, Lake-Cook Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society and Lake Forest Open Lands.

The undeveloped 770 Westleigh Preserve was acquired in 2007 by Lake Forest Open Lands and was adopted as a stewardship site by the Illinois Audubon Society’s Lake-Cook Chapter in early 2020. The site contains woodland, upland, prairie and wetland habitats that combine to offer a high-quality birding site.

“The total cost to restore, monitor and study this preserve is substantial. The partnership with Illinois Audubon Society and the Lake-Cook stewards will be a critical component in achieving our restoration goals at this location,” commented John Sentell, President and CEO, Lake Forest Open Lands Association.

The grant will provide funds to continue a variety of critical habitat restoration activities, including invasive species removal, prescribed burns, native planning and species inventories, that will create quality open space as well as an improved environment for both resident and migrating birds.

“Our stewardship volunteers have already participated in multiple workdays, installed bluebird boxes and a purple martin system to encourage nesting of these species, and initiated a breeding bird survey on the preserve,” said Rena Cohen, President, Lake-Cook Chapter. “It’s an exciting project that is enabling us to make a difference right in our backyard.”

“We feel that this grant is directly in line with our mission to promote restoration of native habitat and increase the awareness and participation of volunteer stewards in these efforts. We applaud our Lake-Cook stewards for taking on this challenge,” stated Jim Herkert, Executive Director, Illinois Audubon Society.

The Community Stewardship Challenge Grant will match up to $7,000 raised at a 3-to-1 ratio, providing up to $21,000 in support from the Foundation. Any funds received beyond the $7,000 will also be used for future stewardship at 770 Westleigh Preserve. The completion of 600 additional hours of volunteer work at the preserve will qualify the project for an additional $6,000 in grant funds.

The mission of the Illinois Audubon Society is to promote the perpetuation and appreciation of native plants and animals and the habitats that support them. The Society is an independent, member supported, not-for-profit, statewide organization. Founded in 1897, the Society is Illinois’ oldest private conservation organization with 2200 members, 18 chapters and 19 affiliate groups. The Illinois Audubon Society has protected more than 5,500 acres by investing $12.5 million to protect land and water throughout Illinois.

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