The battle to save the ancient Bell Bowl Prairie in Rockford — home to the endangered rusty patched bumblebee — has included everything from foot-long yellow-and-black bee cutouts stuck to the gate … Continue reading Environmentalists float a ‘win-win’ proposal to save Rockford’s Bell Bowl Prairie, home of an endangered bumblebee
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Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves seek a Regional Field Representative (“Field Rep”) for Northeastern Illinois
Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves seek a Regional Field Representative (“Field Rep”) for Northeastern Illinois. The Field Rep’s main duties will be to (1) develop new model efforts in the … Continue reading Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves seek a Regional Field Representative (“Field Rep”) for Northeastern Illinois
WILLIAMSON COUNTY NATURE PRESERVE AWARDED STATE GRANT
A southern Illinois nature preserve has been awarded money by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. One of ten Natural Areas Stewardship Grants were recently awarded to the group Friends … Continue reading WILLIAMSON COUNTY NATURE PRESERVE AWARDED STATE GRANT
Out now: the Friends 2021 Annual Report!
Read the Report
Save the Date: Heron Pond’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on April 9, 2022
We welcome you to celebrate 50 years of permanent protection for Heron Pond and its upland counterpart, Wildcat Bluff, on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Event highlights include informational talks by pivotal figures in the acquisition, protection, and early management of this unique site; a juried art exhibit; and field tours of Heron Pond and Wildcat Bluff. Please join us for this celebration of our irreplaceable natural heritage!
VICTORY for Nature Preserves: Todd Strole hired as new Nature Preserves System Executive Director
In June we announced that congratulations were in order to all the groups and individuals who have been asking Governor Pritzker and his team to reinstate the position of Director … Continue reading VICTORY for Nature Preserves: Todd Strole hired as new Nature Preserves System Executive Director
Bell Bowl Proponents Sue To Stop Rockford Airport’s Bulldozers, Say ‘Prairies Are Illinois’ Redwoods’
On Wednesday, the Natural Land Institute announced it had filed suit in U.S. District Court, asking for a judge to issue an injunction to halt the demolition of a rare patch of ancient … Continue reading Bell Bowl Proponents Sue To Stop Rockford Airport’s Bulldozers, Say ‘Prairies Are Illinois’ Redwoods’
Bell Bowl Prairie Proponents Have a Proposal to Save Rare Land and Allow Rockford Airport to Expand
Most battles between development and conservation, or the economy and the environment, are pitched as an either-or. Supporters of the movement to save Bell Bowl Prairie, a small patch of rare remnant … Continue reading Bell Bowl Prairie Proponents Have a Proposal to Save Rare Land and Allow Rockford Airport to Expand
Friends Welcomes Travis Neal as field organizer for southern illinois
Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves is excited to announce and welcome Travis Neal as our first Field Organizer! Mr. Neal will be responsible for supporting and facilitating the growth of new and existing volunteer stewardship communities at southern Illinois nature preserves and identifying partnerships and resources.
Learn-and-Lead Groups Forming
Not just in the rain forest, here in Illinois we are losing rare species – even from thought-to-be-safe nature preserves. What is the problem? Lack of educated stewards to care … Continue reading Learn-and-Lead Groups Forming