Check out the links below to stories highlighting the dedicated volunteers and incredible biodiversity of the Illinois Nature Preserves!
- RiverBender.com, Direct Benefits of Fire On Prairie Ecosystems, October 10, 2022
Fire was and continues to be an important part of prairie and forest ecosystems to keep them healthy.
- Chicago Tribune, Behind the scenes at Nachusa Grasslands, where animals from mice to bison find stability, October 18, 2022
On a hilltop about 95 miles west of Chicago grow plant species that have been there for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The soil is sandy, so when the surrounding lowlands were used for agriculture, the hill remained untouched. From that vantage point, Nachusa Grasslands sprawls below with sections of savanna, a pond frequented by blue herons, patchy spots where bison have grazed, and a red barn to the far north that marks the volunteer and scientist headquarters.
- The Pantagraph, 300-year-old trees tower at Singing Woods Nature Preserve, October 2, 2022
Hiking through Singing Woods Nature Preserve on a windy, late-September day, the high-pitched creaks and squeaks of tree limbs rubbing together makes one wonder if that’s how the area got its name.
- Chicago Sun-Times, 20 trails where Chicago-area hikers can enjoy nature, peace before winter sets in, September 24, 2022
There are hiking gems to be found within three hours of Chicago that aren’t as urban as the North Branch River Trail or as crowded as Starved Rock State Park in Utica.
- WBEZ Chicago, Let’s go hiking! 20 Midwest trails to conquer before winter sets in, September 20, 2022
All the trails are within a few hours’ drive of Chicago — and at the pinnacle of their beauty in fall.
- AgriNews, St. Charles Park District: Rebuilding the land seed by seed, September 16, 2022
Sometimes even Mother Nature needs a hand. And while a park district is often thought of for its playing fields and playgrounds, the St. Charles Park District has a small team devoted to the care and conservation of 500-plus acres of natural area with the three most well-known areas — Ferson Creek Fen Nature Preserve, Norris Woods Nature Preserve and Hickory Knolls Natural Area.
- The Pantagraph/Woodford County Journal, Woodford receives grant, September 2, 2022
Several ParkLands Foundation natural preserves in McLean and Woodford Counties will be assisted by stewardship grants through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
- Illinois Senate Democrats, Morrison celebrates Lake County receiving almost $130,000 in Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship grants, August 31, 2022
State Senator Julie Morrison celebrates the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announcement of almost $130,000 in grants for land trusts in Lake County to support land protected by the Illinois Nature Preservation Commission.
- CIL-FM, Williamson County Nature Preserve awarded state grant, August 26, 2022
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 of Illinois Nature Preserves.
- EIN News, IDNR announces Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship grants, August 26, 2022
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced 10 grants totaling $500,000 for land trusts in Illinois to support stewardship on land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC).
- OurQuadCities, Illinois land trusts earn grants, August 26, 2022
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced 10 grants totaling $500,000 for land trusts in Illinois – ncluding one in the Quad-City area – to support stewardship on land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC).
- The Pantagraph, McLean, Woodford counties receive $100K for natural area stewardship, August 26, 2022
Several ParkLands Foundation nature preserves in McLean and Woodford counties will be assisted by stewardship grants awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
- Sauk Valley News-Shaw Local, State stewardship grants awarded to natural areas in Whiteside and Ogle counties, August 26, 2022
Natural areas in Whiteside and Ogle counties were beneficiaries of two of 10 grants issued by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.
- KFVS12, Williamson Co. to receive one of ten statewide grants announced by IDNR, August 25, 2022
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced 10 grants totaling $500,000 for land trusts in Illinois to support stewardship on land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC).
- The Community Word, Nature Rambles | Bell Bowl, a Prairie in Peril, October 27, 2021
In Illinois, the prairie state, finding prairies can be a real challenge. Over 99.99% of Illinois native prairie has been destroyed. Most prairie has been converted to agriculture. The areas that were too hilly to plough or too dry or too wet to grow crops are almost all that remain.
- Chicago Sun-Times, New leadership can help save Bell Bowl Prairie, October 30, 2021
There seems little question that at least a portion of the prairie would qualify for nature preserve dedication, as it is of outstanding ecological quality
- Grayslake Patch, Lake Villa Couple Gets Outstanding Volunteer Award, July 23, 2021
Lake Villa residents Joyce and George Proper were awarded the Outstanding Volunteer award. The couple has volunteered for decades and collectively donated more than 10,000 hours in the last 15 years alone, according to a Lake County Forest Preserves news release.
- Daily Herald, Somme Prairie Grove recognized as Illinois Nature Preserve, June 25, 2021
Somme Prairie Grove has benefitted from a vibrant stewardship community — led by the North Branch Restoration Project — since 1980 and represents one of the oldest and most comprehensive savanna and woodland restorations in the Midwest. The recovery of Somme Prairie Grove is credited to the long-standing participation of this cohort of dedicated and talented community volunteers.
- OakPark.com, “Why we should care about Wolf Road Prairie,” June 23, 2021
Wolf Road Prairie is one of the last remaining examples of undisturbed black-soil grassland on earth. Its unusually intact ecosystem supports a large, interdependent community of wild animal, plant and other species. A legacy of the indigenous nations that formerly held sway, it is now protected for future generations. Scientists, students, and tourists visit from all over to admire and study this beautiful place. An unspoiled landscape like this would be unusual in a wilderness area; that it exists in Cook County makes it even more remarkable. It’s so special, it’s shocking that anyone would consider doing anything to jeopardize its well-being.
- Chicago Tribune, “In Illinois — the Prairie State — little prairie land remains. But work is being done to save what’s left in Cook County and restore more.” February 6, 2020
When walking in Cook County forest preserves back in the 1990s, John McMartin always thought the woods didn’t feel quite right. They were crowded and dark, unlike the open and airy woodlands near the farm he grew up on in Minnesota. Years later, he learned why.
- WTTW, “Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve mentioned in “New Bucket List for Nature Lovers: The World’s Most Instagrammed Forests” January 18, 2020.
The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission has designated Cap Sauers one of the highest quality natural areas in the state. Its miles of trails lead to some of the most remote areas in Cook County.
- Kankakee Daily-Journal, “Friends of the Nature Preserves,” January 16, 2021
A much-needed conservation group officially was formed and rolled out this past week. The Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves is a new nonprofit formed by a large group of passionate and concerned citizens.
- Daily Herald, “The Land Conservancy of McHenry County preserves 83 acres of wetland, sedge meadow and wet prairie in Woodstock,” January 3, 2020.
The Land Conservancy of McHenry County has preserved an 83-acre property, Slough Creek Wetland Bank, located northwest of Woodstock on Jankowski Road. The parcel lies within the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge and is adjacent to McHenry County Conservation District property along Slough Creek, the Nippersink Creek corridor, and one-half mile from the Bystricky Prairie Illinois State Nature Preserve.